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Breakthrough Longevity News: Science Reveals How to Extend Your Healthspan & Lifespan

In our April longevity newsletter, we cover the latest longevity news, covering both animal and human longevity news and diet and longevity news, while linking to the associated longevity article if you want to read further.

The latest research on longevity and how to increase healthspan is constantly evolving, so if you want to read more anti-ageing news and longevity studies, you can read our previous month's editions on the science of longevity here.

Scientists Discover Way to Stop Harmful Ageing Mutations by Targeting Overactive Cells

Common age-related blood mutations may be treatable with existing drugs like MitoQ and metformin, new research shows.  

As we age, some blood stem cells develop mutations that help them outcompete healthy cells, leading to a condition called clonal hematopoiesis (CH).  

CH increases risks of cancer, heart disease and weaker immunity, affecting half of people by age 80.  

Researchers found that these mutant cells have overactive mitochondria, giving them extra energy to multiply uncontrollably.  

But this strength is also their weakness: drugs like MitoQ and metformin disrupt their energy supply, killing bad cells while sparing healthy ones.  

The discovery could lead to new treatments for aging-related diseases beyond just blood disorders.  

Metformin, a common diabetes drug, showed similar effects, offering a potential dual-purpose therapy.  

The findings open doors for preventing age-related illnesses by targeting these overactive cells early.

Senolytic Drugs Show Promise for Treating Low Back Pain in Mice 

Scientists have found that two drugs — RG-7112 and o-vanillin — reduce back pain in mice by clearing out ageing ‘zombie cells.’

Low back pain is the world's leading cause of disability, often linked to worn-out spinal discs filled with harmful senescent cells.  

Researchers treated mice with disc degeneration using either a synthetic drug (RG-7112), a natural compound (o-vanillin), or both.  

After eight weeks, the mice showed less pain, fewer senescent cells and improved disc and bone health, especially when given both drugs together.  

The treatment also reduced inflammation and pain signals in the spinal cord, suggesting it works at multiple levels.  

O-vanillin, a safer natural option, and low-dose RG-7112 caused no side effects in mice, but human trials are needed.  

If proven effective in humans, these senolytics might offer long-term relief for millions suffering from chronic back pain.

Rapamycin Shows Promise for Women in First Long-Term Anti-Ageing Trial

A crowdfunded lifespan study found rapamycin improved muscle mass and reduced pain in women but showed fewer benefits for men.  

The year-long PEARL trial tested 5mg and 10mg doses of rapamycin, a drug already FDA-approved for organ transplants.  

Women taking 10mg gained lean muscle mass and reported less pain, while both sexes in the 5mg group saw improved emotional well-being.  

Men experienced potential kidney-related side effects at higher doses and no significant physical improvements.  

The trial confirmed rapamycin's safety but found no impact on epigenetic ageing markers or osteoarthritis symptoms.  

The study used crowdfunded support from Lifespan.io, raising over $180,000 for this pioneering longevity research.  

Experts caution these preliminary results need verification through larger, longer studies with optimised dosing.  

Future trials may explore rapamycin's effects on less healthy populations and different formulations.

Exercise Molecule May Offer New Hope for Parkinson’s Treatment  

Scientists have discovered how exercise may fight Parkinson’s, along with and a key molecule that could mimic its benefits for those unable to work out.  

New research shows exercise reduces brain inflammation and Parkinson’s symptoms in mice by boosting a protein called irisin.  

Irisin, naturally produced during exercise, was found to reduce harmful brain proteins linked to Parkinson’s, decrease inflammation in brain cells and improve memory and movement in affected mice  

When researchers gave irisin directly to mice, it worked as well as exercise, suggesting a potential future treatment.  

The study found exercise and irisin both lowered levels of toxic α-synuclein protein, protected brain cells from dying and improved performance in memory tests  

While promising, researchers caution human trials are needed before irisin can become a treatment, with the discovery opening new possibilities for fighting Parkinson’s by targeting brain inflammation directly.  

Healthy Diets Linked to Better Ageing, Study Finds

Eating well in midlife boosts your chances of staying healthy as you age, a new Harvard study shows.  

Researchers tracked over 100,000 people for up to 30 years, comparing eight different healthy diets.  

The best-performing diet, the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), nearly doubled the odds of healthy ageing.  

All diets studied, including Mediterranean, plant-based and low-sodium plans, helped, but some worked better for specific health areas.  

Women, smokers and less active adults saw even greater benefits from healthy eating.  

"Eating more fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole grains while cutting processed meats and junk food is key," said lead author Anne-Julie Tessier.  

The life expectancy research confirms you don’t need one perfect diet—just consistent, balanced choices for long-term health.

Scientists Find Key to Fighting Ageing Blood Disorders

Targeting overactive mitochondria in mutant blood cells could prevent age-related diseases, a new study suggests.  

Researchers discovered that blood stem cells with a common ageing mutation (DNMT3A) have hyperactive mitochondria, making them vulnerable to certain drugs.  

The antioxidant MitoQ selectively weakened these mutant cells while leaving healthy ones unharmed in both mice and human cell tests.  

"This could let us intervene before aging blood cells cause cancer, heart disease, or diabetes," said lead researcher Jennifer Trowbridge.  

The mutation tricks cells into overusing energy, helping them outcompete normal cells over time — a major driver of age-related illnesses.  

Unlike chemotherapy, this approach precisely targets bad cells by exploiting their unique energy signature.  

Next steps include human trials to see if this method safely reduces disease risk long-term.  

New Skin Cream May Slow Ageing from the Outside In, Study Suggests

A special anti-ageing skin cream showed surprising whole-body benefits in a recent clinical trial.  

The 12-week study found that a peptide-packed formula called OS-01 improved skin hydration while also lowering inflammation markers linked to ageing.  

Participants using OS-01 saw their ‘biological age’ (measured by blood tests) stay steady, while the control group aged nearly a year biologically during the study, suggesting healthy skin may slow down the body’s ageing clock.

The cream contains a senotherapeutic peptide that targets ageing cells without entering the bloodstream.  

Women aged 60–90 using OS-01 showed reduced inflammatory chemicals tied to age-related diseases.  

Experts caution these early findings need verification in larger, longer studies with diverse groups.  

Plant-Based Protein Linked to Longer Life, Global Study Finds

Eating more plant-based proteins like beans, tofu and whole grains may help you live longer, according to a new international study.  

In the longevity analysis, researchers combed through 60 years of dietary data from 101 countries and found nations with higher plant protein consumption had longer adult life expectancies.  

While animal proteins (meat, eggs, dairy) helped reduce infant mortality, plant proteins showed stronger benefits for adult longevity.  

Countries like India, with plant-heavy diets, outperformed meat-focused nations like the U.S. in adult lifespan after accounting for wealth differences.  

"Plant proteins are linked to lower risks of heart disease, diabetes and cancer," said lead researcher Caitlin Andrews from the University of Sydney.  

The findings support longevity patterns seen in Blue Zones like Okinawa, where plant-based diets are common.  

The study was published after adjusting for economic factors across six decades of global data.  

End Note

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the latest longevity research for the month of April, learning about new longevity technology, anti-ageing human trials, as well as breakthroughs in extending the lifespan of humans. 

At Xandro, we’re equally as fascinated as you are about healthy living and longevity, which is why we enjoy sharing longevity research news each month. We’re also interested in healthspan extension, using biohacking to help with longevity and ageing. We’ve also developed longevity science supplements, including Protocol X and LPC Neuro, to help you feel better for longer. 

Be sure to check them out if interested, especially since they’re made from ingredients backed by life extension studies!

Science-First. Trusted Longevity Solutions.