Today's Longevity Pulse
Retro Biosciences raises $1.8B, targeting ten extra healthy years
Longevity startup Retro Biosciences announced a new fundraising round that values the company at $1.8 billion. Backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the firm is developing gene and cell‑replacement therapies and is currently testing a pill designed to clear protein aggregates in Alzheimer’s patients.
Also developing:
Why HRV Is the New Longevity Obsession
Heart rate variability (HRV) has moved from elite‑sports labs to mainstream wellness apps, with devices like Oura, WHOOP, Garmin and Eight Sleep reporting daily scores to millions of users. The metric, once a clinical predictor of post‑heart‑attack mortality, is now a daily “readiness” number that influencers and celebrities tout, prompting a surge in consumer interest, especially among young women. Experts caution that HRV’s baseline is highly personal and that obsessively chasing higher numbers can paradoxically increase stress. Properly used, HRV can flag illness or over‑training, but it is not a universal performance shortcut.
10 Simple Habits Linked to Healthy Aging
I’m a bioscientist studying aging 🧬 Here are 10 simple habits most strongly associated with healthy aging ↓
Chi Longevity Clinic Opens in Singapore, Marking a Clinical Shift in Longevity Care
Chi Longevity has opened in Singapore, providing a suite of biomarker, metabolic and imaging assessments aimed at proactive health‑span management. The clinic exemplifies a broader national pivot toward preventive, precision medicine for an aging population.
Just ‘Stay Alive for the Next 10 Years’ – Anti-Ageing Drugs Are Coming, Says Billionaire Investor
Billionaire investor Jim Mellon told attendees at Spear’s 500 Live that the first truly anti‑ageing drugs could hit the market within a decade. He highlighted clinical‑stage senolytics, partial genetic reprogramming and repurposed weight‑loss medicines as the leading candidates to halt...
Longevity Fanatics Are Seeking Out Stem Cells—But Is It Safe?
Stem‑cell clinics are expanding from medical treatment into high‑priced wellness and anti‑aging services, offering injections of mesenchymal cells, Wharton’s jelly, and MUSE pluripotent cells. Celebrities such as Cristiano Ronaldo and the Kardashians have popularized these unapproved therapies, prompting a surge in...
SGLT2 Inhibitors Cut Cardiovascular Death by 14%
As a medical school professor: when I trained, "diabetes drugs" meant blood-sugar drugs. That ceiling has been broken. Meta-analysis in Am J Med (Jaiswal et al, U Chicago, Mar 26 2026) pooled 18 RCTs, n=95,913 patients with diabetes, heart failure, or...
Penn State Study Shows Exercise Triggers Brain’s Hidden Cleaning Pump
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University discovered that contracting abdominal muscles creates a hydraulic pressure that moves the brain and activates its glymphatic cleaning system. The finding links everyday movement to a physiological mechanism that could underpin the cognitive benefits of...
10‑Marker Bioage Score Outperforms Chronological Age
As a medical school professor: chronological age is a tax bracket. Biological age is the actual bill. Aging Cell paper from MARK-AGE (Moreno-Villanueva, Burkle et al, U Konstanz, 2026) screened 362 biomarkers in ~3,300 adults across 8 European countries, then distilled...
High Hs‑CRP, Not LDL, Drives Statin Benefit
"But my cholesterol is normal." JUPITER trial (NEJM): 18,000 people, normal LDL, high hs-CRP. Statin → cardiac events ↓44%, heart attacks ↓54%, strokes ↓48%. 322,000-person UK Biobank: hs-CRP outranked LDL. Full episode 🎙 https://youtu.be/FBLB1CQGBPM
InsideTracker Study Links Platform to Improvements in 39 Blood Biomarkers
InsideTracker published a peer‑reviewed study of 20,000 users that links its AI‑driven health platform to sustained improvements in 39 blood biomarkers, including LDL cholesterol, HbA1c and vitamin D. The findings provide rare long‑term evidence for a consumer biohacking tool and...
Longevity Genes Can Switch From Benefit to Harm
As a medical school professor, I tell students: be careful with "longevity gene." Prof. Nikolai Slavov (Northeastern) just argued that single "longevity genes" are oversimplified. The same gene's effect on lifespan can flip sign with age -- helpful early, harmful later....
Invasive Nanowire BCIs Needed, Non‑Invasive for Biomarkers
I love brain-to-computer interfaces and one of my first papers and granted patents was in AI/ML for BCI. And I was very much impressed with BrainCo's non-invasive BCIs and artificial limbs and sensing fingers (that they sell to Tesla btw)....
Unlocking Lithium’s Hidden Effects on Alzheimer’s Disease at the Cellular Level
A University of Eastern Finland team mapped lithium chloride’s cellular actions in Alzheimer’s models, showing it reduces Tau hyperphosphorylation at several key sites and reshapes kinase and Rho GTPase signaling. Phosphoproteomic analysis revealed lithium’s impact extends beyond the primary GSK‑3β...
A French Perspective on Ageing Well: Systems Biology and the Future of Skin Health
The 10th Anti‑Ageing Skin Care Conference in London will spotlight systems biology as a new framework for skin health. Dr. Katerina Steventon highlights a French‑inspired, holistic view that treats skin as a read‑out of internal wellbeing rather than a surface...
Hyaluronic Acid Adulteration
The FDA recently warned that several over‑the‑counter supplements marketed as hyaluronic acid contain undisclosed prescription drugs, including NSAIDs and corticosteroids. Oral hyaluronic acid itself has limited bioavailability and scant clinical evidence supporting skin or joint benefits. The adulterated products exploit...
True Fitness Lies in Metabolic Flexibility, Not Looks
What is fitness, and what is the concept of being metabolically fit? We use the word 'fitness' constantly... but I hear so many different definitions of it. If you asked ten people at a gym what it means to be...
Reviewing the Role of Advanced Glycation Endproducts in Aging and Age-Related Disease
Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are protein‑sugar adducts that accumulate with age, altering protein structure and activating the RAGE receptor to drive chronic inflammation. The review highlights how AGEs cross‑link collagen, stiffening the extracellular matrix and contributing to diabetes, cardiovascular disease,...
More Evidence for Muscle Stem Cell Activity to Be Inhibited by the Aged Tissue Environment
Researchers discovered that the extracellular matrix (ECM) of aged mice suppresses the growth of both young and rejuvenated muscle stem cells (MuSCs). Elevated collagen levels in the aged ECM create a non‑autonomous barrier that limits stem‑cell proliferation, even when intrinsic...
Scientists Find a Way to Stop Dangerous Belly Fat as We Age
Scientists discovered that a topical testosterone gel, combined with exercise, can selectively reduce visceral fat in older women recovering from hip fractures. In a six‑month trial of 66 participants aged 65 and above, overall body weight stayed stable while the...
Don’t Bury The Lead – AI Assisted Measures of Thymic Health Point to a “Fountain of Youth.”
A Nature paper introduced an AI deep‑learning system that reads CT scans to produce a continuous "thymic health" score for adults. Applying the model to 27,612 participants revealed that higher thymic health is associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease,...
Immortal Dragons: The Quest to ‘Make Death Optional’
Immortal Dragons, a Singapore‑based longevity fund founded by 34‑year‑old CEO Boyang Wang, secured $40 million—$4 million from friends and family and $36 million of Wang’s own money—to back moonshot biotech projects. The fund’s portfolio includes Frontier Bio, which is developing 3D bio‑fabrication techniques...
Supplements Boost Cellular Health, FDA Finally Acknowledges
When the FDA finally admits what biohackers have known for years... 😏💊 And check out @suppgradelabs for my go-to supplements (ie: DAKE + Organs 101 = Daily Multi-Vitamin...comment DAKE for my discount code). Supplements support cellular function, mitochondrial health, and metabolic...
GLP Success, Injection Comfort, and Broad Curiosity Fuel Peptide Boom
3 things set the stage for peptides to become a WAY bigger than “supplements”: 1) GLPs (with RCT support) inadvertently made the “peptide” label seem generally approachable 2) GLPs made people less wary of injecting themselves 3) Women & men of many ages...
Emerging Research Prompts Rethink of Creatine Dosage for Athletes and Seniors
A wave of recent studies is challenging the long‑standing 5‑gram daily creatine recommendation, suggesting higher intakes could support brain health and recovery. The shift is drawing attention from sports trainers, geriatric nutritionists, and wellness influencers alike.
Mild Sleep Loss Alters Blood DNA Methylation Patterns
Prolonged Mild Sleep Restriction Changes Epigenome-Wide DNA Methylation in Peripheral Blood Cells: A Randomized Crossover Trial https://t.co/nb9s0AP9O1
Maintain Strong Paraspinal Muscles Into Your 60s
Train. This is what your paraspinal muscles should look like in your 60s and beyond. https://t.co/XR59But4a9
Red Light Therapy and Cold Plunges Go Viral as Longevity Beauty Trends
Fox News correspondent Alexandria Hoff reported that red light therapy and cold‑water immersion are surging as viral beauty and longevity trends. The rise is driven by social‑media influencers who market these low‑tech biohacks as anti‑aging shortcuts, prompting a wave of...
Extracellular Vesicles Deliver SASP, Fuel Aging, Offer Therapies
Extracellular Vesicles as Key SASP Carriers Driving Cellular Senescence, Inflammaging, and Therapeutic Opportunities in Aging and Age-Related Diseases https://t.co/SURS5ZbTD9 https://t.co/IXM2BkdurZ
Science and Gadgets Extend Athletes' Careers Beyond Age
The Longevity Secrets Helping Athletes Blow Past the Limits of Age With cutting-edge sports medicine and sci-fi gadgetry, more and more athletes are figuring out how to extend their careers. https://t.co/RsXENoJYgj
First Human Trials Aim to Rejuvenate Immune System by Regenerating the Thymus
The TRIIM‑X trial has begun enrolling participants to test a thymus‑regeneration therapy that could reverse immune aging. Researchers hope the intervention will restore T‑cell production and improve resilience against infection and cancer, marking a shift from measuring immune decline to...
New Liver Replacement: Prime Strategy for Aging Liver
The best treatment for aging liver is the new liver. Replacement is a viable long-term therapeutic and longevity strategy. Great insights from the replacement workshop organized by Sierra Lore and team as part of @ARDD_Meeting https://t.co/xYFQ9Fy2Jc https://t.co/ipQfpxcRNq
Breathwork + Sauna: Free Biohack Boosts Brain and Body
The ultimate biohack is free: Your breath. 🫁 I’ve been stacking SOMA breathwork with dry sauna sessions and the physiological shifts are insane. Here is why this combo is a powerhouse for your brain and body:
Assessing Candidate IGF-1 Receptor Inhibitors for the Ability to Modestly Slow Aging in Mice
The study tested two small‑molecule IGF‑1 receptor inhibitors, picropodophyllin (PPP) and NVP‑ADW742, in 13‑month‑old C57BL/6 mice to assess healthspan and survival. Both drugs improved memory, blood pressure, glucose tolerance and frailty metrics, with NVP‑ADW742 extending healthspan by about 93 days....
Gut Microbiome Resilience: Key to Longevity
Gut Microbiota Resilience and Environmental Stressors: A Hidden Key to Lifespan Optimization? "...The review also outlines practical ways to bolster resilience: fiber-rich, plant-based and fermented foods; targeted probiotics, prebiotics/synbiotics, and (in special cases) fecal microbiota transplantation; regular physical activity; good sleep...
Peptides Boost Hormones, Yet Trigger Serious Metabolic Side Effects
People mistakenly believe peptides are only good. Peptides can be bad, too. They can cause adverse effects. Some dangerous. I did a peptide experiment and measured its effects in my body. The results are complicated. I tried a peptide called CJC-1295....
In a First, Scientists Are Rewinding Human Cells Back to a ‘Youthful’ State. Is This the Dawn of Immortality?
Scientists are advancing partial cellular reprogramming to reverse age‑related decline while preserving cell identity. YouthBio Therapeutics is preparing a first‑in‑human trial of its brain‑targeted YB002 program for Alzheimer’s after receiving FDA feedback. Parallel efforts such as Life Biosciences’ ER‑100 aim...
Thailand Leads Longevity Tourism with 90‑Day Visas and Low‑Cost Regeneration
Thailand’s Tourism Authority has positioned the kingdom as the world’s premier longevity‑tourism destination, rolling out 90‑day multi‑entry medical visas and marketing the slogan “Healing is the New Luxury.” The move couples high‑tech clinics with cultural practices, delivering regenerative programs that...
Predicting Alzheimers & Dementia (and Minimizing Risk)
Recent research highlights a multi‑pronged approach to predicting and preventing Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Large meta‑analyses show routine adult vaccinations can lower dementia risk by up to 40%, while a novel drug combo (ACX‑02) demonstrated rapid clearance of amyloid and...
Study Finds Time-Restricted Eating Slows Organ-Specific Aging in 4,890 Adults
Researchers analyzing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data reported that moderate time‑restricted eating is associated with slower organ‑specific biological aging in a sample of 4,890 participants. The findings suggest a personalized dietary biohack could improve metabolic health and reduce...
S-Mitochonic Acid 5. Increases ATP, NAD+ and SIRTUINS
Researchers have synthesized the S‑enantiomer of Mitochonic Acid‑5 (MA‑5) with 99 % enantiomeric purity. The compound strengthens the mitochondrial protein Mitofilin, preserving crista junction geometry and boosting ATP synthase efficiency. It also acts as a direct NAMPT agonist, raising intracellular NAD⁺,...
Sleep 2.0 – Understanding and Upregulating the Rejuvenating Aspects of Good Sleep
Researchers have identified the plant‑derived alkaloid harmine as a candidate drug that reverses cellular aging caused by sleep loss. In animal studies and cultured human cells, harmine blocked the DREAM protein complex, restoring mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress. The...
Testosterone Replacement for Older Men
Matt Kaeberlein, a longevity researcher and Optispan CEO, began weekly testosterone injections in his 50s after testing revealed low levels. Six years of therapy has, by his account, boosted energy, mood, body composition and overall well‑being, positioning TRT as a...
A New Kind of CRISPR Could Treat Viral Infection and Cancer by Shredding Sick Cells' DNA
Researchers have engineered a novel CRISPR protein, Cas12a2, that acts as a molecular shredder, destroying DNA in cells that express a specific RNA trigger. In vitro, Cas12a2 cut the growth of KRAS‑mutant lung‑cancer cells by 50% and eliminated over 90%...
5 Foods That Fuel Cellular Renewal and Longevity
You’re not just getting older, your body is constantly renewing itself. 🧬 These 5 foods deliver nutrients your body actually uses to protect your brain, reduce inflammation, and support long-term energy. Small shifts. Big impact. Which one are you already eating regularly? #Longevity...
SIRT6 Shields Aorta by Cutting Inflammation and Aging
SIRT6 appears protective in aortic disease, as higher levels reduce vascular inflammation and smooth muscle cell aging, thereby helping prevent both aortic aneurysm and dissection progression. https://t.co/eXuKrR7oNF
Socioeconomic, Lifestyle, and Genetic Factors Jointly Shape Intrinsic Capacity
Associations and interaction effects of socioeconomic, lifestyle, and genetic factors on intrinsic capacity https://t.co/crOBp21bRN https://t.co/LgbFdA0GEe
Quick Turnaround: Good Longevity Trial News Arrives
I post about working around longevity clinical trials and an hour later @j_n_justice tells me good news about longevity clinical trials... 😍
Meta‑analysis Finds No Benefit to Extra DHA
I am sometimes asked why @getkion fish oil does NOT have “extra” DHA…fact is, a recent meta-analysis of 96 randomized controlled trials at https://t.co/YZMb5dar8P showed no clear advantage of decreasing the EPA:DHA ratio…learn more about the formula here: https://t.co/8REbBJKoBJ
Young‑Adult Work Activity May Shield Against Dementia
Physical activity across the life course and neural biomarkers 💡"PA done as part of one's job or schooling during young adulthood, such as standing and walking, may be protective against dementia later in life." https://t.co/tGarY3gUA2
Seed Oils Aren't Inflammatory; Cooking Methods Are
New study shows that seed oils DON'T really cause inflammation: https://t.co/kxEXYt2ghe This is something I've mentioned on my podcast a few times... ...it's not the oils per se. It's frying them, eating them in ultraprocessed foods/with fast food, etc. Guilt by association....