Since the beginning of time, people have been interested in finding out how long people can live and what makes a long, healthy life. A new study that was published in GeroScience has shown certain common biomarkers in adults over 90, such as glucose and cholesterol levels.
By comparing the lifelong biomarker profiles of unusually long-lived individuals with those of others who have had shorter lives to date, the study establishes a correlation between the profiles and the likelihood of reaching centenarian age.
Data from 44,000 Swedes who had health evaluations between the ages of 64 and 99 were included in the study; these individuals were a sample of the so-called Amoris cohort.
After that, these individuals were monitored for up to 35 years using data from the Swedish Register. 1,224 (or 2.7%) of these individuals lived to be 100 years old. Eighty-five percent of the centenarians were women.
There were twelve blood-based indicators associated with metabolism, inflammation, liver and renal function, possible malnourishment, and anemia. In earlier research, each of these has been linked to death or ageing.
According to the study, those who lived to be 100 years old often had lower blood levels of uric acid, creatinine, and glucose starting in their 60s. Centenarians had very high or low levels seldom, even if the median values for most biomarkers did not differ significantly between them and non-centenarians.
Both centenarians and non-centenarians exhibited levels for several of the biomarkers that were outside of the range that clinical standards deemed normal. This is most likely a result of the recommendations’ reliance on data from a population that is younger and healthier.
All except two (albumin and alat) of the 12 biomarkers were associated with the chance of turning 100. Even after adjusting for illness burden, sex, and age, this remained the case.
Although the variations between some of the biomarkers were not very significant, they do point to a possible connection between longevity, diet, and metabolic health.
However, the study does not allow for any conclusions on whether lifestyle variables or genes are responsible for the biomarker readings.
(With inputs from agencies)