The Longevity Code of a 117-Year-Old Sup

The Longevity Code of a 117-Year-Old Supercentenarian: Scientific Research Reveals the Truth About Genes, Habits, and Aging

 

In August 2024, María Branyas, the world's longest-lived woman at 117, passed away peacefully in Olot, Spain. She lived over 30 years longer than the average life expectancy of women in the region (around 86 years) and remained free of cancer and Alzheimer's disease, with only mild hearing loss and mobility impairment. Before her death, Manel Esteller's team from the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute in Barcelona conducted a comprehensive multi-omics analysis (covering genomics, proteomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics) on samples of her blood, saliva, urine, and feces collected via minimally invasive techniques. By comparing the results with those from non-supercentenarian populations, the team aimed to unlock the secrets of her "disease-free longevity." This analysis stands as the most thorough study of a supercentenarian (aged ≥110) to date—a group so rare that only about 1 in 6 million people worldwide belong to it, making María's life trajectory an invaluable sample for aging biology research.

 

When it comes to aging, many people associate longevity with longer telomeres—the "protective caps" at the ends of chromosomes that naturally shorten with age, and abnormally short telomeres are often linked to age-related diseases. However, María's test results challenged this perception: her average telomere length was shorter than that of all healthy volunteers, even reaching an "extremely shortened" state. What was more unusual was that this extreme telomere shortening did not expose her to disease—she remained free of age-related illnesses like cancer and Alzheimer's until the end of her life, with only mild hearing loss and mobility issues. The research team speculates that this "short telomere advantage" may have contributed to her cancer-free longevity: excessively short telomeres limit the unlimited proliferation of malignant cells, fundamentally reducing cancer risk. This finding breaks the inherent belief that "longer telomeres mean longer life," proving that telomere shortening is merely a "clock marker" of aging, not a direct "culprit" of disease. A similar "aging paradox" has been observed in other supercentenarians. For example, among 32 supercentenarians aged 110–119 studied by Boston University, despite showing aging signs like telomere shortening and immune cell senescence, only 2 (6%) had a history of myocardial infarction, 4 (13%) had experienced a stroke, and 8 (25%) had a history of cancer (all of which were cured). These figures are far better than those for the average 70-year-old population, which has a 15% myocardial infarction rate, 20% stroke rate, and over 40% cancer incidence. Clearly, the longevity of supercentenarians does not mean "no aging," but rather "separation of aging and disease."

 

María's multi-omics analysis revealed that her body simultaneously exhibited "signs of aging" and "protective mechanisms"—a common feature among supercentenarians worldwide. In terms of aging signs, her immune system showed "senescence signals": the activity of inflammation-related immune cells increased, and the B lymphocyte population expanded abnormally (a common sign of immune decline in the elderly). However, a series of "protective features" built a health barrier for her. Whole-genome sequencing found that she carried multiple "anti-aging gene variants": the DSCAML1 variant enhances immune cells' ability to recognize abnormal cells and protects nerve cells to maintain cognition; the LRP1/2 variants promote the clearance of excess cholesterol and amyloid proteins in the blood, preventing vascular sclerosis and dementia. More importantly, she had no harmful variants associated with diseases like Alzheimer's or diabetes. A study in the Italian journal GeroScience also confirmed that 82% of supercentenarians carry at least one gene variant that protects against cardiovascular disease or supports immunity, and their carrier rate of the APOEε4 allele (a risk gene for Alzheimer's) is 0—far lower than the 15% rate in the general population. Additionally, her lipid metabolism efficiency was comparable to that of a middle-aged person: her high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, "good cholesterol") reached 72 mg/dl (the healthy standard for women is >50 mg/dl), and her very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) was only 6 mg/dl, allowing efficient clearance of lipids that damage blood vessels. Her inflammation level was also in a "young state": the inflammatory marker GlycA was 621 μmol/l (a value <650 μmol/l is considered healthy), while 70% of average elderly people have elevated GlycA levels, and only 13% of the 32-person supercentenarian cohort had abnormal levels. This low-inflammatory state allowed her to successfully overcome COVID-19 at the age of 113, making her Spain's oldest COVID-19 survivor. Her gut microbiota also showed "youthful" characteristics: the content of Bifidobacterium (a key microbe for maintaining intestinal immune balance) was three times that of the average elderly person, while the pro-inflammatory Clostridium was significantly reduced. This feature is also observed in Italian supercentenarians; studies have confirmed that Bifidobacterium inhibits inflammation by producing short-chain fatty acids and regulates systemic immunity, making it a key factor in supercentenarians' "low disease incidence."

 

According to rDNA methylation clock assessment, María's biological age was 23 years younger than her chronological age. Coincidentally, in another study, the average epigenetic age of 184 centenarians/supercentenarians was 18 years younger than their actual age, and the age gap was generally over 20 years for those aged 110 and above. The key to this "clock slowdown" lies in the high methylation of repetitive DNA sequences (such as LINE-1 and ALU), as stable methylation levels prevent genomic instability. In contrast, the methylation of such sequences in average elderly people decreases significantly with age, directly accelerating cellular senescence. Manel Esteller's team also found that María's histone H3K79 methylation level was 40% higher than that of the average 70-year-old—this modification maintains the loose structure of DNA, ensuring the normal expression of cell repair genes. Additionally, the methylation state of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) remained stable, avoiding accelerated cellular senescence caused by abnormal ribosomal function. These epigenetic features act like "slowdown valves" for cells, making the aging rate of her bodily functions much slower than her chronological age.

 

While genes and epigenetics laid the foundation for María's longevity, her lifestyle habits further amplified these advantages—and these habits are highly consistent among supercentenarians worldwide. She maintained a habit of drinking 3 cups of yogurt daily for nearly 50 years; each cup contained Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, probiotics that nourish the high levels of Bifidobacterium in her gut. An Italian study on supercentenarians found that 70% of them consume fermented foods at least 5 times a week, resulting in a significantly higher proportion of beneficial gut bacteria than the general population. For ordinary people, there is no need to imitate the "3 cups a day" routine—consuming 1 cup of yogurt with active probiotics, a small portion of natto, or kimchi daily for 3 months can increase the proportion of beneficial gut bacteria by 20%–30% and reduce inflammation levels by 10%–15%. Her daily diet centered on vegetables, fish, olive oil, and whole grains, with minimal intake of high-sugar, high-fat processed foods. Among the 32-person supercentenarian cohort studied in the US, 68% maintained a similar diet; those who ate deep-sea fish (rich in Omega-3 fatty acids) at least 3 times a week had HDL-C levels 12 mg/dl higher than those who did not. This dietary pattern optimizes lipid metabolism and reduces blood vessel damage—for the general population, adhering to it for 5 years can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by 25%. Regular social interaction and a positive mindset were also indispensable. María participated in community handicraft activities even after turning 100, video-chatted with her family daily, and could clearly recall details of her move from San Francisco to Spain at the age of 8. This aligns with the findings of a study in the journal Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, which analyzed 2,117 adults and found that "cumulative social advantage" (family relationships, community participation, emotional support) significantly slows epigenetic aging, reducing the DunedinPACE clock (a dynamic indicator of aging rate) by 12%. Among Italian supercentenarians, 85% maintain social interaction at least 3 times a week, and their cortisol levels are 15%–20% lower than those with little social contact. Excessively high cortisol levels accelerate abnormal DNA methylation, leading to faster aging.

 

Research confirms that advanced age and poor health are not inevitably linked—aging and disease can be distinguished at the molecular level. For ordinary people, there is no need to rely on "genetic luck"; María's habits of eating yogurt, following a Mediterranean diet, and maintaining regular social interaction are all replicable choices. In the future, as supercentenarian sample banks expand and research on aging mechanisms deepens, targeted anti-aging interventions may become a reality. However, the path to healthy longevity is already clear: accumulate "anti-aging capital" through small daily actions like healthy eating and socializing, and strive for the ultimate goal of "living independently and happily beyond 100."