Happy Friday!
Researchers' latest light bulb moment: modern light bulbs might be ‘wrecking your metabolism.’ A new report suggests that innovations in light have starved us of red and infrared light found in natural sunlight that might impact blood sugar control.
Rather than purchase a red light device, the practical advice is simpler: Get plenty of natural outdoor daylight during the day, use dim, warm/red overhead lighting in the evening, and keep your bedroom dark at night. It doesn’t have to be hard to be effective.
Today’s headlines:
The zombie cells that may have met their match
Your gut bacteria might be eating you
To live longer, take the stairs
The world’s most peaceful country
Scientists just found a way to kill “zombie cells” in the body. Ever heard of them?
Spotlight
The unlikely trio taking down cancer and ‘zombie cells’ together
Researchers discovered a three-drug cocktail that starves senescent and cancer cells in mice to extend their lives.
Written by: Rachel Rhee
Senescent (‘zombie’) cells and cancer cells might be bad at the same thing: making energy. A new study discovered a drug cocktail that might turn that weakness against them and wipe out both cell types at once.
What researchers found
In a study in Aging, scientists combined three existing drugs (dichloroacetate, a metabolic drug, metformin—already being studied for longevity—and a low dose of the cancer drug, navitoclax) into a cocktail they call DMA (NOT MDMA).
None of the three drugs worked as well alone, but together they starved the inflammation-causing senescent cells and cancer of the energy fueling their survival. Healthy cells had enough energy reserves to stay alive.
In lab tests, DMA killed up to 90% of senescent cells and wiped out several cancer cell lines.
In old mice, a two-week DMA treatment even extended post-treatment survival by 41.7%! Beyond that, it improved their endurance and health.
The caveat: This is mouse and cell-culture research only, and there have been no human trials yet. But with the FDA having already approved metformin and research being done on the others, it could speed things along.
The takeaway: This is promising, early evidence that taking out zombie and cancer cells might be part of the same fight in extending human lifespan and healthspan. Now, it’s just about keeping an eye out for human trials.
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Wellness watch
When your gut bacteria run out of food, they might start eating you
Skimping on fiber could make your gut bacteria start attacking your own gut lining.
Written by: Rachel Rhee
Scientists at Ludwig Cancer Research traced what gut bacteria eat when you don’t get enough fiber in your daily diet… and it’s not food. New research suggests that falling short on fiber may cause your gut bacteria to start attacking your own gut lining.
Not only might eating fiber prevent this fate, but researchers also identified a mysterious newly named category of plant protein called ‘Prif,’ which can reach microbes in the colon and potentially also support a healthier gut.
What researchers found
In the new study, bacteria were fed fiber and ‘Prif.’ Short for protein-imitating fiber, Prif is only just being uncovered for its role in gut health.
When given fiber, bacteria leave the gut’s protective lining alone. Fed Prif, they produced more beneficial compounds that support gut health. On the other hand, if they were starved of both fiber and Prif, bacteria turn to eating the gut’s protective mucus lining as fuel.
Why this matters
Fiber and Prif appear to work as a team that steers bacteria toward producing helpful compounds instead of harmful ones, linked to worse outcomes in patients with cancer and kidney disease.
Researchers haven't pinned down which foods are richest in Prif. However, since it's a protein your body can't digest (similar in spirit to fiber, beans, whole grains, vegetables, and other minimally processed plant foods), it’s reasonable to assume that eating more plants could increase it.
Some researchers speculate that Prif may soon be listed on food packaging right alongside fiber.
The takeaway: Eat a variety of whole plant foods, and look out for Prif.
In other news
Stair-climbing may cut your risk of dying
A new paper in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs found that stair-climbing is linked to nearly a 40% lower risk of dying from heart disease.
The review pooled data from nearly half a million people over 14 years (including both healthy adults and those with heart problems), showing that regular stair-climbers had:
A lower risk of heart attack, heart failure, or stroke
A 24% lower risk of dying from any cause versus non-climbers
Lower overall risk of developing cardiovascular disease
Six flights a day (roughly 60–70 steps) may be the sweet spot. Just a few of these higher-intensity “exercise snacks” are enough to elevate heart rate and oxygen demand…more so than walking on flat ground. It also works leg muscles and could support overall fitness.
Big picture: Stairs alone can’t outright prevent heart disease, but it’s a free, tiny choice that could reshape health, one flight at a time.
Short longevity hits
Aging dogs could propel Alzheimer’s research: The path of doggy memory loss may be fueled by amyloid plaque buildup in a pattern that mirrors humans.
Bacterial mail carriers: Like a mailman, bacterial extracellular vesicles may be fitted to ship cancer-fighting molecules.
Would you pay to be stretched? Assisted stretching is the next wellness trend. What are the benefits?
Long-levity
This is the most peaceful country in the world 🕊️
Iceland is a country that is proving that a peaceful path forward is possible. The 2026 Global Peace Index named Iceland the world’s most peaceful country for the 19th year running, with a “Very High” rating across safety, conflict, and militarisation.
Western and Central Europe claimed seven of the top 10 spots, joined by New Zealand, Singapore, and Japan.
What is Iceland’s path to peace?
Low crime and violence
Little domestic or international conflict
Minimal militarisation and no standing army
High social trust and close-knit communities
Is peace the path to longevity? Might be. World peace is a beautiful goal, but you can choose to create more calm, safety, trust, and connection in your own world. Going to a geothermal hot spring in Iceland wouldn’t hurt, either :)
New at Livelong
Live CIRCLE event happening TODAY at 12:30 ET! Learn about non-hormonal approaches to support hormonal health alongside hormone therapy.
What we’re reading
Is this aging, or B12 deficiency?
Does the gut reveal heart disease? Read here.
Reader response
Highlighting your responses to last week's question, featured in A sensor that catches stress before you do.
We asked: Do you remember your dreams?
Most people remember the “extremely bizarre” dreams, or nightmares. One person describes their dreams happening in “severe vivid color.” Others wake up from the intensity. Fortunately, not having vivid dreams doesn’t mean you didn’t get a restful sleep.
How you feel is still one of the best metrics of good sleep. I do hope you still have sweet dreams in the process.
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.
