SEAL BEACH, California (NBC 4), May 24, 2005:
A 112-year-old Seal Beach woman is of great interest to a group of Southland scientists attempting to unravel the mysteries of extreme old age, including those who live past 110 years old. Marion Higgins, of Seal Beach, is a spry, enthusiastic 112-year-old. The secret to her old age: "I don't smoke cigars," she told NBC4.
A nonprofit gerontology research group wants to talk to "super-centenarians" like Higgins about how the mysteries of human survivability are locked deep inside them.
Founder Dr. Stephen Coles wonders why so few humans ever live past 110. He calls it "a wall," that is very difficult for humans to pass, even in this age of medical knowledge, nutrition and exercise.
"At 110, the chances of living one more year to 111 are like flipping a coin, heads or tails," Coles told NBC4.
Coles and his colleagues have found more than 60 of the rare individuals worldwide. They've agreed to offer DNA samples, and even autopsies, to help unwrap the mysteries behind extreme old age.
Researchers have found a few common traits, like optimism.
"These people get up in the morning," said Coles, "and they have something to do."
Coles also noted that none of the participants in the study has ever been
significantly overweight.
Coles said being optimistic and thin can be genetically preprogrammed. He believes the answer may not lie on your daily exercise and vitamin regimen, although those practices will increase your odds of living into your 70s and 80s.
But to squeeze past 110 and beyond, Coles said, it takes a genetic blueprint for long life.
Copyright 2005 by NBC4.tv.
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