Hi Reader,

While you were grilling last Labor Day weekend, scientists were busy rewriting the boundaries of human life. In the same week: AI reprogrammed cells 300x better than Nobel Prize-winning biology, researchers declared we’ll probably never live past 100, and another lab extended mouse lives by 73%.

And did you know that the average doctor's longevity stack is 7 items? See the survey highlights below.

When AI Became a Biologist: The Cell Reprogramming Revolution

Remember when AI was just good at chess? This past week, OpenAI's GPT-4b Micro did something far more impressive—it redesigned the biological equivalent of a master key that unlocks cellular youth.

The backstory: In 2012, scientist Shinya Yamanaka won a Nobel Prize for discovering four proteins that could turn adult cells back into stem cells—essentially hitting the biological reset button. The catch? It barely worked. Less than 0.1% of cells would actually reprogram, like trying to restore a vintage car with a success rate of one in a thousand.

Enter AI. OpenAI and biotech startup Retro Bio fed their model the challenge, and it redesigned these Yamanaka factors from scratch. The result? Over 30% of cells successfully reprogrammed—a 300-fold improvement. Multiple independent labs confirmed the results, showing robust DNA repair across different cell types.

Why this matters: We're not just using AI to analyze biology anymore—we're using it to rewrite biology's instruction manual. The same technology powering ChatGPT is now engineering proteins that could treat diseases we've considered untreatable.

And this is just the beginning.

The 60-Year-Old Mystery in Your Medicine Cabinet

For six decades, metformin has been medicine's most successful overachiever. Prescribed to millions for diabetes, it somehow also fights cancer, reduces inflammation, and might even slow aging itself. Doctors loved the results but had an embarrassing secret: nobody really knew why it worked.

This week, Japanese researchers at Kobe University finally caught metformin in the act. They discovered the drug is essentially performing a magic trick with metals in your bloodstream—lowering copper and iron while boosting zinc. It's like finding out your reliable family sedan has secretly been a transformer all along.

Dr. Wataru Ogawa's team studied 200 diabetes patients and found something remarkable: those taking metformin had significantly altered metal profiles. Lower copper reduces oxidative stress. Less iron means fewer free radicals. More zinc improves glucose tolerance. Each change alone would be beneficial—together, they might explain why this humble $4-per-month drug outperforms medications costing thousands.

What this means for you: That generic diabetes drug gathering dust in America's medicine cabinets might be one of our most sophisticated longevity tools—we just didn't know it.

Also ask your doctor about trying metformin for healthspan support. They can help you evaluate your risk-to-benefit profile and, of course, prescribe it for you if appropriate.

The Weight-Loss Drug Gold Rush Gets Micro

Silicon Valley’s latest biohack? Microdosing GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Enthusiasts believe tiny doses could deliver metabolic benefits—better insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammation—without the side effects or $1,000 price tag.

The problem: there’s zero studies proving it works. Most of what’s circulating are anecdotes on Reddit or in private physician group chats (I'm in many of them!).

Dr. Lin’s take: GLP-1s absolutely support health when used appropriately, but “tinkering” with microdoses is risky. Benefits likely depend on how metabolically healthy you already are, and side effects could outweigh gains. Proceed with caution.

How to Biohack Like a Doctor

Clinicians may not call themselves biohackers, but a recent survey of 129 doctors, nurses, and PAs revealed just how much self-experimentation is happening behind the scenes.

The median “longevity stack” was seven items. Most start with basics—exercise, diet, and sleep—then layer safe, evidence-backed supplements like vitamin D, magnesium, creatine, and omega-3s.

More experimental tools (GLP-1s, peptides, rapamycin) show up only in more complex regimens—and almost always alongside regular labs and wearables.

In other words: even the most cutting-edge doctors don’t fly blind.

My take:

• Nail the basics first. Exercise, sleep, diet, stress.
• Add the most proven supplements second. Vitamin D, magnesium, creatine, omega-3s (recall my supplement stack you got upon newsletter signup!).
• Layer advanced therapies carefully—and only with data and guidance.
• Use labs and wearables, not vibes, to guide your decisions.
• Watch pill burden. More isn’t always better.

The bar for “basic self-care” is rising. Rational biohacking isn’t about chasing shiny objects—it’s about systematic, evidence-driven self-experimentation.

We’re living in a strange but thrilling paradox. AI is rewriting biology, old drugs are revealing new tricks, and even doctors are turning into biohackers. At the same time, we’re reminded that the fundamentals—movement, sleep, nutrition—still underpin it all.

Longevity Quick Hits

🔍 Recent Highlights

• 🎥 Estrogen & Breast Cancer Risk – Why estrogen isn’t always the villain, and how the right type and timing of HRT could protect long-term health.
• 🎥 How Health Drives Startup Success – My Startupr Originals interview on why founder health is a company’s secret weapon against burnout and failure.
• 🎙️ Livelong Podcast: Surgery & Longevity – What real longevity medicine looks like, the hidden risks of surgery, and how personalization is the future.
• 🚀 Founders @ Care Core – Are you a founder? Check out our guide for longevity fitness as an entrepreneur.

📅 Upcoming Appearances

• 🎤 Ageless Evolution Summit – Oct 10, Silicon Valley. I'll be speaking First Principles Longevity in Mountain View. Come say hi!
• 🌐 HLTH USA – Longevity Session – Oct 19–22, Las Vegas. Panel: “Death Becomes Optional.” I'm on stage with the CEO of Nestle Health Science and CSO of Niagen Biosciences.

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Until next time, biohack responsibly,

Hillary Lin, MD

Co-Founder & CEO

​Care Core​

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Follow me for more longevity insights: YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok​

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