Centenarians Show a Distinct Metabolic Profile Tied to Bile Acids and NAD+
People who live past 100 have a unique metabolic fingerprint. In a study of 213 participants from the New England Centenarian Study, extremely long-lived individuals had higher levels of certain bile acids and lower levels of bilirubin compared to younger controls. Higher bile acid and steroid levels were linked to lower mortality risk. The researchers also built a "metabolomic clock" that estimates biological age, and deviations from it predicted death risk.
Key Insight
This study suggests bile acid metabolism and NAD+ pathways may be key targets in longevity research.
Related Studies
New Aging Clocks Reveal Blood Clotting Factors May Drive Organ Decline
Researchers built a multi-layered aging clock using clinical, physiological, and molecular data from over 2,000 Chinese adults. They found that plasma proteins can predict both your age and how well your body is holding up. The standout discovery: clotting factors pile up with age and may fuel organ-wide aging and inflammation.
Tracking Your 'Biological Age' Over Time May Predict Death Risk Better Than a Single Snapshot
In over 90,000 Dutch adults followed for nearly 14 years, people whose biological age ran ahead of their calendar age had a higher risk of dying. More importantly, among 25,000 people measured twice, those whose biological age sped up over time faced even greater risk. People stuck in a pattern of accelerated aging had a 39% higher mortality risk compared to those aging at a normal pace. The results suggest that checking biological age once might not be enough.
We May Not Be Aging Slower. We're Just Starting Later.
A big question in longevity research is whether rising life expectancy means we're actually aging more slowly. This analysis of mortality data from 12 countries suggests the answer is no. After accounting for historical shocks like wars and pandemics, the rate at which aging accelerates after 80 hasn't changed. The gains in lifespan appear to come from pushing back when serious aging begins, not from slowing the process itself.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.