Research into centenarians

Research carried out in Italy suggests that healthy centenarians have high levels of vitamin A and vitamin E and that this seems to be important in guaranteeing their extreme longevity.{{cite journal | vauthors = Mecocci P, Polidori MC, Troiano L, Cherubini A, Cecchetti R, Pini G, Straatman M, Monti D, Stahl W, Sies H, Franceschi C, Senin U | display-authors = 6 | title = Plasma antioxidants and longevity: a study on healthy centenarians | journal = Free Radical Biology & Medicine | volume = 28 | issue = 8 | pages = 1243–1248 | date = April 2000 | pmid = 10889454 | doi = 10.1016/S0891-5849(00)00246-X }} Other research contradicts this and has found that these findings do not apply to centenarians from Sardinia, for whom other factors probably play a more important role.{{cite journal | vauthors = Polidori MC, Mariani E, Baggio G, Deiana L, Carru C, Pes GM, Cecchetti R, Franceschi C, Senin U, Mecocci P | display-authors = 6 | title = Different antioxidant profiles in Italian centenarians: the Sardinian peculiarity | journal = European Journal of Clinical Nutrition | volume = 61 | issue = 7 | pages = 922–924 | date = July 2007 | pmid = 17228351 | doi = 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602596 | doi-access = free }} A preliminary study carried out in Poland showed that, in comparison with young healthy female adults, centenarians living in Upper Silesia had significantly higher red blood cell glutathione reductase and catalase activities and higher, although insignificantly, serum levels of vitamin E.{{cite journal | vauthors = Kłapcińska B, Derejczyk J, Wieczorowska-Tobis K, Sobczak A, Sadowska-Krepa E, Danch A | title = Antioxidant defense in centenarians (a preliminary study) | journal = Acta Biochimica Polonica | volume = 47 | issue = 2 | pages = 281–292 | year = 2000 | pmid = 11051193 | doi = 10.18388/abp.2000_4008 | doi-access = free }} Researchers in Denmark have also found that centenarians exhibit a high activity of glutathione reductase in red blood cells. In this study, those centenarians having the best cognitive and physical functional capacity tended to have the highest activity of this enzyme.{{cite journal | vauthors = Andersen HR, Jeune B, Nybo H, Nielsen JB, Andersen-Ranberg K, Grandjean P | title = Low activity of superoxide dismutase and high activity of glutathione reductase in erythrocytes from centenarians | journal = Age and Ageing | volume = 27 | issue = 5 | pages = 643–648 | date = September 1998 | pmid = 12675104 | doi = 10.1093/ageing/27.5.643 | doi-access = free }}

Some research suggests that high levels of vitamin D may be associated with longevity.[http://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2012/11/05/cmaj.120233 Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in familial longevity: the Leiden Longevity Study] CMAJ November 5, 2012 First published November 5, 2012, {{doi|10.1503/cmaj.120233}}

Other research has found that people having parents who became centenarians have an increased number of naïve B cells.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080629084531/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2194078/Blood-tests-%27could-be-used-to-predict-lifespan%27.html Blood tests 'could be used to predict lifespan'] Daily Telegraph, UK. Published June 25, 2008. Accessed February 7, 2009.

It is believed that centenarians possess a different adiponectin isoform pattern and have a favorable metabolic phenotype in comparison with elderly individuals.{{cite journal | vauthors = Bik W, Baranowska-Bik A, Wolinska-Witort E, Kalisz M, Broczek K, Mossakowska M, Baranowska B | title = Assessment of adiponectin and its isoforms in Polish centenarians | journal = Experimental Gerontology | volume = 48 | issue = 4 | pages = 401–407 | date = April 2013 | pmid = 23396152 | doi = 10.1016/j.exger.2013.01.015 | s2cid = 28072539 }}

Research carried out in the United States has found that people are much more likely to celebrate their 100th birthday if their brother or sister has reached the age.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2036002.stm Family link to long life] BBC News. Published June 10, 2002. Accessed February 4, 2009. These findings, from the New England Centenarian Study in Boston, suggest that the sibling of a centenarian is four times more likely to live past 90 than the general population.[https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-02-22-longevity-usat_x.htm?loc=interstitialskip The secrets to longevity] USA Today. Published February 22, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2009. Other research carried out by the New England Centenarian Study has identified 150 genetic variations that appeared to be associated with longevity which could be used to predict with 77 percent accuracy whether someone would live to be at least 100.[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/01/MNHL1E87PC.DTL Study shows genes are key in living to be 100] San Francisco Chronicle. Published July 2, 2010. Accessed July 2, 2010.

Research also suggests that there is a clear link between living to 100 and inheriting a hyperactive version of telomerase, an enzyme that prevents cells from ageing. Scientists from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the US say centenarian Ashkenazi Jews have this mutant gene.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8359735.stm Mutant genes 'key to long life'] BBC News. Published November 15, 2009. Accessed January 9, 2010.

Many centenarians manage to avoid chronic diseases even after indulging in a lifetime of serious health risks. For example, many people in the New England Centenarian Study experienced a century free of cancer or heart disease despite smoking as many as 60 cigarettes a day for 50 years. The same applies to people from Okinawa in Japan, where around half of supercentenarians had a history of smoking and one-third were regular alcohol drinkers. It is possible that these people may have had genes that protected them from the dangers of carcinogens or the random mutations that crop up naturally when cells divide.[http://www.courant.com/health/sns-200910201351tmspremhnstr--k-h20091021oct21,0,4810521,full.story Lessons in Longevity: Growing Life Spans Pose Social, Ethical and Economic Dilemmas] Hartford Courant. Published October 21, 2009. Accessed January 9, 2010.

Similarly, centenarian research carried out at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that the individuals studied had less than sterling health habits. As a group, for example, they were more obese, more sedentary and exercised less than other, younger cohorts. The researchers also discovered three uncommon genotype similarities among the centenarians: one gene that causes HDL cholesterol to be at levels two- to three-fold higher than average; another gene that results in a mildly underactive thyroid; and a functional mutation in the human growth hormone axis that may be a safeguard from aging-associated diseases.[https://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2011/07/13/in-the-science-of-aging-oldest-new-yorkers-hold-the-key/ In the Science of Aging, Oldest New Yorkers Hold the Key] Wall Street Journal. Published July 13, 2011. Accessed July 18, 2011.

It is well known that the children of parents who have a long life are also likely to reach a healthy age, but it is not known why, although the inherited genes are probably important.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080629084531/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2194078/Blood-tests-%27could-be-used-to-predict-lifespan%27.html Blood tests 'could be used to predict lifespan'] Daily Telegraph, UK. Published June 25, 2008. Accessed June 30, 2008. A variation in the gene FOXO3 is known to have a positive effect on the life expectancy of humans, and is found much more often in people living to 100 and beyond – moreover, this appears to be true worldwide.[http://www.physorg.com/news152884067.html Living longer thanks to the 'longevity gene'] Physorg.com. Published February 3, 2009. Accessed February 4, 2009.

Some research suggests that centenarian offspring are more likely to age in better cardiovascular health than their peers.{{cite journal | vauthors = Adams ER, Nolan VG, Andersen SL, Perls TT, Terry DF | title = Centenarian offspring: start healthier and stay healthier | journal = Journal of the American Geriatrics Society | volume = 56 | issue = 11 | pages = 2089–2092 | date = November 2008 | pmid = 18811609 | pmc = 2892731 | doi = 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01949.x }}

{{Further|Life extension}}

A 2011 study found people with exceptional longevity (aged 95 and older) not to be distinct from the general population in terms of lifestyle factors such as regular physical activity, diet or alcohol consumption.{{cite journal | vauthors = Rajpathak SN, Liu Y, Ben-David O, Reddy S, Atzmon G, Crandall J, Barzilai N | title = Lifestyle factors of people with exceptional longevity | journal = Journal of the American Geriatrics Society | volume = 59 | issue = 8 | pages = 1509–1512 | date = August 2011 | pmid = 21812767 | pmc = 6034120 | doi = 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03498.x }}

A study indicates gut microbiomes with large amounts of microbes capable of generating unique secondary bile acids are a key element of centenarians' longevity.{{cite news |title=Clues to healthy aging found in the gut bacteria of centenarians |url=https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/gut-bacteria-microbiome-centenarians-healthy-aging/ |access-date=14 August 2021 |work=New Atlas |date=2 August 2021}}{{cite journal | vauthors = Sato Y, Atarashi K, Plichta DR, Arai Y, Sasajima S, Kearney SM, Suda W, Takeshita K, Sasaki T, Okamoto S, Skelly AN, Okamura Y, Vlamakis H, Li Y, Tanoue T, Takei H, Nittono H, Narushima S, Irie J, Itoh H, Moriya K, Sugiura Y, Suematsu M, Moritoki N, Shibata S, Littman DR, Fischbach MA, Uwamino Y, Inoue T, Honda A, Hattori M, Murai T, Xavier RJ, Hirose N, Honda K | display-authors = 6 | title = Novel bile acid biosynthetic pathways are enriched in the microbiome of centenarians | journal = Nature | volume = 599 | issue = 7885 | pages = 458–464 | date = November 2021 | pmid = 34325466 | doi = 10.1038/s41586-021-03832-5 | s2cid = 236514774 }}

Several studies have shown that centenarians have better cardiovascular risk profiles compared to younger old people. The contribution of drug treatments to promote extreme longevity is not confirmed and centenarians in general have needed fewer drugs at younger ages due to a healthy lifestyle.{{cite journal | vauthors = Galioto A, Dominguez LJ, Pineo A, Ferlisi A, Putignano E, Belvedere M, Costanza G, Barbagallo M | display-authors = 6 | title = Cardiovascular risk factors in centenarians | journal = Experimental Gerontology | volume = 43 | issue = 2 | pages = 106–113 | date = February 2008 | pmid = 17689040 | doi = 10.1016/j.exger.2007.06.009 | s2cid = 17879395 }} A study by the International Longevity Centre-UK, published in 2011, suggested that today's centenarians may be healthier than the next generation of centenarians.{{Cite web|url=https://ilcuk.org.uk/living-beyond-100/|title=Living Beyond 100|date=29 November 2011}}

Ninety percent of the centenarians studied in the New England Centenarian Study were functionally independent the vast majority of their lives up until the average age of 92 years and 75% were the same at an average age of 95 years.[http://www.bumc.bu.edu/centenarian/overview/ Overview, New England Centenarian Study website] Accessed February 7, 2009. Similarly, a study of US supercentenarians (age 110 to 119 years) showed that, even at these advanced ages, 40% needed little assistance or were independent.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8284574.stm Half of babies 'will live to 100'] BBC News, UK. Published October 2, 2009. Accessed October 2, 2009.

A study supported by the US National Institute on Aging found significant associations between month of birth and longevity, with individuals born in September–November having a higher likelihood of becoming centenarians compared to March-born individuals.[http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jar/2011/104616/ Season of Birth and Exceptional Longevity: Comparative Study of American Centenarians, Their Siblings, and Spouses] Journal of Aging Research, Volume 2011 (2011), Article ID 104616, doi:10.4061/2011/104616. Published September, 2011. Accessed July 14, 2012.

In the United States, a 2010 Census Bureau report found that more than 80 percent of centenarians are women.[https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/2010_census/cb12-239.html 2010 Census Report Shows More Than 80 Percent of Centenarians are Women] U.S. Department of Commerce, United States Census Bureau press release. Published December 10, 2012. Accessed December 12, 2012.

In 2024, Saul Justin Newman published a pre-print paper finding that supercentenarians and extreme age records tend to come from areas with no birth certificates, rampant clerical errors, pension fraud, and short life spans. The study argues that document validation, the only method that demographics use to verify old age, is susceptible to errors that have often been ignored due to confirmation bias and other factors, causing inflated number of valid cases. This suggests that many figures of supercentenarians' population, and studies that rely on those populations, may contain significant errors that have yet to reassessed critically.{{cite journal|doi=10.1101/704080 |title=Supercentenarian and remarkable age records exhibit patterns indicative of clerical errors and pension fraud |date=2024 |last1=Newman |first1=Saul Justin |journal=bioRxiv }} The study was awarded with the Ig Nobel Prize in 2024.{{Cite news |last1=Sample |first1=Ian |date=2024-09-13 |title=Ig Nobel prize goes to team who found mammals can breathe through anuses |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/sep/12/ig-nobel-prize-goes-to-team-who-found-mammals-can-breathe-through-anuses |access-date=2024-09-13}}

• Centenarian
• Food choice of older adults
• New England Centenarian Study
• Okinawa Centenarian Study
• {{slink|Acciaroli|Centenarians}} (study project of UC San Diego Health[https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2016-03-29-remote-italian-village-may-hold-key-to-longevity.aspx Remote Italian Village Could Harbor Secrets of Healthy Aging], UC San Diego Health, March 29, 2016)

{{reflist}}

• [https://orcls.org/ocs/ The Okinawa Centenarian Study]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080503223455/http://www.bumc.bu.edu/Dept/Home.aspx?DepartmentID=361 New England Centenarian Study]
• [https://www.bumc.bu.edu/supercentenarian/ New England Supercentenarian Study]
• [https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2000-2006/research-living-to-100-and-beyond-search-for-predictors-of-exceptional-human Living to 100 and Beyond: Search for Predictors of Exceptional Human Longevity]
• [https://ilcuk.org.uk/living-beyond-100 Living Beyond 100, ILC-UK]
• [https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/reports/c2010sr-03.pdf 'Centenarians: 2010' - U.S. Department of Commerce, United States Census Bureau report]

Category:Gerontology

Category:Biogerontology

Category:Centenarians

Category:Longevity study projects