Why This Matters to Us:
As longevity enthusiasts, we're always looking for evidence-based strategies to extend healthspan and lifespan. Bryan Johnson's approach, while extreme, highlights the potential of pharmaceuticals in influencing the aging process. Understanding the mechanisms behind these drugs and their effects is crucial for informed decision-making in our own pursuit of longevity. While the information from the provided Traumatic Brain Injury (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493214/) link may not be directly related, exploring the molecular mechanisms of cellular damage and repair is crucial to understanding aging and potential interventions.
The Detail:
Bryan Johnson, known for his "Don't Die" slogan, has revealed his "Longevity Therapeutics," a list of pharmaceuticals he believes contribute to his optimal health biomarkers.
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Acarbose (200 mg Daily): This anti-diabetes drug inhibits an intestinal enzyme, slowing down carbohydrate digestion and minimizing blood glucose spikes. By blunting post-meal blood sugar levels, acarbose improves insulin sensitivity. Animal studies suggest it may also reduce cardiovascular events and extend lifespan.
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Tadalafil (2.5 mg Daily): Commonly used for erectile dysfunction, tadalafil relaxes blood vessels, increasing blood flow. This enhances endothelial function, reduces inflammation, and may protect against age-related cardiovascular and metabolic decline. Some studies suggest it could reduce the risk of mortality, heart attacks, strokes, and dementia.
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Candesartan (8 mg Daily): Prescribed for high blood pressure and heart failure, candesartan also relaxes blood vessels. It may reduce blood pressure, protect against heart failure progression, preserve kidney function, and potentially reduce brain inflammation. Research indicates that intranasal administration of candesartan reduces brain inflammation in mice with Alzheimer's disease.
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Jardiance (10 mg Daily): Jardiance, or empagliflozin, is an anti-diabetic medication that inhibits sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) in the kidneys, reducing glucose retention. SGLT2 inhibitors have shown promise as longevity interventions, mimicking calorie restriction in animal studies and decreasing the risk of heart, kidney, liver, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Repatha (140mg/mL Every Two Weeks): Used for cholesterol optimisation. Repatha is the brand name for evolocumab, a drug prescribed for lowering cholesterol.
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Thyroid Extract (60 mg Daily) & Levothyroxine (100 µg Daily): Johnson takes Armour Thyroid thyroid extract and levothyroxine to treat his diagnosed hypothyroidism.
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Minoxidil (3.75 mg Daily): A vasodilator used to counteract hair loss.
Johnson's approach raises questions about whether such interventions are necessary or beneficial for healthy individuals who already maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and prioritize sleep. The impact of each specific drug is difficult to isolate due to the many variables in Johnson's lifestyle.
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