Elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and mortality risk in centenarians

Researchers measured TNF-alpha, a protein involved in the body’s inflammation response, in blood samples from people aged 100 and older. They then followed the participants for several years and recorded who died. People with higher TNF-alpha levels were more likely to die sooner. This was an observational study, meaning the researchers measured existing differences rather than testing a treatment.

What this means for you: This suggests that ongoing inflammation may be a sign of poorer health in very old people. It does not show that lowering TNF-alpha will help people live longer, so it is not a reason to buy an anti-inflammatory supplement or treatment.