Health

Researchers have cracked the code on how centenarians live so long

The answer to longevity may have to do with your immune system.

Agnes Keleti, former Olympic gold medal winning gymnast, blows out the candles on her birthday cake on Monday Jan. 4, 2021.
AP Photo/Laszlo Balogh
SMS

Researchers may have cracked the code as to why centenarians live to be 100.

"As we age, there are changes in our immune systems, including in their function and cell makeup. And these changes can lead to aging-related diseases," said Tanya Karagiannis, Ph.D., a senior statistician at the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies at Tufts Medical Center. She is one of the authors of the study.

"Many centenarians actually experience delays in the onset of these aging-related diseases," Karagiannis said.

Basically, centenarians have strong immune systems, even at their age. The researchers analyzed immune cells and blood across the human lifespan.

"Their immune system seemed to remain highly functional and they can develop a robust immune response at such extreme ages," she said.

It's not that they are just avoiding germs and infections. "Centenarians are not escaping infections. But they have a greater exposure to infection and they are able to respond to those infections," Karagiannis said.

Why Do Some People Live So Long?
Why Do Some People Live So Long?

Why Do Some People Live So Long?

The CDC predicts life expectancy to grow for Americans in the next few years from 76 years old to about 85 years old.

LEARN MORE

In 2021, there were 89,739 centenarians in the United States, according to data from the United Nations Population Division.

Karagiannis said now the focus will be on looking at how these findings could lead to discovering healthy aging therapeutics.

“The idea of healthy aging therapeutics is finding the drivers of extreme longevity that can help people be healthier at older ages,” she said.

The Centers for Disease Control has some tips for healthy aging:

Eat and drink healthy

Move more, sit less

Don't use tobacco

Get regular checkups

Know your family history

Be aware of changes in brain health

Life expectancy declining, FDA commissioner blames misinformation
Life expectancy declining, FDA commissioner blames misinformation

Life expectancy declining, FDA commissioner blames misinformation

The head of the FDA says a major reason Americans aren't expected to live as long is due to the spread of false health information.

LEARN MORE