The Secrets of the Spanish Woman Who Lived to 117—Here’s What Scientists Discovered About Her Longevity

**Personal Diary Entry 15th October 2024**

Ive been thinking a lot about Elizabeth Caldwell latelythe woman who lived to 117. They say she was the oldest person in the world when she passed last year here in England, but whats truly remarkable is that her body might have been decades younger than her age. Scientists have always been fascinated by supercentenarians like her, those rare souls who make it past 110. What secrets do they hold about ageing gracefully?

Before she died last summer, Elizabeth agreed to help researchers uncover some of those secrets. At 116, she let them take samplesblood, saliva, urine, even stoolto study her genes and gut bacteria. When they compared her results to others her age, they found something extraordinary. Despite her years, her inflammation levels were low, her gut health almost rejuvenated, and her epigenomethe way her genes expressed themselveswas surprisingly youthful.

The scientists called her one exceptional individual, and its no wonder. Her DNA had unusual variations that seemed to shield her from common ailmentsheart disease, diabetes, even neurodegeneration linked to Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Their findings, published in *Cell Reports Medicine*, suggest new ways to understand ageing, even hint at how we might live longer, healthier lives.

Of course, genes played a big part, but her lifestyle mattered too. Elizabeth ate three yoghurts a daygood for her gut and weightand followed a balanced diet, much like the traditional English fare, but with plenty of fresh produce. She slept well, stayed active, and kept her mind sharp. She read books, played the piano, and loved pottering about in her garden. More than that, she had friends, hobbiesa full life.

The researchers said it best: her story shows how ageing and disease dont always go hand in hand. It challenges the idea that growing old must mean fading away. Perhaps theres more to itperhaps its in the way we live, the way our bodies are built, or even just a bit of luck. Whatever it was, Elizabeth Caldwells life leaves me wondering whats truly possible.