Heliconius melpomenea eating pollen.(Image Credit: Louise Bestea)
🙌 Happy Friday!
June is peak butterfly season, but a tropical species is drawing attention for a different reason. Researchers found the Heliconius butterfly can resist critical signs of aging and live nearly 25 times longer than close relatives, making it a potential model for aging biology and longevity.
This week:
The FDA approves a new suncare ingredient for the first time in nearly 3 decades
Depression symptoms affect health span differently in men and women
A 100-year-old goes to prom
Where’s the best place to watch a sunrise?
Spotlight
The FDA approved a sunscreen ingredient that derms have spent years waiting for
For the first time in 27 years, the FDA approved a new sunscreen ingredient, bemotrinizol (bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine…whoa)
"It hits like really every box for us that we have been waiting for as dermatologists and consumers," says Dr. Heather Rogers, a Seattle-based dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, in an NPR interview.
Dermatologists in Europe and Asia probably already know this, since it’s been an approved sun staple for more than two decades.
What makes Bemotrinizol different?
It offers UVA and UVB protection. UVA rays are linked to skin aging and wrinkles, while UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn and contribute to skin cancer.
It is a chemical sunscreen filter, but it tends to absorb less into the skin than some older filters.
It breaks down more slowly in sunlight than many other chemical filters, which helps it last longer.
It is generally considered well-tolerated, including for people with sensitive skin.
It won’t beat the heat yet: It’s not yet available in the U.S., unless you import bemotrinizol abroad. The expected launch date is sometime around September 2026, as companies roll out new formulations following the approval.
Key point: This is a public health win, but the most important step is still to use sunscreen daily. Any sunscreen is better than none for reducing skin cancer risk and keeping skin healthier and more youthful.
🏃 What we clicked next
You missed a spot: Most people forget to sunscreen a critical area of their body, giving rise to this ‘invisible killer.”
Living longer is one thing. Feeling energetic, connected, confident, and vital is another.
The Livelong Women’s Health Summit™ is designed for both, bringing together experts and evidence on healthy aging, mental well-being, sexual health, and quality of life.
Wellness watch
There might be a striking difference between how depression symptoms affect male and female health span
A Japanese study of nearly 600 adults found that specific depressive symptoms were linked to a higher risk of disability or death in older adults. In men, worthlessness stood out; in women, anxiety did, reports Medical News.
The depression (dis)connection: Depression has been strongly linked to shorter lifespan and worse health outcomes in older adults, but until now, it wasn’t clear how or which specific symptoms affected longevity.
Researchers at Tohoku University followed adults aged 70 and older for about 18 years to track disability-free survival. They found:
Feelings of worthlessness were tied to an 85% higher risk of disability death in men
Anxiety was linked to an 88% higher risk in women
The ‘Unhappiness’ paradox: Experiencing more ‘unhappiness’ was actually linked to a lower risk of disability or death (especially among women). Possible explanations include:
Unhappy people may be more motivated to seek help or take action to feel better.
Women who listed ‘unhappy’ may be more susceptible to putting on an ‘unhappy’ front, versus responding to being happy.
Big picture: Depression treatment and research targets should be differently tailored between men and women for greater health span and life expectancy. Earlier intervention can improve healthy life expectancy.
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In recent headlines
Get APM’d: Are we on the precipice of a real longevity drug?
Researchers are ‘AMP’d about a new drug that can mimic the metabolic and aging benefits of exercise. The drug, ATX-304, might be the first to really activate an elusive longevity pathway called AMPK.
In a small trial of adults with pre diabetes and obesity, eight weeks on ATX-304 led to:
Improved triglycerides
Boosted resting metabolic rate by 8%
Reduced liver and hidden fat
Unlike GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic) and other metabolism-boosting drugs, ATX-304 showed no serious side effects.
The next steps: if AMPK really is a master switch for healthy aging, this could open a new playbook for metabolic and longevity research.
Short reads
Additives that subtract life: A massive study with 112,000 people suggests that eight food additives might be linked to high blood pressure.
Kidneys can heal: A heart attack medication has been shown to promote kidney tissue regeneration in mice.
Do cats make your stress worse? New research from the Netherlands says yeah…maybe.
Long-levity: For a feel-good life
Never too old for the night of your life
100-year-old Ray Svejnoha in Naperville, Illinois, finally went to prom, thanks to some local high schoolers and his Senior Living facility. The World War II vet missed prom to join the service, but he finally reached the milestone.
It also happened to fulfill one two of his longevity secrets.
Dancing: A landmark 2003 study found that older adults who participate in social dancing multiple times a week had a 76% lower risk of developing dementia. That’s more than reading, crossword, cycling, and swimming!
Relationship-building: Ray’s love for ‘chit-chat’ and nurturing relationships keeps him purpose-filled and happy, and it’s one of the most well-recognized ways to add years to life expectancy.
Life of the party: He says prom was one of the best nights of his life. Movie trope aside, maybe it’s also part of the answer to a longer life.
Mid-year check-in: #2
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sending you questions to improve your newsletter experience. We greatly appreciate any feedback!
Each week, what do you most hope to get from this newsletter?
Livelong recommends
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Forget the overwhelm: Use our AI-powered search engine to ask your complicated longevity questions and get science-backed, actionable answers.
Reader responses
Highlighting your responses to last week's question.
We asked: What's the biggest lie people tell their doctor?
Livelong readers delivered an honest, boozy confession: “I only drink on the weekends.” Not far behind were hidden truths about exercise habits and a healthy sex life. Consider this a gentle reminder that most of us are more human than our biomarkers or medical records might suggest.
Thanks for reading! Have a great week.
Erin
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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.
