Is Ferritin useful for Langlebigkeit?

Ferritin is a key iron storage protein and a useful biomarker for assessing body iron status. In the context of longevity, balanced iron levels matter: iron is critical for oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and DNA repair, yet excess iron can drive oxidative stress and accelerate aging. Both iron deficiency (anemia, fatigue) and iron overload (hemochromatosis, increased cardiovascular and neurodegenerative risk) are linked to reduced healthspan and lifespan. Measuring ferritin helps identify imbalances, allowing targeted dietary or therapeutic adjustments. However, the evidence for a direct causal role of ferritin in human longevity is moderate – no large randomized trials prove that optimizing ferritin alone extends lifespan. Ferritin is best interpreted alongside inflammatory markers (CRP) and transferrin saturation. Caveat: elevated ferritin can result from inflammation or liver disease, not just iron excess. For longevity, maintaining ferritin in a moderate range (roughly 50–150 ng/ml) appears prudent, but individual factors (genetics, sex, age) must be considered. Overall, ferritin is a useful piece of the longevity puzzle, but not a standalone solution.