Unveiling the Secrets of Longevity: Insights from the Worlds Oldest Persons Life

When Maria Branyas from Catalonia passed away in August 2024 at the age of 117 years and 168 days, she was officially recognized as the oldest person in the world.

To uncover the secrets behind Maria’s impressive longevity, a team led by researchers from the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute in Spain conducted a thorough analysis encompassing everything from her genetics to proteins, microbiome, and metabolism.

Their report, which is yet to undergo peer review, offers a rare glimpse into the cellular mechanisms that may provide some of us with the opportunity to reach our centenary.

Maria was a supercentenarian—a person who has reached the age of 110 or beyond, a remarkable feat indeed. Only 1 in 10 individuals who live to be 100 will make it another ten years.

Utilizing a variety of analytical methods and interviews, the researchers concluded that Maria met many of the recommended criteria for longevity and healthy aging.

She maintained an active mental, social, and physical lifestyle, spending quality time with family and friends—factors known to help stave off dementia. Additionally, Maria followed a diet primarily based on the Mediterranean model, which is linked to increased life expectancy.

The researchers highlighted Maria’s fondness for yogurt, suggesting that her dietary choices supported the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Indeed, her gut microbiome displayed characteristics typically found in much younger individuals.

“Microorganisms play a crucial role not only in defining the metabolic makeup of our bodies but also in inflammation, gut permeability, brain function, and overall bone and muscle health,” the researchers noted in their published work.

Changes in our DNA have long been deemed critical in determining our mortality. Maria possessed genes associated with a stronger immune system, protection against cardiovascular diseases, and a reduced risk of cancer.

The study also examined DNA methylation—a chemical marking mechanism that affects gene expression. Since this mechanism is influenced by environmental stresses, it is often used to assess life experiences, which is referred to as our biological age.

“Interestingly, all the different algorithms for age estimation based on DNA methylation produced the same result,” the researchers stated.

“Our supercentenarian exhibited a biological age significantly lower than her chronological age, which was evident across three different analyzed tissues.”

Among other factors, the researchers noted that Maria had a highly efficient metabolism, leading to lower levels of «bad» cholesterol and higher levels of «good» cholesterol, as well as a low level of inflammation (which protects against numerous health issues).

Maria herself attributed her long life to a “structured lifestyle and a pleasant environment,” but it’s clear that numerous factors were at play. While most of us may not reach the age of 117, this study helps illuminate how we can give our bodies the best chance to age without damage or disease, thereby improving health in later years.

“The picture that emerges from our research suggests that advanced age and poor health are not inextricably linked, and both processes can be delineated and studied at the molecular level,” the researchers concluded.