Maria Branyas, who lived to be 117 years old, has given scientists uncommon information about how to age well. Spanish researchers did a fresh investigation and found that her genome looked very young. It had rare genetic variations that are associated to good heart, brain, and immunological health.
The results, which were published in Cell Reports Medicine, suggest that her particular biology could help find signs of healthy aging and lead to ways to make people live longer.
The Study’s Method
Branyas, who was the oldest living person in the world at the time of her death in 2024, gave blood, saliva, urine, and feces samples for research.
The study found:
Very good heart health, with low levels of “bad” cholesterol and high amounts of “good” cholesterol.
Very little inflammation, which is a sign of getting older.
Cells acting like those of a much younger person, even though she is older.
Telomeres that are surprisingly short, which generally safeguard chromosomes but may have helped lower her risk of getting cancer.
Typical immune system and gut microbiota markers for younger people.
Lifestyle Factors Were Also Important
Branyas had hereditary advantages, but she also ate a lot of yogurt and had a psychologically, socially, and physically active life. All of these things may have helped her live longer.
What Scientists Have to Say
Lead researchers Eloy Santos-Pujol and Aleix Noguera-Castells noted, “The picture that emerges from our study, although derived only from this one exceptional individual, shows that extremely advanced age and poor health are not intrinsically linked.”