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Just when you thought you had a grasp on the secrets to longevity, the study dropped another bombshell, challenging widely accepted clinical guidelines and turning our understanding of certain blood markers on its head. While lower levels for many indicators seemed beneficial, the research revealed a surprising nuance around total cholesterol and iron. Contrary to popular belief that lower cholesterol is always better, the scientists found that individuals with *very low* levels of total cholesterol actually had a *lower* chance of reaching 100 years compared to those with higher, more moderate levels. This finding stands in stark contrast to the aggressive cholesterol-lowering strategies often promoted, suggesting that for extreme longevity, a certain amount of cholesterol might actually be protective in very old age. Similarly, the study highlighted the critical importance of iron balance. Extremely low iron levels were also associated with reduced odds of becoming a centenarian. This isn’t a call to embrace high cholesterol or ignore iron deficiencies, but rather a profound illustration of the body’s intricate demands for balance. It indicates that both insufficient and excessive levels, even for markers we typically view as ‘bad’ when high, can compromise the delicate biological equilibrium necessary for an exceptionally long life. This complex interplay of values forces us to rethink what ‘healthy’ truly means when aiming for a century of life.
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