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There have never been more science-backed ways to live a healthier, longer life. In the February
Abstract, we cover a handful of new studies that prove the point—with strategies you can use today and research that paves the way for future interventions. Read on to learn about NAD+ depletion and intestinal aging, the surprising way obesity drugs also target inflammation, how playing music supports working memory and executive function with age, and the facts about berry consumption and mortality risk. We also honor Judith Campisi, Ph.D., an eminent aging researcher and cellular senescence pioneer, who passed away last month.
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Depleted NAD+ Drives Intestinal Aging
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Intestinal villi. Image source: Caleb Dawson, WEHI, Nikon Small World
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The mitochondria, also known as the powerhouses of our cells, play a vital role in health, and they become dysfunctional as we age. A new study in mice demonstrates that the accumulation of mutations in the DNA of mitochondria (mtDNA), a cause of mitochondrial dysfunction, contributes to intestinal aging. Using a mouse model of premature aging and organoids that resemble intestinal tissue, the researchers further determined that
“mtDNA mutation burden causes intestinal aging through NAD+ depletion.” The mutations trigger a repair process that requires NAD+, resulting in NAD+ depletion. By restoring levels of NAD+ with the precursor NMN, researchers were able to alleviate markers of aging in the intestine. Please note further research is needed to confirm whether the same result would extrapolate to humans.
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The Expert’s Take:
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“Mitochondrial DNA mutations have been shown to induce aging in multiple organs in mice, including the ovary, heart, and liver, and appear to accelerate aging phenotypes in tissues with strong energy requirements. The accumulation of mtDNA mutations has also been detected in aged human clinical intestinal samples. The sub-cellular mechanisms involved, however, are still unknown. The authors of this new study demonstrated that the accumulation of mtDNA mutations also contributes to intestinal aging in mice and that the burden of mutations results in NAD+ depletion. NAD+ repletion, via supplementation with NMN, alleviated the aging phenotypes. The results of this study add to the growing evidence for the role of depleted NAD+ levels as a driver of accelerated aging in multiple tissues.”
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Ryan Dellinger, Ph.D.
Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Elysium Health
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THIS MONTH
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What We’re Reading
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These are third-party articles about science that we find interesting but have no relationship to Elysium or any of our products. Elysium’s products are not intended to screen, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Obesity Drugs Also Suppress Inflammation
Anti-obesity drugs show incredible promise for supporting weight loss and treating diabetes. These GLP-1 receptor agonists—semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy and Ozempic, and tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound—work by mimicking the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) to dampen appetite. Multiple studies show another benefit: they suppress inflammation in a variety of organs and tissues, from the liver to the brain. The process uses the same GLP-1 receptors and is mediated by the brain, according to researchers. This is potentially a groundbreaking finding because inflammation plays a role in many chronic diseases. Clinical trials are now underway for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, which are characterized by neuroinflammation.
(Nature)
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Playing an Instrument Supports Cognition
There are a number of evidence-based ways to support your brain health as you age, from following the MIND diet and socializing to getting regular exercise. A new study adds singing and playing a musical instrument to the list. Researchers at the University of Exeter in the UK studied 1,570 participants over the age of 40, assessing their self-reported musical expertise and their cognitive performance. They found
“clear, significant associations” between musical factors and cognitive performance. Playing a musical instrument was associated with better working memory; singing was positively associated with executive function; and overall musical ability was positively associated with working memory. Specifically, playing the keyboard or a brass instrument was associated with better working memory, while playing a woodwind instrument favored better executive function. Unfortunately, there was no association between listening to music and cognitive ability. (International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry)
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Eat Berries, Live Longer?
A handful of berries a day keeps mortality away. Not too catchy—but accurate, according to a new study of 37,232 people from the 1994–2014 NHANES cohort. Compared to people who didn’t eat any berries, those who reported eating berries had a 21% reduction in mortality risk during a follow-up period of eight years. Of the three berries considered individually, cranberries had the most benefit (31% reduction), followed by blueberries (21%) and strawberries (14%). Researchers also calculated mortality risk based on consumption of total flavonoids, the phytochemical compounds present in berries that give them their nutritional benefit. They found a dose-response relationship between consumption and lower all-cause mortality risks—meaning the more nutrients from berries, the better.
(Nutritional Epidemiology)
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In Memoriam: Judith Campisi, Ph.D.
Esteemed aging researcher Judith “Judy” Campisi, Ph.D., has passed away—and the scientific community is celebrating her life and grieving her loss. Dr. Campisi was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She was a professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, where she directed the Campisi Lab and contributed significantly to our understanding of cellular senescence and its role in aging.
“Dr. Judith Campisi was the leader in the field of cell senescence over the past several decades,” said
Leonard Guarente, Ph.D., Elysium chief scientist and director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at MIT.
“Her seminal discovery of the SASP (senescence activated secretory program) first indicated that senescent cells would be a major component of mammalian aging and that human aging would thus be driven by a pro-inflammation mechanism. Dr. Campisi’s career stands as one of the most impactful ever in creating an understanding of how we age.” (The Buck Institute for Research on Aging)
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TERM OF THE MONTH
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Flavonoid
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/ˈflāvəˌnoid/
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Flavonoids are natural compounds found in many fruits, vegetables, plants, and leaves. There are six major types of flavonoids, including anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavanones, flavones, and isoflavones. These compounds have a variety of health benefits thanks to their anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, and anti-carcinogenic properties. A flavonoid-rich diet—high in fruits and vegetables—has been associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality.
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AGING 101
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What Is Pterostilbene?
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Pterostilbene is a powerful antioxidant found in certain berries and nuts—especially blueberries—that is similar to resveratrol but more potent. It’s also one of the two primary ingredients in
Basis. Explore this guide to learn more about the science of pterostilbene and its role in healthy aging. (Read More)
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