A recent study of Maria Branyas, a 117-year-old woman, has uncovered that extreme human longevity may involve both significant signs of aging and strong biological defenses. Researchers observed advanced aging markers in her body, such as very short telomeres—protective caps on chromosomes that shorten as cells age—along with an immune system showing signs of chronic inflammation and an older population of B lymphocytes, which are critical for immune responses. However, other parts of her biology were unusually healthy. She had genetic traits linked to brain and heart protection, low levels of inflammation, a gut microbiome rich in beneficial bacteria called bifidobacteria, and an epigenetic age—determined by how genes are expressed—that was younger than her actual age. The research, led by Dr. Manel Esteller from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, used a multi-omic approach, combining genomic, proteomic, epigenomic, metabolomic, and microbiomic analyses. This comprehensive method allowed scientists to explore the biology of a supercentenarian—someone who has lived to be 110 years or older—providing new insights into how aging and protective mechanisms interact within the body. The findings suggest that extreme old age may not require completely avoiding aging. Instead, some individuals might experience significant aging effects while still possessing biological traits that shield them from its more damaging consequences. The study also highlighted that aging in the blood-forming system is linked to a higher risk of serious blood cancers, like leukemia. These insights could have broader implications beyond the study of longevity, potentially influencing cancer research and treatment strategies. One of the most unique aspects of this study was that Branyas had not suffered from any major illnesses, allowing researchers to observe the biological effects of aging without interference from disease. This is the first study to clearly separate the effects of aging from those of illness in someone of such extreme age. The results offer a rare, comprehensive look at how aging impacts the human body and could eventually lead to ways to counteract some of these changes. While the researchers caution that it is still too early to link specific biological traits directly to lifestyle choices, they note that certain factors might be important. These include a healthy diet, a rich and stimulating social life, and the absence of harmful habits like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. The study was supported by public funding from the Generalitat de Catalunya, the European Community, and the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, as well as private funding from various foundations. The findings were published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.