Two new studies supported by the Longevity Consortium and featuring UC Davis researchers, including Dr. Oliver Fiehn, have identified promising biological markers in blood that are associated with aging and lifespan.
In one large-scale metabolomics study, researchers found that higher blood levels of tryptophan were more likely to live to an advanced age, while higher levels of cystine were linked to a shorter lifespan. These metabolites may serve as predictive markers of aging trajectories.
A companion study combined metabolomic and proteomic data to identify multi-omic signatures predictive of longevity. Among the key findings: a cholesterol transport signature (involving apolipoproteins) was enriched in females, suggesting a sex-specific mechanism underlying longer lifespan in women. The results were further supported by data from both human centenarians and long-lived mouse models.
Together, these studies demonstrate how multi-omic approaches can deepen our understanding of aging and help guide future nutritional strategies to promote health across the lifespan.
