The Livelong Newsletter

Hi Everyone, October 1 was a day of longevity celebrations that included International Longevity Day and President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday.

Carter is the first U.S. president to live to 100 years old! He is one of the 0.03% of Americans to live to 100 and has lived through 17 (almost 18) presidencies, according to The Washington Post.

During his presidency, Carter enacted many humanitarian and health initiatives, and his well-earned lifespan also reflects innovations in modern medicine, as the development of novel immunotherapy saved him from terminal cancer.

Happy 100th!

In today’s issue:

• Infrared gets the green light.

•  Stop and smell the microplastics.

• This much exercise offsets sitting.

• … and more.

We love to hear from you—our community. Please share your feedback, stories, questions, testimonials, ideas, and more with us at [email protected].

👁️‍🗨️SPOTLIGHT

Infrared gets the green light

This versatile tool, whether it’s manufactured or found in early morning rays, promotes the body’s natural healing processes.

Infrared light is invisible to the human eye, but the benefits are anything but. Here is why you might want to consider adding IR therapy to your daily wellness routine:

🧠 IR can be neuroprotective. In animal models, near-infrared light (NIR) improved mitochondrial function and ATP production, which protect against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

• ATP is the “energy currency” of living things. It gives energy to cells and drives all biological processes.

😬 Far-infrared (FIR) light can reduce oxidative stress, according to Eleanor Garth of Longevity.Technology. Oxidative stress causes premature aging because it ages the mitochondria.

🫁 FIR helps release nitric oxide into the bloodstream, promoting healthy blood flow and reducing inflammation.

🌱 Natural healing. NIR and FIR stimulate natural healing mechanisms, making the treatment opportunities endless.

❓ What is infrared light?

 IR is a type of electromagnetic radiation.

• IR has longer wavelengths than red light.

• IR is felt as heat🔥 and is absorbed into tissue, says Garth.

➕ LIVE MORE

These stories caught our attention.

• Treating tinnitus. Sound + tongue stimulation can naturally treat tinnitus.

• Natural IR. Experts recommend going outside to get natural infrared light exposure.

• Bug bites. Mosquitoes are drawn to infrared light (IR) from our bodies. IR could be used as a new method to trap them and prevent disease.

WELLNESS WATCH

Exercise this much to counteract a day of sitting

The amount of exercise may be lower than expected.

Does exercise make a difference when you otherwise spend your day being sedentary?

Yes, it really does.

30-40 minutes of moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity can offset up to 10 hours of sitting, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine. 

Here’s what researchers learned

Offsetting a sedentary lifestyle with 30-40 minutes of moderate or vigorous exercise reduces the risk of early death.

• In fact, 30-40 minutes of exercise had nearly the same lifespan benefits in both sedentary and non-sedentary people.

Big picture. Any physical activity is better than none, said researcher Emmanuel Stamatakis of the University of Sydney in Australia in a press release.

• Still, it’s better to aim for less sedentary. Guidelines recommend 150–300 minutes of moderate intensity (or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity) exercise every week.

Find lists of moderate and vigorous physical activities here.

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📰 IN OTHER NEWS

Smell the microplastics

We breathe in nitrogen, oxygen… and now microplastics?

An alarming report suggests that people are inhaling microplastic pollutants that go to the brain, according to an article in Euro News. 

• “Plastic has become as synonymous as air is to breathing,” says Maria Westerbos, the founder of Plastic Soup Foundation and co-founder of Plastic Health Council. 

The effects are profound. Microplastics make cancer cells spread more quickly. They also alter cellular and endocrine function, and lead to heart disease.

On the horizon. Researchers and activists advocate for a UN Global Plastic Treaty, which would lower microplastic production.

Quick reads

• Staying current. Blackcurrant supplements can prevent postmenopausal bone loss.

• Scandi sleep method. The Scandinavian sleep method can boost your quality of sleep.

• Cancer plays ‘hide and seek’. Cancer uses fat to hide from the immune system.

LONG-LEVITY

Romantic movies create resilience 

Romantic movies are not just fairy tales. An article in Psychology Today suggests that watching them can improve relationships.

“All of this may come down to the simple fact that we are influenced by what we watch and watch what we most desire,” according to the author.

Love conquers all. In a 2019 study, people who watched romantic movies most strongly supported the motto of “love conquers all.” 

• Romance and drama-watchers were also more satisfied and committed to their relationships.

Breaking the stereotype. Romance is not just for women. In one study, white men in heterosexual relationships were inclined to enjoy these movies too.

⇣

What are some of the best romance movies of 2024? Read here.

 🔄 ROUND-UP

🎧 Best podcast episodes from September

Looking for something to listen to this weekend? Check out these three podcast episodes from September. We think they’re well worth your time:

• Plant Chompers–We Crashed Bryan Johnson's Don't Die Summit & Here's What We Learned

• The Diary of a CEO–The Muscle Building Expert: They’re Lying To You About Workout Hours! Dr Michael Israetel

• The School of Life–Managing your Mood: Tips for Staying Present

Let us know what podcasts you are watching at [email protected].

📕 Discover the best longevity books

Books are the foundation for understanding key longevity concepts.

 ☝️ Find your next favorite read here and transform your health.

🔛 What’s next?

• 📥 Subscribe to the community — If you haven’t subscribed, please do so. You’re joining a great community of life.

• ➡️ Share this newsletter — Share with a friend so they can get fresh, actionable, and evidence-based information to support their health journey, too.

• 🗨️ We love to hear from you! — Please share your feedback, stories, questions, testimonials, ideas, and more with us.

• 🔔 Catch up on our previous newsletters — Discover interesting, impactful content to support your longevity journey.

• 🌍  In our most recent newsletter — we explore longevity practices from around the world.

Read it here >

🦉 WISDOM FOR LIFE

About Livelong

Be your own expert. Optimize your health. Look beyond the conventional.

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Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care professional before starting any exercise, wellness, or health program. Nothing in our content, products or services should be considered, or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Livelong is a media company and not a medical provider. We try to give the most accurate possible, but sometimes information is subject to change.