#1

She is good. Practical tips with sound reasoning.

She is a no on rapamycin.

What do we think of Dihydromyricetin?

Timestamps: 00:23 Dr Sandra’s 7 Tenets of Aging 03:20 Rating system for supplements 05:00 Astaxanthin 07:50 NAD boosters 11:15 Bon Charge Ad 12:05 Glycine 15:30 Curcumin 18:50 Ginger and GLP1 22:25 Melatonin 24:30 Carnosine 30:15 AKG 35:20 Taurine 39:05 Disappointing supplements 39:50 Resveratrol 43:40 Multivitamin 46:10 Dihydromyricetin 48:45 Antihistamines and other pharmaceuticals 57:10 Essential supplement stack

8 Likes
#2

Here is a Gemini summary of the supplements mentioned:

  • Astaxanthin: Prevents the oxidation of LDLs and HDLs, potentially reducing the risk of atherosclerosis [05:52]. Also has the ability to chelate metals [33:45]. Rating: Considered “uber amazing” [05:15].
  • Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Lycopene: Benefits for eye health [06:39]. Rating: Not explicitly rated.
  • Creatine: Good for muscle [08:07]. Rating: Not formally rated yet [08:07].
  • NAD precursors (NR, NMN): Support energy production and DNA repair [08:33]. High doses may deplete methyl donors [14:01]. Rating: Threes in several categories due to their potency [04:24].
  • Glycine: Role in collagen turnover, creatine synthesis, sleep support, and blood sugar regulation [12:11]. Rating: Not rated yet [13:32].
  • Curcumin: Anti-inflammatory and epigenetic modifying qualities [16:39]. Bioavailable forms like Rev Genetics are recommended [15:33]. Rating: Loved by the guest.
  • Ginger: Requires isolated molecules for effectiveness [18:52]. May help with weight loss [19:23]. Rating: Not explicitly rated.
  • GLP-1 agonists: Role in calorie restriction and blood sugar control [19:31]. Rating: Not rated, needs review of clinical studies [21:00].
  • Melatonin: Benefits mitochondria and has anti-inflammatory effects [22:24]. Rating: Amazing for mitochondria [22:38], gets a three for inflammation [23:09].
  • Carnosine: A trans-glycating agent, helping to prevent the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) [24:32]. Also has muscle buffering properties and potential use in eye drops for cataracts [26:53]. Rating: Loved by the guest, described as a safe transglycosylating agent [24:32].
  • Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG): Supports brain function and cells using glutamate [30:15]. The arginine form is recommended for older individuals due to its vasodilator effects [30:39]. Rating: Loved by the guest, supports the brain and cells using glutamate [30:15], particularly helpful for GI dysfunction [30:39].
  • Taurine: Benefits mitochondrial function [35:25]. Rating: Fantastic and truly amazing for the mitochondria [35:25].
  • Resveratrol: Believed to upregulate sirtuins, but requires adequate NAD levels to be effective [39:46]. Rating: A very potent polyphenol that activates sirtuins [39:55].
  • Multivitamins: Prenatal vitamins are recommended, especially for those over 50, to address potential micronutrient deficiencies [43:36]. Rating: Loved by the guest, especially prenatal vitamins [43:36].
  • Dihydro-moricetin: Activates sirtuin 3, which is a master switch for the mitochondria [46:36]. Rating: Activates sirtuin two and three, upregulating mitochondrial function [46:36].
  • Lithium: Potential for longevity, with studies showing longer telomeres in bipolar patients on long-term lithium therapy [50:41]. Rating: Low-dose lithium is interesting for its potential longevity benefits [50:41].
  • Selb: Activates heat shock proteins [52:44]. Rating: Activates heat shock proteins [52:44].
  • Rapamycin: Cautioned against due to its immune-suppressing effects and potential impact on hippocampal turnover [53:37]. Rating: Not taking it, as it is a monstrous immune suppressor [53:37].
  • Allopurinol: Taken to lower uric acid levels [55:56]. Rating: Taken to lower uric acid levels [55:56].
  • Aldose reductase inhibitors: Taken to block the conversion of glucose to sorbitol and fructose, which are more glycosylating [56:09]. Rating: Taken to block the enzyme that converts glucose to sorbitol [56:09].
  • Methylene blue: Recommended for younger people [58:50]. Rating: Benefits all [58:50].
  • Sulforaphane: Recommended for younger people [58:50]. Rating: Benefits all [58:50].
  • Green tea: Recommended for younger people [58:50]. Rating: Benefits all [58:50].
  • Chlorogenic acid: Recommended for younger people [58:50]. Rating: Benefits all [58:50].
    The guest’s rating system assigns a 0-3 score based on the level of evidence: 0 for no evidence, 1 for test tube/culture evidence, 2 for non-human mammal models, and 3 for solid evidence in humans [32:30].
12 Likes
#3

Protocols with scores for the supplements:

Supplements and their dosages:

1 Like
#4

Right. How many of these stacks do we have so far? There’s Brad Stanfield’s recommended stack, the Physionic guy, the Peter Attia, the Matt Kaeberlein, Brian Kennedy, Rhonda Patrick, and so on. And of course Bryan Johnson! There’s a thread somewhere on the site, where people have compared all the stacks and selected the supplements which all of these stacks had in common. I forget the exact list, but I seem to recall that all had like EPA/DHA, creatine, vitamin D and some I forgot. I suppose we could keep a list and throw in every new recommended stack we come across, like this woman’s. Might not mean much other than there’s a universal consensus around, say five of them or whatnot. Or you could go in the opposite direction and make a list of all the supplements even if recommended by just one of 'em… spoiler alert, the second list might exceed even BJ’s 100 supps a day, lol!

7 Likes
#5

@CronosTempi My first thought was: “take ‘em all; let God sort ‘em out”…

I agree that Dr Kaufmann provides a valuable service in identifying possibly useful effects of drugs and pharmaceuticals. I’ve listened to her several times. She seems more thoughtful and less headline seeking than most. I also note she doesn’t mention side effects or drug combination effects or effect size relative to lifestyle interventions. This is okay as that is not her thing but us laymen must take responsibility for ourselves and not believe these influencer types are really looking out for us.

I would never take Kaufmann’s advice. But I do learn from her knowledge. I apply the same approach to BJ. I hold Physionic and Stanfield (and Kaeberlein) in higher regard as they are more cautious.

When aiming at longevity, it is obvious that not injuring myself is job #1. Job #2 is good experimentation. A good experiment requires a thoughtful hypothesis and effective data collection to determine benefit and detriment, if any. Just taking a bunch of chemicals recommend by anyone and hoping for a good result goes against caution AND against good experimentation.

That’s my thinking. I don’t care to have anyone’s list at this point but newer longevity seekers may benefit from it if they take the long view.

11 Likes
#6

I agree 100%, Joe. It all comes down to a risk/reward calculus that each of us needs to make for ourselves. I too think of myself as pretty cautious when it comes to these health/longevity interventions - avoiding injury is high on my priority list. I am very mindful of drug interactions. This is especially true of prescription medications, as they are frankly usually much more powerful than most OTC supplements. I research meds for a long time with respect to their direct impact, but also the interaction with the rest of my stack, and pretty much always end up making adjustments.

To me, these recommendations, like this woman’s, are simply an opportunity to perhaps discover a supplement or intervention modality I was not aware of before, or did not fully understand. Most of the time I end up not taking any of these suggestions.

But here is the paradox, Joe, and maybe you have the answer. How is it that I am so careful and conservative (in my mind) with adding any drug/supplement, and yet somehow end up with a stack that approaches 30 in the number of these that I take? And this is with a conscientious re-evaluation of each drug/supplement at regular intervals - is it still doing what I need it to do? Has my situation changed? Does it still have a function in my regimen or has it been superseded by something else? As I’m reading some new study, I ask myself if it modifies how I see some supplement in my stack.

Obviously you first have to dial in the basics: diet, exercise, lifestyle factors. Then come the rest, and a lot of it is frankly speculative. Rapamycin is highly speculative. My risk reward calculus says: go for it. Perhaps my personal risk tolerance is higher than for most of my friends, but I know for sure that it’s lower than a lot of longevity enthusiasts.

Of the stuff mentioned in the Kaufmann list by jakexb, I take only a few (asta, lutein, zea, taurine, drink green tea), but most enthusiastically the one she shies away from: rapamycin!

The reality is that after the basics (diet, exercise, lifestyle factors), you are trying to squeeze out the last few percentage points. There is no real justification for devoting enormous energy to such slim returns. But it becomes more of a hobby - just as with f.ex. audiophiles, it’s those last few percentage points that consume disproportionately huge costs. It may very well be, that all those extra efforts will get me nothing in health/longevity, or maybe even be a negative (the irony!), but I enjoy the challenge. YMMV.

4 Likes
#7

@CronosTempi Nice approach. I have not found a way to rationally avoid over consuming supplements. The marketing is too good and my brain is too susceptible. I was born with a mind to accept the magical and believe in luck and “see patterns” that give me permission to do what I want.

As an alternative I have set an arbitrary rule of 10 supplements I can take. 10 only. So if I want to try some magical new thing because I’m lucky and I need the benefit that some people who I don’t have any reason to trust have said they got that benefit…so be it, but I have to give up something else. My cabinet is full of wasted money bought supplements that I had to quit to make room for the next wasted money thing. So be it. It has also saved me countless times as I was forced to think about whether this new opportunity was better than anything in my current set. Often the answer is no.

4 Likes
#8

Thanks. Yes, money gets wasted, but I figure I can’t take it with me, so may as well spend it on my hobby while I’m still alive, lol. I like your “limit to 10” approach. I do a very feeble version of this, and that’s - only buy what can fit into these two drawers full of supplements. If I want to add another one, I have to get rid of one to fit in the drawer. Unfortunately they are pretty big drawers, so that’s how I end up with 30 supplements.

3 Likes
#9

DHM aka Raisin Tree is an HDAC inhibitor that I take when drinking alcohol to reduce the harmful effects particularly of acetaldehyde.

3 Likes
#10

@Joseph_Lavelle @CronosTempi That was a lovely intellectual exchange! That’s what I love to read on these forums. I feel similar to you both in my own way. Sometimes I wonder what really happens when you combine Rapamycin with an MTOR activator like taurine… Additive? Subtractive? Poisonous? Luckily I’m still around and the worst I’ve faced is a skin rash and diarrhea (former from too much Rapa and the latter from Resveratrol).

We all want that big boost to longevity, and for us it’s become a treasure hunt where we try our best to find the real treasure map amongst the fakes and forgeries.

I’m glad that both of you are on this hunt with the rest of us on this forum. Thank you and keep sharing your insights so the rest of us can broaden our own.

7 Likes
#11

And @Joseph_Lavelle , @CronosTempi

Indeed, I love learning about how everyone makes these decisions. It’s quite helpful for me because I only understand enough to follow along like the lemming I am!

Intellectually, I believe diet/lifestyle are 99% of it and all these supplements and extra prescriptions are not accomplishing much. I was of the school to only fix deficiencies, like taking vit d and b12.

However, my personal experience shows I should always ignore my brain. As I’ve shared, I followed an extremely healthy diet/lifestyle for several years, but I never felt quite right. It’s only since adding a million things that I technically did not need that I now feel great! (Bless this forum!)

I imagine healthy diet/lifestyle are mostly enough for the majority of people. I can’t begin to know which individuals would benefit from a mountain of pills and for which it’s a waste. Why did I need them?

Based on my 180 degree change in just one year, I have no way to know if I’m maxed out or if there is more benefit for me to squeak out by something to fine tune or that I haven’t tried yet. So, I continue to sit here and read to learn from all of you.

7 Likes
#12

Thank you for sharing. Your 180 degree change in approaching a healthy long life makes me wonder what your regimen looks like today?

2 Likes
#13

  • Astaxanthin: Prevents LDL/HDL oxidation, may reduce atherosclerosis risk, and chelates metals. Rated “uber amazing.”

  • Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Lycopene: Support eye health. No explicit rating.

  • Creatine: Benefits muscle. Not formally rated yet.

  • NAD Precursors (NR, NMN): Aid energy production and DNA repair, but high doses may deplete methyl donors. Rated threes for potency.

  • Glycine: Supports collagen turnover, creatine synthesis, sleep, and blood sugar regulation. Not rated yet.

  • Curcumin: Anti-inflammatory and epigenetic modifier; bioavailable forms recommended. Loved by the guest.

  • Ginger: Needs isolated molecules for effectiveness; may aid weight loss. No explicit rating.

  • GLP-1 Agonists: Help with calorie restriction and blood sugar control. Not rated; needs clinical review.

  • Melatonin: Boosts mitochondria, reduces inflammation. Rated amazing for mitochondria, three for inflammation.

  • Carnosine: Prevents AGEs, buffers muscle, potential cataract treatment. Loved by the guest as a safe transglycosylating agent.

  • Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG): Supports brain and glutamate-using cells; arginine form recommended for older adults. Loved by the guest, especially for GI dysfunction.

  • Taurine: Enhances mitochondrial function. Rated fantastic and amazing for mitochondria.

  • Resveratrol: Upregulates sirtuins if NAD levels are sufficient. Rated a potent polyphenol.

  • Multivitamins: Prenatal vitamins recommended, especially for those over 50. Loved by the guest.

  • Dihydro-moricetin: Activates sirtuin 3, boosting mitochondria. Rated for sirtuin activation and mitochondrial support.

  • Lithium: Linked to longevity via telomere length in bipolar patients. Low-dose lithium noted as interesting.

  • Selb: Activates heat shock proteins. Rated for heat shock protein activation.

  • Rapamycin: Avoided due to immune suppression and hippocampal effects. Rated a “monstrous immune suppressor.”

  • Allopurinol: Lowers uric acid levels. Taken for that purpose.

  • Aldose Reductase Inhibitors: Block glucose conversion to sorbitol/fructose. Taken for enzyme inhibition.

  • Methylene Blue, Sulforaphane, Green Tea, Chlorogenic Acid: Recommended for younger people. Rated as beneficial for all.

2 Likes
#14

@Curious I’m happy to share and remain open to hearing areas for improvement.

This is a paste from my spreadsheet. I’m putting * next to the name of the supplement. Anything written underneath is just an ingredient that is contained within that supplement. I found that helpful because I’d read something someone loves and do the deep dive on it… only to learn I was already taking it :slight_smile:

Supplements

*Blueprint Essential
Vitamin D
Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol)
Thiamin
Riboflavin
Niacin
Vitamin B6
Folate
B12 Methylcobalamin
Biotin
pantothenic acid (d calcium pantothenate)
calcium (carbonate and dicalcium phosphate)
Iodine
Zinc
Selenium
Manganese (citrate)
Nicotinamide Riboside
Boccoli Seed Extract
Fisetin
Luteolin
Ubiquinol CoQ10
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Spermidine
Boron
Lithium

*R-Alpha Lipoic Acid
*Taurine
*Lysine
*Methylene blue
*Glycine
*Melatonin
*Tremella
*hyaluronic acid
*Ubiquinol (added 2025 based on deficiency)
*Citicoline (CDP-Choline) (added 2025 based deficiency)
*Dihydroquercetin
*Calcifediol
*Baby Aspirin

*Akkermansia
chicory inulin

*NAC ethyl ester
Glycine
selenium
molybdenum

*RHYTHM 3 MAG
MG taurate
MG glycinate
MG Malate

*algae omegas
DHA
EPA
Pure algalomega3

I alternate between red mineral algae or dicalcium malate based on not knowing which is better :slight_smile: have wondered about calcium AKG
*Thorne dicalcium malate or
*Red Mineral Algae
calcium
vit d
magnesium aquamin TG
aquamin /TG

*FEEL VEGAN COLLAGEN (just in the hopes vegan collagen works and it makes my water taste good)
calcium carbonate
vit c
gotu kola

*Blueprint essential softget
astaxanthin
Leutin
lycopene
k2 mk4
k2 mk7
k1
zeaxanthin

Rx
Thyroid t3/t4
Estradiol Gel
Progesterone
Dapagliflozin
Brillo EZ ezetimibe and BA
Colchicine
Acarbose
Rapamycin
Repatha
LDN

4 Likes
#15

I just listened to this pod last night She mentioned a mouse study that found Rapa reduced the size of the hippocampus and affected working memory. Has anyone here heard of that study?

#16

Did she really say monstrous ?

Isn’t ironic how one sentence can discredit an influencer by showing that they don’t have understanding deep enough to be qualified to make a recommendation.
First of all even in high doses rapamycin was NOT a monstrous immune suppressor. In fact it was an add on to cyclosporine or tacrolimus which were arguably more effective in immunosuppression. I can’t think of any circumstances where rapamycin is used alone as immunosuppressive oral agent - the big ones that are commonly used are MTX, cyclosporine, etc.
In low doses it appears to be an immunomodulator, suppressing the inflammation enough to actually enhance the immune function, probably more in elderly with higher inflammatory states - based on limited human studies.

This makes second me guess all of her recommendations… NMN, MB, sulforaphane for longevity ??? ZERO EVIDENCE. Green tea… yes, but why recommend for young people, you mean starting at younger age or just for young people.

And how do you miss omega 3 fatty acids ? Sorry I didn’t watch the video.
This list makes very little sense.

8 Likes
#17

I think Kauffman made up her mind about rapamycin earlier on and did not have extensive knowledge of rapamycin in the longevity practice.

I don’t judge people for being 100% right on everything. I take what is sensible to me based on what I learned.

1 Like
#18

It’s used as the only immunosuppressant in my case to maintain my transplanted kidney. But I know it’s rare and you are right that it’s usually combined with Tacrolimus or Cyclosporine (but not in my case).

I was also surprised by “monstrous” word. It makes me doubt her recommendation.

2 Likes
#19

The scoring is based on Sandra Kaufmann’s Seven Tenets of Aging.

Tenet 1

Information Systems (DNA): DNA is our information depot. Issues with aging in this category include epigenetic modification, accumulation of DNA damage, and telomeric integrity. Epigenetic modification encompasses changes to the “packaging” of the DNA , including methylation, histone modification and the like. Telomeres, the caps or ends of DNA, are known to shorten over time and are broadly correlated to the length of a life.

Tenet 2

Cellular Energy: Mitochondria, cellular organelles, serve as our energy source. These organelles are rate limiting over time as their output declines, second to either damage from free radicals or simply declining availability of raw materials.

Tenet 3

Cellular Pathways: The pathways are our aging or anti-aging pathways, such as the AMP Kinase, the Sirtuin or the mTOR pathways. These are like enzymatic dominoes that can either direct your cells and tissues to age or not age.

Tenet 4

Quality Control: This category includes the DNA and Protein Repair mechanisms, which are key to repairing the ongoing damage inside your cells. As you get older and the damage becomes more extensive, these mechanisms get a bit stressed. This category also includes intracellular autophagy, a mechanism for cellular recycling.

Tenet 5

Immune System: The cells that compose the immune system constitute your security system. Over time, unfortunately, this system becomes problematic and causes the body to be in a state of chronic and systemic inflammation. In addition,the failing immune system causes an increase in infection and cancer.

Tenet 6

Individual Cells: Depending on the lifespan of particular cells, some live for days while some last a life time, their particular needs can be specialized. Some require an increased pool of nutrients, while others have more issues with trash accumulation.

Tenet 7

Waste Management: Every cell has requirements for living, such as oxygen and glucose. Unfortunately, these can lead to increased aging. As an example, glucose forms molecular complexes called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs), which are very destructive. As well, longer lived cells produce cellular waste, called lipofuscin, that accumulates and eventually causes space issues.

For general antiaging, she recommends the starter stack as follows:

THE PANACEA

The General Strategy
This is the most commonly utilized anti-aging regimen for anyone over the age of 45. It addresses the most common concerns with aging such as loss of energy, aches, and pains.

Pterostilbene: 2.3.3.3.2.2.1

Astaxanthin: 0.3.0.0.2.0.0

Nicotinamide: 0.3.3.3.0.0.0

Curcumin: 2.3.1.0.3.0.3

Carnosine: 0.3.0.0.0.0.3

SUBTOTALS: 4.15.7.6.7.2.7

PANACEA is the mnemonic for Pterostilbene, etc.

The scores, left to right, are the scores for the seven tenets. Scoring well on six tenets is Pterostilbene, a stilbenoid similar to resveratrol. Yes. that Sinclair substance again.

Below are supplements and one pharma that score well (2 or higher) in at least three tenets.

Pterostilbene: 2.3.3.3.2.2.1

Nicotinamide: 0.3.3.3.0.0.0 (plain, not NMN nor NR)

Curcumin: 2.3.1.0.3.0.3

Metformin: 3.1.3.2.2.2.3

Ellagic Acid: 1.2.2.0.2.0.1

Lipoic Acid: 2.3.1.0.2.2.1

3 Likes
#20

Thank you for sharing. If comparing 2024 to 2025, I have now added more carotenoids and ergothioneine in the form of eating even more mushrooms, and I also take maitake powder and lions mane powder to up the ergothioneine content that I ingest.I take 6 gr rapamune every week or 4mg with grapefruit Juice every two or three weeks. I think this is what I currently take. It is to many but I try do take some supplements every other day or so, in an attempt to reduce the amount of supplement I take on daily basis.

Mornings:

  • 5 gr in the morning Creatine,
  • Citrulline 1 gr in the morning and 1 gr in the evening.
  • 10 gr Inulin
  • Every other morning I take 8-10 gr taurine.
  • Every other morning, I take 50 mg lutein with olive oil. (I will change, so I take it with a meal.)

Midday:

  • Curcumin in the form of BCM-95.
  • Now foods Berberine 3 times during the day starting midday.
  • 1 capsule multivitamin (Life extension’s two per day)
  • Amla powder daily
  • 12 mg astaxanthin - not every day
  • Mushroom powders

Evening:

  • 12 gr Collagen + extra glycine.
  • 10 gr lithium orotate
  • Magnesium citrate
  • 20 gr zeaxanthinn - not every evening
  • 25 gr lycopene - not every evening
  • 50 mg Sildenafil some evenings
1 Like