In Sweden, people are living longer than ever before. Thirty years ago, it was uncommon for someone to live beyond 85 or 90 years.
Now, most Swedes reach these ages, and around two percent even live to 100. Centenarians—people who are 100 or older—are the fastest-growing age group in the country.
“Centenarians are increasing the most now,” says Karin Modig, Associate Professor at the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet.
Modig studies aging and health and has been researching what factors can predict who will live to a very old age.
In a recent study published in the journal GeroScience, Modig and her team found that it may be possible to predict who will live to 100 based on early health markers.
They looked at 44,000 Swedes who were between 64 and 99 years old when they underwent health checkups between 1985 and 1996. Out of those, 1,224 people made it to 100.
The study suggests that living to 100 isn’t just a matter of luck. It seems to be closely connected to lifestyle and overall health, even from a younger age.
Researchers examined 12 different biomarkers—health indicators that can show early signs of aging or disease. They found that most of the centenarians were already healthier in their 60s compared to their peers.
Out of the 12 biomarkers, 10 were linked to a higher chance of living to 100. Some key factors stood out. For example, creatinine levels, which reflect kidney health, were normal in nearly all of those who lived to 100.
The same was true for liver function and uric acid levels, a marker of inflammation.
People with the lowest levels of uric acid had a 4 percent chance of reaching 100, while those with the highest levels had only a 1.5 percent chance. Blood sugar was also important—most centenarians kept their levels below 6.5 mmol/liter.
The results suggest that improving your lifestyle and health early on could raise your chances of living to 100. Modig explains that while genetics and luck play a role, we can influence our longevity by making healthier choices.
However, she also reminds us that life is not just about following strict rules for better health. “Everyone must find a balance between risk factors and health factors,” she says.
So, if you’re hoping to blow out 100 candles, the key may lie in taking care of your health early on.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about how ultra-processed foods and red meat influence your longevity, and why seafood may boost healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the power of pickle juice ,and time-restricted eating: a simple way to fight aging and cancer.
