It is difficult to define factors contributing to longevity due to the complex relationships among genetics, lifestyle, etc.\u00a0 Also, although more meaningful, it is difficult to research longevity in humans as compared to animal models with shorter lifespans.<\/p>\n
Swedish study of centenarians vs non-centenarians<\/h3>\n
This large study coming out of Sweden followed 44,636 individuals from the time of their first blood measurements until their death.<\/p>\n This study cohort had their blood-based biomarkers measured during the span of the years 1985-1996.\u00a0 Of the 44,636 individuals in the study, 1,224 participants (84.6% female) lived to their 100th<\/sup> birthday.<\/p>\n When comparing centenarians vs. non-centenarians, there were fewer comorbid medical conditions in those reaching age 100.\u00a0 For example, dementia was present in only 0.2% of centenarians vs. 1.1% in non-centenarians, diabetes in 0.5% vs. 3.2%, and COPD in 0.2% vs. 1.6%.<\/p>\n Next, specific biomarkers were examined in detail to identify which trends were associated with reaching the age of 100.\u00a0 Lower<\/em> <\/strong>levels of the following biomarkers appeared to be favorable:<\/p>\n Note: The most significant difference between centenarians and non-centenarians was found among creatinine and uric acid.<\/p>\n Higher<\/em> <\/strong>levels of the following factors were associated with reaching age 100:<\/p>\n The authors stated, \u201cWe found that a higher total cholesterol level was associated with a higher chance of becoming centenarian.\u201d\u00a0 In fact, the data from this study indicate that a total cholesterol less than 200 mg\/dL makes one ~20% less likely to reach the age of 100.<\/p>\n I know . . . I know . . . you\u2019ve heard countless experts rallying against cholesterol ever since President Eisenhower\u2019s heart attack in 1955 drew national attention.\u00a0 Modern-day cardiology is still obsessed with blaming cholesterol for cardiovascular disease, but it\u2019s just not that simple.<\/p>\n That higher total cholesterol is associated with longevity certainly stands out as a surprise to the general public, given what we\u2019ve been taught for the past 40 years about the association of cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.\u00a0 However, this finding is consistent with prior studies<\/a>, showing a protective effect of higher cholesterol in older populations.<\/p>\n With any non-interventional trial, caution needs to apply to the interpretation of the results, as one cannot draw any firm conclusions and certainly no cause-effect relationships.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/revitalizemetabolichealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/elderly-couple-with-woman-sitting-skate-park-300x200.jpg\")
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High cholesterol is good?!?\u00a0 Really?!?<\/h3>\n
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Eisenhower\u2019s condition was used by the medical community to promote low-fat diets and by pharmaceutical manufacturers to peddle cholesterol-lowering medication.\u00a0 What you weren\u2019t told was that Eisenhower\u2019s total cholesterol at the time of his heart attack was only 165 mg\/dL . . . and that his cholesterol kept increasing despite the \u201cheart-healthy\u201d diet . . . and that he suffered<\/a> at least 6 more heart attacks and a stroke before dying in 1969.<\/p>\nLimitations of non-interventional trials<\/h3>\n