Centenarians, individuals who reach the age of 100 or more, demonstrate a unique aging pattern marked by a delayed onset of diseases and notable biological resilience. A comprehensive study by Stockholm's Karolinska Institutet, analyzing over 270,000 Swedes, found that those destined to become centenarians developed significantly fewer health issues by age 85 compared to their peers who passed away earlier. This delayed manifestation of illness is particularly pronounced for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions. For instance, a study indicated that only 24.8% of future centenarians were diagnosed with heart problems by age 70, in contrast to 51.6% of individuals who died by age 75.
Furthermore, while the health of many individuals over 90 tends to decline, centenarians often experience a stabilization of their health status for several years preceding their death, suggesting a robust biological resistance that may begin to manifest as early as age 70. Researchers, including Associate Professor Karin Modig from the Karolinska Institutet, emphasize that this resilience is likely a combination of genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and lifestyle choices. Their findings challenge the notion that a longer life inevitably means more diseases, demonstrating that centenarians follow a distinct aging curve with slower disease progression and greater resistance to common age-related ailments. This distinct pattern suggests that exceptional longevity reflects a fundamentally different way of aging, potentially due to a favorable combination of genes, lifestyle, and environment.
Further research from the Karolinska Institutet has identified specific biomarkers that may indicate a predisposition to exceptional longevity. A study analyzing twelve blood markers related to metabolism, inflammation, and organ function revealed that future centenarians often exhibited healthier, more balanced readings even in their 60s. Key markers that tended to be lower in centenarians included glucose, creatinine, uric acid, liver enzymes (AST/ALT), alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Conversely, iron and total cholesterol levels were often higher, though typically moderate and stable, suggesting that balance rather than extreme values is crucial. Sweden's high average life expectancy of 83.6 years in 2025 is supported by its commitment to environmental cleanliness, accessible healthcare, and a strong sense of community, underscoring a societal dedication to promoting well-being across all age groups.