💪 Dear Wonderwomen and Supermen,
Did you know that some people over the age of 110 have an immune system that performs better than that of people in their forties?
A fascinating study conducted in Brazil — a country home to an astonishingly high number of supercentenarians — reveals how their bodies manage to resist the wear and tear of time. Their immune cells regenerate with striking efficiency, helping them avoid chronic diseases associated with aging.
This research could reshape our understanding of aging. What if the secrets of extreme longevity were already within us?
Read on to discover how this biological “superpower” could transform our future.
SPOTLIGHT
Brazil, a land of genetic diversity and a surprisingly high concentration of supercentenarians, is at the heart of a major breakthrough in longevity science. Researchers from the University of São Paulo studied over 160 centenarians — including several who lived past 110 — to understand the biological mechanisms behind their exceptional health. The study reveals that their immune system doesn’t just age well : it adapts, renews itself, and functions more effectively than that of many much younger people. This adaptation could explain why some individuals avoid age-related diseases rather than simply delaying them.
The details :
A recycled and rejuvenated immune system : The immune cells of Brazilian supercentenarians show an exceptional ability to eliminate defective proteins and dangerous mutations. This cellular “autophagy” keeps the body clean and functional, limiting the appearance of chronic diseases.
T helpers that become T killers : Researchers observed a surprising transformation: CD4+ cells, normally dedicated to immune coordination, behave like cytotoxic CD8+ cells. This means they directly attack infected or abnormal cells, boosting the immune system’s efficiency.
Exceptional resistance to viruses : Even without vaccination, some supercentenarians survived Covid-19. Their immune system reacted quickly, producing antibodies and antiviral proteins in record time — living proof of their extraordinary immune plasticity.
Health maintained, not just extended : Contrary to the common belief that a long life means more years spent sick, these centenarians develop fewer diseases. Their bodies seem to actively prevent illness rather than simply endure it.
A model without a miracle diet : Surprisingly, these super-agers don’t follow any special diet like the Mediterranean diet. Their longevity appears more linked to biology than to eating habits, strengthening the case for studying their cells.
Key Takeaway :
This Brazilian research challenges the idea that aging is synonymous with inevitable decline. It shows that an immune system can not only preserve its function, but adapt it to keep the body healthy well into extreme old age. This opens the door to a longevity medicine more focused on immunity and cellular autophagy. If these mechanisms could be replicated or stimulated in the wider population, it could radically change our approach to aging — no longer as a fate, but as a modifiable process.
HYPE OR FACT ?
💭 The carnivore diet extends lifespan
❌ HYPE
Despite its recent popularity, the carnivore diet — based exclusively on meat consumption — has no solid scientific evidence proving a positive effect on longevity. On the contrary, many studies (including those published in The Lancet and BMJ) link diets high in red and processed meat to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and chronic inflammation. The longest-living populations (Blue Zones) follow, instead, mostly plant-based diets rich in fiber and antioxidants. Longevity isn’t built through extreme restrictions or trends, but through sustainable balance.
LONGEVITY WISDOM
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change.”
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