Myths vs facts: Ferritin and longevity

Myths vs facts about ferritin and longevity: A common myth is that high ferritin always indicates optimal iron stores and promotes longevity. In reality, ferritin is an acute-phase reactant; elevated levels often reflect inflammation, infection, or liver dysfunction rather than healthy iron status. Excess iron can generate oxidative stress and accelerate aging. Another myth: low ferritin is always detrimental. While iron deficiency can impair health, mildly low ferritin in certain populations (e.g., premenopausal women) may not shorten lifespan. The evidence directly linking ferritin to longevity is weak and confounded by inflammation. Longevity GWAS (e.g., FOXO3) do not include ferritin as a significant predictor. Without adjusting for inflammatory markers like CRP, ferritin alone is not a reliable longevity biomarker. The provided context does not address ferritin specifically; this answer is based on general medical knowledge. Consumers should be cautious about interpreting ferritin from direct-to-consumer tests without clinical correlation.