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🩸 Blood Test for Organ Aging

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Morning, long-lifers. Here’s what’s new:

Stanford scientists found a way to rank your organs by age using just one blood draw — turns out, your brain might be aging gracefully while your kidneys throw in the towel.

At this point, your organs are basically frenemies competing for who retires first.

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This week in longevity:

  • šŸŒ™ Artificial light messes with your brain’s sleep clock

  • 🧘 Gentle exercise proven to boost sleep quality

  • 🧪 Tiny plastic bits damage healthy lung cells

  • 🧬 At-home RNA test may replace colonoscopies

  • ⚔ New device helps nerves regrow with electric signals

  • Plus, more longevity breakthroughs.

Read time: 5 minutes

THIS WEEK IN LONGEVITY

🩸 New blood test reveals which organs are aging fastest

Source: Midjourney | longer.

Stanford scientists have built a test that reads your organ-by-organ biological age from a single blood draw — and it’s surprisingly accurate at predicting disease and death. It turns out, your brain and immune system may be the MVPs of long life, while aging arteries could be the odd ones out.

What to know:

  • Each organ has its own aging speed: Using data from nearly 45,000 people, researchers tracked proteins in blood tied to 11 major organs (like the brain, liver, heart, and kidneys). Each organ gets a biological ā€œageā€ score.

  • More aged organs = higher risk: People with 5+ aged organs had up to 4.5Ɨ higher death risk. Those with 8+ aged organs saw that risk jump to 8.3Ɨ — and most died within 15 years.

  • Youthful brain and immune system = major protection: A younger brain lowered death risk by 40%, and a younger immune system by 42%. Having both cut mortality odds in half.

  • Lifestyle mattered a lot: Smoking, drinking, processed meats, and poor sleep aged organs. Exercise, fish, and even multivitamins were linked to slower aging.

  • Certain meds and supplements helped: Ibuprofen, vitamin C, glucosamine, and even estrogen therapy were tied to younger organ profiles — especially in the brain, kidneys, and immune system.

Why it’s important: Aging isn’t one big clock — it’s 11 smaller ones ticking at different speeds. Your brain and immune system may be the ones to watch. Turns out, a sharp mind and solid immunity might be the real fountain of youth.

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ā³ Your body needs a break — but your schedule won’t give it one.

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šŸŒ™ How artificial light at night scrambles your brain’s timing

Source: Midjourney | longer.

Scrolling your phone at 2 a.m. might feel harmless — but research shows it disrupts your brain’s master clock, rewires hormone levels, and could raise your risk for depression, poor sleep, and even metabolic disease. Your brain evolved to expect darkness after dusk. Now it’s confused — and inflamed.

What to know:

  • Your brain runs on a clock: A cluster of brain cells controls circadian rhythms — the 24-hour cycles that guide sleep, metabolism, immunity, and mood.

  • Artificial light scrambles signals: Nighttime exposure (especially blue light) tells your brain it’s daytime, disrupting hormone release and body functions.

  • Shift workers face real health risks: People exposed to light at night show higher rates of inflammation, obesity, diabetes, and mood disorders.

  • ICU trials are underway: Nelson’s team is testing whether blocking light in hospitals and using light therapy visors can reduce complications after surgery and improve nurses’ sleep.

  • Simple changes help: Red lights at night, blackout curtains, and limiting screens in the evening can protect your natural rhythms.

Why it’s important: Your brain isn’t built for 24/7 brightness — and artificial light keeps it guessing. Protecting your natural rhythms could mean better sleep, sharper mood, and a calmer body clock. Think of it as lighting your way back to balance.

šŸ’” Want to break down a research article? Try this prompt in ChatGPT:
ā€œExplain this in plain language. Avoid science terms. Keep it under 5 sentences. Then give 5 takeaways based only on this summary—no extra info or guesses: [Paste the article here]ā€

 MONEY MOVES IN LONGEVITY

šŸ’° Pretzel Therapeutics lands backing from The Mito Fund — POLG drug enters the clinic with patient muscle behind it.

šŸ’° Illimis Therapeutics raises $42M Series B to advance Alzheimer’s drug — clears the path without swelling the brain.

šŸ’° OpenEvidence secures $210M Series B for AI-driven clinical support — physicians get speed, not information overload.

 IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Source: Midjourney | longer.

1. Gentle Moves, Better Sleep
A meta-analysis finds yoga, Tai Chi, walking, and jogging significantly improve sleep quality and ease insomnia, rivaling traditional therapies. These options are low-cost and widely accessible. Turns out your bedtime secret weapon might just be a brisk walk or some slow, mindful stretching.

2. Fasting Shows Brain-Boosting Potential
A new review finds intermittent fasting may protect the brain by improving gut health, reducing inflammation, and enhancing energy metabolism. These changes could delay diseases like Alzheimer’s. Your brain and belly are talking—and skipping meals might just help them stay on the same page longer.

3. Healthy Heart, Healthier You
AHA review finds people with more heart-healthy habits—like moving more, eating well, and sleeping enough—also have stronger lungs, brains, muscles, and more. Turns out protecting your heart does a whole lot more than just keep it ticking—it powers you head to toe.

THE NEXT BIG THING

The First Regeneration Pod?

Source: Human Regenerator

The Human Regenerator blends plasma science with spa vibes to boost recovery and support healthy aging.

Built in Germany, the pod uses Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) and carbon-fiber tech to deliver negative ions and electrons—aiming for better circulation, stronger mitochondria, and reduced oxidative stress.

You lie inside while energy pulses through electrodes on your hands, feet, or target areas. It’s meditative and a little sci-fi.

Longevity labs are watching. So are pro athletes.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS WEEK

Source: Midjourney | longer.

🧪 Plastic Peril: MedUni Vienna found that polystyrene particles (tiny bits of plastic from packaging) trigger cancer-like changes in healthy lung cells. Even brief exposure caused DNA damage and abnormal growth.

šŸ’” Light-Driven Breakthrough: Integrated Biosciences built the first optogenetic drug discovery platform to precisely target aging pathways with light. It found antiviral, anti-aging compounds missed by traditional screens.

🧠 Printed Healing: RCSI scientists created a 3D-printed spinal implant that delivers electric signals to help nerves regrow. Lab tests showed enhanced neuron and stem cell growth using this soft, gel-like device.

🧬 RNA Revolution: Viome and Scripps Research are building the first at-home RNA test to spot precancerous colon polyps early. Their AI-powered test aims to prevent colorectal cancer without colonoscopies.

šŸ‘©ā€āš•ļø Healthspan Shift: A new wave of female experts says longevity for women means thriving, not just surviving, through menopause and beyond. They’re redefining aging with muscle, hormone health, and real science—not biohacks.

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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

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