Why wouldn’t you take them twice a day?
I’ve been watching Quinn Stillson’s channel on longevity. He discusses supplements related to longevity, including dosages and time to initiate their use. Maybe check it out.
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Don’t take twice a day because only 1 holds my bicarbonate as well as potassium in a healthy level. If I take it twice potassium goes up to borderline high (I’m also on telmisartan). All in moderation is the answer.
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So you have chronic kidney disease?
As I struggle with sub weekly patterns (I forget) i simply take a weekend holiday from meds and supplements. But it’s the same idea…give the body (liver!) a break.
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I use an app, SuppCo, to monitor my supplements and provide recommendations on dosing.
Here is what Google Gemini says about SuppCo:
SuppCo is a health tech startup and mobile app designed to help users track, manage, and optimize their vitamin and supplement routines. Founded in 2023 by serial entrepreneur Steve Martocci and Nick Michlewicz, the platform aims to bring transparency to the fragmented supplement industry through data-backed tools. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key features of the platform include:
- TrustScore: A proprietary rating system that evaluates over 500 brands based on 29 quality attributes, such as manufacturing standards and third-party testing.
- Stack Analysis: An algorithm that analyzes your current “supplement stack” to ensure it aligns with your health goals and provides suggestions for improvement.
- Expert Protocols: Access to specific supplement regimens developed by health experts like Dr. Mark Hyman for goals such as longevity, gut health, and brain performance.
- Smart Scheduling: Tools to help users maintain consistent dosing and track how their routine affects their performance over time.
- Independent Testing: Through their “SuppCo Tested” series, the company independently verifies if popular products meet their label claims, often exposing significant failures in active ingredient levels. [2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
The app is currently available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. [5, 11]
[1] https://supp.co
[2] https://www.businesswire.com
[10] https://supp.co
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Yes, and it’s pretty well managed with supplements, meds, and the renal diet.
This is such a refreshing and much-needed reality check. Thank you for sharing your perspective from the ER. We often get caught up in the ‘miracle’ claims of supplements and forget that at the end of the day, lifestyle factors like sleep and diet are the real foundation. It’s a great reminder to approach these things with caution rather than following every trend blindly.
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I was big on supplements and started long time ago, over 20 years ago. I have tried almost all supplements out there and have finally come to the conclusion that while some (very few) are probably ok, most of them are useless but perhaps harmless. I can’t think of single supplement that I can say it positively affected any of my overall markers or improved any of the aging symptoms much. I tend to agree that that supplements are better taken when there is known deficiency for one of them i.e. you are deficient on Vit D or magnesium (as an example) then yes, it makes sense to take both. There’s couple ones probably still worth taking such as a good wild caught fish oil supplement but for most part supplements are expensive and not worth the money spent on them.
On the other side I have been against meds/drugs for the longest time and until about couple years ago I had NEVER taken a medication my whole life (apart from a rare antibiotic for a seven-day period for infection). Now, I am the biggest believer in poly-pharma and regularly medicate myself LOL (albeit with low doses) of 8-10 FDA approved (but non prescribed or self-prescribed) drugs. I have no side effects that I can notice (from any I’m taking) but have a very positive outlook on the benefits they are providing. so, my money is away from supplements (though I admit I’m still using some supplements also) and into the poly-pharma for longevity purposes. I have come to the conclusion that every man past 40 or 45 should be doing the following drugs (if they want to make sure they can live past 90, plus enhance their quality of life and remain sexually active):
1-2mg Finasteride
5mg Cialis
1-2Mg Pita
5-10mg Exetimibe
10mg - Empagliflozi
100-150mg Acarbose daily with main meals
250-500mg metformin
and of course 5-7mg weekly RAPA.
I also started a very low dose of 1.25mg Selegiline and it really makes a HUGE difference in how calm a rested I feel. There is literally no stressed cell in my body after having taken it yesterday morning, and this morning. I might stick with it long term if I notice no ill effects and still feel this good and calm.
Apparently, I’m not a doctor and no one should consider what I write with any credibility whatsoever until they have done their own research and come at same conclusion and always consulting with a doctor/specialist. The dosages I quote are relatively small and I do them as such since I have my markers generally in good standing, but they can be adjusted up and down based on need (if blood markers are out of range).
As for supplements NOT holding much hope even though I’m still taking few of them and will probably continue doing so.
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Why are you taking Metformin?
Mu glucose was starting to creep up slowly in last 3-4 years. I used to have it in high 80’s for most of my adult life and then couple years ago started marching slowly to first low 90’s then up to a fasted Glucose of 104 last year so I started taking Metformin and SGLt2 and lately acarbose (with main meal of day). I usually take 500mg per day but on the day of RAPA and day after I up the dose to 500mg twice per day. BTW on last bloodwork I did my Fasted glucose was ok at 87.
I gave a long answer to a short question, but the main reason is for glucose lowering effects. I also am in the camp that believes it is a good combination with Rapa for longevity purposes so that’s a bit of a factor also. I think I read somewhere that maybe for people past 70 it may not be a net positive to take Metformin so I might ditch in next 5 years or so.
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Kelman, thanks for showing the list of your meds. I was on 5 mg finasteride but found it was suppressing sex function. I may go back to a lower dose like the 1-2 mg range you’re on. Also, I heard that low doses of Cialis or Viagra have also shown longevity benefits. I seem to recall Keberlein was considering starting Viagra, so to me that was a credible endorsement. I have not heard of Pita, Exetimibe or Empaglifozi so am wondering what benefits they provide.
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Pitavastatin and ezetimibe are used to keep LDL-c and Apo(B) low which is very important for CV health and almost everyone is at risk once you cross the 50 year old mark (some earlier). Empagliflozin is used to lower fasted glucose but has other organ benefits such kidneys, plus lately is being noted a s good candidate for longevity especially in combination with RAPA.
As per your point of Finasteride being bad for sex function it is very true even at 1mg that I take I can tell the difference. However, 5-10mg daily Cialis offset most if not all of that effect. Finasteride is very good for prostate health as well as for healthy hair. Been taking it for past 7 months and the difference in my hair is very easily noticeable, much thicker and even the hairline has moved down a bit, thus thicker fuller hair makes you look younger.
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So you had pre diabetes (hopefully based on more than 1 measurement), and you started 3 diabetic medications? Was your regular doctor involved?
Absolutely not. I don’t think I’ve ever had a regular doctor. I thought SGLT2i +Acarbose +metformin + weekly RAPA extended life by more than 35%, then why would I need a doctor if I knew that LOL. And no, I was never prediabetic, the highest my fasted glucose ever was 104 and that was one instance where I actually didn’t even sleep well the night before. So, my normal FG was in high 90’s in last five years or so.
I actually self-medicate (as many in these boards do) and do it for preventative purposes only. I’m currently taking daily over 10 FDA approved drugs, in relatively small doses though and I have convinced myself that these drugs/measures I’m taking now will help me reach 100 years old and in relatively good shape and good health. I do recognize that others may think that what I’m doing is not a smart thing but hey we are all different. As an FYI I just added this week two more medications cryptopril and Selegiline even though my BP is always perfect. BTW, I’m about to receive a fresh order of modafinil and I think that should be it as far as drugs/medications go. So, all in all I’ll be taking about 12-13 FDA approved medication daily even though I’m 100% healthy, and all my markers are either optimal or normal.
It might sound a bit unusual (perhaps not even very smart) but the way I look at ageing and late life diseases is something like this:
You either wait until you become sick and then take shitloads of meds in high doses (with potential severe side effects) to stay (barely) alive or take these exact same meds that sick people are taking while you are still perfectly healthy but take them in small doses/quantities so that you avoid getting sick and since the dosing is low/minimal (in my case) the side effects have got to be minimal also (at least so far for me), in other words you take them preventatively. I’ve been doing this for about one year or so and I’m very happy with the progress and I’ve had no side effects that I can notice.
It would be interesting to know your thought with regards to taking these meds, most common ones (while healthy) in small doses for preventative purposes? I know conventional medicine does not approve of taking medications unless needed, but knowing what you know (and you definitely know way more than I do) what do you think of the idea?
I sympathize with your outlook. I believe in polypharmacy, in preventative medication, in taking your health into your own hands.
That said, strategies may diverge. I personally will not add a medication just because it may help or based on a study somewhere. It has to have a very clear purpose and a ton of validation in multiple studies and in subjects similar to my situation (f.ex. pre-diabetic). And it has to fit into the rest of my stack - this takes the longest time to research and the longer your stack the longer it takes to research all the interactions. As a result, my stack is pretty trimmed with FDA meds: telmisartan, bempedoic acid, ezetimibe, pitavastatin, empagliflozin, rapamycin. I’m in the second year of researching pioglitazone trying to see how I can fit it into the rest of my stack. Metformin is so fraught that despite reading a metric ton about it, I’m still staying away. I’m amazed at how easily folks spring for a prescritpion med based on barely anything. But that’s fine - we all have our own approaches. Best of luck!
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I don’t think Metformin is much use for people who don’t have diabetes.
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I agree with you and I also take the same ones as you, but I also take Finasteride, Cialis, LDN, Selegiline, captopril, and Maraviroc, so that is about 11 FDA approved drugs. IMO every man should take Finasteride and Cialis for prostate health (plus I have family history of prostate cancer), then LDN I take it against inflammation which does work for me and now Selegiline has become my favorite in having a calming effect. It is actually the only med that has literally fixed my sleep even though I take it first thing in the morning. First time in three years that I have slept 8 hours uninterrupted for four nights. I’m going to try modafinil also (probably not every day) to help with daily chores. If I like it I’ll stick with it. I take a small captopril pill mainly because I used to have always low BP 105/70 and last year or so it has moved up to 120/75 (perhaps because I drink 3-4 cups of coffee per day lately) which is still great, but I prefer it lower plus someone I know swears by BP medication. He literally keeps saying that the only reason he is still alive (87-88 but has a plenty of health issues dating back decades) it’s because of BP medication and he thinks it has helped him with other functions/organs and not just BP. I took Maraviroc to help with strength and muscle recovery after having been decimated by one-year GLP1 drugs (that I will NEVER touch no matter how heavy I might get) and It was Godsent. After losing hope I might never get my strength and energy back after doing Maraviroc for couple months I can happily say I’m back to normal. So, I am very comfortable with what I’m doing and every one of these drugs I take has a specific and special role to play.
I absolutely love my stack of FDA approved drugs. They are all doing amazing things for my health, I can tell the difference. And yes, I agree with @John_Hemming and others about metformin but honestly the reason I take it I had bought a big order of 1000 pills of 1000mg couple years ago (before discovering SGLt2’s) and now I take it about three days (on day of RAPA and couple days after) I don’t take it every day. When the stash is gone, I don’t think I’ll reorder. Empa and Acarbose should be good enough.
ps. and when you guys convince me about metformin not being necessarily useful, then there is @RapAdmin post on exemplary benefits of metformin LOL So now I take back my previous sentiment about metformin LOL
What’s the Deal with Renewed Interest in Metformin? - General - Rapamycin Longevity News
Everything that I’m taking, I literally love and take them specifically for healthspan and longevity. I did a lot of reading on here and other places before I set my mind that polymeds is the way to go, I emphasize in relatively small doses (since my markers are good and I’m very healthy)
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@Curtis_Hibbs What things did you eliminate. I feel the OP was channeling ME and I agree so Curtis there is a near 100% chance I’m taking what you eliminated. ;( 
To others, please post what you eliminated and why? The OP raised an important topic; taking too much and falling over the far side of the benefits curve.
tnx Curt