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 weight loss drug that may reduce death … demands from Putin to increase life expectancy … an attack against a green supplement from Bryan Johnson … and lots more. Let’s dig in.

ON THE HORIZON

Weight Loss Drug Ozempic Shown to Reduce Deaths Caused by Infection [New Study]

What's the news: The popular weight loss drug Ozempic produced a significant reduction in non-cardiovascular deaths, particularly those caused by infection, including from COVID-19.

Why should we believe it: A The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) published a new study exploring the impact of semaglutide - the anti-obesity medication used in drugs such as Ozempic - for treating cardiovascular deaths, non-cardiovascular deaths and death from COVID-19.

The researchers looked at 17,604 adults, aged 45 or older, who were obese or overweight. The scientists treated these folks with either 2.4 mg of semaglutide or a placebo over 3 years.

The results, for the patients who got the semaglutide:

* 19% lower risk of all-cause death

* 23% lower risk of non-cardiovascular death

* 34% reduction in risk of dying from covid-19

Why this is a big deal: Previous research conducted through the SELECT trial had already found that semaglutide lowered inflammation and risk of cardiovascular disease and heart failure. 

This new study revealed additional anti-death benefits from semaglutide for non-cardiovascular causes, which even the lead author of the study found surprising. 

So what specifically can you do now: There's mounting evidence that weight loss drugs like ozempic benefit health and act as longevity drugs. And while exercise and a healthy diet are still the most proven and significant ways to slow down aging, it's worth keeping ozempic in mind — or even talking to your doctor about it.

IRREVOCABLY PERSONAL

Putin demands scientists develop treatments to "save 175,000 lives" by 2030 while average life expectancy in Russia falls

Who we're talking about: Russian president Vladimir Putin. At 71 years of age, Putin is quickly nearing the life expectancy of the average Russian, which is 73.2 years.

And the news is: Putin’s government has sent a surprise letter to Russian research institutes urging them to come up with new longevity interventions. 

The letter specifically mentions rejuvenating the immune system, reducing the burden of cellular aging, and new technologies for preventing cognitive disorders.

One Russian doctor who received the letter in June said they were surprised that physicians were asked to work on the proposals with such urgency.

He said, "We were asked to urgently send all our developments, and the letter arrived, let's say, today, but everything had to be sent yesterday. To be honest, this is the first time in my life that I've encountered this.”

Will Putin’s letter lead to Russian longevity breakthroughs? Putin seems desperate and motivated to come up with fresh solutions. 

I wrote in a previous newsletter how Vladimir Khavinson, Putin’s longevity guru, died at age 77 on January 6th, 2024. Putin is currently 71 years old. Not only is he feeling the weight of his country’s longevity status, but he’s concerned with his own. 

Whatever comes of this initiative, I’ll sniff out the details and bring forward any breakthroughs that can benefit us all. 

CONSUMER AWARENESS

Bryan Johnson goes to war against Athletic Greens

What’s the product: The powder supplement from Athletic Greens, AG1, which boasts a formula of over 75 vitamins and minerals as well as prebiotics and probiotics that’s “designed to replace multiple supplements.”

What’s the problem: Bryan Johnson posted a new video to his YouTube channel breaking down several problems with AG1. 

• Problem #1 - it’s overpriced. Bryan claims he could make the bag for $10 but AG1 costs about $99. 

• Problem #2 - the army of influencers pushing AG1. Bryan is bothered by the fact that many if not most influencers are pushing this health product merely for the generous commissions they’re paid without evaluating its effectiveness. 

• Problem #3 - Pixie Dusting. Instead of providing you with the dosage amount AG1 used in clinical trials (which shows good results), they package a much lower dose for you and I which is insufficient for receiving the claimed benefits. 

What’s the point: Bryan raises a few fair criticisms of AG1 and it may be worth your time to consider an alternative supplement if you’ve been using it. But it’s worth noting that Bryan sells his own supplements, including in the YouTube video linked above, so he’s hardly a disinterested consumer advocate. 

This is a reminder to do your own due diligence when it comes to any supplement. 

IN OTHER NEWS…

AROUND THE WEB

Keto Diets May Help Cognitive Function in Alzheimer’s - but with a few caveats

Restoring facial fat using microneedles is a prickly topic - and these anti-aging enthusiasts take a stab at the best path forward. 

The anarchist collective producing DIY versions of expensive pharmaceuticals at a tiny fraction of the cost - this is the rise of pirated medicine

what we’re reading

“Why Aging Comes in Dramatic Waves in Our 40s and 60s”

What we’re reading: A recent Scientific American article titled, Why Aging Comes in Dramatic Waves in Our 40s and 60s breaks down new research published in Nature suggesting that our bodies don’t only experience gradual changes, we’re also hit with sudden and sometimes large changes on a molecular level at age 44 and 60, respectively. 

I’m sure you can recall when you realized that partying the same way you did in college isn’t nearly as fun anymore, especially the next morning. 

This new study attempts to understand why changes such as these occur at specific ages. 

It’s one of the few studies that focused on middle-aged participants and involved such comprehensive biological sampling. 

Let’s see the bad news: People in their 40s and 60s display more muscle loss and weakness, inefficient metabolism of substances such as caffeine, a weakened immune response, and a greater risk of developing type-2 diabetes among other worrying findings. 

However, the study’s results aren’t ironclad: No participants were followed for longer than 7 years, so it’s impossible to measure all the changes that could occur across a lifetime. 

Participants in the study may have aged faster relative to others of the same age in the broader population. 

Numerous factors contribute to “age-related shifts” in a person’s health, from stress to race to socioeconomic class and more. 

Plus, this study sampled a relatively small number of people, all living in California’s Palo Alto area, which makes the data less representative of the broader public.

So, why is this study worth discussing, and what’s the good news? If we can better understand how age-related diseases develop over time and at specific ages, we have a better shot at mitigating or reversing them. 

One reason why folks in their 40s may experience certain declines in health is a decline in physical activity around that age. If you need another reason to exercise regularly for life, this is it. 

That goes for all the positive lifestyle changes we advocate for at The Longevity Newsletter. 

A noted age-related researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, Aditi Gurkar, commented on this study by observing, “diet and exercise can accelerate aging—or slow it down.”

Old news?

Perhaps, but it’s a helpful reminder that while getting older is inevitable, experiencing certain diseases isn’t. 

This study and future studies may prove that our biology undergoes similar changes, but we’ll be empowered with the knowledge to maximize our longevity at each stage of life.

- The Longevity Hound