Have we finally discovered age reversal?

🙌 Happy Friday! 

It’s World Environment Day. A quote that’s been attributed to Mr. John of the Mountains: "After a whole day in the woods, we are already immortal." Longevity is earth because it’s our food, air, awe, and deepest source of connection. Even a little time spent outdoors is one of the simplest ways to support your health.

In a recent lecture covered by El País, Izpisua explains that cells will forget their specialized roles, which creates a kind of cellular identity crisis that can spread to various organs.

But early research shows that a gene-editing technique called partial cellular reprogramming holds promise in helping cells remember who they are. It could point to a legitimate path toward cellular rejuvenation, with animals showing longer lifespan.

Reprogramming cells: This novel approach activates certain genes so that cells return to a more youthful state. The idea is that returning cells to a healthier and more resilient state can support greater organ function and tissue repair.  El País writes:

“We are touching the heart of the process that gives rise to disease,” Izpisua said. Only animal trials exist, so human organ trials may be the next step.

…Can you naturally reprogram cells? Not dramatically, but our habits can naturally change our cell programming a little bit. Three things might make a difference:

A centuries-old running technique from Japan may offer a clue to pain-free running.

Known as Namba-bashiri—sometimes called the ‘ninja shuffle’—the method was said to be used by messengers (and, according to legend, ninjas!) in feudal Japan to travel long distances.

The technique has recently gone viral thanks to 61-year-old runner Katsunori Oba, who turned to it while searching for relief from knee pain, and who now believes it allows for running comfortably for life.

The move: The arm and leg of the same side are moved synchronistically to generate power. Other key principles include full-body relaxation and ‘falling’ over each step, creating an unusual-looking gallop-turned-crab-walking motion.

Indirectly, maybe. Sideways movement may help correct muscle imbalances and build hip strength and stability to reduce fall risk. Relaxed running might also improve running comfort and efficiency.

Though unproven, Oba also claims it uses the calves to carry the load, reducing stress on the knees.

Key takeaway: There’s little science now, but Oba is working to validate Edo running to preserve its cultural heritage and a scientific running model, writes Tokyo Weekender.

🏃 What we clicked next:

A Frontiers in Human Neuroscience study suggests that handwriting could serve as an accurate early test for cognitive decline. When older adults heard a sentence, held it in mind, and wrote it, two signals predicted impairment: 

For complex sentences, letter height, start time, and total writing duration were three predictors that stood out.

Handwriting isn’t a prescriptive diagnosis—scientists definitely don’t recommend analyzing your own handwriting—but paired with clinical analysis, it could become a simple, affordable screen to speed diagnosis and treatment. 

Save $400 on your ticket to the New York Livelong Women’s Health Summit ^TM. Don’t miss this early-access deal, which includes:

🧠 Accidental Alzheimer's prevention: Lifelong exposure to this accidentally helped a man with high genetic dementia risk to avoid it.

🚦 ‘Protein traffic jam’: According to Stanford researchers, a ‘protein traffic jam’ may be behind cognitive decline.

🧪 Microplastics: Can they create allergies? What new research suggests.

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In the UK, artists Alice and Gavin Munro have created the country’s first dedicated ‘furniture orchard,’ where they use pruning, grafting, and years of craftsmanship to form intricate and bespoke pieces of furniture from trees. 

The project reflects growing interest in slower, more sustainable ways of making things. The secondary effect for healthy aging could also be noteworthy:

The vision: Gavin tells news outlets that he sees furniture orchards “in every town.” They’re now training the next generation of furniture growers in a small step toward a greener, more connected world.

In this episode of the Livelong Podcast^TM, Dr. Vonda Wright introduces the concept of “skeletal longevity”—the idea that bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and connective tissue work together to determine whether we remain active, independent, and resilient as we age. Because, though aging may be inevitable, frailty is not.

Watch here

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Highlighting your responses to last week's question.

We asked: Potatoes, are they a longevity food or a health trap?

Totally fine in moderation (58%) was the runaway. We had answers ranging from “Potatoes are the best!!!!” to “Everything is fine in moderation,” and the latest tuber science suggests that you're on the right track.