36% lower mortality risk, #4 rejuvenation athlete, Sinclair and Johnson

Welcome to the latest issue of The Longevity Newsletter, bringing you longevity news, breakthroughs, and evergreen truths to help you live longer and look younger.

Today, we have a dietary ingredient linked to longevity… a top rejuvenation athlete who also happens to work as an MD… my report from a live longevity conference last week… and lots more. Let’s dig in.

LONGEVITY PARTNER OFFER

CocoaVia Memory+, the top cocoa extract capsules for improved memory

What is it: CocoaVia Memory+, the top cocoa extract capsules according to independent laboratory testing.

Why you might want it: Scientific studies have shown that supplementing with cocoa extract improves memory, at least if you're not getting adequate flavonols to begin with. But cocoa extract itself is bitter and not too pleasant, while chocolate — even dark chocolate — has lots of sugar.

Why CocoaVia specifically: Because it came out #1 in a ConsumerLab.com ranking of "Dark Chocolates, Cocoa & Cacao Powders, Nibs, and Supplements." From the President of ConsumerLab.com:

The math on the price point: CocoaVia Memory+ supplements are not the cheapest, at least when you look at the price alone. But CocoaVia™ capsules had 20-30x more cocoa flavanols than other cocoa supplements tested by ConsumerLab. When you take that into account, CocoaVia Memory+ turns out to be a a great deal. If you are looking for proven memory supplements, try CocoaVia Memory+ here.

LONGEVITY LIFESTYLE

Flavonols in food tied to 36% lower risk of death

What's the news: Flavonol intake is tied to significantly lower levels of all-cause mortality.

Why should we believe it: This news is based on a new study published two weeks ago by scientists in China. They looked at 11,679 U.S. adults who were closely followed over a 20-year period.

The scientists looked at the type and amount of foods in these subjects' diets, and used this to estimate intake of specific food compounds known as flavonols. Results:

• Total flavonol intake was tied to a 36% lower risk of all-cause mortality

• Total flavonol intake was also tied to a lower risk of mortality due to cancer (by 55%) and cardiovascular disease (by 33%)

• A specific flavonol known as myricetin was tied to a 66% lower risk of mortality due to Alzheimer's disease

Why this is a big deal: This is a cross-sectional study, so it doesn't prove causality. But it fits with other cross-sectional studies that have shown that low flavonol diets go hand in hand with higher cardiovascular disease, higher frailty later in life, and increased risk of cancer.

So what specifically can you do now: You can get different flavonols in onions, apples, grapes, tomatoes, kale, broccoli, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries... you probably get the idea. In other words, "get your flavonols" is really a restatement of the old advice to eat your fruits and veggies.

That said, if you suspect you don't get enough flavonols in your diet, then supplements are an option. A May 2023 study found that daily supplementation with 500 mg of flavonol-rich cocoa extract restored memory in a large group of adults who ate low-flavonol diets. My guess is it might be good for health in other ways, too — maybe even for staying alive longer.

IRREVOCABLY PERSONAL

Dr. Dian Ginsberg, top-ranked Rejuvenation Olympian

Who we're talking about: Dr Dian Ginsberg, MD. Ginsberg started out as a gynecologist and obstetrician, but she has gradually became more and more interested in functional medicine. Today, she heads the Ginstitute of Functional Medicine, which uses personalized medicine to help patients "reclaim their optimal health."

And the news is: Ginsberg, who is 59 years old, is currently no. 11 on the Rejuvenation Olympics relative leaderboard and no. 4 on the absolute leaderboard.

She has managed to drastically reduce her speed of aging from her starting point, and she is now among the top rejuvenation athletes in the world. In other words, whatever she is doing, it's working, at least for her.

Why this is a big deal: Lifestyle interventions such as sleep, diet, and exercise are still the most significant and proven longevity therapies we have. But that's starting to change. And clinicians like Ginsberg are at the cutting edge of new longevity therapies, with the best data on what really works in real human beings.

So what's next? If you'd like to hear about some of Ginsberg's cutting edge work, she gave a talk at RAADfest last year. She discussed case studies of her patients who significantly reduced their speed of aging using available and yet cutting-edge longevity therapies. You can find that video here.

AROUND THE WEB

How a cheap, generic drug became the darling of longevity enthusiasts

David Sinclair steps down amid controversy

Viagra and estrogen linked to longer life

The quest to legitimize longevity medicine

Diet and Exercise in a Pill Are Real: How Mimetics Work

The Keys to a Long Life Are Sleep and a Better Diet—and Money

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

Live from Livelong Summit in West Palm Beach, FL

Last Friday and Saturday, I attended the first Livelong Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida. I've previously promoted this event as the first world-class longevity event for the general public. It didn't disappoint.

Among the standout presentations, the biggest star among longevity researchers, Harvard's David Sinclair, spoke on the first day. He didn't address the recent controversy he was involved in. Instead, he covered his main research and promised that by this time next year, he and his coworkers will have dosed the first human for age reversal in the eye.

UCLA's Matt Lieberman also had a great presentation on the first day. He promoted his new app to foster social connection, Resonance. The app sounds cool but is only available to limited communities and organizations so far. I’ll be keeping an eye out for it.

The posterboy for longevity self-experimentation, Bryan Johnson, spoke on the second day. He fielded questions and shared his vision of a future in which everything is uncertain except that it's not a good idea to die.

I also had a role in Livelong Summit, moderating a breakout session on longevity lifestyle on Day 2. I'm happy to say I survived and it even went well.

Overall, some 1,200 people were in attendance. It was an even mix of men and women. The average age was much younger than I imagined it would be. Overall, the size and makeup of the audience gave me added belief that this is a field that has arrived and that we are at a genuine inflection point for the field of longevity.

In other words, the future is bright. And like Bryan Johnson says, it makes sense to do what you can to make sure you will be around for it.

I’ll leave you with that thought for this week. As always, thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this issue, consider forwarding it to someone who would find it interesting as well.

I'll be back in your inbox next Thursday, with more practical, inspiring, and fun news based on the latest in longevity science.

- The Longevity Hound