Latest news with #MariaBranyasMorera
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Combo of cancer therapy drugs increases mice lifespan by 30%
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Researchers have found that a cocktail of two cancer drugs can increase the lifespan of mice by up to around 30%, according to a new study. The two drugs, trametinib and rapamycin, were both effective at extending the lives of mice when administered separately, but offered even greater benefits when taken together. They also reduced chronic inflammation and delayed cancer development in the aging mice. Mice are not humans, however, so the new findings don't necessarily mean that people will live longer by taking these drugs (outside of their current prescribed use). But the study authors noted that the drugs, which are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are good candidates for human trials exploring ways to help older people age better. The researchers published their study about the potential longevity benefits of the FDA-approved drugs on May 28 in the journal Nature Aging. "While we do not expect a similar extension to human lifespans as we found in mice, we hope that the drugs we're investigating could help people to stay healthy and disease-free for longer late in life," study co-lead author Linda Partridge, a geneticist at University College London in the U.K. and the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne, Germany, said in a statement. Both drugs work by targeting cell communication pathways in the body, which play a critical role in aging and the development of diseases like cancer. Rapamycin inhibits a protein called mTOR, which regulates the division and death of cells and is associated with cancer and other diseases. Trametinib disrupts a molecular pathway called RAS/Mek/Erk, which also plays a role in cancerous cell proliferation — again, useful if you're trying to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. Related: Heat waves may accelerate the aging process Rapamycin was already known to extend the lifespan of mice, while trametinib has previously been shown to add time to the lifespan of flies. Previous studies have also found that the drugs' separate lifespan-extending effects stack in flies, providing an even greater boost when administered together. However, the new study marks the first time that scientists have combined rapamycin and trametinib to study aging in mammals. The researchers mixed the drugs into the food of lab mice and found that, individually, rapamycin extended the mouse lifespan by 15% to 20% while trametinib extended it by around 5% to 10%. Just like in flies, the drugs proved stronger together, with a cocktail of the two increasing the mouse lifespan by up to 29%, according to the study. RELATED STORIES —Biological secrets of world's oldest woman, Maria Branyas Morera, revealed after death —Single molecule reverses signs of aging in muscles and brains, mouse study reveals —Silent X chromosome genes 'reawaken' in older females, perhaps boosting brain power, study finds To explore the biochemical underpinnings of these effects, the team took tissue samples from the mice and analyzed how the activity of their genes was affected by the two drugs. They found that not only did the mice gain separate benefits from the two different drugs but that, when used in combination, the drug cocktail influenced gene activity differently to when either drug was taken alone, according to the statement. The study highlights that these two drugs could be good candidates for geroprotectors, which are an emerging class of drugs aimed at delaying the onset of diseases and improving the health of older people. However, for now, the researchers plan to optimize the use of trametinib to maximize its benefits while minimizing side effects like weight loss and liver lesions. "Trametinib, especially in combination with rapamycin, is a good candidate to be tested in clinical trials as a geroprotector," co-lead author Sebastian Grönke, a senior postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, said in the statement. "We hope that our results will be taken up by others and tested in humans. Our focus is on optimising the use of trametinib in animal models."
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
117-year-old reveals eating three yoghurts a day could be the secret to a long life
The key to a long life is eating plenty of yoghurt, according to a woman who lived until the age of 117. Maria Branyas Morera was the oldest living person on earth and since she died in August 2024, she has been the focus of scientific interest. Researchers from Barcelona, Spain, have studied her gut microbiome and published a paper on their findings. The results have not yet been peer-reviewed on the supercentenarian - someone who lives longer than 110 years - but they still provide an insight into how dietary choices could help extend your lifespan. The study suggested Ms Morera had an exceptionally healthy gut and had cells that functioned as if they were 17 years younger than her age. Researchers say her microbiome was 'anti-inflammatory' and contained high levels of bifidobacteria – a genus of gastrointestinal bacteria, also known as gut microbiota, that resides in our digestive tract. Before she died, Ms Morera told an interviewer that the secret to her longevity was avoiding smoking and alcohol, going on daily walks, following a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and eating three yoghurts a day. She also put her long life down to being surrounded by friends and family and avoiding 'toxic people'. It is thought Ms Morera's varied diet of fruit and veg and plenty of yoghurt boosted her gut health and perhaps even extended her lifespan. Inside your gastrointestinal tract, there are trillions of bacteria and microbes, which all contribute to the gut microbiome. This is instrumental in keeping your immune system functioning. Those with a greater variety of microbes in the gut have lower inflammation, which is known to decrease the risk of experiencing chronic conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes - that's why experts believe good gut health boosts longevity. However, yoghurt is particularly good at boosting gut health because it is a fermented food – it's made by heating milk, adding bacteria and incubating it. This process produces probiotics and when consumed, the bacteria can support the gut by outcompeting harmful microbes. 'Natural yoghurt contains live bacterial cultures that help maintain a balanced gut microbiome, which plays a role in everything from digestion to immunity, mood, and inflammation,' Rob Hobson, nutritionist and author of Unprocess Your Life, told The Independent. 'Regularly eating fermented dairy like yoghurt has also been linked with lower levels of inflammation and a reduced risk of metabolic disease, certain cancers, and age-related decline.' But he stressed that yoghurt isn't a 'silver bullet'. Instead, it is the overall quality of her diet and lifestyle that contributed to her old age and gut health. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is one of the best things you can do for your gut, he explained. Mr Hobson said: 'They're packed with fibre and polyphenols which are plant compounds that feed beneficial gut bacteria and help them flourish. 'This boosts microbial diversity, which is a strong marker of good gut health. In turn, your microbes produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, which help lower inflammation and keep the gut lining healthy,' he added. In addition, a daily walk also likely helped improve her gut health. That's because 'regular movement encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria, especially those that produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate. These are known to reduce inflammation and support the gut lining,' according to Mr Hobson.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
These are the secrets to long life according to the world's oldest people
A woman who lived to the age of 117 put her longevity down to eating yoghurt - and scientists say she may have been right. Maria Branyas Morera was the oldest living person in the world until she passed away at a nursing home in Spain last August. When she was alive, Morera credited her long lifespan to eating three yoghurts a day, and researchers who studied her gut microbiome have suggested they may have contributed. They found her gut was extremely healthy and that she had cells that functioned as if they were 17 years younger than her age. Scientists in Barcelona found Morera's microbiome had high levels of bifidobacteria, also known as gut microbiota, that lives in the digestive tract. Before she died, Morera said she didn't smoke or drink alcohol, enjoyed a walk every day and ate lots of fruit and vegetables. She also said she avoided "toxic people". So what are some of the other secrets to a long life, according to the people who know best... centenarians. Ethel Caterham, who lives in a care home in Lightwater, Surrey, became the oldest person in the world this month, at the age of 115. She was born on 21 August 1909 and is the last surviving subject of Kind Edward VII. Caterham said her secret to a long life was "never arguing with anyone". She said: "I listen and I do what I like." She continued driving until she was 97 and one of her sisters, Gladys, lived to the age of 104. Read more on this story from Surrey Live Kathleen Jennings, who turned 105 last October, said her longevity was down to two factors: never getting married and drinking Guinness. Born in Brixton in 1919, she celebrated her 105th birthday at a care home in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on 2 October. She received a Guinness hamper for her birthday, filled with pint glasses, an apron, chocolates and cans of the stout. When asked for advice on a long life, she said: "Drink Guinness and don't marry!" Read more on this story from Yahoo Life UK In March, Josie Church and Anne Wallace-Hadrill, who celebrated their 101st birthdays together, said always keeping themselves busy had helped them reach past a century. The pair are neighbours in Oxford and both were born on 1 April 1924. "You do what seems to be needing doing, and then you do that, and then something else takes its place," said Church. "You just go on from one thing to another. We don't engineer our lives. I think they've just engineered us." Read more on this story from Yahoo Life UK Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, 116, from Brazil, was the world's oldest person until her death at the end of April. She died a few weeks before she was due to turn 117, and was born on 27 May 1908. She said her Catholic faith was what led to her longevity, and was part of the Company of Saint Teresa of Jesus nun congregation in Porto Alegre, Brazil. She was the second oldest nun ever, after Frenchwoman Lucile Randon, who died in 2023 at the age of 118. Read more on this story from PA Media Dinkie Flowers, from Shoreham, West Sussex, turned 104 earlier this month and celebrated by dancing at her birthday party, the BBC reported. She has been dancing for 101 years and ran her own dance school until five years ago. In an interview in 2023, she said: 'Dancing has helped keep me healthy, everyone should do something, they shouldn't be on their bottom all day." Read more on this story from Yahoo Life UK
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Was this common food key to Maria Branyas Morera living to 117?
Maria Branyas Morera, who lived to be 117, attributed her longevity to a diet that included three yogurts daily, alongside fruits, vegetables, and regular walks. Researchers studying her gut microbiome found it to be exceptionally healthy with high levels of beneficial bacteria, possibly contributing to her long lifespan. Yogurt, a fermented food, is rich in probiotics that support gut health by promoting a balanced microbiome and reducing inflammation. While yogurt played a role, her overall healthy lifestyle, including a diverse diet and daily exercise, likely contributed significantly to her age and well-being. A healthy gut is linked to lower inflammation and reduced risk of chronic diseases, which are factors that can influence lifespan.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Eating three yoghurts a day could be the secret to a long life, said 117-year-old
The key to a long life is eating plenty of yoghurt, according to a woman who lived until the age of 117. Maria Branyas Morera was the oldest living person on earth and since she died in August 2024, she has been the focus of scientific interest. Researchers from Barcelona, Spain, have studied her gut microbiome and published a paper on their findings. The results have not yet been peer-reviewed on the supercentenarian - someone who lives longer than 110 years - but they still provide an insight into how dietary choices could help extend your lifespan. The study suggested Ms Morera had an exceptionally healthy gut and had cells that functioned as if they were 17 years younger than her age. Researchers say her microbiome was 'anti-inflammatory' and contained high levels of bifidobacteria – a genus of gastrointestinal bacteria, also known as gut microbiota, that resides in our digestive tract. Before she died, Ms Morera told an interviewer that the secret to her longevity was avoiding smoking and alcohol, going on daily walks, following a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and eating three yoghurts a day. She also put her long life down to being surrounded by friends and family and avoiding 'toxic people'. It is thought Ms Morera's varied diet of fruit and veg and plenty of yoghurt boosted her gut health and perhaps even extended her lifespan. Inside your gastrointestinal tract, there are trillions of bacteria and microbes, which all contribute to the gut microbiome. This is instrumental in keeping your immune system functioning. Those with a greater variety of microbes in the gut have lower inflammation, which is known to decrease the risk of experiencing chronic conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes - that's why experts believe good gut health boosts longevity. However, yoghurt is particularly good at boosting gut health because it is a fermented food – it's made by heating milk, adding bacteria and incubating it. This process produces probiotics and when consumed, the bacteria can support the gut by outcompeting harmful microbes. 'Natural yoghurt contains live bacterial cultures that help maintain a balanced gut microbiome, which plays a role in everything from digestion to immunity, mood, and inflammation,' Rob Hobson, nutritionist and author of Unprocess Your Life, told The Independent. 'Regularly eating fermented dairy like yoghurt has also been linked with lower levels of inflammation and a reduced risk of metabolic disease, certain cancers, and age-related decline.' But he stressed that yoghurt isn't a 'silver bullet'. Instead, it is the overall quality of her diet and lifestyle that contributed to her old age and gut health. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is one of the best things you can do for your gut, he explained. Mr Hobson said: 'They're packed with fibre and polyphenols which are plant compounds that feed beneficial gut bacteria and help them flourish. 'This boosts microbial diversity, which is a strong marker of good gut health. In turn, your microbes produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, which help lower inflammation and keep the gut lining healthy,' he added. In addition, a daily walk also likely helped improve her gut health. That's because 'regular movement encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria, especially those that produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate. These are known to reduce inflammation and support the gut lining,' according to Mr Hobson.
