Researchers have investigated the remarkable longevity of Maria Branyas Morera, who lived to 117 years, exploring her genetics, microbiome, and lifestyle to uncover the secrets of her exceptionally long life. Their findings reveal a combination of beneficial genes, a healthy microbiome, a slowed-down biological age, and lifestyle factors like diet contributing to her longevity.
Scientists have meticulously investigated the remarkable longevity of Maria Branyas Morera, a Spanish woman who lived to the extraordinary age of 117 years and 168 days. The research team embarked on a comprehensive exploration, delving into her genetic makeup, the composition of her microbiome, and her lifestyle choices to decipher the secrets behind her exceptionally long life.
At the age of 116, the team collected a variety of samples from Morera, including blood, saliva, and stool specimens, to conduct a detailed analysis of her genetic code. Their findings were striking, revealing a genome enriched with specific gene variants known to be associated with extended lifespans in other species, such as dogs, worms, and flies. Furthermore, the genetic analysis uncovered numerous gene variants linked to the maintenance of low blood lipid levels, which are crucial for protecting both heart health and cognitive function. Importantly, the study found that Morera did not possess any gene variants typically associated with an increased risk of developing serious illnesses like cancer, Alzheimer's disease, or metabolic disorders. Blood tests confirmed the exceptional efficiency of her lipid metabolism, placing it among the most efficient ever documented. This, according to the researchers, was closely related to her healthy diet and the presence of genes that facilitated the rapid metabolism of potentially damaging molecules. \Morera's daily diet was a significant factor in her longevity, primarily consisting of an abundance of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and olive oil. She also incorporated three servings of plain, sugar-free yogurt into her daily routine. The team also explored the role of her gut microbiome, the complex community of microorganisms residing in her digestive tract. They discovered that Morera exhibited elevated levels of a specific enzyme called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in her blood. This enzyme is linked to a younger microbiome and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Normally, TMAO levels tend to decrease with age, but in centenarians and supercentenarians, they are often higher. The researchers suggest that this could indicate a possible link between dietary intervention and a longer lifespan, acting through the modulation of the gut microbiome. Esteller highlighted that dietary interventions might play a crucial role not only in preventing obesity and related health problems but also in extending life expectancy, mediated by the gut microbiome.\In addition to genetic and dietary assessments, the scientists also examined whether Morera's biological age differed significantly from her chronological age. They utilized an epigenetic clock, a tool that measures biological age based on DNA methylation patterns. DNA methylation involves the addition or removal of chemical tags on DNA, influencing gene activity. The results indicated that Morera's biological age was, on average, 23 years younger than her chronological age, suggesting a slower rate of biological aging. This difference could be another contributing factor to her exceptional longevity. Esteller noted that previous research suggested that supercentenarians might carry genetic variants associated with certain medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's, but have developed mechanisms to withstand their effects, contributing to their long lifespans. This study is especially notable as it presents a multi-dimensional analysis of a supercentenarian, going beyond single aspects like the microbiome. The study emphasizes that achieving extreme longevity is likely a result of a combination of factors: favorable genes, a beneficial microbiome, a slowed-down biological age indicated by a younger epigenome, an efficient immune system, and healthy lifestyle choices such as not smoking, abstaining from alcohol, and adhering to a low-fat diet. Experts caution that while the study highlights important insights, it is a case report focusing on one individual. There are two main explanations for the survival of very long-lived individuals: there is something special about them, such as genetically, and survivorship bias which is they got lucky. There is no proof that Morera’s longevity wasn’t just luck as there isn’t any evidence she comes from a family of long-lived people
Longevity Genetics Microbiome Aging Supercentenarian
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