The connection between lactoferrin and aging biology is grounded in iron homeostasis. As organisms age, iron regulation deteriorates: ferritin rises, transferrin saturation increases, and free labile iron accumulates in tissues — driving Fenton chemistry, mitochondrial damage, and activation of cellular senescence pathways. Lactoferrin, which declines with age, is one of the body's primary iron-sequestration mechanisms. Restoring lactoferrin bioavailability is a geroscience-aligned strategy for managing age-associated iron dysregulation.

Should older adults take more lactoferrin than younger adults?

Given that circulating lactoferrin declines with age, older adults may benefit from the higher end of the standard dosing range (300-600 mg/day) compared to younger adults using lactoferrin for immune support (200-300 mg/day). No age-specific dose guidelines exist yet from clinical research.