8 November 2023
By Doyoung Park
The significance of blood in understanding our overall health cannot be overstated. But can we uncover the secrets of long-living individuals by examining their blood?
The number of centenarians (those who have lived 100 years or more) grows as time passes. According to United Nations figures, the number of centenarians increased 17-fold from around 34,000 in 1950 to 573,000 in 2021.
The Karolinska Institute in Sweden studied the blood profiles of over 44,500 elderly Swedes born between 1893 and 1920. What they discovered was fascinating. Centenarians exhibited lower levels of glucose, creatinine, and uric acid in their blood starting in their 60s.
This research started in 1985 and followed up until 2020. 1,224 individuals have reached the age of 100 out of those. The research team looked at blood markers related to metabolism, inflammation, liver function, kidney function, and nutrition. Uric acid is related to digestion and inflammation, while albumin and enzymes like ALAT, ASA, GGT, ALP, and LD are linked to liver function.
Results showed that substances except for liver enzymes and albumin were connected to long living. Those with higher levels of total cholesterol and iron in their blood had a better chance of reaching 100.
Studying the blood profiles of centenarians provides insights into the factors that contribute to a long and healthy life. This shows that our blood holds the secrets of our well-being, and we may uncover more of the mysteries of health.