Dr. Kaeberlein's Optispan Podcast Series - Rapamycin and More

TRT or lifestyle interventions?

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It sounds like TRT. (20 characters)

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Interesting. I guess his buddy, Attia is getting behind this.

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If I remember it correctly, he ranked creatine as one of the top things he took, yet he hasn’t had any for 6 months.

As a new adopter, I was curious why this would be because I have not heard it’s something to be cycled. Do you think life happened and he’s just lazy about it or any other thoughts?

He mentioned creatine, omega 3 and vitamin D as supplements he highly endorses.

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Yes, I did watch it, thank you. I was trying to ask if you could tell why he felt it was a top supplement to take yet he stopped taking it 6 months ago. Perhaps I misheard him and should rewatch.

It indeed sound like laziness. Something I can understand because I highly resistant to protocols that require daily dosing (excluding statins) .

Does anyone know how effective is 35f of creatine weekly vs 5g every day? From my reading, people don’t recommend high doses of creatine because of water retention issues. Is that the only concern?

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Been on Creatine close to 6 months daily 5 g in the morning coffee. With a double dose 10 g on workout day… I workout every other day 1.5 hours… muscle resistance.

Feel better overall… especially in gym… have gained weight… firmer muscles… chest, arm and butt… but weight is not fat… better water retention in my muscle cells. So seems good.

When I started on rapamycin after 4 months, I lost visceral fat about 20 pounds went from 198 pounds to 178 pounds . Stabilized at 183 pounds for past 4 years. Dexa body composition shows no fat.

That said, in the past 6 months on creatine up 8 pounds to 191 pounds. Clothes fitting tightly in chest, arms and butt… but waist same.

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Yep, I’m well aware of the benefits of daily dosing. I’m trying to find out how effective once-weekly dosing is, if at all.

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Great. Just confirming for me the water weight gain has been fine.

I agree the daily intake and remembering to dose it can be an issue. Why I keep creatine and taurine next to coffee pot. Spoonful of each goes in before the Keurig cup… every morning… lol.

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Got it, OK. Yes, and the delivery mechanism is not convenient either. It’s either several pills/chewables, or powder.

I figure that for muscles gains/maintainance I can either commit to take this for the rest of my life every day, or commit to 1 more day a week of strength training. I much prefer adding 1 more weekly training session for now.

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I think a scoop of powder in the coffee is the way to go. I use it daily.

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I was listening to this podcast yesterday while working out. I did not know there were any good longevity doctors in India, so it was nice to hear that Dr. Ranney in Mumbai has a practice and is prescribing (and using personally) rapamycin.

Perhaps if Westerners are traveling through Mumbai on work it may make sense to visit him, if you can’t get a good longevity doctor in your area.

Dr. Ranney’s linked in profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/docmranney/

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He says he’s going to get TPE done.

MK KW conference readout.pdf (172.3 KB)

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The arrival of these longevity clinics in India made me think about how cost effective they might be, given peoples experiences here with purchases of the medications from India. The exchange rate currently is about 84 rupees to the US$.

Full body MRIs:
Full body MRIs in India seem to be in the $250 to $500 range (US$).
The cost of a full body MRI scan in India generally ranges from ₹22,500 to ₹45,000. This price can vary depending on the city, hospital, and specific areas being scanned. For example, in Sonipat, the lowest price for a full body MRI scan is ₹22,500, while the market price can be as high as ₹45,000

Source: Google Gemini AI, and How Much MRI Scan Cost in India? | PoonaHospital

In the USA: A full-body MRI scan in the USA can cost anywhere from $1,495 to $4,499, depending on the clinic and the specific features included in the scan. Some companies, like Prenuvo, offer comprehensive scans that include additional tests like lab work and body composition analysis for around $2,500 to $4,499. Other providers, such as Ezra, offer a range of options, from a 30-minute scan for $1,495 to a 60-minute scan for $2,395.

Cleerly Heart Scans
For example, here is the pricing of Cleerly heart scans compared to the USA pricing (below). The exchange rate right now is about 84 rupees to the US$, so Cleerly exams are in the range of $78 to $122 US.

The cost of a Cleerly heart scan in the USA, which includes the Coronary CTA (CT Angiography) and AI analysis, is typically around $1,500 to $2,200. The exact price can vary depending on the imaging center and whether the scan is covered by insurance.

And they seem to have many centers that do blood testing, etc. So perhaps medical tourism focused on Longevity may make sense for some people.

A ā€œCleerly heart scan,ā€ which refers to a CT Coronary Angiogram (CCTA) with Cleerly analysis, can cost anywhere from ₹6,588 to ₹10,290 in India. The cost varies based on factors like hospital reputation, location, and the specific type of scan.

Factors Affecting Cost:

  • Hospital Reputation and Location:

Larger hospitals or cardiac centers generally have higher prices than smaller clinics or nursing homes.

  • Type of Scan:

CT Coronary Angiograms (CCTAs) with Cleerly analysis are typically more expensive than basic coronary calcium scans.

  • Geographical Location:

Prices can vary across different cities in India, according to Healthians.

  • Plaque Scoring:

Plaque analysis, a feature of Cleerly’s system, can add to the overall cost.

Example Prices:

  • Delhi: ₹6,588
  • Mumbai: ₹10,290
  • Lucknow: ₹7,200
  • Greater Noida: ₹9,450
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I’m not finding any indication that Cleerly analysis is available outside the US. Cleerly is not selling heavily discounted access to its software in India, which is what the above seems to be trying to imply.

No doubt the CCTA is cheaper.

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Ah… you are correct. At some point I’m sure they will expand there, but it appears not yet.

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I found this microbiome discussion interesting. Fecal transplants from young to old may not be a good idea, actually. Also, Matt throws shade on Pendulum, and it turns out the guest has used Glucose Contol.

Grok made more errors than usual in attribution. I tried to fix them, no warranties.

# The Hidden Side of Health You’re (2)…pdf (432.6 KB)

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I like Matt and respect him as a scientist, but I don’t think he’s a very good podcast host. And the bald doctor guy he has on regularly (Kevin?) is really bad at explaining things. I just find myself really frustrated listening to him talk really slowly, saying ā€œyou knowā€ a lot of times, and Matt having to like fill in all the blanks.

So I will definitely watch the videos where Matt is talking about a research paper, particularly on Rapamycin, because that’s his expertise. He’s an experienced researcher and peer reviewer and he knows what’s going on. But this stuff like cardiovascular and gut microbiome is too far outside of his field.

GI issues. Back in the day, the protocol was to take 20g per day for a week to ā€œloadā€ your muscles with creatine. A good % of people will get horrible stomach cramps and you’ll be on the toilet for a while. 5g per day is effortless, works well, and likely won’t have any side effects.

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Introduction to Gene Therapy

  • The discussion begins with an introduction to the guests Ivan Morganov and Anna Vakuseva, who are involved with Unlimited Bio, a company focused on gene therapy.
  • The conversation explores the potential benefits and challenges of gene therapy, particularly in relation to aging and regulatory frameworks.
  • The extracellular matrix is highlighted as a significant yet often overlooked factor in aging, with implications for longevity science.
  • The regulatory landscape for gene therapies is also addressed, emphasizing the need for appropriate models to ensure safety and efficacy.

Personal Backgrounds of the Guests

  • Ivan shares his journey from Russia to Israel, revealing his search for purpose and his desire to combat aging as a significant life challenge.
  • He discusses his early interests in IT and business, leading to his eventual involvement in funding scientific research related to longevity.
  • Anna recounts her academic background in biology and bioengineering, detailing her transition from academia to industry, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Both guests emphasize their commitment to advancing longevity science through innovative therapies.

Concerns About Unregulated Therapies

  • The discussion transitions to concerns regarding unregulated gene therapies, particularly in light of recent conferences and public discourse on the subject.
  • Ivan expresses his belief that overregulation may hinder scientific progress in the field of longevity and gene therapy.
  • The importance of finding a balance between regulation and innovation is emphasized, as well as the need for transparent and effective regulatory models.
  • Anna reflects on the challenges faced in developing therapies and navigating regulatory environments, especially in different countries.

The Role of Extracellular Matrix in Aging

  • Ivan highlights the extracellular matrix as a critical component in aging, suggesting that it has been historically underestimated in longevity research.
  • He argues that the environment surrounding cells is just as important as the cells themselves in determining health outcomes.
  • The conversation touches on the idea that restoring or enhancing the extracellular matrix could be a key strategy in combating age-related decline.
  • Anna adds that understanding the extracellular matrix could lead to breakthroughs in therapies aimed at improving longevity and healthspan.

Unlimited Bio and Its Mission

  • Unlimited Bio was founded with the vision of exploring underappreciated areas of longevity science, particularly focusing on the extracellular matrix.
  • The company aims to develop therapies that address the root causes of aging and improve health outcomes for individuals.
  • Ivan and Anna discuss their goals of creating therapies that are both effective and accessible, emphasizing the importance of scientific validation.
  • They express a commitment to navigating the complexities of regulatory frameworks to bring innovative therapies to market.

Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities

  • The conversation shifts to the regulatory challenges faced by Unlimited Bio, particularly in the context of developing gene therapies.
  • Ivan discusses the bureaucratic hurdles that can impede the progress of promising therapies, highlighting the need for a more streamlined regulatory process.
  • Anna shares insights into how regulatory models can evolve to better support innovation while ensuring patient safety.
  • The importance of international collaboration and knowledge sharing among regulatory bodies is emphasized as a way to improve the landscape for gene therapies.

Current and Future Therapies

  • The discussion delves into the specific therapies being developed by Unlimited Bio, including their VEGF gene therapy for peripheral artery disease.
  • Anna explains the mechanism of action of VEGF, emphasizing its role in promoting new blood vessel formation and improving circulation.
  • The potential applications of VEGF therapy extend beyond peripheral artery disease to include muscle vascularization and hair follicle health.
  • The guests express optimism about the future of gene therapy in the context of aging and longevity, advocating for continued research and development.

Ethical Considerations and Patient Safety

  • The ethical implications of gene therapy, particularly in relation to patient safety and informed consent, are discussed.
  • Ivan stresses the importance of allowing individuals the freedom to choose their therapies while ensuring they are adequately informed of the risks and benefits.
  • The role of insurance companies in regulating access to gene therapies is also highlighted, with an emphasis on the need for transparency and accountability.
  • Both guests agree that as the field of gene therapy evolves, ongoing discussions about ethics and safety will be crucial to its success.

Conclusion and Future Directions

  • The conversation concludes with reflections on the future of gene therapy and its potential to transform the field of longevity science.
  • Ivan and Anna express their commitment to advancing research that addresses the root causes of aging and improves health outcomes for individuals.
  • They emphasize the importance of collaboration between scientists, regulators, and industry to create a sustainable and ethical framework for gene therapies.
  • The guests invite further exploration and dialogue on the promise of gene therapy as a tool for enhancing longevity and healthspan.
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