Advice From a Super-Ager
What’s Lloyd Kahn’s secret to an active and fulfilling life at age 90? He says, “Moving is so necessary as you get older.” And, also, “admit when you’re wrong, get out of your comfort zone, and don’t focus on regrets.” Follow the link below to read more about Kahn and his adventurous approach to living.
Living a Longer, Healthier Life
The 4th annual Longevity Summit, “The Future of Medicine: Eliminating Diseases of Aging,” is taking place December 9-10 at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, CA. Speakers will be sharing advancements in the longevity field, with representatives from biotech companies, hospitals, investment firms, and academic institutions. The program is both in-person and online. Learn more and register by following the link below.
Alzheimer's Affects 50M to 400M Worldwide But a Recent Study Offers Hope
The science journal Nature published research recently that shows a strong connection between lithium loss and Alzheimer's. When lithium—which occurs naturally in the brain—becomes depleted, it accelerates the formation of amyloid-beta plaques and structures and gives way to inflammatory cells in the brain. But researchers found that the use of lithium orotate helped reverse disease-related effects and restore memory function. Read what Harvard Medical School has to say about the subject.
The Emerging Science of Healthspan
Join Mount Sinai medical experts for an online conversation on “Protocols for Living Better, Not Just Longer: The Science Behind Longevity and Healthspan.” Part of 92NY’s Spark Your Health Talk Series, the program will take place November 5th at 7pm ET. Read more about the virtual event and register by following the link below.
It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
In 2023, a former U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness an epidemic, noting that social connection is as critical to good health and longevity as exercise and nutrition. While loneliness is most often associated with older adults, the epidemic impacts people of all ages. San Francisco’s “Meet Six Neighbors,” part of a statewide initiative to strengthen social networks, challenges individuals to connect with six nearby neighbors. It’s an idea that can be implemented in any and every neighborhood, and across all age groups. A focus on intergenerational friendships would be great, too. Read more about the program in the SF Chron.
Doing Good Is Good For You
In addition to serving your community, new research found that volunteering can serve you, as well, particularly in retirement. Learn how to find an opportunity that aligns with your passions, skills, and schedule.
The Lowdown on Longevity Supplements
Experts split anti-aging supplements into two categories: traditional and emerging.
The upshot: There is little scientific evidence to support either avenue, although most doctors are comfortable prescribing conventional vitamins such as D and B12, if they deem a patient deficient. However, the medical community urges caution when it comes to experimental supplements, even as some professionals believe the industry holds promise.
A surprise twist: While the subject of supplements can be divisive, all experts agree that exercise is the only proven option for stemming or reversing epigenetic (alterations at the cellular level) aging.
HIIT and Its Impact on Cancer
A new study shows that even a single session of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can combat cancer on multiple levels. Scientists found that strenuous exercise produced specific proteins, known as myokines, which positively impact immune responses and inflammation. Furthermore, the research suggests that HIIT not only has the potential to impede the development of cancer, but can also improve survival rates. Read more about the results by following the link below.
Meet Jenness Brewer
From her upbringing in rural Connecticut, to the executive hallways of NY and LA, and now back to bucolic environs, Jenness Brewer’s latest act is the culmination of all that came before. She brings her love of land, art, fellowship, and family together in beautiful and unexpected ways.
Nuns on the Run
A somewhat lighthearted look at a serious issue: Where do you live when you’re old? Read the New York Times piece.
Only in America
In this poignant, personal essay, WSJ writer Katie Roiphe details the beauty and banality of having her nearly 90-year-old mother move in with her. She notes that only in America would this decision be considered shocking, unlike “in India say or Italy, where generations crowd together into a single household.” Roiphe tenderly describes a universal fear/truth of aging in America. Well worth a read.
The Joy of Living
When you add the terms lifespan + health span (the length of time a person spends in good health) the sum is the concept of joyspan. Coined by gerontologist Dr. Kerry Burnight, joyspan refers to a deep sense of well-being and fulfillment, particularly during the second half of life. It allows one to thrive, and not merely survive, while growing older. Burnight offers four “non-negotiables” for cultivating and lengthening your joyspan: grow, adapt, give, and connect. Read more about what each action means in the NYT “Well” column.
Getting Into a Rhythm
Researchers confirmed the relationship between the body’s circadian rhythm and metabolic health. Getting into a rhythm is also critical to exercise performance and benefits. A new study found that working out early in the day, and maintaining consistency, achieved the best results. Read more about the findings at the link below.
Creatine on the Brain
Everyone’s talking about creatine these days. It’s become a popular supplement among women looking to build strength, particularly those in perimenopause and menopause. And, the findings of a recent pilot study show a potential positive link between creatine and brain function. Researchers stated that the results, while preliminary and limited in scope, indicate that creatine supplements can improve brain health among Alzheimer’s patients. More about the study can be found by following the link below.
Coffee’s Surprising Perk
Coffee drinkers expect a quick, short-term boost from their cup of joe, but a new study suggests that drinking coffee may have long-term health benefits as well. Researchers tracked the diets of more than 47,000 female nurses for multiple decades beginning in the early ‘70s. A positive correlation was found between the amount of caffeine the women consumed (typically from coffee) between the ages of 45 and 60 years, and the probability of aging well. Read more in the New York Times.
Read the Script
Become a Citizen Archivist! If you’re of a generation that can read cursive (a vanishing skill as penmanship is no longer taught in many schools), the National Archives Catalog needs your help. Millions of documents written in longhand—ranging from JFK assassination records to case files on UFO sightings—need to be transcribed and tagged. Learn more, and how to get started at the link below.
Maybe, Don’t Come In From the Cold
New research found that cold-water immersion (14°C/57.2°F) has positive effects on cellular repair and resistance. Subjects, exposed for one hour daily, showed an increase in a critical biological protective mechanism after just one week. Read more about the (limited) study, and the link between cold exposure and longevity at SciTechDaily.
Going Deep
The documentary, “The Last of the Sea Women” explores the lives of haenyeos, the mostly older women (typically in their 70s), who sustain the ancient, yet dying, practice of gathering seafood from the reefs and sea floor surrounding their home off the coast of South Korea. They make between 100 and 300 dives per day, often in cold and challenging conditions. While the work is tough, the women are well respected and admired, and enjoy a position of distinction in local society—an anomaly in our #ageist world. Streaming on Apple TV+.
Nature vs Nurture
A healthy lifestyle can take you only so far. Research shows that eating right, exercising often, and otherwise adopting healthy habits can extend the lifespan—to about 80, or even 90 years of age. After that, genetics are likely the most significant factor. Do you have any centenarians in your family? Read the NYT article to find out more about longevity influences.
Debbie Harry: Still a Badass Rock and Roller
Blondie frontperson Debbie Harry, the iconic rock and roller of the 1970s and 80s (and beyond) doesn’t seem too different these days from the person she was back then: bold, brash, and full of vitality. She is currently the focus of Gucci’s Cruise 2025 collection, which was shot by photographer Nan Goldin for the We Will Always Have London campaign. To catch up on more of what she’s up to, follow the link below to The Times.