Unraveling the Mystery: The Truth About the Oldest Person in the World Being 300 Years Old

Unraveling the Mystery: The Truth About the Oldest Person in the World Being 300 Years Old

Have you ever come across the intriguing story of Li Ching-Yuen, the man who reportedly lived for 256 years before passing away in the early 20th century? Or, perhaps, you’ve heard about the case of Jeanne Calment, the French woman who allegedly lived for 122 years and 164 days, making her the oldest verified human in modern times. Now, imagine if we told you that there are claims of people living for over three centuries, despite the widely accepted limits of human longevity being around 120 years. You’re probably wondering what evidence exists to support such claims. In this article, we will explore the mystery of the supposed 300-year-old people to investigate the validity of their stories.

The Cow Urine Elixir?

One of the most contentious of these claims is that of Mahashta Murasi, the Indian man who claims to have been born in 1835, making him a staggering 179 years old. However, he has not yet been officially recognized by authorities as the world’s oldest person as his age cannot be fully verified. Murasi attributes his longevity to his healthy diet, regular activity, and a daily elixir made from cow urine. While cow urine may have health benefits, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that it can increase human lifespan.

Converting to Christianity for Youthfulness?

Another case that is often cited is that of Li Qingyun, a Chinese herbalist, who purportedly lived for 256 years between 1677 and 1933. Qingyun’s story involves a secret herbal formula, which he passed on before his death, said to contain lingzhi, ginseng, goji berry, and other natural ingredients. However, many historians contend that Qingyun’s existence cannot be confirmed, and his age may have been exaggerated. One theory suggests that Li Qingyun was, in fact, a different person altogether and that the original Li passed away, and another man took his place. According to some reports, he converted to Christianity at the age of 100, which he believed would grant him eternal youth. However, there is no empirical evidence that supports the belief that Christianity can prolong human life.

Genetics or Lifestyle?

Finally, let’s examine the account of Shirali Muslimov, who allegedly lived for 168 years in Azerbaijan before he died in 1973. Muslimov’s case is interesting because his story has been supported by genetic analysis. Researchers at Moscow University analyzed his DNA and found that he had a rare variant of the PITRM1 gene, which is associated with mitochondrial function, and Cellular metabolism. However, some researchers suggest that a lack of birth records and limited information about his lifestyle make it difficult to determine whether his longevity was due to genetics or some other factor.

The Truth About Extreme Longevity

In conclusion, while these stories of people living for over 300 years are fascinating, they remain largely unverified and should be taken with a grain of salt. Evidence from the Science community like several studies have found that the upper limit of human lifespan is around 120 years, attributed to ageing, genetics, and environmental influences. While certain lifestyle choices can increase longevity, such as regular exercise, healthy diet, and refraining from smoking. So, the mystery of extreme longevity remains unsolved for now, and perhaps it will remain as one of the many enigmas of the human experience.