The 117-Year-Old Lesson on Longevity

Wall Street finally hit the brakes after a week-long sprint.

The quick scan: After seven straight days of gains, U.S. markets cooled off on Tuesday. Investors took profits as gold soared past $4,000 an ounce — a sign of nerves creeping back into the market. The pullback was modest but broad, ending the October winning streak.

S&P 500: –0.38% to 6,714.59 — slight dip after a strong run, still near record highs.
Dow Jones: –0.20% to 46,602.98 — industrials and financials eased on mild profit-taking.
NASDAQ: –0.67% to 22,788.36 — tech led the decline after powering recent rallies.

What’s driving it: The rally in AI and chip stocks paused as traders reassessed valuations and inflation risks. A surge in gold prices hinted at renewed caution, while geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing U.S. policy tensions added to the hesitation. Still, there’s little sign of panic — just a collective breather after a fast climb.

Bottom line: After a week of green screens, a red day is hardly a warning sign. For L-Plate Retirees, it’s a reminder that markets move in waves — stay diversified, let gains compound, and don’t let short-term swings knock you off a long-term plan.

The 117-Year-Old Lesson on Longevity

The scoop: Maria Branyas Morera, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 117, was the world’s oldest living person. Before her death, researchers analysed her gut microbiome — the trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live in our digestive tract and help keep our bodies running smoothly.

Their finding was remarkable: despite her age, Maria’s gut looked decades younger. Her microbiome was rich in Bifidobacterium — beneficial bacteria linked to healthy digestion, reduced inflammation, and a stronger immune system. These microbes usually decline with age, but Maria’s were thriving.

Scientists believe her results show that it’s possible to maintain a balanced, diverse microbiome even in extreme old age. That balance matters: as we lose diversity in our gut bacteria, inflammation tends to rise, increasing risks of frailty and disease. Maria’s gut, by contrast, was calm, resilient, and well-regulated.

The commentary also explains that our microbiome responds to how we eat. Diets rich in fibre, legumes, and minimally processed foods support a healthy gut environment, while heavily processed or low-fibre diets can diminish bacterial diversity.

It also clarified the role of probiotics — live, beneficial bacteria found in foods like yoghurt or tempeh. While these can support gut balance, they’re not magic bullets. The foundation of long-term gut health still lies in dietary consistency and whole foods, not supplements.

Maria’s case offers a hopeful reminder: even though we can’t control how long we live, we can influence how we age — starting with the tiny ecosystem inside us.

Actionable Takeaways for L-Plate Retirees:

• Your gut is an ecosystem: A healthy microbiome supports digestion, immunity, and inflammation control.

• Feed the good bacteria: Prioritise fibre-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

• Add probiotic foods naturally: Include yoghurt, kefir, tempeh, or miso for extra microbial support.

• Skip the shortcuts: No supplement beats a steady, balanced diet.

• Healthy ageing starts from within: Gut diversity can improve at any age with consistent habits.

Your Turn:
Have you noticed how your digestion changes with your diet?
Do you include probiotic foods in your meals?
What’s one small tweak you can make this week to “feed” your gut better?

👉 Hit reply and share your thoughts — your answers could inspire fellow readers in future issues.

☕ If today’s read gave you food for thought (and maybe a reason to stock up on fibre), you can shout me a coffee on Ko-fi.