Just looking at MOA, it seems astaxanthin would fit the bill. It uniquely stabilizes the lipid membrane as a highly effective and persistent antioxidant. Additionally, other carotenoids can be synergistic in this context (zeaxanthin, lycopene, beta carotene).
Antioxidant synergism between carotenoids in membranes. Astaxanthin as a radical transfer bridge
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814609001319
Dr. Greger claims shockingly low ferritin as OK, or even optimal.
Are the Lower Iron Stores in Vegetarians a Risk or a Benefit? (via NutritionFacts.org)
What does he suggest?
Ferritin as low as 15 doesn’t raise alarms, although 12 does. General claim that “normal” range too high, for optimal health should be moved lower; already above 50 suboptimal.
At the start of this year I was almost anaemic with ferritin at 30. I would be concerned about going too low because of the need for iron as part of the dopamine metabolism in the brain. I can see signs of being on the edge of anaemia because haemoglobin goes below 140 (g/L). Back in early 2025 I got down to 12.43, but I am not sure about that week’s results. Otherwise I have been below 20 a couple of times, but currently am targeting 50-70. I started out really high at 420.
What I would say is that we probably need a formula to look at iron stores which considers Hb, Iron and ferritin in some way as there is variation during the day and over a period of days which means just using ferritin is insufficient information when close to a threshold.
Asking three LLMs how to measure Iron the suggestion is we need to adjust ferritin by the soluble transferrin receptor.
Body Iron(mg/kg) = -(log(sTfR / Ferritin) - 2.8229) / 0.1207 (the Cook formula)
ChatGPT says it is logs to the base 10, Gemini says natural logarithms.
Having googled it a bit I think the answer is log 10.
However, labs tend not to give the sTfR figure.
Why do you think your ferritin is low John? I have the same issue and nothing (despite extensive tests, bar any endoscopy) explains it. Presumably an iron absorption problem. Causes me no issues though. Drops as low as 15 without boosts with Lactoferrin.
I do weekly blood draws. That with Randox uses 30ml of blood. That almost certainly is the reason it goes down. Also I am a binge drinker which affects iron absorption. However, often (perhaps normally) when I drink I take additional iron supplementation.
The combination of weekly blood draws, iron supplementation and binge drinking gives me relatively fine control on iron levels.
What I would say is that I do not currently have a problem with ferritin levels. Instead I have reasonably fine control on iron/ferritin levels, but I recognise there are complex issues with trying to set what they should be.
These are my 2026 figures (weekly)
67.78 57.72 39.36 30.35 59.77 60.27 76 58.63 70.55 55
I deliberately targeted around 30 for when it was 30.35, but then wanted to get back up because of dopamine issues.
Thanks. I’ve been a lifelong blood donor (over 60 units now) but in the last 3 yrs my Hb (say about 125) has meant they won’t allow me to donate. Shame as I value the benefit of planned blood loss. Think these issues might also explain my higher RCDW on the FBC/CBC which of course messes with any longevity clocks that use that marker. Sigh
I think at least part of the merit of blood loss if not the major part is the reduction in Iron. With Hb at 125 I don’t think you need to lose any iron.
Have you looked into a GLP1 to curb binge-drinking?
Many people who are low on iron report being tired. This resulted in many supplements to cure “tired blood”. Geritol was and is marketed to treat "iron-poor tired blood.
Why do I want to curb binge-drinking?
I type making my way through a nice bottle of Rioja.
Remember I am on the hedonistic wing of biohacking.
To explain I plan my weeks. Some days I have water fasts, some days I eat normally (which is not that much), some days I go out to dinner and drink (alcohol), some days I go out to dinner but don’t drink alcohol. Some days I eat normally, but do drink alcohol. There have been some days I have started fasting, but ended up drinking alcohol.
I do weekly blood tests so I know what is happening.
Because we want to keep you around, John. Your insights into longevity are important to us.
While results may vary there is no case to support binge drinking. Forget the liver.:
“Binge drinkers face elevated risks of accidents, injuries, violence, cardiovascular events, and acute alcohol poisoning—risks that don’t accumulate slowly; they can strike in a single night.”
“Research from UCSF found that alcohol consumed during just seven weeks of intermittent binge drinking harms the liver in ways that more moderate daily drinking does not — even a short period of binge drinking was enough to produce fatty liver tissue and trigger early-stage liver inflammation.”
I think I get JH. It’s about QOL. Binge drinking is not my thing (I enjoy a bit of alcohol buzz, but not further impairment), but most of us have something they prize highly as a QOL issue, but is suboptimal for health or longevity. As a thought experiment, if A had a life of 70 years, filled with bliss, and B 71 years spent in misery, which one would you choose. QOL variables move along a spectrum. Maybe JH is willing to give up 6 months or whatnot for a whole lot of pub time drinking on weekends or whatnot.
The other end too. I exercise in moderation, strictly for health. If someone told me I could gain 2 years of lifespan if I exercised daily for hours at puke intensity, I’d pass. I’m willing to do the 300 minutes a week of cardio and weights, but not a minute more. That’s my limit.
What’s your poison, Charles?
Chocolate, I do eat excessive amounts; it’s not the chocolate that’s killing me but the sugar involved. I don’t like chocolate containing anything higher than 75% cocoa, so some sugar is involved.
I have no moral objection to anyone enjoying life to the fullest. So, to choose between being a shooting star or a smoldering fuse, think is about a person’s fundamental make up.
We all enjoy things that other people don’t. I am constantly amazed at things people do and ask myself, “Why would they enjoy or want to do that?” Some people are adrenaline junkies; others are not. Though I do consider myself a risk taker.
“Stoic principles often describe the ‘wise man’ as sufficient unto himself in all things, meaning he finds happiness and wisdom internally rather than from external sources.”
I feel I mostly fall into this category. I don’t need to be entertained, and I am never bored.
I like chocolate, but I am evidence driven. …
It’s possible to ‘train’ your taste to find cocoa % at >85 delicious. Mind you there is a form of virtually pure sugar in the UK called Caramac that is evil (but delicious)
Caramac is 34% fat by weight. 58% sugar and the rest is protein and mineral. Hadn’t heard of it, thanks.
It is both terrible and wonderful. Sickly sweet. Apparently genome tests suggest I have a ‘sweet tooth’ and risks for T2 diabetes so I have trained myself away from such care. But I suppose my Acarbose and SGLT2i might offset the occasional lapse