Science Reveals the Blood Biomarkers in Centenarians that Predict a Long Life

Modern science is closer than ever to uncovering the "fountain of youth" by analyzing the blood of the world's oldest people. Recent research suggests that centenarians (those living to 100) and supercentenarians (110+) possess unique blood profiles that differentiate them from those with average lifespans.

One of the most comprehensive studies to date, published in GeroScience, tracked 44,000 Swedes for up to 35 years. Researchers discovered that individuals who reached their 100th birthday tended to have lower levels of glucose, creatinine, and uric acid from their sixties onwards. Of the twelve biomarkers analyzed—ranging from inflammation to kidney and liver function—ten were directly tied to the likelihood of reaching age 100.

Interestingly, centenarians rarely displayed extreme values in their bloodwork; for instance, very few had glucose levels exceeding 6.5 or creatinine levels above 125 earlier in life. While some participants had values outside the "normal" clinical range, researchers noted these guidelines are often based on much younger populations.

The case of Maria Branyas, who lived to 117, offers further insights. Her blood revealed low levels of "bad" cholesterol and several healthy immune markers. Curiously, she possessed significantly shortened telomeres. While short telomeres are usually linked to higher mortality, scientists hypothesize that in supercentenarians, they may provide an advantage by preventing cancer cells from proliferating.

While genetics play a powerful role, they are not "fate". Emerging evidence links nutrition to longevity markers. Branyas followed a Mediterranean diet high in yogurt, contributing to a remarkably youthful gut microbiome. Other studies have identified unique signatures in essential fatty acids that connect lipids to metabolic health.

Scientists hope these findings will lead to "longevity clocks"—blood tests capable of predicting lifespan or identifying "fast agers" who may need early intervention. For now, experts suggest that monitoring metabolic health—specifically glucose and uric acid—and maintaining a balanced diet are the best ways to tip the odds in favor of a longer life.

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🔖 Sources

The extraordinary longevity and blood of supercentenarians reveal crucial differences

The blood of exceptionally long-lived people reveals key differences

Blood of Exceptionally Long-Lived People Reveals Crucial Differences

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Keywords: Blood biomarkers in centenarians

Blood biomarkers in centenarians

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