Good morning. It’s December 31st. Are you reflecting on the past year?
…or are you pounding martinis and champagne before your New Years resolutions take center stage? After all, ya ain’t getting younger.
We’re excited for what 2026 might bring to the longevity space, but before we jump ahead, this week we’re taking a look back at all of the most important clinical drops this past year related to aging.
If you missed anything this year, you can play catch-up in a jiffy.
Without further ado…
Let’s get to it. 👇
Protein Powders & Heavy Metals
In a jarring report, Consumer Reports found that over two-thirds of the 23 protein powders they tested, particularly plant-based ones like pea protein, contained concerning levels of lead. Some single servings exceeded safe daily limits, prompting calls for stricter FDA regulations on our favorite gym supplements.
Vitamin D Rewinds the Clock
Researchers at Mass General Brigham found that daily Vitamin D3 supplementation didn't just support bone health; it reduced biological "wear and tear" equivalent to three years of aging. The study linked the vitamin to preserved telomere length, the protective caps on our DNA that usually shorten as we get older.
Friends with Benefits (Cellular Ones)
A Cornell University study provided hard biological evidence that your social calendar matters as much as your diet. They discovered that robust social engagement actively slows cellular aging, while isolation accelerates it, validating "loneliness" as a tangible biological toxin.
Fungi Fountain of Youth
In a blockbuster Emory University study, the active ingredient in magic fungi, extended the lifespan of mice by nearly 30% and improved fur quality. It appears to reduce oxidative stress and preserve telomeres, suggesting they might act on the fundamental biology of aging, not just the mind.
Rapamycin Rivals Caloric Restriction
Caloric restriction is the gold standard for extending life, but it's miserable to do. A massive review of 167 studies confirmed that Rapamycin (an immunosuppressant) extends lifespan and protects cognitive health nearly as effectively as starving yourself, cementing its status as the top "geroscience" drug candidate.
Taurine Hype Fizzles
After massive hype in 2023-2024, a sobering 2025 study cast doubt on Taurine as a miracle supplement. Researchers found no consistent decline in taurine levels with age across humans and monkeys, suggesting that topping up your levels might not be the anti-aging silver bullet we hoped for.
GLP-1s Expands Beyond Weight Loss
A major meta-analysis found that GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce the risk of kidney failure by 16% and slow the decline of filtration rates. This marks the drug class as a powerful tool for organ protection, not just waistline management.
In a stunning projection based on 2025 data, researchers estimated that widespread use of GLP-1 drugs could reduce all-cause mortality in the U.S. by over 6% by 2045. It’s one of the first reports to quantify the massive population-level impact of these drugs on longevity.
Plasma Exchange Fuels Optimism
Moving beyond cosmetic procedures, this study showed that Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE)—replacing a patient's plasma with albumin—significantly reduced circulating "aging biomarkers" in healthy older adults. It suggests that "diluting" old blood might be a viable way to rejuvenate the body.
TOGETHER WITH RETHRIVE
Biohacking For The Rest of Us
Until recently, measuring biological age was a privilege reserved for the biohacking elite. You needed expensive blood panels, specialized clinics, and a willingness to get poked and prodded.
reThrive is dismantling that barrier.
By leveraging the advanced sensors already on your wrist, it turns your wearable into a personal longevity lab. It tracks the biomarkers of longevity and translates them into a live True Age and Pace of Aging.
You no longer need to rely on intuition to know if your new habits are working.
🤔 Did that cold plunge routine ACTUALLY lower your biological age? Is your new sleep schedule slowing your pace of aging?
Now you have the data to prove it, and it’s not just for the 1% anymore.
It’s for anyone ready to measure their progress.
