Daily activities, including sleep, physical activity, and sedentary behavior, interact within a 24-hour period, impacting sleep quality among Australian children and adults. Using compositional data analysis, the research emphasises the importance of considering the full day’s activity composition to promote better sleep health. January 2024 – Sleep Health   Key takeaways   Activity balance is crucial: It’s important to manage the composition of daily activities, including sleep, physical activity, and sedentary behavior, within a full day cycle. Achieving a healthy balance can sig ..read more

A new molecular index based on blood metabolites can measure biological age, which may reflect health better than chronological age. This index helps distinguish between individuals ageing at different rates and suggests that lifestyle changes could potentially influence one’s biological age. March 2024 – Aging Cell   Key takeaways   Biological vs. chronological age: The research highlights that biological age, inferred from molecular signatures in the blood, is a more robust indicator of overall health than merely the number of years lived. This differentiation is crucial for unde ..read more

Vitamin A, via its metabolite all-trans retinoic acid (atRA), controls stem cell differentiation by resolving lineage plasticity. This process is essential for proper tissue repair and maintaining correct cell lineages in the skin, including hair follicles and epidermal cells. These insights have potential applications in ageing and regenerative medicine. March 2024 – Science   Key takeaways   Vitamin A metabolism modulates stem cell function: Vitamin A, converted into all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) in the body, plays a crucial role in steering stem cell activities. This modulation ..read more

Epigenetic ageing of human blood cells corresponds with the biological age of the individual, indicating that blood cells age in sync with the body’s overall ageing process. March 2024 – Aging Cell   Key takeaways   Epigenetic ageing in human blood cells aligns with biological age: This suggests that the ageing of blood cells is more reflective of an individual’s physiological condition and health rather than their chronological years, highlighting a potential target for ageing research Variability in blood cell ageing: The rate at which blood cells age differs based on the general ..read more

Mitochondrial dysfunction is highlighted as a pivotal element in brain ageing and associated diseases, playing a significant role in energy shortages, elevated oxidative stress, and neuronal harm, driving the advancement of neurodegenerative conditions. March 2024 – Molecular Biology   Key takeaways   Mitochondrial dysfunction’s role in ageing: The decline in mitochondrial efficiency is a fundamental aspect of the brain’s ageing process, directly influencing the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This dysfunction disrupts cellular energy ..read more

The study reveals that a 7-day complete caloric restriction triggers significant multi-organ proteome changes in humans, suggesting potential benefits for longevity and aging. March 2024 – Nature Metabolism   Key takeaways   Caloric restriction for 7 days induces widespread protein changes across multiple organs: This shows the body’s dynamic ability to adjust at a molecular level to the lack of food intake, affecting various organs in a way that might boost overall health and resilience These protein alterations suggest a potential to enhance longevity and improve ageing processes ..read more

A new framework to better understand what’s on offer and how to match it to your needs   So you’ve been listening to Gary Brecka, Peter Attia and Kara Fitzgerald, or even Sara Gottfried, and you are more inspired than ever to start making changes towards a healthier life now, with the promise of a healthy life later. Some call it lifespan, longevity or healthspan. I like to describe it as health optimisation, which is the ongoing pursuit of living in a body that is functioning in its peak state, at any age. It could be said that what you do to get to peak functioning is as important as h ..read more

Neuronal activity boosts cerebrospinal fluid flow to remove brain waste during sleep, potentially affecting longevity and ageing. February 2024 – Nature   Key takeaways   Neuronal activity enhances fluid flow: The brain’s neurons, when active, drive the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which plays a crucial role in washing away harmful waste products. This activity is vital for maintaining brain health and preventing neurodegenerative diseases Link to brain health: Efficient removal of brain waste is essential for keeping the brain functioning at its best. This process helps prevent th ..read more

Functional medicine health coaching significantly enhances adherence to elimination diets and improves self-reported health outcomes, as demonstrated in a randomised controlled trial. February 2024 – Medicine   Key takeaways   Enhanced dietary adherence: Personalised health coaching effectively motivates individuals to follow through with dietary plans, such as elimination diets, which are often recommended for identifying food sensitivities and improving health Direct correlation with health improvements: Patients who adhere more closely to their prescribed dietary regimens report ..read more

The CST–polymerase α-primase complex plays a key role in cellular ageing and longevity by ensuring the complete replication of chromosome ends, offering potential insights for ageing-related therapies. February 2024 – Nature   Key takeaways   Crucial role of CST–polymerase α-primase complex: This complex is essential for fully replicating the very ends of chromosomes, known as telomeres, which are key to maintaining chromosome stability and integrity. Without complete replication, telomeres shorten, leading to cellular ageing and dysfunction Strategy for cellular ageing and longevi ..read more