We know the common advice of living long and healthy. By saying ‘living long’ normally we understand living till 85-95 years old. But what about the extreme longevity? Why do some people manage to live 105+ years?

According to a recent Italian study, those over 105 years old, have a unique genetic background that makes their bodies more efficient at repairing DNA and at keeping specific genetic mutations low. These two aspects seem to be the key to maintaining health and protecting from age-related diseases.

To a unique genetic background belong increased expression of genes STK17A, COA1 and BLVRA that were more common and frequent in people of 105+ years old.

The STK17A gene is involved in 3 internal processes that are vital to the cell functioning:

• coordination of the cell’s response to DNA damage
• stimulation of damaged cells to undergo programmed cell death, and
• management of oxidative stress within a cell.

If one of these processes doesn’t work properly, people start to suffer from a lot of diseases, such as Alzheimer or cancer.

The COA1 gene is important for the proper crosstalk between the cell nucleus and mitochondria—the energy fabrique of our cells. The reduced activity of this gene is a leading factor of aging.

The BLVRA gene plays a role in eliminating dangerous reactive oxygen species and herewith helps to deal with oxidative stress.

Curious? HERE is the source