Testing & Tracking
DEXA Scan — Bone Density and Body Composition
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA, sometimes written DXA) is the gold-standard imaging modality for measuring bone mineral density and the most accurate consumer-accessible method for measuring body composition (fat mass, lean mass, visceral…
Epigenetic Age Clocks — TruDiagnostic vs DunedinPACE vs GlycanAge
"Biological age" — as distinct from chronological age — has become one of the most-marketed concepts in the longevity consumer space. The underlying science is real and increasingly substantial: it is now well-established that certain DNA…
Full-Body MRI (Prenuvo, Ezra, Q Bio)
Full-body magnetic resonance imaging — sold under brands including Prenuvo, Ezra, and Q Bio — is a consumer-direct whole-body MRI scan marketed for early detection of cancer and incidental findings. The scans take approximately 45–60 minutes,…
Galleri — Multi-Cancer Early Detection
Galleri is a blood test developed by GRAIL (now an independent public company after spin-off from Illumina) that detects cell-free DNA shed by cancer into the circulation. Using methylation pattern analysis on a panel of ~100,000 genomic sites,…
Compounds & Therapies
5-Amino-1MQ — NNMT Inhibitor
5-Amino-1-methylquinolinium iodide (5-amino-1MQ) is a small-molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), the enzyme that methylates nicotinamide using S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a methyl donor. Two metabolic problems flow from…
Alpha-Lipoic Acid: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring dithiol compound that functions as an essential cofactor in mitochondrial energy metabolism and one of the most versatile antioxidants in human biochemistry. Unlike most antioxidants, ALA is both water- and fat-soluble, enabling it…
Apigenin
Chamomile-derived flavonoid with CD38 inhibition and NAD+ modulation potential
ARA-290 (Cibinetide)
Innate Repair Receptor Agonist in Phase 2 Development
Astaxanthin
A powerful carotenoid antioxidant supporting eye health, athletic recovery, and cardiovascular function
Bimagrumab (BYM338)
Bimagrumab (BYM338) is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds and blocks the activin receptor type II (ActRII), preventing signaling from myostatin, activin A, and other ActRII ligands that negatively regulate skeletal muscle mass. By blocking…
Bisphosphonates Explainer
Bisphosphonates are the most-prescribed and best-evidenced class of osteoporosis treatment. They are synthetic analogs of pyrophosphate (a natural bone-binding compound) that deposit in bone at sites of active resorption. Osteoclasts take up the…
Boron
An essential trace mineral supporting bone health, hormonal balance, and cognitive function
BPC-157
Emerging Peptide for Tissue Repair Research
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157): A Practical Guide
Overview BPC-157 is a synthetic pentadecapeptide (15 amino acids; sequence: GEPPPGKPADDAGLV) derived from a naturally occurring partial sequence found
Colostrum (Bovine)
Bovine first-milk concentrate for immune support and gut barrier health
Creatine Monohydrate
The gold standard for muscle energy and strength, backed by decades of research and approved globally
Curcumin & Turmeric Extract
A powerful polyphenol supporting inflammatory control and antioxidant defense, with bioavailability optimization required
Denosumab (Prolia)
Denosumab (brand name Prolia for osteoporosis, Xgeva for bone metastasis applications, Amgen) is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand). RANKL is the principal cytokine driving osteoclast…
Epitalon
Unproven Telomerase Activator From Russia
Epitalon (Epithalon): A Practical Guide
Overview Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly; 4 amino acids) originally developed by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Russian Academy of Sciences, beginning in the 1980s. It is a synthetic analog of…
Fisetin
Strawberry-derived flavonoid senolytic with Mayo Clinic clinical trial support
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)
Cosmetic Peptide With Topical Benefits and Injectable Research Status
GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide): A Practical Guide
Overview GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide first isolated from human plasma albumin by Loren Pickart in 1973. GHK is present in human plasma (200 ng/mL at age 20, declining to 80 ng/mL by age 60), saliva, and urine, and is…
HMB (Beta-Hydroxy Beta-Methylbutyrate)
A leucine metabolite supporting muscle protein synthesis and exercise recovery with solid clinical evidence
Immunomodulation Guide
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
KPV (Lysine-Proline-Valine)
Tripeptide Fragment With Zero Human Evidence
Lactoferrin
Overview Lactoferrin is a multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein found in high concentrations in colostrum and breast milk, and at lower levels in most exocrine secretions. Bovine lactoferrin (bLF) shares ~70% structural homology with human lactoferrin and demonstrates comparable biological…
LL-37
Human Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide (Preclinical Only)
Lysine
An essential amino acid supporting collagen synthesis, immune function, and herpes simplex virus management
Macular Protection Stack (AREDS2)
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and its successor AREDS2 are among the most rigorously conducted nutritional intervention trials in modern medicine. Funded by the National Eye Institute and conducted over more than two decades, the trials…
Metformin
The Metabolic Workhorse for Glucose Control and Longevity
Methylene Blue
Antioxidant with cognitive enhancement potential, serotonin syndrome risk critical
MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA Type-c): A Practical Guide
Overview MOTS-c is a 16-amino acid peptide encoded not in the nuclear genome but in the mitochondrial genome — specifically within the 12S ribosomal RNA gene of mitochondrial DNA. It was identified in 2015 by Changhan David Lee and colleagues at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology…
MOTS-c (Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide)
Preclinical Mitochondrial Peptide With Theoretical Metabolic Benefits
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
Cellular antioxidant and glutathione precursor for robust defense
NAD+ Precursors (NMN/NR)
Cellular energy currency and sirtuin activator with evolving regulatory status
Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0)
Odd-chain saturated fatty acid for metabolic flexibility and cellular signaling
Pterostilbene — The Resveratrol Analog, the LDL Signal, and Why We No Longer Recommend It
Pterostilbene raised LDL cholesterol by 17.1 mg/dL in the best human RCT (Riche 2014, n=80, P=0.001). The sirtuin/longevity claim has not translated to demonstrated human clinical benefit. Vanguard's revised position: we do not recommend oral pterostilbene supplementation.
Quercetin
Bioflavonoid antioxidant and senolytic candidate with emerging longevity research
R-Lipoic Acid (R-ALA)
Overview Alpha-lipoic acid exists as two stereoisomers: R-ALA (the biologically native, endogenously produced form) and S-ALA (not found in nature). Most commercial ALA is racemic (R,S). The R-form demonstrates substantially superior bioavailability, tissue uptake, and biological activity …
Resveratrol
Grape-derived stilbene and sirtuin activator with mixed clinical outcomes
Romosozumab (Evenity)
Romosozumab (brand name Evenity, Amgen/UCB) is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting sclerostin, a protein secreted by osteocytes that inhibits the Wnt signaling pathway in osteoblasts. By neutralizing sclerostin, romosozumab simultaneously…
Selenium
Essential trace mineral with a narrow therapeutic window; supplementation did not prevent cancer in the large trials.
Spermidine
Polyamine autophagy inducer with longevity research implications
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
Investigational Mitochondrial Protective Peptide in Active Development
Sulforaphane (Broccoli Extract)
Cruciferous phytochemical with potent anti-cancer and detoxification support
TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 Fragment): A Practical Guide
Overview TB-500 is a synthetic peptide corresponding to the 17-amino-acid actin-binding domain of thymosin beta-4
TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4)
Actin-Binding Peptide Under Scrutiny
Telmisartan
ARB with unique PPAR-gamma activation; off-label optimization use emerging
Testosterone
The Gold Standard in Male Hormone Optimization
Thymosin Alpha-1
Approved in 35+ Countries (Except US, EU, UK, Australia, Canada)
Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4): A Practical Guide
Overview Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is a 43-amino acid, naturally occurring protein ubiquitously expressed in nearly all mammalian cells (except red blood cells) and present at high concentrations in platelets, wound fluid, and tissue in active regeneration. It is the most abundant member of the…
Thymulin: A Practical Guide
Overview Thymulin (also known as FTS — facteur thymique sérique, or serum thymic factor) is a nonapeptide (9 amino acids; pyroglutamate-Ala-Lys-Ser-Gln-Gly-Gly-Ser-Asn) produced by thymic epithelial cells (TECs) in the thymus gland. First isolated by Bach and colleagues in France in the 1970s…
TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid)
Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is the taurine-conjugated form of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a hydrophilic bile acid produced naturally in humans in small quantities. In Europe it has been used clinically since the 1990s for cholestatic liver…
Urolithin A
Postbiotic mitophagy activator for cellular quality control and longevity
Ursolic Acid
Pentacyclic triterpenoid from apple peel with emerging longevity potential
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)
Endogenous Neuropeptide With Limited Clinical Evidence for CIRS
Vitamin C (Oral)
Antioxidant and collagen synthesis cofactor for immunity and connective tissue health
Vitamin D3
Secosteroid hormone precursor for skeletal, immune, and metabolic health
Vitamin K2 (MK-7)
Menaquinone-7 for bone mineralization and vascular health with critical warfarin interactions
Vuity and Pilocarpine Drops for Presbyopia
Presbyopia — the age-related loss of near vision accommodation that affects essentially all adults by their mid-40s — has been managed historically through reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses, contact lens monovision, and surgical…
Zinc
Essential trace mineral for immune function, protein synthesis, and cellular health
Procedures & Modalities
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Device-regulated; FDA-approved for specific medical indications; off-label wellness use emerging
IV Nutrient Therapy (Vitamin Infusions)
Unregulated practice when used off-label; bypasses oral bioavailability limits; evidence limited
Ozone Therapy
Unregulated practice; oxidative stress mechanism; lacks robust clinical evidence; safety concerns
PEMF Therapy (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field)
Device status varies; some FDA-cleared for specific indications; off-label wellness use largely unregulated
Red Light (Low-Level Laser) Therapy
Device-regulated; FDA-cleared for pain and wound healing; off-label anti-aging and cognitive use emerging
Sauna (Dry & Steam)
Unregulated wellness practice; evidence for cardiovascular and heat stress adaptation benefits
Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
Device-regulated; FDA-approved (PMA) for plantar fasciitis and lateral epicondylitis; emerging use for vascularity and ED
Strength Training for Longevity
Skeletal muscle is increasingly recognized in the longevity literature as a metabolic and endocrine organ — a glucose disposal sink, an endocrine signaling source (myokines), a reserve for the metabolic challenges of acute illness and recovery, and…
Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC)
Device-regulated; emerging evidence for recovery; safety concerns with extreme cold; athletic use growing
Protocols & Reference
Fasting-Mimicking Diet (Prolon)
The fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) is a 5-day, low-calorie, low-protein, low-carbohydrate dietary protocol developed by Valter Longo's group at USC and commercialized as the Prolon program (L-Nutra). The protocol provides about 4,600 kJ (\(~1,100\)…
Peptide Stacking Protocol: Research-Based Combination Frameworks
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Protocol Overview & Critical Disclaimers 2. Peptide Categories & Functional Mechanisms 3. Goal-Based Stacking Frameworks 4. Critical Stacking Rules & Safety Principles 5. Reconstitution, Storage & Administration 6. Monitoring Framework & Baseline Requirements 7.
Prolonged Fasting (3, 5, 7 Day)
Prolonged water-only or near-water-only fasting — typically 3, 5, or 7 days — has emerged from a niche longevity practice into a recurring feature of the men's optimization conversation. The mechanistic case is interesting: prolonged fasting drives…
Time-Restricted Eating
Time-restricted eating (TRE) is the practice of confining all daily caloric intake to a defined window — most commonly 8 hours (16:8), 10 hours (14:10), 6 hours (18:6), or one meal per day (23:1, OMAD). The intervention has exploded in cultural…
Practices & Lifestyle
Acupuncture: A Practical Guide
Overview Acupuncture is a therapeutic practice originating from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) involving the insertion of fine, sterile needles at specific anatomical points ("acupuncture points" or "acupoints") on the body for therapeutic purposes. In classical TCM theory, acupuncture is…
AICAR
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide), also called acadesine or simply AICA riboside, is an AMP analog that activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) — the central cellular energy sensor and metabolic regulator. Activation of…
ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid): A Practical Guide
Overview Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an 18-carbon, plant-derived omega-3 fatty acid (18:3n-3) and the only truly essential omega-3—meaning humans cannot synthesize it and must obtain it from diet. It is abundant in flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, hemp seeds, and canola oil. ALA is a metabolic…
Astragalus: A Practical Guide
Overview Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi) is one of the most fundamental herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine, used for over 2,000 years as a tonic for "Qi deficiency"—fatigue, immune weakness, and susceptibility to illness. Its primary bioactive compounds include polysaccharides…
Beta-Blockers and Aging: A Practical Guide
Overview Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers (beta-blockers) are a class of medications that competitively block catecholamine (epinephrine, norepinephrine) binding at beta-adrenergic receptors (β1, β2, β3). They are among the oldest and most widely prescribed cardiovascular drug classes, with…
Beta-Carotene: A Practical Guide
Overview Beta-carotene is the most abundant and best-studied provitamin A carotenoid—a 40-carbon symmetrical molecule with two beta-ionone ring end groups that is cleaved by BCMO1 (beta-carotene monooxygenase 1) in intestinal enterocytes to produce retinal and, subsequently, retinol (vitamin…
Boswellia: A Practical Guide
Overview Boswellia (Boswellia serrata, Indian frankincense; also B. sacra, B. carterii) is a tree whose resin gum—commonly known as frankincense—has been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Middle Eastern medicine for thousands of years. Its primary bioactive compounds are boswellic acids…
Calcium: A Practical Guide
Overview Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body, with roughly 99% stored in bone and teeth and 1% circulating in serum, intracellular fluid, and soft tissues. It is essential for skeletal integrity, neuromuscular function, cardiac rhythmicity, vascular smooth-muscle tone…
Chiropractic & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: A Practical Guide
Overview Chiropractic and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) are two distinct but overlapping manual medicine disciplines centered on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal and neuromusculoskeletal conditions through hands-on manipulation of the spine, joints, and soft tissues.
Collagen Peptides: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen) are short-chain amino acid sequences derived from enzymatic hydrolysis of animal collagen,
Copper: A Practical Guide
Overview Copper is an essential trace mineral and catalytic cofactor for more than 30 enzymes involved in energy metabolism, iron homeostasis, antioxidant defense, connective-tissue synthesis, neurotransmitter production, and immune function. Though required in small amounts (RDA ~0.9 mg/day)…
Cordyceps Mushroom — Mitochondrial Support and Aerobic Performance
At a Glance Cordyceps is a genus of parasitic fungi with a documented history in Tibetan and Chinese medicine as a fatigue and performance compound. Two species dominate supplementation: Cordyceps sinensis (the wild, expensive, traditionally prized form) and Cordyceps militaris (the…
Creatine: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Creatine monohydrate is the most extensively researched and consistently effective performance supplement in sports science, with over
Curcumin: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Curcumin is the principal bioactive polyphenol in turmeric (Curcuma longa), responsible for its characteristic yellow color and
Dasatinib + Quercetin (D+Q Senolytic Combination): A Practical Guide
Overview The combination of dasatinib (a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for chronic myelogenous leukemia) and quercetin (a plant flavonoid, described separately in the polyphenols monograph) represents the first clinically tested senolytic therapy — a pharmacological approach…
EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate): A Practical Guide
Overview Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the principal polyphenol catechin in green tea (Camellia sinensis), comprising ~50–60% of the catechin content of green tea extract (GTE). It is among the most studied plant polyphenols in biomedical research, with evidence spanning antioxidant…
Exosome Biologics: A Practical Guide
Overview Exosomes are nanosized (30–150 nm diameter) extracellular vesicles secreted by virtually all mammalian cells through the endosomal pathway. They contain a complex cargo of: microRNAs (miRNAs), messenger RNAs (mRNAs), proteins (enzymes, growth factors, transcription factors), lipids…
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): A Practical Guide
Overview Ginger is the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, a flowering plant whose bioactive compounds—primarily gingerols (fresh ginger), shogaols (dried/heated ginger), paradols, and zingerone—have been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years. Ginger has one of…
Glutathione (GSH): A Practical Guide
Overview Glutathione (GSH; γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine) is the most abundant endogenous antioxidant in the human body — present at millimolar concentrations inside nearly every cell. It is a tripeptide synthesized intracellularly from glutamate, cysteine, and glycine via two ATP-dependent…
Gynostemma Pentaphyllum: A Practical Guide
Overview Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan, "immortality herb") is a climbing vine native to southern China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, used in traditional Chinese medicine as an adaptogen and longevity tonic. Its primary bioactive compounds are dammarane-type saponins called gypenosides…
Iron: A Practical Guide
Overview Iron is a trace mineral essential for oxygen transport (hemoglobin), cellular respiration (cytochromes, mitochondrial electron transport), DNA synthesis (ribonucleotide reductase), and neurotransmitter production (tyrosine hydroxylase for dopamine/norepinephrine). Iron deficiency is…
Joint and Tendon Optimization — A Layered Protocol
Joint and tendon issues — whether from training, age, or injury — pull from one of the busiest corners of the peptide and supplement market. This protocol layers the evidence: foundation (load management, sleep, protein, mechanical exposure), well-evidenced supplements (collagen with vitamin…
L-Histidine
Category: Amino Acids Tags: Amino Acids, Carnosine, Buffering, Histamine, Anti-inflammatory Key Takeaways - Histidine is a conditionally essential amino acid and the primary amino acid contributor to physiological buffering near neutral pH via its imidazole side chain — the biochemical basis…
L-Proline
Category: Amino Acids Tags: Amino Acids, Collagen, Connective Tissue, Wound Healing, Joint Health Key Takeaways - Proline is the structural amino acid essential to collagen triple-helix stability; without adequate vitamin C, both proline and lysine hydroxylation fail — producing defective…
Longevity Guide
Rapamycin (Sirolimus)
Lutein & Zeaxanthin: A Practical Guide
Overview Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids (oxygenated carotenoids) that selectively accumulate in the human macula (the high-acuity central region of the retina), forming the macular pigment optical density (MPOD). They are not synthesized by the human body and must be…
Manganese: A Practical Guide
Overview Manganese is an essential trace mineral required as a cofactor for dozens of enzymes spanning carbohydrate metabolism, antioxidant defense, bone formation, amino acid metabolism, and immune function. Like many trace minerals, its clinical significance is primarily on two ends of the…
Metformin: A Practical Guide
Overview Metformin (dimethylbiguanide) is a first-line oral anti-hyperglycemic agent derived from galegine, a natural compound found in French
Milk Thistle (Silymarin): A Practical Guide
Overview Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed extract contains silymarin, a complex of flavonolignans—primarily silybin (silibinin), silydianin, and silychristin—with antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties. Silybin is the most biologically active and…
MitoQ (Mitoquinone): A Practical Guide
Overview MitoQ (mitoquinone mesylate; [10-(4,5-dimethoxy-2-methyl-3,6-dioxo-1,4-cyclohexadien-1-yl) decyl]triphenylphosphonium mesylate) is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant developed by Michael Murphy and Robin Smith at the University of Otago, New Zealand, in the late 1990s and…
Molybdenum: A Practical Guide
Overview Molybdenum is an ultra-trace mineral required as a cofactor for four mammalian enzymes: sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase/dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, and mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component (mARC). Deficiency is exceptionally rare in humans outside of genetic enzyme…
NADH: A Practical Guide
Overview NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is the active, electron-carrying form of NAD+. It is the primary electron donor in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and participates in hundreds of metabolic reactions — most critically in the citric acid cycle and the electron…
Navitoclax (ABT-263): A Practical Guide
Overview Navitoclax (ABT-263) is a small-molecule BH3 mimetic — a drug that mimics the BH3 (Bcl-2 homology domain 3) domain of pro-apoptotic proteins to inhibit anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members (BCL-2, BCL-XL, BCL-W). It was developed by AbbVie as an oncology agent targeting BCL-2-dependent…
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide): NAD+ Precursor Guide
NMN raises NAD+ levels in humans with solid mechanistic rationale and early clinical data. Updated September 2025: FDA confirmed NMN lawful as a dietary supplement, reversing a 2022 exclusion.
NMN vs NR vs Niacinamide — NAD+ Precursors
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme central to cellular energy metabolism, DNA repair, and sirtuin-mediated signaling involved in aging biology. Circulating and tissue NAD+ levels decline with age in animals and humans. Multiple…
NMN: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a direct precursor to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme central to cellular energy metabolism, DNA repair, and sirtuin-mediated longevity signaling. NAD+ levels decline with age — approximately 50% from young adulthood to…
Phosphorus: A Practical Guide
Overview Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the body after calcium, with approximately 85% residing in bone and teeth as hydroxyapatite and the remaining 15% distributed in soft tissues and blood. It is a structural component of DNA, RNA, phospholipid membranes, and ATP—making…
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone): A Practical Guide
Overview Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a redox-active quinone compound found in trace amounts in many foods (especially natto, green peppers, kiwi, and breast milk) and in soil bacteria. It was identified as a bacterial cofactor for some oxidoreductases and was initially proposed as a…
Protein Requirements for Aging Adults
The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. That number was set decades ago based on short-term nitrogen-balance studies in young sedentary adults, and it represents the minimum required…
Rapamycin (Sirolimus) — The mTOR Longevity Case
At a Glance Rapamycin (sirolimus) is an FDA-approved mTOR inhibitor with some of the most compelling preclinical longevity evidence of any existing compound — it is the best-studied mTOR inhibitor for lifespan extension in multiple mammalian models, including trials where treatment began late…
Rapamycin vs Metformin for Longevity
Rapamycin (sirolimus) and metformin are the two off-label drugs most often discussed in the longevity optimization conversation. Both have substantial preclinical evidence for healthspan or lifespan benefit, both have been the subject of ongoing…
Reishi Mushroom — Immune Longevity and Adaptogenic Support
At a Glance Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is one of the most extensively researched medicinal mushrooms in traditional and modern pharmacology, used in East Asian medicine for over 2,000 years. Its primary bioactives — triterpenoids and beta-glucan polysaccharides — deliver a well-documented…
Resveratrol: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Resveratrol is a stilbenoid polyphenol found primarily in grape skin, red wine, and Japanese knotweed (the primary
Schisandra: A Practical Guide
Overview Schisandra chinensis (Wu Wei Zi, "five-flavor berry") is a woody vine whose berries are prized in traditional Chinese medicine for containing all five elemental flavors—sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent—reflecting a diverse phytochemical profile. Its primary bioactives are…
Shilajit: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin that forms over centuries from the decomposition of plant matter in
Stem Cell Interventions: A Practical Guide
Overview Stem cell therapy encompasses a broad spectrum of interventions involving the administration of cells with self-renewal capacity and the ability to differentiate into specialized cell types — ranging from FDA-approved, rigorously tested blood stem cell transplantation (hematopoietic…
Strontium: A Practical Guide
Overview Strontium is an alkaline earth metal that sits directly below calcium on the periodic table and shares many of its chemical properties, including the ability to incorporate into bone mineral. Strontium ranelate, a pharmaceutical form developed in Europe, was the first bone-specific…
Turkey Tail Mushroom: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is among the most clinically researched medicinal mushrooms, distinguished by two well-characterized immunomodulatory polysaccharides: polysaccharide-K (PSK, also known as Krestin) and polysaccharide-peptide (PSP). PSK has been an approved cancer…
UDCA (Ursodeoxycholic Acid)
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, ursodiol) is a hydrophilic, low-toxicity bile acid that occurs naturally as a minor component of human bile (~1-3% of total bile acids) and as a major component of bear bile. Synthetic UDCA was developed in the 1970s and…
Vitamin A (Retinol & Retinyl Esters): A Practical Guide
Overview Vitamin A is a fat-soluble micronutrient essential for vision, immune function, cellular differentiation, and reproductive health. The term "Vitamin A" encompasses a family of structurally related compounds: preformed vitamin A (retinol, retinyl esters, retinoic acid — found in animal…
Vitamin D3 + K2: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is a fat-soluble prohormone produced in skin upon UVB exposure and found in
Vitamin E (Tocopherols & Tocotrienols): A Practical Guide
Overview Vitamin E is a family of eight fat-soluble antioxidant compounds: four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). Alpha-tocopherol is the most biologically active form in humans and the primary form measured in serum. It is the only form…
Yoga & Mobility Training: A Practical Guide
Overview Yoga is an ancient Indian practice integrating physical postures (asana), breath control (pranayama), meditation, and philosophical disciplines into a unified system. Modern evidence-based medicine has focused primarily on the physical practice of yoga — specifically its effects on…
Zinc: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Zinc is an essential trace mineral and structural cofactor in over 300 enzymes, playing fundamental roles in