How are HDL and Langlebigkeit related?

The relationship between HDL cholesterol and longevity is more nuanced than once thought. HDL was traditionally labeled 'good cholesterol' because high levels correlated with lower cardiovascular risk in observational studies. However, recent evidence suggests that extremely high HDL (>80 mg/dL) may paradoxically increase all-cause mortality. Moreover, HDL function (e.g., cholesterol efflux capacity) appears more predictive than HDL concentration alone. Mendelian randomization studies have not found a causal protective effect of genetically elevated HDL. For longevity, a balanced HDL level, good HDL function, and a healthy lifestyle (exercise, Mediterranean diet, non-smoking) are likely more relevant than isolated HDL numbers. Testing HDL alone is not a reliable longevity predictor. Caveat: evidence is based on observational and mechanistic studies; no robust RCTs confirm causality.