An Update – November 2024

As I really haven’t been attempting to drive people to this site just yet (i.e. it is technically not a live site), I’m not really sure who reads these updates but even if one person decides to make multiple visits, I believe they might come away with the feeling that this “site” is not active. And in some sense that might be true as I’m continuing to spend a considerable amount of time doing research for The Guide to ensure that upon launch the information contained is as accurate as possible. At this point, the site will launch in early January effectively signaling the first version of the longevity guide being public. In the meantime, and as a way to increase my knowledge on longevity and it’s related subjects, I offer the following:

Reads

  • Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity – Peter Attia, M.D.
    • For many it will be quite obvious that I respect Dr. Attia’s approach to medicine and longevity. As a technologist, data plays a big part in how I live my life and Dr. Attia’s evidence based approaches to all aspects of medicine is right in my wheelhouse. If there is one book on longevity that I would recommend, it would be this book. It not only provides a great foundation for understanding longevity but also provides the evidence to back up the science of how we age and the actions we can take to begin to address aging.
  • Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health – Casey Means, M.D.
    • You will see further down in this thread that I have joined the Levels Trial, a trial that uses continuous glucose monitoring as a tool to monitor and improve metabolic health. Dr. Means, is the Chief Medical Officer and a co-Founder of Levels Health. Her book provides a good foundation for understanding metabolic health; although, some other aspects are not as evidenced based as Dr. Attia’s writing.
  • Super Human: The Bulletproof Plan to Age Backward and Maybe Even Live Forever – Dave Asprey
    • Dave Asprey has some very interesting ideas on longevity and not much of what I can tell is actually backed by evidence. Sure he has cited various sources throughout his book; however, a single epidemiological study or randomized clinical trial is rarely, if ever, enough on which to draw a solid conclusion. As I’m just doing research, I’m happy to have spent time reading his book but found very little information that I felt was actionable. With that said I did buy the Zona Plus, a device that is intended to improve cardiovascular health using isometric resistance training and I’m currently in testing with the device.
  • Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have To – David A. Sinclair, PhD. – (reading)
    • It is best to note that this is the same David Sinclair that is known for the 2006 mouse study that determined that resveratrol increased longevity in mice and ultimately boosted wine sales around the world. The ITP (Interventions Testing Program), the gold standard for health studies, was never able to duplicate that finding. My point for bringing this up is that the major contributions attributed to David Sinclair, i.e. resveratrol and aging, the role sirtuins play in longevity, and NAD+, have not been proven to either be reproducible in other labs or just have no hard evidence to substantiate the claims. Thus I am reading this with a very critical, but hopefully objective, eye.

Trials

  • I have been actively participating in the Levels Trial since September. Although CGMs are not fool proof devices, they can provide reliable metrics around which to make dietary decisions in an attempt to control blood glucose, thus resulting in better metabolic outcomes. I will write about this trial, and my experiences, in the upcoming new year.
  • I am also using the Zona Plus, a device that Dave Asprey recommends in his book, *sigh* to determine what impact that this device will have on lowering my blood pressure. My approach, as always, will be data informed and I’m still quite skeptical; however, I did thorough research and there is some evidence that isometric handgrip exercises, when used in a prescribed manner, have been shown to lower blood pressure.

Writes

Molecules

  • Added 300mg of Magnesium Glycinate – principle reason for cardiovascular health – started 9/26/24
    • Stopped taking in the morning as I believe it was impacting the absorption of my Synthroid
  • Added 3 grams of Glycine – principle reason for calming effects on nervous system before bed – started 10/9/24
  • Added 500mg of NMN – principle reason is for mitochondrial health – started 10/13/24
  • Modified Testosterone from 90 mg daily to 70 mg daily – started 10/22/24
    • As a way to see if my hematocrit and hemoglobin values get back in reference range

~ thrive ~


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About Me

Hello. My name is Michael OConnor.

I would describe myself as a technologist and fitness enthusiast who has been actively living a longevity lifestyle for well over 20 years.

I do not claim to be expert on the subject of longevity, nor do I have a medical degree. What I have is a passion for living my life in a manner that will allow me to be healthy, both cognitively and physically, and have the ability to perform random everyday tasks well into my senior years such as climbing stairs, getting off the floor, carrying groceries, and being able to walk a reasonable distance with no problem.

As the subject of longevity has become overly complicated and confusing, I decided to put together a straight forward guide that would allow me to have all of my research and opinions in a single place.

It struck me that others might find my guide useful so I decided to publish it online. Hence this is the result of that endeavor. ~thrive~

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