13 Headline-Making Reports and Research on Longevity from 2024
Though it’s not quite over yet, 2024 has been an amazing year in the world of longevity research, with lots of fascinating breakthroughs, and new thinking on how to put these life-changing – and even life-saving – ideas into practice.
For those of us who have the privilege of aging with health and vitality, the longevity news this past year is giving us even more insights into the multiple aspects of the aging process that we want to combat. So, whether you’re a fit 25-year-old hiker, or a power-lifting retiree, there’s much to learn from these recent reports from longevity’s cutting edge. Here are a few of my favorite articles from the last 12 months:
1) Dr. Frank Lipman is all-in on longevity!
In this article, writer Josh Liberatore reports on the evolution of my practice from functional to longevity medicine. By focusing on longevity, which I think of as a ‘subspecialty’ of functional medicine, I’ve been able to help patients seeking to live long and well by incorporating the very best longevity practices into their daily routines. To learn more, check out
Dr. Frank Lipman, a Functional Medicine Pioneer, Is All-In on Longevity
2) Aging ratchets up quickly when you hit 44 and 60.
Recent research indicates that the aging process speeds up significantly around age 44 and then again at age 60. In other words, rather than experiencing a gradual decline throughout adulthood, folks are more likely to recognize more noticeable changes in the health of their bodies at these specific points. To learn more, check out
Aging suddenly speeds up when you turn 44 and 60.
3) Body parts age differently, but they also influence each other.
In a recent study, researchers found that each organ system possesses distinct genetic markers that measure and impact its aging process. In addition, they observed interconnected genetic effects that also influence multiple organ systems. The research also found that lifestyle factors like sleep duration and body weight, as well as chronic diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer's, were potentially causative factors in the aging of these organ systems. To learn more, check out:
Each body part ages differently, but they also influence each other
4) Get moving! Exercise can reverse aging effects in the brain.
New research indicates that exercise has the potential to prevent or slow down cognitive decline by influencing gene expression in the brain cells of mice. The study found that exercise can reverse the aging of microglia, specialized immune cells that protect the brain, bringing them back to a more youthful state. Exercise also plays a vital role in the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus, responsible for memory and learning. To learn more, check out:
A new study shows that exercise can reverse aging effects in the brain.
5) Keep moving! 'Weekend warrior' activity may help combat more than 200 diseases
Engaging in physical activity has broad benefits, reducing the risk of future diseases, particularly cardiometabolic conditions, according to a recent study. Researchers found that both ‘weekend warrior’ exertion and regular physical activity provide similar benefits, which suggests that the total volume of activity may be more important than the specific pattern of activity. To learn more, check out:
'Weekend warrior' physical activity may help protect against more than 200 diseases.
6) Lift it and work it to save your aging brain.
A recent study has confirmed that weight training is among the most effective ways to reduce body fat while also enhancing strength and muscle mass. For older folks, another major plus is weight-training’s ability to reduce physical frailty and upgrade mental well-being, drug-free, particularly in those susceptible to mood disorders. To learn more, check out:
For older adults, weight training proves to naturally boost mental health.
7) Work it a little harder, live longer.
According to researchers, exercise intensity plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of mortality. So, while the duration and amount of exercise are important for overall health, studies show that it’s the intensity of the activity that specifically impacts longevity. To learn more, check out:
Exercise Intensity, Duration and Amount All Matter
8) Slow aging with a healthy, low sugar diet.
Research shows that a healthy, vitamin and mineral-rich diet, with little sugar, is linked to a younger biological age. More interestingly, studies also show that each gram of added sugar accelerates the aging of the epigenome (the on/off switches for our genes), shedding further light on the importance of laying off the sweet stuff to support better health and longevity. To learn more, check out:
Healthy Diets with Low Sugar Slow Biological Aging.
9) Trouble ahead? Apolipoprotein B may shorten healthspan and boost Alzheimer's risk.
Apolipoprotein B (apoB) plays a central role in the body's cholesterol transport system, particularly with regard to low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often referred to as 'bad' cholesterol. However, the role of apoB goes well beyond cholesterol. Recent studies have shed light on its potential influence on healthspan – the length of time you spend in good health -- as well as its connection to Alzheimer's disease. To learn more, check out:
Apolipoprotein B protein may shorten healthy lifespan and increase Alzheimer's risk.
10) Stand tall, don’t fall: how long you can stand on one leg reveals your true age.
According to Mayo Clinic research, standing on one leg is considered a more accurate measure of aging than strength or gait. As people age, balance tends to decline more rapidly, particularly on the non-dominant leg. The decline in balance can lead to an increased risk of falls, so the message is, start working on improving your balance now! To learn more, check out:
How Long Can You Stand on One Leg? According to the Mayo Clinic, It Could Reveal Your True Age
11) Tame aging, save your heart and help metabolism with a ‘cuppa.”
Good news caffeine lovers: a recent study shows that drinking moderate amounts of coffee and consuming caffeine on a regular basis may provide protection against developing multiple cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke. It is also suggested that this habit may have significant benefits in reducing biological aging. To learn more, check out:
12) Circulate! Don’t hibernate! Let social connection help keep you young.
Recent research has added to the increasing evidence connecting social isolation, loneliness, and biological aging. To learn more, check out:
More Social Connections Associated with Slower Aging.
13) Fill up on omega-3 fatty acids to help slow aging.
This study emphasizes the potential impact of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on regulating – and ultimately slowing – aging. To learn more, check out:
On the role of dietary Omega-3 fatty acids in delaying aging.
