Maria Branyas, the woman from Catalonia – Spain who lived over 117, continues to amaze the medical world.
Maria Branyas Woman who lived 117
A broad study recently published in the magazine Cell Reports Medicineanalyzed in detail “Biological code” Of the longest -registered person ever registered and revealed a fascinating paradox: his body had simultaneously signs of extreme aging and features associated with healthy longevity, practically possessed an exceptional young genome, despite the age. Some of its rare genes have contributed to longevity and supported the health of the immune system, heart and brain.
The researchers found that, in addition to the favorable genetic factors, Maria benefited from an exceptional lifestyle – a balanced diet, regular physical activity and close social connections – which, combined, could explain its remarkable ability to maintain health at extreme ages.
The study of DNA not only brings light on the biological mechanisms of longevity, but also opens new directions for researching diseases related to the aging of the body.
Next, readers will discover what Maria Branyas has made to be so resistant to aging, how the combination of genetics and lifestyle has contributed to its remarkable longevity and what lessons can extract researchers for our health.
Young traits and signs of aging at Maria Branyas Source Santos Pujol Cell Medical Report
Longevity of Maria Branyas: Between biological limits and the miracle of science
In the last 200 years, life expectancy has grown constantly, but currently seems to have reached a threshold. Even in developed countries, medical progress no longer prolongs life as spectacular as before. This is why cases like Maria Brayas are so valuable for researchers.
An international team coordinated by Manel Esteller, epigenetic specialist at Institute of Leukemia Research Josep Carreras in Barcelonahas performed the most comprehensive analysis so far on a supercencear, using genomic, proteomic, epigenomic and metabolomic technologies.
The results are based on blood, saliva, urine and chair that Maria Branyas volunteered before her death, in 2024, when she was the oldest person in the world.
In the work, published in the prestigious magazine Cell Reports Medicinethe multidisciplinary international team led by Elo Santos explains that those who reach supercenning ages do not do it because of a general delay in aging. They do this because of an “Fascinating dualities: the simultaneous presence of the signs of extreme old age and healthy longevity.”
Fascinating duality of supercentenary: old age and youth in the same body
The results show that Maria Brayas had extremely short telomeres – a classic sign of aging and limited life. Telomeres are “Protective caps” from the end of the chromosomes, which shorten as the cells grow old and thus limit their lifespan. The immune system of Maria Branyas showed signs of aging, such as the presence of senescent lymphocytes and local inflammation episodes.
However, at the general level, its body was protected by genetic factors related to the health of the brain and heart, by a low level of chronic background inflammation and by a intestinal microbiome rich in beneficial bifidobacteria. Moreover, epigenetic markers indicated a younger biological age.
The result of the study related to the world’s most long -standing person, Maria Brayas Photo Manel Esteller
More concrete – at an old age, Brayas had a remarkable general health, including excellent cardiovascular health and very low levels of inflammation. Despite her age, her immune system and intestinal microbiome had markers comparable to those of much younger people. Moreover, cholesterol levels “river” and triglycerides were extremely low, and cholesterol “good” It was at very high values. All these factors, genetic and biological, can explain its exceptional health and extreme longevity.
Diet, movement and social life: Secrets of Maria Brayas’s longevity
New discoveries can provide precious indices for serious hematological diseases, such as leukemia, directly associated with blood aging. It is for the first time that a study on a supercantenary makes a clear distinction between the effects of aging and those of the disease.
Even though researchers cannot yet say to what extent life habits have contributed to Maria Brayas’s longevity, they underline the importance of factors such as healthy eating, an active social network and lack of vices.
Maria Branyas Woman who lived 117 years old photo Avia Catalan
Maria Branyas has led an active life from a mental, social and physical point of view, and also benefited from genetic luck. The Mediterranean diet followed and consumes three yogurt daily, which could explain the remarkable balance of its intestinal microbiot. In addition, he enjoys regular physical activity, frequently walking and avoiding alcohol or tobacco. Moreover, he spent his old age close to his family, avoiding loneliness – a known factor for protection against cognitive decline.
Even with extremely short telomeres, Maria Breyas’s reduced cellular age did not affect her health and could even reduce the risk of cancer, demonstrating that old age does not necessarily mean biological degradation, the researchers concluded.
This combination of favorable genetics and balanced lifestyle suggests that extraordinary longevity is not just about “Genetic luck”but also by the daily choices that support the health of the body in the long term.
What follows in the research of longevity and the study of supercentenary
But more extensive studies, who compared people with an exceptionally long life with those who lived less, identified specific biomarkers who differentiate individuals, including unique features that allow them a higher level of disease resistance.
Centenary represents the fastest growing demographic group globally, but only one in ten gets to live for another decade after reaching the age of 100. Cases such as Maria Branyas offers researchers a rare opportunity to discover the mechanisms that make possible an extreme life.
The results of the new study open the way for the development of innovative anti-aging strategies. Epigenetic therapies and drugs that combat senescence are already used in oncology, and detailed analysis could accelerate the discovery of effective treatments for the general population. The research was financed by a public-private partnership, highlighting the involvement of institutions and foundations in supporting the research of longevity.
