I’ve ranted about age related iron accumulation before, often linking to the Health-e-Iron site’s ocean of studies documenting the adverse effects of age related iron accumulation. While Health-e-Iron is an excellent resource, the sheer size of its library can be daunting to the casual observer, so this paper in Medical Hypothesis caught my eye. I feel the concise consolidation of the theory might lead others to look into this matter in greater depth.
Ferrotoxic Disease: The Next Great Public Health Challenge (see attached pdf below)
The paper leads off with the findings of the Copenhagen City Heart Study, which shows a dramatic inverse relationship between ferritin and longevity. What I noticed about this study was the cut-off point of ferritin at 200, with normal life expectancy reached in those with ferritin below this level, and a dramatic decrease in life expectancy in those above this cut-off, in a rather dramatic linear fashion.
This appears to be good news, as most of us probably are below this ferritin 200 cut-off, which is the upper end of the normal limit (for females at least) in many lab ranges, and very few of us would be in the 600 range that reduced life expectancy to an eye popping, jaw dropping 55. The author goes on to state the hypothesis that perhaps even lower levels, achieved through iron restriction or blood donation might provide an additional benefit to health and longevity.
It’s rare to see those advocating maintenance of ferritin well under 100, rather than the traditional upper limits of 200 (to 300 or more for males), so I thought I’d post this paper for us to ponder. While it may be common to see ferritin under 200 in senior populations, ferritin of 100+ is quite common indeed, and very few will remain in the sweet spot of 50-70 into our senior years. Iron does tend to accumulate and apparently is causing real problems for many as they age. For most of us, there is only one way to fix this, and that is bloodletting.
I discovered this Fountain of Youth of optimal iron homeostasis by accident, as I work as a medical technician and blood donation came naturally to me at an early age. I’ve donated over 5 gallons of whole blood over the past 30 years, and now at 60 years of age enjoy remarkably good health despite an otherwise unhealthy lifestyle. I started smoking as a teenager, and have lived a largely bohemian/bachelor life of fast food, beer and tobacco for many decades. I switched from cigarettes to a pipe 20 years ago, but still puff on this all evening.
I have never experienced chronic disease, do not get winded climbing the 205 steps over the convention center to the waterfront for my weekend hikes; my hearing is exceptionally acute, hair is still brown (and still there!), balance is good, no arthritis to speak of, and my co-workers are surprised to learn I’m nearing retirement age. My skin remains unwrinkled and clear of age spots and ruddy discoloration.
The dreadful state of health I see in a substantial percentage of my age-peers, many of whom practicing much healthier lifestyles never ceases to amaze me. These are doctors and nurses, athletes and health nuts (I live in Southern California). I’ve heard the usual arguments. “It’s all in the genes”, “your luck will run out”. This may well be true, for the Iron Hypothesis of aging and disease is in its infancy and still a hypothesis at this point in time. I may well develop lung cancer and be dead within a year, but even if this occurs, I still will have lived a life of remarkable good health, right up to the end of the line.
I suppose 60 may be rather young to be expecting chronic illness, but I’m amazed at how well I’ve done all the same and I attribute this to good iron homeostasis. Can’t imagine what else it might be. Please give a good look at the attached paper and see what you think. Then, get thee to a blood bank... The life you save may be your own!
Attached Files
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Ferrotoxic Disease the Next Big Thing.pdf 48.33KB
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Edited by synesthesia, 30 May 2016 - 08:19 AM.
