Living Over 100 Years

The secret behind the remarkable longevity of the residents in Limone sul Garda, Italy, lies in a unique protein found only in their bodies—something that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Limone sul Garda, a picture-perfect fishing village located on the shores of Lake Garda in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, is home to just 1,000 residents. The village is surrounded by naturally grown fruit trees and enjoys a mild, Mediterranean-like climate. Locals primarily follow a Mediterranean diet rich in fresh fish, olive oil, and citrus fruits. This combination of factors has created what many consider a “miracle formula” for long, healthy lives.

However, scientists have discovered something even more fascinating: the people of Limone carry what’s known as the “Limone gene,” which produces a special protein that breaks down lipids and keeps fat from building up in the blood.

For over 40 years, the residents of Limone have been regularly monitored as part of a large-scale scientific study. Among the 1,000 people living in the village, about half are native-born. Of those, roughly 60 out of every 500 people carry the Limone gene.

“It runs in my family. I carry the gene, so do my children, my siblings, and my mother—who is now 96 and still in great health,” said Gianni Segala, a local shop owner.

Since the 1980s, he and his family have voluntarily donated blood samples for regular testing. He jokingly referred to the villagers as the scientists’ “blood bags.”

Segala recalled one of his earliest tests, where doctors gave him sugary ice cream every two hours and monitored his blood after each serving.

“They took my blood after every ice cream. It was so sweet and fatty that it made me nauseous. Even after eating all that, my blood instantly destroyed the fats without absorbing them. By the evening, I almost fainted from all the blood loss,” he laughed.

Despite that, people like Segala rarely need to worry about clogged arteries or blood clots. “I live a normal life—not a superhero—but I’m very healthy,” he said.

Cesare Sirtori, professor of clinical pharmacology at the University of Milan, led the research that identified the “miracle protein,” now known as A-1 Milano. According to Professor Sirtori, people with the Limone gene have unusually low levels of HDL cholesterol—around 7 to 15, compared to the normal range of 40 to 60.

“HDL is often called the ‘good cholesterol,’ and having too little of it usually increases the risk of heart disease or stroke. But in Limone, the effect is completely reversed,” he explained.

Typically, 99% of gene mutations in humans result in disease, but the Limone mutation does not cause any illness. Professor Sirtori and his colleagues are studying how this gene helps prevent atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of the arteries.

In 2000, the research team synthesized the Limone protein and injected it into rabbits. They found a significant reduction in artery-clogging blood clots. The gene was also detected in the DNA of local children, young adults, and the elderly—suggesting it’s a dominant gene passed down through generations.

Remarkably, this genetic mutation and its health benefits exist only in Limone. It hasn’t been found in nearby villages, not even in those just a few kilometers away.

Thanks to this gene, Gianni Segala’s son, Giuliano, says he’s never had a stomach ache and can eat anything he wants. Despite consuming fatty meats, sausages, and even pork lard, he remains slim and energetic.

“I feel like I’ve got a built-in life insurance policy,” Giuliano said confidently, “I’m not worried about clogged arteries or heart attacks.” Even so, he maintains an active lifestyle, regularly hiking with his father up the surrounding mountains to admire the breathtaking views of Lake Garda.