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Good morning. It’s Tuesday, October 7th.

In today’s email:

• Focus: FDA Approves Mitochondrial Drug

• Try: Get Into Zone 2

• Think: Would You Let a Robot Give You a Massage?

• Eat: Butternut Squash

• In the News: Learning from Jane Goodall

• Brain Games: Logic Equations

Stat of the Day

The number of global robotic-assisted surgeries. (Intuitive)

Focus

FDA Approves Mitochondrial Drug

There are two things at the top of the list for people who go to extremes to optimize longevity - mitochondrial health and peptides.

Nearly every cell in our body (except red blood cells) contains hundreds to thousands of mitochondria - our tiny power plants. They create ATP, the molecule that - for lack of a better description - fuels every process in our body.

When they degrade, we feel it: fatigue, slower recovery, inflammation, and age-related decline.

Mitochondria dysfunction is essential to delay - it’s considered a hallmark of aging and is linked to frailty, neurodegeneration (brain decline), heart disease, and metabolic dysfunction.

That’s why Thrive25 emphasizes habits that strengthen them: Zone 2 training, deep sleep, stress reduction, magnesium, omega-3s, and whole-food nutrition.

The other thing we hear more and more about is peptides. These are fragments of amino acids (which build up into proteins). Each peptide serves a specific function.

SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide that’s been popular in compounding circles for years. Last month, the FDA officially approved it for patients with Barth syndrome, a rare mitochondrial disease.

What specifically does SS-31 do?

• Stabilizes mitochondrial structure so our cells make energy more efficiently.

• Protects membranes from oxidative “leaks” and prevents stressed cells from self-destructing.

• Boosts energy production in aging cells - shown in preclinical trials and early human data.

So should you go out and get a prescription for SS-31?

Well as stated above, it’s only been approved for people with Barth syndrome - not to combat aging. That said, if you could acquire it - SS-31 requires daily injections and will cost $50K/year.

This is actually one of the reasons biohackers are upset with the FDA approval - it will most likely be harder to get off label at compounding pharmacies for a cheaper price.

But this approval matters. It’s the first time the FDA has validated that improving mitochondrial function can treat disease. For everyone focused on longevity, that’s proof that the “power plant” model isn’t fringe science - it’s the future of health.

Taking any peptide or drug is only effective if you’re also willing to put in the time and effort for the lifestyle prescriptions that matter for longevity.

But this approval does suggest the science is more real than not. At the end of the day we need high functioning mitochondria - peptides might be a part of the answer.

Try

Get Into Zone 2

Spend at least 30 minutes a day in Zone 2 movement - that means your heart rate is 60-70% of its max. Or another way - you can talk while you do the movement, but not easily.

Things like walking briskly uphill, hiking, jogging, biking - these all increase the expression of PGC-1α, the “master regulator” of mitochondrial growth and energy metabolism.

Bonus: do these workouts outside to get natural light to improve circadian rhythm and boost your mood!

Thrive25 Partner Spotlight

Still up? Still scrolling? It’s time to turn off.

From the team behind AG1 and AGZ...

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It's simple: dial in, press a button, and hear the sweet science behind AGZ whispered directly in your ear. From magnesium for sleep support, to adaptogens for stress, to L-theanine for relaxation - every call leads to better rest.*

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_{* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.}

Think

Would You Let a Robot Give You a Massage?

Robots have been in healthcare for a long time now.

It was actually 40 years ago - back in 1985 - when the PUMA 560 was the first robot to assist with a surgery (it was a brain biopsy), far longer ago than most people realize.

In 2000, the FDA approved the da Vinci Surgical System - the backbone of all kinds of surgeries happening every single day. It seemed scary at the time (and maybe still does a bit), but the machine has far greater precision than any human doctor and results in fewer complications.

But what about using robots on something outside the operating room - your massage.

Thanks to AI - there’s now a massage robot that combines precision hardware with adaptive intelligence.

It begins with a full-body scan that maps over one million data points on your body. It learns your exact contours, muscle tension, and pressure preferences. Then the dual robotic arms go to work, applying synchronized, heated movements that feel (allegedly) surprisingly human.

Here’s where the AI matters: the system doesn’t just repeat a routine - it learns. Each session refines its technique, adjusting in real-time to your body’s feedback. You can stay fully clothed, choose the temperature, and control everything from a touchscreen (or let the AI take over).

The health benefits of massage are real: it reduces stress hormones, improves circulation, boosts immunity, and supports recovery. Even massages as short as 15 minutes show benefits.

The question is - are you more or less likely to let a robot give you a massage?

Eat

Butternut Squash 🎃

Butternut squash is one of my fall favorites! It’s sweet - but not too much - and has a nutty taste that is somewhat addicting. And - it’s packed with nutrients that support our gut, immune system, and heart. And there’s so many ways to make it - roast it, mash it, or blend it into soup (my go-to).

Health benefits

🌾 Fiber Powerhouse: One cup delivers 6.5g of fiber (that’s ~30% of our daily needs). Considering 95% of us don’t get enough fiber, it’s a great addition to your plate.

🛡️ Antioxidant Armor: Loaded with beta-carotene (why it’s orange), plus vitamins A, C, and E. These antioxidants protect our cells and lower long-term risk of the chronic diseases that crush our aging. Cooking it actually makes the carotenoids even more bioavailable.

👀 Vision Support: Just one cup covers ~50% of our daily vitamin A needs - key for retinal health and protecting against night blindness (see Issue 461).

💪 Immune Boost: That same serving also packs 31mg of vitamin C (~30% DV) and nearly 20% of our magnesium needs, both proven to support immune defense and reduce inflammation.

❤️ Cardio-Friendly: High fiber + potassium = better cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and reduced heart disease risk.

How to squash

🥣 Serving size: 1 cup cooked (82 calories, 6.5g fiber, 582mg potassium).
🍽️ Anytime meals: Roast cubes with olive oil, puree into soup, or toss ribbons into a salad.
🧑‍🍳 Pro Tip: Pair with healthy fats (like olive oil or avocado) to maximize absorption of carotenoids.
⚠️ Considerations: Most people are fine, but those with kidney disease may need to limit due to potassium.

Bonus: Don’t toss the seeds! Roast them just like pumpkin seeds for an extra crunchy, nutrient-dense snack.

H&L in the News

The Art of Ageless Living: Jane Goodall’s secret to longevity wasn’t magic - it was movement, purpose, optimism, and time outdoors. Her life proves that curiosity, connection, and a sense of meaning keep both body and mind young. (NYTimes)

Rewriting the Rules of Blood: University of British Columbia scientists used enzyme tech to turn a kidney from type A to universal type O - marking the first successful blood-type conversion in a human transplant and a breakthrough toward faster, lifesaving matches. (News-Medical.net)

The Day After Genius: When AI outthinks us, what’s left of being human? Computer scientist Louis Rosenberg warns that AGI’s biggest disruption won’t be jobs or tech - it’ll be an identity crisis redefining what it means to think. (Big Think)

Brain Games

Logic Equations

6 variables today - A, B, C, D, E and F - with six possible values - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. None of the variables can share the same number. Based on the following equations, what do the variables equal:

1. C + E = A + 6

2. B + D = A + 4

3. D + F = C + 3

It might be 6 variables and only 3 equations, but get out the stop watch and see how fast you can solve!

Credit: Brainzilla

** For answer, scroll to the bottom of the email

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Brain Games Answer

Answer: Yellow are the values for the variables. A=3, B=1, etc.

Why?

• Start with equation (1). To be possible, A ≤ 3 and C, E are in the set {2,3,4,5}. (If A = 4, then C + E = 10 and C or E would need to be 4 + 6, not possible)

• Now, look at equation (2). If A ≤ 3, then B, D are in the set {1,2,3,5,6}. It doesn’t seem like we’re making much progress. But compare the two potential answer sets when A =1, 2 or 3.

• The only possible value for A is 3. Now we know B,D = {1,6} and C,E = {4,5}. And F = 2.

• Last equation. Plug in F = 2 into equation (3) and rearrange to get D =  C + 1. So C = 5, D = 6, E = 4 and B = 1

✅ How long did it take you?

We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.

This newsletter is for you and we truly value your feedback. Never hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].

To health!