Researchers have found that centenarians may have hit a ceiling, suggesting that humans might be reaching the limits of longevity.

The question of how long humans can live has long been a subject of scientific research. Jeanne Calment, a French woman who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old, set the benchmark for human longevity. Researchers have speculated whether people could live significantly longer, with some estimating a potential ceiling of 150 years. However, a study from the University of Chicago suggests that modern medical advancements are unlikely to significantly extend human lifespan beyond existing biological limits, as reported by Prevention.

In the study published in the journal Nature Aging and led by S. Jay Olshansky, scientists found that medical interventions primarily add years to life by delaying diseases rather than combating the fundamental aging process. Olshansky, an expert in epidemiology and biostatistics, argues that the "time" created by medicine yields diminishing returns in the long term.

He notes that despite the accelerated pace of medical advancements, their contribution to increased lifespan is slowing down. This trend is reflected in life expectancy statistics, for example, in the U.S., which reached a 20-year low in 2023, largely attributed to systemic healthcare issues. The study emphasizes the significant difference between life expectancy and healthspan—the years during which a person remains healthy.

Current trends indicate that while people are living longer, their additional years are often marked by poor well-being and declining health. A report from the University of Oxford and University College London confirms this, noting the growing discrepancy between life expectancy and health levels, particularly among baby boomers—those born between 1946 and 1964.

To achieve meaningful progress, Olshansky suggests shifting the focus from merely extending life to enhancing health in later years. He believes that the potential for breakthroughs lies in geroscience, the study of aging.

João Pedro de Magalhães from the University of Birmingham offers his insights on this matter, pointing to the Greenland shark, a marine mammal capable of living over 200 years, as a target model for longevity. These sharks exhibit superior DNA repair mechanisms and possess the P53 gene, which suppresses cancer.

Despite the anticipated increase in the number of centenarians—projected by the Pew Research Center to quadruple in the next three decades—authors believe this growth is unlikely to significantly impact overall life expectancy. As Olshansky notes, a key challenge for the future is addressing the root causes of aging to achieve substantial health benefits for the elderly population, rather than simply chasing higher numbers.

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