SCIENTISTS have discovered a “blueprint” for long life by decoding the DNA of the world’s oldest person who died last year at 117.
Maria Branyas Morera, an American-Catalan woman, was born in March 1907 in San Francisco, US, and died in August 2024.
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While centenarians are becoming more common thanks to advances in health care, supercentenarians aged over 110 are still extremely rare.
Maria exceeded the average life expectancy of Catalonia, Spain, by over 30 years.
She often attributed her longevity to “luck and good genetics” as well as “avoiding toxic people”.
Surrounding yourself with loved ones, is one of the key ingredients in the world’s ‘Blue Zones‘ – places where people regularly reach 100 and beyond.
Read more on living longer
Keeping moving, something Maria is also said to have done much of, has been linked to a longer life.
Her daughter, Rosa Moret, previously said that her mum had been able to live so long as she was never ill.
A recent, unpublished study examined Maria’s genes, microbiome, and lifestyle, finding that her cells were 17 years younger than her age.
Researchers at Barcelona University focused on DNA methylation, a process linked to ageing.
They assessed various tissues to analyse her genome, proteins, and microbes, comparing them to non-supercentenarians.
Maria’s genome likely helped her immune system, reduced cancer risk, and protected her heart, they found.
She was an “outlier,” exhibiting a “much younger biological age than her real chronological age” across three different tissues, hey experts said.
Her body was good at processing fats, specifically VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides which are both found in the blood.
These are linked to heart disease, so having low amounts of them helped reduce her risk of heart problems.
“Her cells ‘felt’ younger, with a biological age of a centenarian,” the study noted.
Findings reportedly show that she had the “microbiome of a child” which was rich in Bifidobacterium, known for its health benefits.
Researchers explained that microbes influence inflammation, cognition, and bone health, though the link to longevity is unclear.
Her lifestyle and diet contributed to her long life.
Maria avoided alcohol, smoked rarely, walked daily, and ate a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and three yoghurts a day.
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Morera’s good cholesterol, “exceptional” blood sugar regulation, and balanced immune system were also key to her longevity.
It concluded that her genome, described by researchers as “privileged,” along with her youthful microbiome, reduced her biological age by 17 years.
After her death, Tomiko Itooka briefly became the world’s oldest person until she passed in December 2024.
Canabarro Lucas, a Brazilian nun, now holds the title at 116.
Researchers hope these findings lead to anti-ageing breakthroughs and insights into foods that promote longevity.
The study said, “extremely advanced age and poor health are not intrinsically linked.”
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How to live longer
Live happier and healthier for longer with the NHS’s top 10 tips:
Watch what you eat and drink
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is crucial for good health, energy and preventing illness.
Look after your teeth
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to prevent gum disease. Gum disease can be linked to diabetes, stroke, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Stay active
Regular exercise can help lower your risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even cancer.
Make the most of your GP
It’s a good idea to get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels tested by your doctor. High readings can increase your risk of stroke and heart disease.
Get a vitamin boost
Lots of people have vitamin D deficiency but don’t know it. The condition has been linked to cognitive impairment, bone problems, and cardiovascular disease. Make sure to get outdoors during the spring and summer months, and during autumn and winter you might want to consider taking a vitamin D supplement.
Take care of your feet
Look after your feet by applying moisturiser, cutting your toenails straight across, and making sure you wear footwear that fits properly and supports your feet. Contact your GP if your feet become painful.
Sort out your sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for staying healthy. Avoid insomnia by cutting down on daytime naps, establishing a bedtime routine and going to bed at the same time each night.
Take the tests
As we age our hearing and eyesight can be affected, so it’s important to get them checked regularly.
Stay in touch
Spending time with other people can prevent you from feeling lonely or anxious.
Give up smoking
Smoking is linked to a range of different health problems, including heart disease and lung cancer. If you stop, regardless of your age, your circulation, lung capacity, and energy levels will improve.