Scientists have identified a possible biological explanation for the striking differences in human lifespan, offering fresh insight into why some people live exceptionally long lives while most do not.
New research suggests that the blood composition of people who live beyond the age of 90 differs significantly from that of the general population. According to a report published by the British website Indy100, researchers say the findings indicate that longevity may not be determined by lifestyle alone, but could also be influenced by inherited or biological factors. In the future, such discoveries could make it possible to identify individuals with a greater potential for longevity early in life.
The study suggests that key indicators of long life may be hidden in the blood. Researchers found that longevity appears closely linked to metabolic health, raising the possibility that biological markers could help determine who is more likely to live to 100 years or beyond. While the idea that a blood test might one day predict lifespan remains speculative, scientists believe the findings bring us closer to understanding the mechanisms behind healthy ageing.
Experts note that the global population of elderly people is growing rapidly. Since the 1970s, the number of older adults worldwide has nearly doubled every decade. The quest to understand ageing and longevity is not new — philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle explored the nature of ageing more than 2,000 years ago.
The research, published in the scientific journal GeroScience, analysed biological data from individuals who lived past the age of 90. The results showed that these individuals generally had lower levels of cholesterol, glucose, creatinine and uric acid — factors associated with kidney function and metabolic health.
One of the largest studies of its kind, the research compared people who lived to 100 years or older with those who died at younger ages. Medical records of around 44,000 Swedish citizens were examined. Participants were aged between 64 and 99 at the time of assessment and were followed for up to 35 years using national health registers.
According to the data, only 2.7 per cent of participants reached the age of 100, with women accounting for about 85 per cent of the centenarians. While researchers caution that definitive conclusions cannot yet be drawn, the evidence points to a strong connection between metabolic health, nutrition and longevity. Lifestyle factors such as diet and alcohol consumption are also likely to influence the ageing process.
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