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Longevity drugs for pets
Plus bioprinting breakthroughs, and meaningful markers.
Issue 41 | January 10, 2025
Happy Friday!
As 2025’s biggest health trend, longevity is highly sought after. Larry Ellison, the world’s second-wealthiest person, has donated over $350 million to anti-aging research.
At 80 years old, he’s being praised by popular biohacker Bryan Johnson, who also spends millions on longevity and pushes the boundaries of scientific breakthroughs on the body.
Living longer doesn’t require a hefty price tag. Here are some science-backed stories to jumpstart your day.
In today’s issue:
Longevity pills for dogs may help you live longer too
Hidden body fat linked to Alzheimer's
Jimmy Carter’s science-backed longevity tips
And much 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
New longevity drugs for dogs could also extend lifespan of humans 🐾
Pills aimed at helping dogs to live longer may also help humans. 🐶
A drug designed to extend the lives of our pets may also hold the key to extending our own lifespans.
The once-daily pill (LOY-002), created by clinical-stage veterinary medicine company Loyal, aims to prolong canine lifespan by one human year (seven dog years) by reversing metabolic changes and reducing age-related frailty.
The ‘people-pooch’ connection: 🦮
💊 Dogs and humans have more similar age-related diseases than laboratory mice, since we share similar habits and environments. This opens the door for a ‘human version’ of the longevity pill.
“The more human the animal gets that we can test our longevity drugs on, the more confidence we can have that these drugs will work on humans too,” says Tom Rando, a professor at the University of California, told the publication.
One pill does not fit all
Rapamycin consistently holds promise for human longevity, writes The Guardian.
The prescription drug, currently used to prevent the body from rejecting organ/bone marrow transplants, may be used to extend animal lifespan too, as it helps regulate cell growth and metabolism.
The Dog Aging Project is currently studying these longevity benefits.
➕ LIVE MORE
WELLNESS WATCH - Brain Health
Your ‘hidden’ body fat can predict Alzheimer's risk
Managing body fat in your midlife can help slow and detect Alzheimer’s disease up to 20 years before symptoms appear.
What if you could detect the presence of Alzheimer's disease decades before diagnosis?
The key may be body fat, as a study from Washington University School of Medicine shows a link between body fat and the development of Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia, which affects more than 6 million Americans.
💭 In a recent study, scientists “investigated Alzheimer's disease pathology as early as midlife—in the 40s and 50s—when the disease pathology is at its earliest stages.”
Here’s what the researchers found:
Individuals with higher levels of “hidden” visceral body fat (deep fat stored around internal organs) were more likely to experience cognitive decline and Alzheimer's symptoms later in life.
🧠 Visceral fat was linked to reduced cerebral blood flow (how fast blood reaches the brain) and the development of an abnormal protein in the brain which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers suggest monitoring body fat levels (especially in midlife), as they possibly indicate Alzheimer's risk.
The risk of developing Alzheimer’s can be significantly reduced with lifestyle changes that target body fat, which leads to weight loss and reduces visceral fat.
📰 IN OTHER NEWS
Jimmy Carter’s science-backed actions for longevity
Former President Jimmy Carter was the first U.S. president to reach 100 years old.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. President, was the oldest living president, who reached the centurion milestone and his 100th birthday.
These 3 strategies helped contribute to his long life:
Giving back. Carter, a known humanitarian, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for 30 years. Studies show that volunteers have a lower mortality rate and a reduced risk of death by 25 % compared to non-volunteers.
Fulfilling marriage. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years, making them the longest-married presidential couple in American history. According to Harvard Health, good marriages promote longevity by reducing stress, isolation, and bad habits.
Regular exercise. Carter stayed active through jogging, biking, and playing tennis, according to FortuneWell. Just walking can add over 10 years to your life, scientists say.
Quick reads
Join us for the ultimate longevity experience
Ready to unlock the secrets to living longer and healthier? Join us this March for the 2025 Livelong Experience, an exclusive, hands-on retreat to dive into longevity science with world-renowned experts! With only 200 spots available, you’ll get the chance to join small-group discussions, rejuvenate in wellness classes, and connect with a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. Don’t wait—secure your spot now.
LONG-LEVITY
Here’s what it takes to be a ‘SuperAger’
Successful aging is a growing topic of study in the field of research.
"SuperAgers" are defined as people aged 80 and older who have better cognitive and memory abilities than their younger counterparts—in their 50s or 60s (or even younger).
Northwestern University (go ‘Cats!) has been conducting research on these SuperAgers and studying their characteristics and lifestyles to understand what sets them apart from their peers.
Several key factors contribute to their longevity and mental sharpness, including strong social connections, lifelong learning, physical activity, and healthy diets.
💪 Resilience and a positive outlook on life also helped with mental maintenance later in life.
By uncovering these insights, researchers aim to discover strategies to optimize aging brain health and significantly improve quality of life.
LIVELONG BOOKSHELF • Essentials
Longevity books everyone should read
Author credit: James Nestor
Here are some essential longevity books to kickstart your path to health, vitality, and longevity in 2025.
☝️ Find your next transformative read here.
🔛 What’s next?
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➡️ Share this newsletter — Share with a friend so they can get fresh, actionable, and evidence-based information to support their health journey, too.
🔔 Find us on YouTube — Livelong is excited about our new podcast, highlighting conversations with the experts.
🌱 Our most recent edition — The wellness craze taking over 2025.
🦉 WISDOM FOR LIFE
“Just don’t give up what you’re trying to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”
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