Humans have been trying to solve the mystery of longevity for 100 years. Plato and Rado discussed the process of aging 23 years ago. Earlier, people living to the age of 100 were considered rare, but now their number is increasing rapidly. Since the 1970s, the centenarian population is doubling every 10 years.
Genes and lifestyle Scientists have been trying for a long time to know how long humans can live and what things ensure a long and healthy life. However, it is not easy to understand the factors behind longevity. For this, we have to see what is the role of the interaction of genes and lifestyle.
Research results A study published in Zero Science has revealed some common biomarkers, including cholesterol and glucose levels, in people living more than 90 years. Biomarkers are biological molecules found in blood or other body fluids that act as signs of normal or abnormal processes or changing disease conditions in the body.
The largest study so far Studies of older people have often been small-scale and focused on a select group. The new study compared the profile of biomarkers taken throughout their lives between people who lived longer and their younger peers. The scientists then examined the relationship between the profile and the likelihood of developing a disease. The study included data from 44,000 Swedish people who had their health assessed by the WHO at age 99. This is the largest study of its kind to date.
12 biomarkers were looked at through the SWEDISH register data for a 35-year period of follow-up. Of these, 1,224, or 2.7 percent, were women. Of the people who survived past 100, 85 per cent were women. The study included 12 blood-based biomarkers related to gastrointestinal metabolism, liver, and kidney function, as well as possible malnutrition and anemia.
The biomarker examined was uric acid, a biomarker related to inflammation. This was a waste product of the body’s digestion of certain foods. The research also found that cholesterol and glucose levels were higher in the blood than normal. They also looked at markers related to metabolism, liver function and creatinine, which is related to kidney function. They also looked at iron, which is related to animation. Finally, they examined the biomarker albumin, which is related to nutrition.
100-year-old markers found that among those who lived to their 10th birthday, 8 out of 100 people had low levels of uric acid since the 60s. The research found out which biomarkers were associated with the possibility of reaching 100 years of age and albumin was left out, while all other markers were associated with the possibility of reaching 100 years. In contrast, people with high levels of glucose, creatinine, uric acid and liver function markers were less likely to live to 100 years.
Some questions remain. Today no conclusion is drawn about which lifestyle activities are responsible for which biomarkers, yet it is clear that to live a long life with good health, it will be beneficial to keep an eye on glucose and uric acid along with kidney and liver.