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Brazil's Centenarians: Supercharged Immunity Holds Longevity Key
11 Jan
Summary
- Brazilian supercentenarians have remarkably adaptive immune systems.
- Their immune cells recycle proteins, mimicking those of younger individuals.
- Genetic diversity in Brazil may contribute to widespread longevity.
Researchers have identified remarkable immune system adaptations in Brazilian supercentenarians, individuals living well beyond 100 years. These unique biological characteristics allow for efficient cellular renewal and protein recycling, effectively combating the cellular damage associated with aging and disease. This enhanced immune function helps prevent conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and dementia.
The study, involving over 140 centenarians and 20 supercentenarians, highlights Brazil's exceptional genetic diversity, a factor potentially explaining its high number of exceptionally long-lived individuals. The immune systems of these individuals demonstrated rapid adaptation, even successfully fighting off COVID-19 infections before vaccines were available, showcasing a resilience rarely seen in older populations.
These findings challenge the notion that extended life inevitably leads to prolonged poor health. The immune adaptations observed in Brazil's supercentenarians may offer a model for understanding and potentially extending healthy aging for the broader population, suggesting biological adaptation rather than inevitable decline.
