Study Finds Some People Age Much Slower Than Peers

Research published in Nature and highlighted by Harvard Health Publishing describes a subgroup of individuals termed “super‑agers,” whose bodies and brains age markedly slower than the average population. Scientists including Maria A. Blasco of the Centre for Molecular Biology in Spain observed that cellular repair and replacement become increasingly delayed with age, leading to slower cell division, stiffer membranes and reduced nutrient exchange. In super‑agers, these declines are less pronounced, allowing brain function comparable to people decades younger. The study also notes that average adults lose up to five centimetres of height between ages 30 and 70, a shrinkage linked to the same cellular processes. Findings suggest that the rate of aging varies widely among individuals and may be influenced by genetic and molecular factors.