Maria Branyas lived to 117 years old, making her one of the oldest verified humans in history. When she passed in 2024, scientists had already collected blood, saliva, urine, and stool samples to unlock the biological secrets behind her remarkable longevity. Spanish researchers discovered that Branyas possessed cells that “felt” or “behaved” like those of much younger people, despite her advanced chronological age. Her genetic profile contained rare variants linked to longevity, superior immune function, and excellent heart and brain health. Even more surprising, her biological age was measured 23 years younger than her actual age according to multiple scientific aging clocks. Branyas exceeded the average life expectancy for women in her region by more than 30 years, providing scientists with unprecedented insights into how humans can achieve extreme longevity while maintaining good health.
Her Cells Acted Decades Younger Than Her Age
Epigenetic clocks measure biological age by analyzing DNA methylation patterns throughout the genome. Scientists tested six different aging algorithms on Branyas’ tissue samples, and all produced the same remarkable result: her cells appeared biologically much younger than her 117-year chronological age.
DNA methylation changes predictably as we age, allowing researchers to estimate biological age with high accuracy. Most people show biological ages that closely match their chronological ages. Branyas represented a stunning exception to this pattern.
Scientists analyzed her blood, saliva, and other tissues using advanced sequencing technologies. Every test confirmed that her cellular aging process had slowed dramatically compared to normal human aging patterns. Her age pace measured 17 years slower than expected for someone her chronological age.
Researchers found 69 specific DNA methylation sites that differed from control populations. Most of these differences involved loss of methylation, which typically occurs during normal aging. However, Branyas maintained methylation in repetitive DNA sequences that usually lose methylation as people age.
Maintaining methylation in repetitive DNA sequences may protect against genomic instability and cancer development. Scientists believe this epigenetic preservation contributed to her exceptional health and longevity despite her advanced years.
Genetic Lottery Winners Live Longer
Branyas carried seven rare genetic variants never found in European control populations. Scientists identified these unique variants by comparing her genome to databases containing genetic information from thousands of other Europeans.
Several of her genetic variants affected immune system function, potentially explaining her resistance to infections and age-related diseases throughout her life. Other variants influenced cardiovascular health, brain function, and cellular energy production through mitochondria.
Her APOE gene variant protected against Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related cognitive decline. Unlike many people who carry APOE variants that increase disease risk, Branyas possessed protective versions that support brain health into extreme old age.
Genetic variants in her DSCAML1 gene may have supported both immune function and cognitive retention. MAP4K3 variants connected to lifespan regulation in laboratory animals also appeared in her genetic profile.
Scientists found beneficial variants affecting heart function through LRP1 and LRP2 genes involved in cholesterol metabolism. Her TIMELESS gene variant has been linked to longevity differences in fruit fly populations, suggesting similar mechanisms may work across species.
Mitochondrial genes showed multiple protective variants that could explain her robust cellular energy production even at 117 years old. When scientists tested her mitochondrial function directly, they found higher activity levels than those measured in much younger women.
Her Heart and Blood Vessels Stayed Young
Cardiovascular health represents one of the strongest predictors of longevity, and Branyas demonstrated exceptional heart health throughout her life. Blood tests revealed lipid profiles that rivaled those of much younger, healthy individuals.
Her HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) levels reached extremely high values while LDL cholesterol and triglycerides stayed remarkably low. Scientists noted that she possessed “one of the most efficient lipid metabolisms reported” in medical literature.
Large HDL particles and optimal particle size distribution indicated superior cardiovascular function. Small, dense LDL particles that increase heart disease risk were notably absent from her blood profile.
Inflammatory markers told an equally impressive story. GlycA and GlycB proteins, which indicate systemic inflammation levels, were measured at extremely low levels in Branyas’ blood. Low inflammation protects against heart disease, stroke, and other age-related conditions.
Metabolites associated with cardiovascular risk consistently showed healthy patterns. Her blood chemistry suggested minimal atherosclerosis development and excellent heart muscle function despite her advanced age.
Scientists found elevated levels of beneficial proteins involved in cholesterol transport and lipoprotein metabolism. Her blood contained enhanced fatty acid transport capabilities and superior oxidative stress protection mechanisms.
Gut Bacteria Resembled Those of Young People
Microbiome analysis revealed another key to Branyas’ longevity: her gut contained bacterial populations typically found in much younger individuals. Scientists compared her stool samples to those from 445 control subjects aged 61-91 years.
Bifidobacterium levels in her gut far exceeded those found in age-matched controls. Most people lose beneficial Bifidobacterium as they age, but Branyas maintained exceptionally high levels of these helpful bacteria.
Bifidobacterium produces short-chain fatty acids that reduce inflammation throughout the body. These bacteria also manufacture compounds that support immune function and may protect against age-related diseases.
Her gut microbiome showed high diversity, another marker of healthy aging. People with diverse gut bacteria typically enjoy better health outcomes and longer lifespans than those with limited bacterial variety.
Harmful bacterial populations remained low in her digestive system. Pro-inflammatory bacteria like certain Clostridium species, which increase with age in most people, stayed at minimal levels throughout her life.
Scientists noted that Branyas consumed three yogurts daily containing Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii. These probiotic bacteria may have supported the growth of beneficial Bifidobacterium in her gut.
Her adherence to a Mediterranean diet likely contributed to her healthy microbiome composition. Mediterranean eating patterns support beneficial bacteria while limiting harmful bacterial overgrowth.
Short Telomeres Didn’t Predict Her Death
Telomeres protect chromosome ends from damage during cell division. Most research links shorter telomeres to aging, disease, and death. Branyas challenged this assumption by living to 117 despite having extremely short telomeres.
Her average telomere length measured just 8 kilobases, shorter than any healthy volunteer in the study. Forty percent of her telomeres fell below the 20th percentile for all study participants.
Scientists propose that extremely short telomeres may have protected Branyas from cancer development. Cancer cells require extensive cell division to form tumors, but short telomeres limit how many times cells can divide.
Her shortened telomeres may have acted more as a “chromosomal clock” measuring age rather than predicting disease development. Despite minimal telomere length, she maintained excellent health throughout her final years.
Research in other supercentenarians supports the idea that telomere length alone doesn’t determine health outcomes in extremely old individuals. Other protective mechanisms may compensate for telomere shortening in people who achieve extreme longevity.
Immune System Showed Both Old and Young Features
Branyas’ immune system displayed a fascinating mix of advanced aging markers alongside youthful characteristics. Scientists used single-cell analysis to examine different immune cell populations in her blood.
Age-associated B cells, which typically increase with aging and contribute to inflammation, expanded dramatically in her immune system. These cells showed high expression of genes associated with cellular stress and potential malignant transformation.
Despite concerning B-cell populations, Branyas never developed blood cancers or autoimmune diseases. Scientists detected genetic mutations linked to blood cancer development, yet she remained disease-free throughout her life.
Her T cell populations resembled those found in other supercentenarians, with high numbers of cytotoxic T cells capable of fighting infections and cancer. Memory T cells dominated her immune system rather than naive T cells found in younger people.
Clonal hematopoiesis, a condition where single blood cell clones expand abnormally, appeared in her blood samples. Most people with this condition develop cardiovascular disease or blood cancers, but Branyas experienced neither.
Scientists believe her immune system maintained excellent surveillance capabilities that prevented cancer development despite genetic vulnerabilities. Enhanced immune function may explain her resistance to infections and diseases throughout her long life.
Diet and Lifestyle Supported Longevity
Branyas followed a Mediterranean diet pattern throughout her life, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. She consumed three yogurts daily, which likely contributed to her exceptional gut microbiome health.
Mediterranean diets provide anti-inflammatory compounds that protect against heart disease, stroke, and cognitive decline. Her food choices supplied antioxidants, healthy fats, and fiber that support healthy aging processes.
Regular yogurt consumption has been linked to reduced diabetes risk, better weight management, and improved insulin sensitivity. Probiotics in yogurt support beneficial gut bacteria that influence immune function and inflammation levels.
Scientists found no evidence of caloric restriction or extreme dietary practices in Branyas’ eating patterns. Her longevity appeared to result from consistently healthy food choices rather than restrictive eating behaviors.
Physical activity levels remained moderate throughout her life. Research shows that even light physical activity, like walking, provides significant anti-aging benefits and improves survival in age-related diseases.
Mental and social engagement may have contributed to her longevity. Branyas maintained active relationships and cognitive stimulation throughout her final years, factors associated with healthy brain aging.
Medical Implications for Healthy Aging
Branyas’ case demonstrates that extreme aging and poor health don’t necessarily go together. Her example shows that biological processes of aging can be separated from disease development under certain circumstances.
Scientists identified potential biomarkers for healthy aging based on her unique biological profile. Low inflammation, efficient lipid metabolism, and beneficial gut bacteria emerged as key factors supporting longevity.
Her genetic variants provide targets for future anti-aging interventions. Drugs that mimic the effects of her protective genetic variants could potentially extend healthy lifespan in other people.
Epigenetic patterns in her cells suggest that biological age can be slowed independently of chronological age. Interventions that preserve DNA methylation patterns might help other people achieve similar aging trajectories.
Microbiome findings support the potential for probiotic interventions to promote healthy aging. Maintaining beneficial gut bacteria through diet or supplements may provide anti-aging benefits.
Research teams plan larger studies to validate findings from Branyas’ case. Single-person studies provide valuable insights but require confirmation in broader populations before clinical applications.
Scientists emphasize that longevity results from complex interactions between genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors. No single intervention can replicate all the factors that contributed to Branyas’ exceptional lifespan.
My Personal RX on Learning from Supercentenarian Research
Maria Branyas’ remarkable case teaches us that extreme longevity isn’t just about avoiding disease – it’s about maintaining youthful cellular function well into advanced age. As a physician, I find her story both inspiring and instructive for patients seeking to age healthily. While we can’t all inherit her protective genetic variants, we can adopt many of the lifestyle practices that supported her longevity. Every patient has the opportunity to influence their biological aging trajectory through consistent, science-based health decisions.
- Follow a Mediterranean diet pattern with daily probiotic foods: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats while including yogurt or fermented foods to support beneficial gut bacteria.
- Support your gut-brain health connection during aging: MindBiotic combines probiotics, prebiotics, and Ashwagandha KSM 66 to promote the beneficial bacteria linked to longevity while managing stress that accelerates aging.
- Monitor inflammation markers with your doctor regularly: Request tests for CRP, GlycA, and other inflammatory markers to track your aging trajectory and adjust lifestyle interventions accordingly.
- Focus on metabolic health through whole food nutrition: Mindful Meals cookbook provides over 100 anti-inflammatory recipes that support healthy lipid metabolism and cellular energy production for optimal aging.
- Maintain consistent light physical activity throughout life: Walking, swimming, or gentle movement exercises provide anti-aging benefits without requiring intense training that could increase injury risk.
- Prioritize sleep quality for cellular repair and regeneration: Poor sleep accelerates biological aging by disrupting hormones, increasing inflammation, and impairing cellular maintenance processes.
- Cultivate social connections and mental stimulation: Loneliness and cognitive decline accelerate aging, so invest in relationships and activities that challenge your brain regularly.
- Work with healthcare providers to optimize cardiovascular health: Maintain healthy cholesterol ratios, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and appropriate medical interventions.
- Consider genetic testing for personalized aging strategies: Understanding your genetic variants for APOE, FOXO3A, and other longevity genes can guide targeted interventions for your unique risk profile.
- Adopt stress management practices that reduce cellular aging: Chronic stress shortens telomeres and accelerates biological aging, so develop daily practices like meditation, deep breathing, or gentle yoga.
Source: Santos-Pujol, E., Noguera-Castells, A., Casado-Pelaez, M., García-Prieto, C. A., Vasallo, C., Campillo-Marcos, I., Quero-Dotor, C., Crespo-García, E., Bueno-Costa, A., Setién, F., Ferrer, G., Davalos, V., Mereu, E., Pluvinet, R., Arribas, C., De La Torre, C., Villavicencio, F., Sumoy, L., Granada, I., . . . Esteller, M. (2025). The multiomics blueprint of the individual with the most extreme lifespan. Cell Reports Medicine, 102368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2025.102368
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