Introduction
Hello from The Livelong Woman! Your Wednesday dose of science-backed insights on living longer, healthier, and stronger, all through a woman’s lens. Most longevity conversations are written by, and for, men. This one’s for us.
This week, we’re discussing an advancement in AI that can aid in cancer detection, eating for longevity at every age, and the facts behind the (very) trendy beef tallow movement. Let’s get into it, shall we?
This newsletter focuses specifically on women’s health and longevity. If that’s not relevant to you, no problem—you can opt out of just the Livelong Woman while staying subscribed to everything else.
When AI Looks You in the Face, It Sees More Than You Think
Researchers at Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School have developed an AI tool that predicts your biological age and how well your body can recover from cancer — using only a photo of your face. It’s the latest example of how AI is helping decode the invisible markers of aging hidden in our appearance.
Why is this important for women and longevity in particular?
💡Consider this: Women under 50 are 82% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than men. After 50, we’re also more likely to experience cancer overall. Tools like FaceAge could become especially powerful for women’s early detection and personalized prevention.
“We all know that people age in different ways,” says Hugo Aerts, the study’s co-lead and director of the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine program at Mass General Brigham. “A person’s chronological age is based on the day they were born, but it’s not the same as biological age, which is actually a predictor of their physiological health and life expectancy.”
In other words, FaceAge could one day help doctors tailor prevention and treatment plans based on how your body is aging, not just your biological age.
This technology can aid in early cancer detection, support personalized treatment plans and treatment management, and advance precision medicine across multiple areas of care.
🔎 One caveat: AI models are only as accurate as the data they’re trained on, and many underrepresent women of color or older women — groups who already face diagnostic bias. Researchers are working to close those gaps, but it’s worth keeping in mind as these tools evolve.
How to Use This Information
Start thinking of your face as an early warning system. 🚨
Focus on facial inflammation: Puffiness, redness, and loss of tone often reflect systemic inflammation. Address it by managing sleep, stress, and sugar — the “face-aging trio.”
Track subtle changes: Take a selfie in natural light each month. Watch for shifts in tone, texture, or dark circles that could signal internal stress.
Mind your mood: Studies show people with a “positive facial affect” (more smiles and expressiveness) tend to enjoy better cardiovascular and cognitive health over time.
Just for fun: Try FaceAge and then share your selfie results in the comments. 📷
Beauty Trends
Is Beef Tallow the Anti-aging Face Lotion We’ve Been Waiting for?
Conversations about skincare often get tangled up in appearance, but good skincare isn’t just cosmetic. Healthy skin — your body’s frontline defense against damage and inflammation — is key to how you age, inside and out.
Many of us care about our skin because it’s part confidence, part self-expression, and part overall well-being. And lately, a new trend has been making the rounds: beef tallow as skincare. On TikTok and Instagram, influencers are touting it as a barrier-boosting moisturizer that can do everything from smooth wrinkles to calm eczema and acne. But is it legit?
Would you ever try beef tallow skincare? Tell us in the comments!
While beef tallow has ancient roots (the Greeks and Romans used it as a skin salve), modern science hasn’t quite caught up with today’s hype. Some of its natural compounds are said to mimic retinol’s rejuvenating effects, but there’s little clinical data to confirm those claims.
In fact, a recent review in Frontiers in Pharmacology found early promise in several natural, plant-based alternatives to retinol — like bakuchiol, alfalfa extract, and rambutan peel — but most studies were small or preclinical. Translation: the long-term benefits are still more anecdotal than evidence-based.
Thinking of trying beef tallow?
Here’s what to know.
Patch test first: Apply a pea-sized amount to a small area and watch for redness, clogged pores, or irritation before using it more broadly.
Read the label: Choose pure, grass-fed, rendered beef tallow without added fragrance or essential oils (which can be irritating.)
Use it at night: Because it’s heavy, tallow works best as an overnight balm rather than a daytime moisturizer.
Know your skin type: If your skin is oily or acne-prone, skip it. Dermatologists rate tallow as moderately comedogenic (pore-clogging).
Keep expectations realistic: Tallow can hydrate and soften, but there’s no clinical evidence that it performs like retinoids, peptides, or other proven anti-aging actives.
One last note: Avoid homemade or improperly stored tallow. It can spoil quickly. 🤢
A word of caution: Tallow is not approved by the FDA for use in skin care due to the risk of what’s commonly known as mad cow disease. This lack of regulation can be cause for pause.
The bottom line? Take this trend with a grain of salt.
Poll
What’s Your Go-To Skincare Routine?
How to Eat for Longevity at Every Age
Healthy aging starts from within, and what you put on your plate can shape how you feel for decades to come. We spoke with Dr. Pamela Tambini, MD, about how women can use nutrition to live longer, stronger, and better.
“Eating smart is about quality and nourishment, not restriction.”
Q. How does nutrition support women’s longevity?
A plant-forward, nutrient-dense diet, paired with hydration, physical activity, and mindful choices, provides a strong foundation for a long, healthy life, says Dr. Tambini. “It supports heart health, bone strength, hormonal balance, cognitive resilience, and inflammation control.”
Q. Is eating smart really that different from just eating less?
Completely. Dr. Tambini says that eating smart is about quality and nourishment, not restriction. She recommends focusing on:
Complex carbs like quinoa, oats, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and lentils
Lean proteins such as skinless chicken or turkey, eggs and egg whites, Greek yogurt, tofu or tempeh, and beans
Healthy fats including avocados, extra virgin olive oil, nuts and seeds, fatty fish, and nut butters
These food groups stabilize energy and protect against disease. Simply eating less, on the other hand, can slow metabolism, disrupt hormones, and create nutrient gaps — all of which raise long-term risks for heart disease, bone loss, and anemia.
Q. How should women’s nutrition shift through the decades?
Your 20s and 30s are about building a strong foundation — think iron, calcium, and omega-3s, says Dr. Tambini. In your 40s and 50s, focus on protecting your heart, bones, and hormones with plenty of fiber, phytoestrogens, and healthy fats. After 60, emphasize protein, B vitamins, and hydration to maintain muscle, brain, and digestive health.
The Watchlist
Explore the full stories below and let us know which one sparks your curiosity most.
What’s on our radar
Bias in AI Healthcare Tools:
A Financial Times report reveals how large language models reflect biases that can lead to inferior healthcare advice to female, Black, and Asian patients.
The Science of Facial Aging:
A conversation with Tanuj Nakra and Suzan Obagi on The Peter Attia Drive podcast explores how hormones, biology, and lifestyle shape the way we age, and what really works to support healthy skin.
The Gut–Health Connection:
The Nursing Beat highlights that gut health remains one of the most overlooked areas in women’s wellness, despite its deep ties to hormones, mood, metabolism, and immunity.
Poll Response
We asked, you answered:
What is your experience with HRT?
“Some might say I’m HRT’s biggest fan” was our most popular answer, but there were some lingering questions about the pros and cons and safety with certain conditions. HRT, like most healthcare-related things, is so individualistic it’s always best to find a healthcare provider you feel safe talking to. If yours isn’t measuring up, The Menopause Society is a great place to find a clinician who is right for you.
How was today's newsletter?
The information provided about wellness and health is for general informational and educational purposes only. We are not licensed medical professionals, and the content here should not be considered medical advice. Talk to a doctor before trying any of these suggestions.