Yes - not a good sign. While I applaud many of Bryan’s efforts and it seems to be helping to raise the interest in the longevity field, his lack of interaction with mainstream longevity researchers, and his disinterest in debating with people about his approach is, I feel, disheartening and doesn’t help the cause.
6 Likes
JDK
#827
Yea he seems to be fronting his own things as well as many supplements, but rarely talk about the big guns like rapa, acarbose, glycine, nac and taurne. Even though he uses them… always makes me sceptical
1 Like
I’m visiting Tokyo and Osaka now for business and live in NYC, and I might point out that, aside from differing diets (fish, rice, etc), there is much higher population density in these locales which spur more use of public transportation which nessitates much more walking. I’d contrast this with a car culture where people drive to their mailboxes. This alone could be a longevity promoter outside of diet. (Sorry for misspellings I’m on a phone on the Shinkansen wifi now).
5 Likes
Neo
#829
It’s seems like his product offering does actually include - glycine, nac and taurne?
Rapa and acarbose would need to be regulated, become a pharmacy?
1 Like
L_H
#830
Yes the price of Bryan Johnson’s olive oil is enough to turn anyone cynical. His marketing is top notch though.
3 Likes
JDK
#831
I just saw one expensive nac supp, essentials dont seem to have anything except a fancy multi that most cover these days+ greens and probiotics
RobK
#832
Absolutely correct: use the Rx’s as they work predictably and well. I am on the path to get my LDL 20mg/dL to hopefully reverse 50% occluding coronary plaques.
4 Likes
Bryan has just launched this. I’ve signed up because why the hell not. I don’t know how much value it will have, but it is kind of interesting that he’s doing it and it’s quite a smart approach. I’m sure it will be rigorously panned and I have some reservations, but seems worth a go for a few months.
6 Likes
59vw
#834
Wishing you well RobK re plaque reduction. Curious if you’ve found literature evidence to support plaque reversal in the setting of super low ApoB? I know of two studies out of the University of Washington using Statin-Niacin combination that claimed plaque reversal by coronary calcium score but they were tiny studies (if I’m remembering correctly one had 12 patients) and it seems there is some variability in CAC scores as well.
I know Niacin gets a bad wrap these days because it has been pretty conclusively shown that raising HDL with Niacin does not improve mortatlity from ASCVD but I think it’s a good “drug” for aiding in lowering LDL cholesterol (ApoB) in the context of patients refractory to statin therapy. Now with PCSK9 inhibitors it may no longer be an option. But those studies from the UW nag me a bit about whether niacin has more overlooked utility but since it is cheap and off patent doesn’t get the respect it deserves.
Neo
#835
Anyone have experience with the tests in bold?
- DEXA scan for bone mineral density if risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis (or EchoLite REMS bone ultrasound for fracture risk, arguably more accurate and no radiation)
- DEXA scan for fat, visceral fat and muscle (or AMRA MRI body composition scan, no radiation and
Neo
#836
This one looks good, but can’t see how one can just go and do it as a consumer outside of a trial…
2 Likes
I have to say I’m a BJ fan. I dare say most of us would come off stark raving bonkers if we were interviewed doing our evening bathroom routine in our PJ’s.
Sure, the grounding of bed sheets seems weird but he obviously keeps an open mind, tries things out, then pushes them down his stack if they don’t show quantifiable benefits. He’s also wise enough not to overtly bag failed technology. I find him to be relatively humble, extraordinarily honest and suprisingly grounded.
I also appreciate that he shares what he’s doing especially as he clearly knows that a lot of people see him as an indulged, rich dude with too much time and money who is massaging his ego.
All in all, he can save many of us a lot of time trying on the metaphorical tin foil helmet. 
7 Likes
I had a dexa. It was quite interesting, but probably only worthwhile if you follow up and track any changes. It’s worthwhile knowing where you typically store fat. I should probably have another one, I’ve been lifting significantly heavier this past year.
6 Likes
AnUser
#839
The Meme King of Longevity Now Wants to Sell You Olive Oil - NYT, 12th January 2024.
Bryan Johnson, a data-obsessed Silicon Valley centimillionaire, is promoting food and supplements that promise to help people live longer. Scientists say his program is highly questionable. So why are people flocking to it?
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/12/business/bryan-johnson-longevity-blueprint.html
Full article: https://archive.ph/BLdvL
4 Likes
I’m generally positive on Bryan Johnson’s efforts because it helps move people into the longevity thinking mode… but I do find it rather funny that Bryan, who abandoned the Mormon faith, seems to be creating a bit of a religion of his own ;-).
7 Likes
AnUser
#841
When I asked Mr. Johnson if he was building a religion, he said yes. “Belief systems have proven to be stronger than countries, or companies, or anything else,” for helping humans reach goals, he said. “Every religion has been trying to offer a solution to ‘Don’t die’ — that’s the product they’ve generated,” he added.
He admits it. I was not expecting the longevity community to get weird, but I think I like it.
Are the OG’s watching with horror?
1 Like
LaraPo
#842
And he’s right about that. All religions offer immortality - some after death, and some before.
3 Likes
I don’t care if it turns into a cult as long as it gets money flowing.
4 Likes
59vw
#844
I think to the extent that Bryan Johnson embraces activities without hard science (grounding bed sheets etc) he does us a disservice by decreasing the credibility factor for longevity science. There are plenty of leaders in the field that steer clear of the voodoo and have done the field a great service by keeping the credibility high. Johnson is a bit of a spectacle in the news, lay press, etc. and it’s just that kind of “hey look what this guy is doing” reports that get things like the Dog Aging project de-funded in my opinion.
2 Likes
Yes - I agree that is a downside of his current approach to longevity.
1 Like
