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The oldest woman in the world at 117

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At 117, María Branyas was confirmed by Guinness World Records as the oldest living person in the world – and researchers say that his long life was not only good luck.

In a statement to Guinness, Branryas attributed its longevity to “order, tranquility, good link with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, a lot of positivity and staying far from toxic people”.

Born in San Francisco, California, Branryas moved to Spain with her family when she was a child, where she lived for most of her life. Before his death on August 19, 2024, scientists from the Josep Carreras Institute in Barcelona, ​​Spain, studied the branrya gene samples in order to confirm the reasons for its longevity.

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Directed by Dr. Manel Esteller, head of the cancer epigenetic group at the Josep Carreras Research Institute, the research team used non -invasive methods to sample three types of fabrics, according to a press release.

They analyzed the genome of Branryas (DNA sequencing), epigenoma (DNA methylation), transcriptoma (expression of genes at RNA), proteome (expression of genes at protein) and metabolism (small molecules such as cholesterol or sugar).

Maria Branyas in a wheelchair outside posed next to a man

María Branryas is represented with Dr. Manel Esteller, leader of the cancer epigenetic group at the Leucémia Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute (Supplied by Dr Esteller and Maria Branrya’s family)

Although the team has detected signs of aging in their analysis, they also found that the Branryas had “genetic characteristics associated with neuroprotection and cardioprotection”, as well as low levels of inflammation.

“The Branryas had an exceptional genome enriched in variants in genes associated with an improved lifespan in other species (such as dogs, worms and flies) and in genes that offer cardilipid protection and retention of cognition,” said Esteller Digital.

“At the same time, it was devoid of variants of associated genes (with) the risk of pathologies such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and metabolic disorders.”

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Branryas also had a large quantity of beneficial bifidobacterium bacteria in its microbiome (intestine), which researchers cracked until its frequent yogurt consumption.

Bifidobacterium stimulates the immune system, balances inflammation, regulates metabolism and helps digest certain carbohydrates and dietary fibers.

Maria Branyas as a young woman - Longevity study

At 117, María Branyas was confirmed by Guinness World Records as the oldest living person in the world. (Supplied by Dr Esteller and Maria Branrya’s family)

“We explained to him that the consumption of yogurt and the composition of bacteria in its intestine could be linked to its long service life,” said Esteller.

“In addition, his lipid profile was incredible-very low cholesterol, LDL weak (bad fat) and high HDL (good fat),” he continued. “This was linked to its diet and to the frugal genes which quickly metabolized the harmful molecules.”

The branryas have never smoked or drunk alcohol.

“The consumption of yogurt and the composition of bacteria in its intestine could be linked to its long service life.”

She had a biological age younger than her chronological age, as determined by epigenetic markers, revealed the researchers.

This study, which was published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, was the most in -depth dive in the biology of supercentenarians (people over 110), according to Esteller.

He described Branyas as “exceptional person, with a smile that lit the room and an optimism that we deeply need”, the more someone who “was impatient to help others” by participating in the study.

Maria Branryas Morera, an American-Catalane supercenarian, blowing candles on her 117th birthday cake

Maria Branryas, an American-caatalan supercent, is represented by exploding candles on her 117th birthday cake. (Supplied by Dr Esteller and Maria Branrya’s family)

According to Guinness, Branryas had no health problems other than being difficult to hear and have mobility problems, and his mind was “perfectly lucid”.

Overall, the fact that she lived at 117 without serious illness shows that aging can be “clearly distinguished from the disease”, wrote the researchers.

“I think that longevity is also to be lucky. Lucky and good genetics.”

The team concluded that “healthy food, a stimulating and diversified social network and the absence of toxic habits” have probably played a role in the “exceptional longevity” of Branryas, although they have also noted that more research is necessary to link the biological characteristics to specific habits.

Branryas also told Guinness: “I think longevity is also to be lucky. Lucky and good genetics.”

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In their study, the researchers identified the following factors which probably favored healthy aging and the longevity of extended branryas, according to Esteller.

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  • A “protective and resilient” genome with variants linked to longevity and far from major disorders
  • A metabolism that quickly eliminated fatty fats and sugars
  • A low level of inflammation
  • An effective immune system capable of attacking invading microorganisms without targeting cells (thus avoiding autoimmune disorders)
  • A beneficial microbiome characteristic of a much younger individual, with several anti-inflammatory bacterial components
  • An organic age of about 23 years under its chronological age
Maria Branyas smiling in 2008

Branryas had no health problems other than being difficult to hear and have mobility problems, and his mind was “perfectly lucid”. (Supplied by Dr Esteller and Maria Branrya’s family)

According to Esteller, the biggest point to remember from the study is that it has identified healthy aging markers with good chance of obtaining considerable longevity.

“For example, his very short telomeres have shown that these cells have been divided several times, but that has not affected his well-being,” he said. “The rejuvenated microbiome and epigenome have provided more for extreme lifespan.”

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The study also suggests that food changes could not only help avoid obesity and other related diseases, but also prolong the lifespan by improving intestinal health.

“Finally, the identification of genes linked to the supercintenary characteristic could provide new targets for pharmacological development, opening the door to more” intelligent “drugs to increase healthy life,” said Esteller.

Maria Branyas as a young woman

The team concluded that “healthy food, a stimulating and diversified social network and the absence of toxic habits” have probably played a role in the “exceptional longevity” of Branryas. (Supplied by Dr Esteller and Maria Branrya’s family)

The study had certain limits, noted the researchers, including the fact that aging is a “highly individualized process” shaped by many genetic and environmental factors.

“Conclusions widely applicable in a single subject should be taken with caution,” they wrote, noting that more detailed studies on aging characteristics are necessary.

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“A final limitation of our work is that we have not studied the effect of the metabolic exercise or adjustment, nor evaluated the effects of drugs targeting some of the characteristics observed to explore their potential anti-aging effects,” added the researchers.

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