HEALTH
For as long as people have been living and dying, explorers have searched for a mythical “Fountain of Youth.”
While nobody ever found that, medical experts believe they’ve found longevity clues much closer to home: in our blood.
New research reveals that the blood of people who’ve lived over 100 years has certain similarities: specifically, they have lower levels of three key compounds.
Dr. Karin Modig Associate professor at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute
Dr. Karin Modig Associate professor at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute
High creatinine levels can indicate kidney problems, and uric acid is linked to inflammation. High levels of glucose (or blood sugar) can lead to diabetes.
The study, published in the journal GeroScience, included data from 44,000 people in Sweden — born between 1893 and 1920 — who had health assessments at ages 64 through 99.
In addition to uric acid, glucose and creatinine, the researcher looked at levels of total cholesterol and iron.
Dr. Karin Modig Associate professor at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute
The study stopped short of making specific lifestyle recommendations, but points toward certain factors and biomarkers in the blood that may influence longevity.
Dr. Karin Modig Associate professor at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute
Dr. Karin Modig Associate professor at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute