Decline in blood hemoglobin concentrations is associated with familial longevity

Hemoglobin (HGB) in the blood carries oxygen from the lungs to other organs to produce energy. Calorie restriction has been shown to slow aging and extend lifespan. Thus, we hypothesized that HGB may be associated with human longevity as a link to energy metabolism. To test this hypothesis, HGB levels in the blood of 60 centenarian (CEN) families were measured and its association with age (20-80 and 20-100 years) was studied, as well as the associations of CEN HGB with levels in first generation offspring (F1) and their spouses (F1SP). The results showed no association of HGB with age between 20 and 80 years ( r =-0.097, p =0.160); however a strikingly inverse relationship with age between 20 and 100 years ( r =-0.526, p