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Quantified Self
Papers referenced in the video: Loss of Life Expectancy by 10 Years or More From Elevated Aspartate Aminotransferase: Finding Aspartate Aminotransferase a Better Mortality Predictor for All-Cause and Liver-Related than Alanine Aminotransferase https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31425… Implication of liver enzymes on incident cardiovascular diseases and mortality: A nationwide population-based cohort study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29491…
For those who track their diet, eating only the RDA for many nutrients may not optimize health. For example, the RDA for selenium is 55 micrograms per day, but is that amount optimal for reducing risk of death for all causes?
Papers referenced in the video: Remnant Cholesterol and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk: https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.ja… The effect of adiponectin in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the potential role of polyphenols in the modulation of adiponectin signaling: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science… Joint distribution of lipoprotein cholesterol classes. The Framingham study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6573877/ Long-term […]
Papers referenced in the video: Bacteria Boost Mammalian Host NAD Metabolism by Engaging the Deamidated Biosynthesis Pathway: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32130… Comparison of the effects of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide degradation on plasma betaine and choline levels: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27567… Total plasma homocysteine and cardiovascular risk profile. The Hordaland Homocysteine Study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7474221/ Total plasma homocysteine values among elderly […]
Paper references for Levine’s Phenotypic Age calculator and aging.ai: An epigenetic biomarker of aging for lifespan and healthspan: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29676… Population Specific Biomarkers of Human Aging: A Big Data Study Using South Korean, Canadian, and Eastern European Patient Populations: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29340…
In November 2020, I made a HDL video based on a meta-analysis in ~3.4 million subjects that was published in July 2020. In Dec 2020, a larger study (n=15.8 million subjects) was published-those data are presented in the video, and compared against the meta-analysis. In addition, I’ve tested my HDL […]
Results for my first blood test in 2021 are in-what’s my biological age, and how am I optimizing it? If you’re interested in calculating your biological age, the spreadsheet is included as an Excel file in this link:
Red blood cells (RBC) are the most abundant cell type in the human body. I’ve tracked my RBC levels in conjunction with diet since 2015, and with the goal of reversing the age-related decline for RBCs, which dietary components have the strongest correlation with RBCs? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JpyDiNxNeE&feature=youtu.be
Discussed in the video: Data for changes in kidney function during aging, kidney function values that are associated with an increased risk of death for all causes What’s my data for kidney function, 2006 – 2020? Can diet impact kidney function? Within my data, which foods are correlated with good […]
Discussed in the video: What’s my biological age on blood test #6 in 2020? What’s my average biological age for 2020, and how does it compare with 2019? Are there links between calorie intake, cardiovascular fitness (RHR, HRV), and diet composition with my biological age?
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.
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 […]
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.
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?
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%) […]
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 […]
In an earlier video, I presented data for total cholesterol (TC) levels in blood in terms of changes during aging and all-cause mortality risk. I’ve measured TC 25 times in the past 5 years, and in this video, I present that data, and my approach to optimize it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBv_hXwUqHM&feature=emb_logo
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.
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
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
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 […]
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 […]
To make it easier to review the aging and all-cause mortality data for the circulating biomarkers that are contained within the biological age calculator, Phenotypic Age (see https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/09/09/quantifying-biological-age/), here’s a checklist! 1. Albumin: https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/09/22/optimizing-serum-levels-of-albumin-data-from-20-blood-tests/ 2. Creatinine: https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/11/18/optimizing-biologic-age-creatinine/ 3. Glucose: https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/10/04/blood-glucose-whats-optimal/ 4. C-reactive protein: https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/10/19/optimizing-biological-age-crp/ 5. Lymphocyte %: https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/11/16/lympho-mortal/ 6. Mean […]
The percentage of lymphocytes is one of the 9 blood test variables included in the biological age calculator, Phenotypic Age (https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/09/09/quantifying-biological-age/). The reference range for lymphocyte % is 20 – 40% of the total amount of white blood cells (WBCs), but are higher or lower values optimal for health and […]
My average biological age in 2019 is 12 years younger than my chronological age (46y) based on the Phenotypic Age calculator (https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/11/01/biological-age-31-3y-chronological-age-46y/), and 16y younger based on aging.ai (https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/11/04/years-of-biological-aging-in-the-past-4-years/). One factor that likely contributes to my relatively youthful biological age is my diet. Shown below is my average daily dietary […]
On June 10, 2019 (for the first time) I measured all of the blood test variables that are included in the biologic age calculator, Phenotypic Age, and ended up with a biological age = 35.39y (https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/09/09/quantifying-biological-age/). While that value is 23% younger than my chronological age (46y), I knew that […]
Platelets are one of the 19 variables that are included in the biological age calculator, aging.ai. The reference range is 150-400 platelets per nanoliter (*10^9/L), but within that range, what’s optimal? In a study of 21,635 adults older than 35y (average age wasn’t reported), platelets between 230-270 were associated with […]
High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is one of the 10 variables included in the biological age calculator, PhenoAge (https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/09/09/quantifying-biological-age/). The reference range for CRP is 0 – 3 mg/L, but within that range, what’s optimal? To answer that question, it’s important to know how CRP changes during aging, and what […]
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is one of the 10 variables included in the biological age calculator, PhenoAge (see https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/09/09/quantifying-biological-age/). It’s calculated by dividing the fraction of the blood that contains RBCs (hematocrit) by RBCs (MCV = hematocrit/RBC), thereby identifying the average volume contained within red blood cells. Although the MCV reference […]
Circulating levels of white blood cells (WBCs) are one of the 10 variables used to quantify biological age with PhenoAge (https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/09/09/quantifying-biological-age). The reference range for WBCs is 4.5 – 11 *10^9 cells/L, but within that range, what’s optimal? Several studies have reported that WBCs greater than 5 are associated with […]
In an earlier post, based on data from the Baltimore Longitidunal Study on Aging (BLSA), I suggested that total white blood cell (WBCs) counts between 3500 to 6000 cells per microliter of blood may be optimal for reducing disease risk and for maximizing longevity (https://michaellustgarten.com/2015/08/13/blood-testing-whats-optimal-for-wbc-levels/). However, within WBCs, neutrophils increase, […]
A few months ago, I presented data that a resting heart rate (RHR) ~40 beats per min is associated with maximally reduced risk of death from all causes (https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/02/02/resting-heart-rate-whats-optimal/). I started tracking my RHR data in August 2018, and I now have more than a full year of data. RHR […]
The reference range for circulating levels of glucose is 70-130 mg/dL. That’s a wide range, so what’s optimal, especially considering that glucose is one of the variables used to quantify of biological age (https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/09/09/quantifying-biological-age)? In the largest study published for this subject (12,455,361 adults), risk of death for all causes […]
In the first half of this presentation, I talk about my contribution to the gut-muscle axis in older adults, and in the second half, my personalized approach to optimal health! Also, here’s the article that corresponds to the presentation: https://www.leafscience.org/the-gut-microbiome-affects-muscle-strength-in-older-adults/ If you’re interested, please have a look at my book!
Can biological age be optimized? The red blood cell (RBC) distribution width (RDW%) is one of the variables included in the PhenoAge biological age calculator (see https://michaellustgarten.com/2019/09/09/quantifying-biological-age/). Although the RDW% reference range is 11.5% – 14.5%, what values are optimal in terms a youthful biological age, and minimized disease risk? […]
Circulating levels of calcium can deposit in the coronary arteries (and in other arterial sites), a process that is known as coronary artery calcification (CAC). Arterial calcification is associated with arterial stiffness, which increases risk for adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular disease-related mortality (Allison et al. 2012). Can CAC accumulation be slowed/minimized/prevented? […]
Very low, low, and high-density lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL, HDL, respectively) are commonly measured on the standard blood chemistry panel as measures of cardiovascular disease risk. Not included on that panel is another lipoprotein, Lp(a), which is a modified form of LDL. What’s the relationship between Lp(a) with disease risk? A […]
