The maximal reduction for biological age when using the biological age calculator, Phenotypic Age, is ~20 years. In other words, if I’m 80 years old and my biomarkers are all reflective of youth, the lowest possible biological age will be ~60 years old. One reason for that is the inclusion […]
health
In an earlier video, I presented data for apigenin’s ability to increase levels of NAD+. In addition to apigenin’s impact on NAD+, apigenin supplementation increases muscle mass, strength, and treadmill running distance in both young and old mice. Video link for NAD+ is increased in response to apigenin: https://youtu.be/5-2YoGctcCk?list=UUT… Paper […]
Here’s the first interview clip (of a series) with Modern Healthspan on YouTube where we discuss the role of the microbiome on health and longevity: Part II: Skin, Oral Microbiome & Immune System Part III: Optimal Health with Soluble Fiber Part IV – Microbial Burden & Hallmarks of Aging Part […]
The Hallmarks of Aging are well established, but what is less discussed is the impact of microbes and/or microbial products. The bacterial metabolite, LPS, increases during aging, and it negatively impacts mitochondrial function, thereby demonstrating a role for microbial products on one of the Hallmarks of Aging, mitochondrial dysfunction.
LDL is arguably the most debated biomarker in terms of what’s optimal for health. In the video, I present data showing that 100 – 140, not 50 – 70 mg/dL may be optimal in terms of minimizing disease risk and maximizing longevity.
White blood cells (WBCs) comprise many different cell types, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes account for ~99% of WBCs, and accordingly, in the video I propose optimal ranges for these cell types in terms of health and longevity.
In the video below, Steve Hill from Lifespan.io and I talk about findings from a recent paper (https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad200306) that supports a role for the gut microbiome on Alxheimer’s disease. Check it out!
Meta-analysis for the association between HDL with all-cause mortality risk has identified HDL levels 55 – 60 mg/dL range as optimal. However, that data includes subjects up to 85y-in the video, I present data for 85y – 115yr olds that additionally suggests HDL in the 55 – 60 mg/dL range […]
Animal products, including meat, cheese, and eggs contain carnitine and choline, metabolites that are converted by gut bacteria into TMA, which is then converted by the liver into TMAO. Plasma levels of TMAO are associated with an increased risk of disease and death, so should we limit intake of these […]
A reduced mortality risk and an increased lifespan has been reported for people who have APOE2 alleles, when compared with APOE3 or APOE4, but beyond associations, data for lifespan in APOE-expressing mice was recently reported, evidence that supports a causative role for APOE on longevity.
My latest blood test results are in-how’s my biological age? In the video I discuss my dietary approach prior to my latest blood test, the blood test results, and my plan to improve them with diet going forward.
After going on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Paul Saladino, MD, posted his show notes, which included his blood test results. Based on that data, is his biological age optimal while on a carnivore diet?
Sleep changes during aging may impact Alzheimer’s disease risk, and with the goal of minimizing that risk, can sleep, in particular, levels of deep sleep, be optimized?
11 epigenetic clocks have been published since 2011, but which is best for predicting aging and age-related disease? In this video, I present findings from a recent publication, “Underlying features of epigenetic aging clocks in vitro and in vivo”, that compared data for 11 epigenetic clocks, and derived a new […]
Here’s a podcast that was recorded with WildHealth, enjoy!
Cooking foods at temperatures higher than boiling produces advanced glycation end (AGE) products, which induce insulin resistance and inflammation, and shorten lifespan in mice. Similar data exists in humans for the effect of dietary AGE products on insulin resistance and inflammation, and a higher dietary AGE product intake is associated […]
Maximal lifespan in calorie restricted (CR) mice can range from 45 – 55 months. In this video, I present data for 3 studies on rapamycin-can it beat CR for maximal lifespan?
On my latest blood test (August 2015), my total cholesterol was 127 mg/dL-is that value optimal for health and longevity? Based on data for 1,104,294 men younger than 60y (median age, 40y) that were followed for up to 14 years (Fulks et al. 2009), my 127 mg/dL value (1 – 2.4%) […]
In order to slow aging, it’s important to know how circulating biomarkers change during aging, and how these biomarkers are associated with risk of death for all causes. In this video, I discuss blood test data for the oldest old, including centenarians (100 – 104y), semi-centenarians (105 – 109y), and […]
LPS increases during aging, which may explain the age-related increase for CD38 and decreased NAD+. LPS is decreased on a calorie restricted diet, but what else can reduce it? In this video, I present evidence for intestinal alkaline phosphatase’s (IAP) role on LPS, and posit that interventions that increase IAP […]
My latest blood test results are in-how’s my biological age? In the video I discuss my dietary approach prior to my latest blood test, the blood test results, and my plan to improve them going forward.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is one of the 19 variables found on the biological age calculator, aging.ai. It measures the amount of nitrogen, as contained in urea (i.e., blood urea nitrogen, BUN) in your blood. The reference range for BUN is 5 – 20 mg/dL, but within that range, what’s […]
Consistent exercise training would seem like the obvious choice to reduce resting heart rate (RHR) and to increase heart rate variability (HRV). Are there other factors that can impact these variables? Body weight and daily calorie intake may affect RHR and HRV, and in the video I present 700+ days […]
To determine what’s optimal for resting heart rate and heart rate variability, I review the published literature for how they change during aging, and what’s associated with mortality risk. Also included are my data over the past ~2 years, to see how I compare against the literature.
How much Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is optimal for health? To answer this question, I’ll examine the association between circulating levels of Vitamin C with all-cause mortality risk. Then, which dietary Vitamin C intake corresponds to optimal plasma levels? Let’s have a look! A variety of studies have investigated associations […]
An adequate daily intake of Vitamin K1 is 120 and 90 micrograms/day for males and females, respectively, but are those amounts optimal for health? In this video, I present evidence that consuming more than 1000 micrograms of Vitamin K1/day may be optimal.
Many interventions have been reported to increase NAD levels, but dietary components that can impact NAD levels are less discussed. Here, I highlight the ability of two dietary components, apigenin and quercetin to increase NAD, and report the foods that contain these metabolites.
Wearing a mask, washing our hands, and social distancing are commonly recommended to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. But, what about diet? In this video, I discuss the hypothesis that hesperidin, a metabolite found in lemons, oranges, and peppermint leaves, may contribute to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. […]
In this video, I discuss data for 6 blood test measurements since 2018 that show a Phenotypic (Biological) Age that is ~14 years than my current age (47y). https://youtu.be/85t8vmIgR6s
- Blood Testing
- Blood urea nitrogen
- BMI and all-cause mortality
- C-Reactive Protein
- Creatinine
- Diet and Mortality
- Dietary Fiber
- Dietary Tracking
- Glucose
- Inflammation
- Kidney function
- Lymphocytes
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
- Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
- Presentations
- quantified self
- RDW%
- Uric Acid
- Video
- White Blood Cells
What are the blood biomarkers of a centenarian, and is there room for improvement? Find out in the video below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhCUuxhxmpg
How does the gut microbiome and its metabolic products affect muscle mass, muscle composition, and physical function? In this presentation, I review the evidence, then I present recent data from our group.
Here’s a video clip about my latest Biological Age measurement!
Most often overlooked on a standard blood test are the mean corpuscular volume (MCW) and Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW). How do they change during aging, and what’s associated with all-cause mortality risk? Also, with the goal of optimizing MCV and RDW, how does my diet correlate with these […]
In this relatively short clip, I talk about how serum levels of creatinine change during aging, what levels are associated with risk of death for all causes, and I show my own data for 15+ years! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK6oBMMasFU
Interestingly, we recorded this as I was recovering from a respiratory infection. Was it SARS-CoV-2, or influenza? I’ll know later this week! https://www.bisu.bio/biohacking-to-100-longevity-lessons-from-15-years-of-self-tracking-ft-michael-lustgarten-phd/
In the first 45 minutes, discuss each of the biomarkers contained within Levine’s Biological Age calculator, Phenotypic Age. After that, I answer questions from the audience and we discuss all things related to aging. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hs2n7U7J-k&t=30s
There are a few ways that we can fight the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Clinical trials aimed at vaccination have recently begun, and at the earliest, could be available within 6-18 months. Similarly, drugs aimed at inhibiting, blocking, or reducing viral replication, including remdesevir and hydoxychloroquine are entering clinical trials, but […]
Exactly 1 month ago, my first biological age measurement of 2020 was 32.75y (https://michaellustgarten.com/2020/02/14/biological-age-32-75y-chronological-age-47y-first-2020-measurement/). When considering that my chronological age is 47y, that’s a 14 year improvement, but I wasn’t (and still aren’t) satisfied. When I sent my blood for analysis, I was battling a mild upper respiratory infection (cough, […]
In terms of all-cause mortality risk, is the reference range for circulating triglycerides (TG, <150 mg/dL) optimal? A meta-analysis of 38 studies in 360,556 subjects with a median age of 48y and a 12-year follow-up reported lowest all-cause mortality risk for subjects with TG values less than 90 mg/dL (equivalent to ~1 […]
Measurement of biological age with Levine’s Phenotypic Age calculator is strongly correlated with chronological age (r=0.94; see https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/09/09/quantifying-biological-age/). In 2019, I measured all 9 of its analytes 3 times, with biological age readings of 35.39y, 35.58y, and 31.3y, for an average 2019 biological age of 34.09y (see https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/11/01/biological-age-31-3y-chronological-age-46y/). That’s 12 […]
How’s my progress on the road to achieving a resting heart rate (RHR) as close to 40 beats per minute (bpm) as possible? Shown below is my RHR data for August 2018-Jan 2019, which corresponds to the 6-month period after I started tracking RHR. When compared with that period, am […]
A meta-analysis of 10 studies, including 80,139 subjects was recently published that shows a significantly reduced risk of death for all causes in association with higher total dietary fiber intakes (35-39g/day), when compared with lower fiber (Reynolds et al. 2019): Should we supplement with fiber, or get it from […]
Here’s a link to a recent interview, https://biohackstack.com/posts/michael-lustgarten/?fbclid=IwAR059Jf6eT4SyvsqTxHaSir2hQuXKjV5R6kLg-7Df1Kc4c7ZKM6Tw-0qRwY Including: How (and why) did you get involved in research in aging and the human microbiome? How did you get started in health optimization / quantified-self? What are your thoughts on biological age testing? Which tests (epigenetic, blood biomarkers, telomere, etc) and […]
In an earlier post (https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/09/15/drink-green-tea-reduce-and-all-cause-mortality-risk/), I reported that green tea consumption is associated with reduced risk of death for all causes. Now, there’s more recent data! Drinking more than 1 cup of green tea per day is associated with reduced all-cause mortality risk in a pooled analysis of 8 studies […]
The reference range for uric acid is 4.0 – 8 mg/dL for men, and 2.5 – 7 mg/dL for women. Are these values optimal for health? To answer that question, let’s have a look at how circulating levels of uric acid change during aging, and their association with risk of […]
In earlier posts, I reported year-over-year improvements for my resting heart rate (RHR), from 51.5 (bpm) when I first started tracking in August 2018 to 48 bpm in November 2019 (https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/12/05/resting-heart-rate-heart-rate-variability-still-making-progress/). Did my year-over-year RHR improvement continue in December 2019? As shown below, in December 2018, my average RHR was […]
Having a faster rate of epigenetic aging, as measured by the epigenetic age metric, AgeAccelGrim, is associated with a significantly increased risk of death for all causes in a variety of cohorts, including the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, the InChianti study, the Jackson Heart […]