reduces recall bias and uses consistent lab methods on fresh samples. The Swedish registers are internationally respected for completeness and quality control. However, not every lifestyle variable was available, and some desirable immune markers were missing.
Which Blood Markers were Studied?
The authors examined 12 routine blood markers. These included glucose and total cholesterol for metabolic status, creatinine for kidney function, liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase), albumin for nutritional status, and iron plus total iron-binding capacity for anemia and iron handling. Uric acid was also measured, sometimes used as a marker associated with inflammation. This panel will feel familiar to anyone who has seen standard lab tests.
In the first version of the paper, the summary suggested that higher total cholesterol increased the odds of reaching 100. The authors later clarified: “Low cholesterol was associated with a reduced likelihood of reaching the age of
