Doctors analyze the DNA of a 117-year-old to discover one food that may help people live longer.

This unusual genetic composition likely played a central role in allowing her body to withstand disease pressures that affect most people as they age.

2. Youthful Biological and Metabolic Markers

When scientists examined her biomolecular data, they found that Maria’s biological age — a measure based on cellular and molecular markers — was significantly lower than her chronological age.

In other words, while she was 117 years old by time lived, many aspects of her biology resembled those of a much younger person.

Her lipid profile was unusually efficient: she had very low levels of harmful cholesterol and triglycerides, combined with high levels of protective HDL cholesterol. Such a profile is far more typical of younger individuals and is strongly correlated with cardiovascular health.

Continue reading…