Your brain has a hidden “stop eating” signal

🙌 Happy Friday! 

It’s finally here! Today is Day 1 of the Livelong Women’s Health Summit. I’m humbled to be celebrating healthy aging with so many powerful women and men supporting women. 👩 You can still get a one-day pass for Day 2 of the Summit, happening tomorrow, and session replays will be available to members of The Livelong Women's Inner Circle™. Click “become a member” to access that. 

📅 This week: Researchers discovered a new ‘stop eating’ signal, eggshell membrane supplements for bone density, why the risk of cancer goes up if you’re single, and phone-free bars.

And it’s not where scientists thought it was.

🧠 For years, scientists believed neurons were largely responsible for telling you when to stop eating. 

A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences now suggests that astrocytes (the most abundant brain cell) may also play an important role in relaying fullness signals in the brain.

A lot happens in the brain before you become consciously aware that you feel full:

Finally, fullness neurons turn on.

Why it matters: Nearly 75% of Americans are overweight or obese, putting many at risk of metabolic issues. Drugs like Ozempic cue fullness neurons and reduce appetite, but researchers are still studying their effect on muscle loss and bone health. 🦴

Next steps: No drug targets the astrocyte pathway. It’s still early research, but drugs that target this could lead to new treatments that work alongside GLP-1s to manage weight and metabolic health. 

Early research suggests that these habits may also support fullness and metabolism

What happens when you feed young rats 🐀 eggshell membrane? In one new study, they kept bone mass later in life. 

With more than 54 million Americans at risk of low bone mass and osteoporosis, which puts them at further risk of broken bones and mobility loss, the science is relevant and potentially influential for aging adults.

The science: Eggshell membrane is the thin, filmy layer inside eggs 🍳, and it’s rich in collagen, glucosamine, and hyaluronic acid. These compounds can also be found in your skeleton, and they may support bone tissue.

The new study in Tissue and Cell tested the protective effect of eggshell membrane supplements (ESM) in mice and found that it helped preserve bone density and bone structure. 🩻

🌍 The big picture: In smaller studies, ESM is shown to reduce joint pain, and more widely, companies are exploring it in oral skincare products. But until more human trials emerge, bone health still comes down to having a lifelong habit of diet, fitness, and adding ‘good stress’ to your joints with load-bearing exercises.

A sweeping review of 4 million cancer cases in Cancer Research Communications found that adults who were never married 👰 may be more likely to be diagnosed with cancer — 68% for men and 83% for women — than married adults, writes CNN.

‼ But researchers make one thing clear: “Getting married does not magically prevent cancer,” as reported by Newswise. 

Big picture: It might not be the diamond ring 💍 so much as it is the support system. Strong social ties can reduce loneliness, lead to better screening and prevention efforts, and healthier daily routines linked to better outcomes and longevity.

Read next: Why single women are thriving.

→ Ask LIV: Get personalized longevity insights with our updated AI feature.

In a world where people check their devices 📱 an average of 144 times a day, some bars and restaurants across 11 U.S. states are trying an analog fix: go phone-free. Axios reports that more bars and dining establishments are joining the growing push to help people disconnect during meals.

It’s “exactly what people are yearning for,” says Anna Lembke, a psychiatrist and dopamine researcher at Stanford University, in NPR.

Forced to connect: Restaurateur Mike Salzarulo says his phone-free policy "forces you to connect.” When you share good company, food, and conversation, what can be better?

🫵 Try it: Make one meal phone-free at home. It’s normal if it feels hard…but like any habit, it gets easier with practice.

The Livelong Women’s Health Summit is coming to Boston this October. Tickets will be on sale soon — continue to follow our newsletter to get the lowest price. Explore vendor opportunities.

Ever felt that sudden twinge in your hip, knee, or lower back — like your body’s filing a complaint you didn’t see coming? You’re not alone.

Here’s how readers weighed in:

One reader reminds us that joints don’t just carry weight, but also our worries. “For me, it’s more due to stress and less about needing to move more (though always need that).”