**Diary Entry 12th March 2025**
Ive been thinking about Elizabeth Whitmore, the remarkable woman who lived to 117. Researchers believe her extraordinary lifespan might hold secrets to ageing gracefully, showing how old age and illness dont always go hand in hand. Elizabeth was the worlds oldest person when she passed away last year in Bath, Englandbut her biological age, according to her genome, might have been far younger.
Theres something captivating about supercentenarians like herthose who reach at least 110. What makes them different? Before her death in August 2024, Elizabeth agreed to help British scientists uncover the mystery. At 116, they took samples of her blood, saliva, urine, and stool, studying her genetics and microbiome against larger groups of elderly individuals.
What they found was fascinating. Despite her advanced years, Elizabeth had remarkably low inflammation, a “rejuvenated” gut, and a surprisingly youthful epigenomechanges in gene expression without altering DNA. The researchers called her “one exceptional individual.” She also had rare genetic variants that seemed to shield her from common ailmentsheart disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimers and Parkinsons.
Their study, published in *Cell Reports Medicine*, suggests fresh insights into human ageing, pointing to potential biomarkers for health and strategies to extend life. Genetics clearly played a role, but her lifestyle mattered too. Elizabeth ate three yoghurts daily, which might have helped her gut health and weight. She followed a balanced diet, slept well, stayed active, and maintained strong mental health.
Socially, she thrivedreading, playing the piano, gardeningliving a well-rounded life. The researchers noted that her case challenges the assumption that ageing and disease are inseparable. Under the right conditions, they can indeed “become decoupled.” It makes me wonderhow much of longevity is written in our genes, and how much lies in how we live?
