Category

Medications & supplements

In our practice, we organize longevity tactics into five domains — one of which I call ‘exogenous molecules,’ a fancy way of talking about medications, supplements, hormones, or any other formulated molecule you put into your body. Although powerful, this tactic can be challenging to discuss as it is highly individual. So instead of telling you to “take X” or “never take Y,” I find it more beneficial to approach this tactic with a 3-part framework:
(1) What is the objective? The more clearly you can define your objective, the more clearly you can assess if this is the right tool for accomplishing that objective
(2) Is there a biomarker? How do you plan to customize, track, and adjust your treatment over time? If there is no biomarker to monitor as a measure of effectiveness, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the supplement or medication; it just means you may need to be more intentional around monitoring results in other ways.
(3) Does the risk outweigh the reward? Everyone has a different tolerance for risk. Some questions to consider when weighing risk vs. reward: What is the mechanism of action? How many patient years of use exist? What are the short-term and long-term risks of taking the medication? What are the risks of not taking the medication?
Below is a collection of past content discussing some common supplements, medications, and other treatments.

#320 – AMA 64: New insights on GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) – efficacy, benefits, risks, and considerations in the rapidly evolving weight-loss drug landscape

“If you’re taking these drugs, really, really pay attention to your protein consumption and your resistance training. . .that’s obviously going to be an important part of being on the right side of that body composition curve.” — Peter Attia

#316 – AMA #63: A guide for hair loss: causes, treatments, transplants, and sex-specific considerations

“Genetic sensitivity to DHT appears far more important than absolute DHT level. But. . .lowering DHT is a very important strategy to either preventing or halting hair loss.” —Peter Attia

#314 ‒ Rethinking nutrition science: the evolving landscape of obesity treatment, GLP-1 agonists, protein, and the need for higher research standards | David Allison, Ph.D.

“I think we really need a radically different public health paradigm.” —David Allison

A recent study does little to supplement earlier knowledge on multivitamins and health

Mainstream media has reported dubious results of a study indicating that the use of multivitamins is not associated with a reduction in mortality risk, but even if this were true, does it really mean they offer no benefit for health?

#311 ‒ Longevity 101: a foundational guide to Peter’s frameworks for longevity, and understanding CVD, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, nutrition, exercise, sleep, and more

“I would say three-quarters of the benefits you can get towards a longer life, come solely from pursuing better health.” —Peter Attia

Does pharmacological treatment for ADHD increase risk of cardiovascular disease?

A recent study suggests that use of medications commonly prescribed for ADHD treatment is associated with increased risk of certain cardiovascular conditions, but does it exceed the risks associated with untreated ADHD?

Does hormone replacement therapy impact dementia risk?

A recent case-control study reports that menopausal hormone therapy is associated with increased risk of dementia, but results have little relevance for modern clinical practice

#306 – AMA #60: preventing cognitive decline, nutrition myths, lowering blood glucose, apoB, and blood pressure, and more

“Metabolic health, first and foremost, is the goal of nutrition.” —Peter Attia

#304 – NEW: Introducing quarterly podcast summaries – Peter shares his biggest takeaways on muscle protein synthesis, VO2 max, toe strength, gut health, and more

“Getting a high VO2 max and being very strong are very hard to do. They take a long time. Everybody can do them, but they can’t be done quickly and easily, so therefore, they are the tip of the spear.” —Peter Attia

Oldies-But-Goodies, May 2024 Edition

A collection of past newsletters on topics including continuous glucose monitors, fish oil, nutritional epidemiology, fostering meaningful friendships, and traffic safety

1 2 3 … 21
Facebook icon Twitter icon Instagram icon Pinterest icon Google+ icon YouTube icon LinkedIn icon Contact icon