Regions with exceptional longevity and the lifestyle factors behind them
Researchers compared gut bacteria in people aged 45–59, 60–89, and 90+ and found that centenarians have distinctly different microbial communities—richer in beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia and enriched in pathways that produce fatty acids and other …
Researchers analyzed blood chemistry in 213 people over 100 years old and found they have distinctly different metabolic profiles—especially higher bile acids and lower inflammatory markers—compared to younger controls. By identifying these metabolic signatures, they …
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Centenarians represent a growing demographic that remains under-theorized in gerontology. Subsumed within the broader category of the oldest old, they are often examined through a biomedical lens, which tends to frame extreme …
Epigenetic clocks estimate biological age from DNA methylation patterns at CpG sites, providing robust predictions of mortality and morbidity risk. "Blue zones"--regions of exceptional longevity--offer a unique opportunity to investigate how biological aging diverges from …
A study of over 100,000 UK adults found that five well-known healthy eating patterns—from Mediterranean to plant-based diets—were each associated with 1.5–3 extra years of life by age 45, with benefits holding true regardless of …
A 35-year Swedish cohort study identified blood biomarker patterns in middle age that distinguish people who lived to 100 from those who didn't, including higher cholesterol and iron but lower glucose, creatinine, and liver enzyme …
This philosophical essay argues that later life should be understood as a valuable life stage defined by agency, meaning, and relationships—not reduced to health risks or frailty. The authors draw on Cicero's ancient treatise to …
This study of 210 older adults found that problematic personality traits are more strongly linked to difficulty *managing* emotions than to how often people *use* specific coping strategies. Different personality problems showed distinct patterns—for example, …
A 60-day online gaming community with professional facilitation reduced depression and anxiety symptoms by moderate amounts in adults who play video games, with about 21% of participants moving from moderate-to-severe depression into healthier ranges. While …
A study of nearly 2,000 older adults found that people with greater cognitive enrichment over their lifetime—like education, mentally stimulating activities, and learning—had a 38% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia and delayed its onset …
Researchers analyzed blood proteins from Swiss centenarians and discovered 37 proteins associated with a 'younger' profile that may explain why some people live to 100 and stay healthy. By comparing centenarian patterns across two independent …