Dr. Peter Attia

So I think it's just helpful for patients not to get ideologically wrapped up in the idea of over-the-counter supplement versus pharmaceutical agent, and instead to just analyze any molecule you put in your body through the framework we're going to talk about today. Today, we're going to limit it to over-the-counter supplements because these are the things we get asked the most questions about.

So I think it's just helpful for patients not to get ideologically wrapped up in the idea of over-the-counter supplement versus pharmaceutical agent, and instead to just analyze any molecule you put in your body through the framework we're going to talk about today. Today, we're going to limit it to over-the-counter supplements because these are the things we get asked the most questions about.

And frankly, it's the area in which it's harder to do the type of analysis we're doing today. So the type of analysis we're doing today is so much easier to do in the pharma space because of the regulatory hurdles that must be cleared by a drug to be approved. So it's almost like shooting fish in a barrel.

And frankly, it's the area in which it's harder to do the type of analysis we're doing today. So the type of analysis we're doing today is so much easier to do in the pharma space because of the regulatory hurdles that must be cleared by a drug to be approved. So it's almost like shooting fish in a barrel.

Still a great exercise to do, but doing it the way we're going to do it today is really how you develop the muscle for doing this type of work.

Still a great exercise to do, but doing it the way we're going to do it today is really how you develop the muscle for doing this type of work.

I think this is the single most important thing I'm hopefully transmitting throughout this episode. I mean, the heavy lifting is actually showing you how we go through this, but this is the punchline. Anytime you're considering taking a supplement or someone is suggesting a supplement, you should ask the following questions or something that approximates them.

I think this is the single most important thing I'm hopefully transmitting throughout this episode. I mean, the heavy lifting is actually showing you how we go through this, but this is the punchline. Anytime you're considering taking a supplement or someone is suggesting a supplement, you should ask the following questions or something that approximates them.

So the first question I'm asking is, are you taking this to correct a deficiency or are you trying to achieve supernormal levels of fill in the blank? Second question, are you taking this molecule because you believe that it's going to improve your lifespan or your health span or potentially both?

So the first question I'm asking is, are you taking this to correct a deficiency or are you trying to achieve supernormal levels of fill in the blank? Second question, are you taking this molecule because you believe that it's going to improve your lifespan or your health span or potentially both?

The third question is, if it is lifespan, is it because this molecule is targeting a specific disease and presumably reducing your risk of that disease, or do we believe it's more broadly geroprotective?

The third question is, if it is lifespan, is it because this molecule is targeting a specific disease and presumably reducing your risk of that disease, or do we believe it's more broadly geroprotective?

In the supplement landscape, that's pretty rare to find, but obviously you can see examples in the pharma space where we might see certain drugs that we think have geroprotective benefits versus those that have lifespan benefits, but only on one disease.

In the supplement landscape, that's pretty rare to find, but obviously you can see examples in the pharma space where we might see certain drugs that we think have geroprotective benefits versus those that have lifespan benefits, but only on one disease.

Of course, the other question that is the corollary of that is if you're taking it for healthspan, can you speak to which apparatus of healthspan? Do you think this is something that is improving physical performance, cognitive performance, or emotional health?

Of course, the other question that is the corollary of that is if you're taking it for healthspan, can you speak to which apparatus of healthspan? Do you think this is something that is improving physical performance, cognitive performance, or emotional health?

The fourth question is, is there a biomarker that you can track to suggest that you are getting the appropriate amount of the supplement or that you might be in the therapeutic window? The fifth question is, do you understand the mechanism of action? Now, again, I want to be clear. You don't have to answer every one of these questions in the affirmative. for it to make sense.

The fourth question is, is there a biomarker that you can track to suggest that you are getting the appropriate amount of the supplement or that you might be in the therapeutic window? The fifth question is, do you understand the mechanism of action? Now, again, I want to be clear. You don't have to answer every one of these questions in the affirmative. for it to make sense.

For example, there are countless things that we use for which we might not fully understand the mechanism of action, but we might feel confident enough on some of these other dimensions to move forward. The final question is, what is the balance of risk to reward? Including potential side effects, the magnitude of the effect,

For example, there are countless things that we use for which we might not fully understand the mechanism of action, but we might feel confident enough on some of these other dimensions to move forward. The final question is, what is the balance of risk to reward? Including potential side effects, the magnitude of the effect,