World’s Oldest Person, Who Lived to 117, May Have Held Genetic Keys to Longevity – And Enjoyed Daily Yogurt
Barcelona, Spain – Maria Branyas Morera, the world’s oldest person who passed away earlier this month at the remarkable age of 117, wasn’t just lucky. New research suggests her remarkable lifespan was underpinned by a unique genetic profile and lifestyle, potentially offering clues to extending healthy human life. While her daily routine included enjoying three yogurts, scientists believe the secret to her longevity runs far deeper.
Branyas’s case is attracting intense scientific scrutiny as researchers seek to understand the biological mechanisms behind remarkable longevity. The findings, published following a complete inquiry led by Dr. Manel Esteller, could pave the way for therapies aimed at promoting healthier aging for all. Understanding what allowed branyas to thrive for over a century is increasingly relevant as global populations age and age-related diseases become more prevalent.
researchers discovered Branyas was lacking in many molecular markers of age-associated disease. She possessed favorable genetic variants and efficient cholesterol and lipid metabolism, linked to longer life and good cognitive health. ”These are all critical as they’re linked to diseases that are typical in older people and they kill you at the end,” Esteller told The Guardian.
Low levels of inflammation helped her avoid diabetes and cancer, and her microbiome contained high levels of “good” bacteria. An epigenomic investigation revealed her biological age was at least ten to fifteen years below her chronological age.
Professor joão Pedro de Magalhães, at the University of Birmingham, emphasized the potential impact of these findings. “These outliers in longevity could provide insights into how to age more gracefully. If we could figure out which specific genes are associated with extreme human longevity and healthy old age it could provide clues about mechanisms for ageing as well as drug-able targets to develop interventions that allow everyone to live longer, healthier lives.”
