Testing & Tracking
Compounds & Therapies
ALCAR / L-Carnitine: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) and L-Carnitine are two forms of the same conditionally essential nutrient with distinct pharmacological profiles. L-Carnitine is the foundational form — essential for mitochondrial fatty acid transport and well-evidenced for cardiovascular health…
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…
Losartan — The Uricosuric ARB with a Marfan and TGF-β Story
Losartan (Cozaar, first FDA-approved 1995) is the prototype angiotensin II receptor blocker. It shares the class-level mechanism (selective AT1 receptor blockade), core indications (hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, heart failure, cardiovascular…
Phosphatidylserine: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid that forms a critical structural component of neuronal cell membranes and is one of the few supplements with an FDA-qualified health claim for cognitive function. It has a substantial human clinical trial database — particularly for…
Pinealon
Pinealon (Glu-Asp-Arg) is a synthetic tripeptide developed by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It is part of the broader Khavinson 'short peptide' bioregulator program, which has…
Procedures & Modalities
Adapalene: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Adapalene is a third-generation synthetic retinoid that became available over-the-counter in the US at 0.1% concentration (Differin) in 2016 — a significant regulatory change that made one of the most clinically validated acne and anti-aging actives accessible without a…
Ceramides & Barrier Repair: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Ceramides are the structural backbone of the skin's barrier — they make up approximately 50% of the lipids in the stratum corneum and are a central determinant of barrier integrity and transepidermal water loss, alongside cholesterol and free fatty acids. Age-related ceramide…
Retinaldehyde: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Retinaldehyde (retinal) is the intermediate form of vitamin A that sits between retinol and retinoic acid (tretinoin) in the retinoid conversion pathway — one enzymatic step away from the active form the skin actually uses. This position in the pathway gives it a clinical profile…
Practices & Lifestyle
Lab Testing for Men — The Optimization List and the Vanguard List
Two lists — the Optimization List (12 non-negotiable tests before starting hormone, cardiovascular, or metabolic optimization) and the Vanguard List (25 total tests including 13 deep-dive add-ons). Tiered by evidence, honestly.
Mid-Life Cognitive Optimization — A Sober Protocol
Cognitive optimization for men in their 40s-60s pulls from one of the most-marketed and least-evidenced areas in optimization medicine. This protocol layers the actually-evidence-based interventions: foundation (sleep, exercise, hearing, vascular health, sleep apnea), substantial-evidence…
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.
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…
Resveratrol: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Resveratrol is a stilbenoid polyphenol found primarily in grape skin, red wine, and Japanese knotweed (the primary
Zone 2 Training: A Practical Guide
At a Glance Zone 2 training refers to sustained aerobic exercise performed at a low to moderate intensity — roughly 60–70% of maximum heart rate — where energy production relies predominantly on fat oxidation via mitochondrial aerobic pathways and blood lactate remains in the range of 1.5–2…