The HealthSpan Protocol

Diagram 1: Overview of the HealthSpan Protocol: key elements include ongoing assessment and education

Quantifying aging

Whilst those participating in our program often report an increase of various health measures, our aim is to achieve a sustainable decrease in the rate of aging. Therefore, central to our approach is the measurement of biological aging: firstly to establish the customer’s baseline aging trajectory, and secondly, to monitor the effect of anti-aging interventions.

Consistent with current evidence, the biological aging biomarkers we employ include DNA methylation (epigenetic clock), glycated haemoglobin (measure of metabolic dysregulation) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (measure of chronic inflammation).

↓ with aging

buccal DNA methylation (selected markers) **

serum cell-free LINE-1 methylation **

buccal (leukocyte) mitochondrial copy number **

buccal (leukocyte) telomere length **

serum DHEA *

serum HDL-C *

↑ with aging

serum HbA1c *

serum triglycerides *

serum hs-CRP *

serum homocysteine *

Table 1: Key reversible aging biomarkers.
* commonly ordered bloods
** myGene lab tests

The rate of aging, aging-related disease and maximal lifespan are strongly heritable traits so we perform a genetic screen to identify genetic strengths and weaknesses that may provide insight towards treatment personalisation including nutrigenetics and pharmacogenetics. This data is supplemented by health history questionnaires and more extensive bloods including endocrine function. Our customers are also encouraged to utilise sleep, activity and blood glucose tracking devices.

Diagram 2: myGene genetic test report showing aging related genes and modifiable risk factors

Dietary Interventions

The core objectives of our dietary program are to reduce systemic inflammation, increase insulin sensitivity, optimise hormone levels and promote quality sleep. The second order objectives are increased energy, positive mood, cognitive function, appetite control and an improvement in aging biomarkers. The longer term aim is to bring the customer to a suitable body mass index with a desirable amount of lean body mass and stability of aging biomarkers. This is supported by two dietary products: the myCare nutrigenomic range formulated to interact with key physiological pathways and the geneFuel superfood range, a meal-enhancement and replacement that includes high quality plant based proteins and anti-inflammatory fats. The products may used independently of each other or stacked according to customer requirements and changing objectives.

product	systems modulated	applications	ingredients
myRepair	inflammation	increase repair in acute or chronic soft-tissue injury	marine collagen, turmeric, alma berry, ginger, frankincense, piperine, devil’s claw
myCalm	cognitive neurotransmitter	anxiolytic, sleep	St Johns wort, pomegranate, gotu cola, ashwaganda
myFocus	cognitive neurotransmitter	alertness, cognitive endurance	ginseng, lion’s mane, gotu cola, rosemary, saffron, creatine, bacopa
mySkin	skin	skin repair and maintenance	marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, broccoli sprouts, ligon berry, amla berry, turmeric, tomato
myBalance Woman	female endocrine	maintain youthful hormone levels in women particular peri- and post-menopausal	ginseng, schisandra berry, black cohosh, corcydeps tirbulus, sage
myBalance Man	male endocrine	maintain youthful hormone levels in men particularly in adropause	ginseng, ashwagada, ginko biloba, rosemary, pipeline, turmeric, tribulus, corcyceps, macuna
myLongevity	senolysis, autophagy	pro-longevity, genomic stability	resveratrol, berberine, piperine, quercetrin, nicotinamide riboside, cacao

Table 2: The myCare range targets key aging pathways

Formulation Considerations

Determination of the type and quantity of ingredients is based on evidence- based principles according to the most recent published findings on efficacy and safety. All ingredients are derived from organically grown plants with the exception of marine collagen (sourced from Nordic deep sea cod), and hyaluronic acid. In order to retain all beneficial plant compounds, the entire plant component is used rather than chemically purified extracts. No excipients are ever incorporated. The evidence on formulations is reviewed periodically.

Fasting and time restricted meals

Ad libitum feeding and over-nutrition in laboratory animals shortens lifespan whilst caloric restriction and/or time restricted feeding increases it. In the wild, animals will expend energy seeking out food until they achieve a level of repletion relative to the energy required to seek out more food. In humans the same principles apply and until the age of food industrialisation obesity was a rare phenomenon.

Today we know that caloric restriction and/or intermittent fasting is the single most effective intervention for various metabolic disorders and for reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer. We therefore strongly advocate, in adults, for a maximum of two meals a day with an aim for a single meal per 24 hours in order to achieve an optimal metabolic state that supports pro-longevity. Periodically a two or even three-day fast may also be be practiced.

Notably, the two most well researched pro-longevity pathways, the mTor and Sirtuin systems, are beneficially modulated by caloric restriction and intermittent fasting.

BMI and longevity

Cardiovascular disease, cancer, susceptibility to COVID-19 morbidity, depression and shorter lifespan are all strongly linked to BMI. Indeed BMI as a biomarker is the strongest predictor of current systolic blood pressure, triglyceride and HbA1c levels. However, for many, lowering BMI is a struggle and for some may appear unattainable. The dietary approach of the myGene protocol induces high levels of satiety and aids in regulating appetite.

Behavioural Interventions

The value of the practice of mindfulness as a health and aging intervention cannot be understated. Numerous studies have demonstrated significant improvements in various health metrics including telomere length following the practice of meditation. We strongly encourage mindfulness interventions be included as part of an pro-longevity program.

Pharmacological Interventions

Pharmacological interventions are managed by a medical professional who reviews medical background and any existing medication including myCare usage, which has interactions with a number of medicines.

The core objective of pharmacological approaches are to transiently inhibit the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTorC1), which regulates senolysis and autophagy, to increase the rate of sirtuin-mediated DNA repair, and manage for a range of aging-related endocrine deficiencies.

Key to the success of the endocrine aspects of this approach is to personalise administration such that endocrine levels are consistent with the patient’s own physiological levels during a younger age whilst regularly monitoring for safety.

Data support

An evidence-based approach requires an ongoing surveillance of published, peer-reviewed research. In this rapidly evolving area whose intersecting domains include the study of genetics, epigenetics, nutrition, molecular biology, pharmacology, pathology and gerontology, it is a resource intensive undertaking. In support of this, we utilise and actively develop artificial intelligence technology to aid in searching, categorising and organising information from numerous databases. Where possible, we also retain a current local copy of key databases such Medline and Pubmed Central.

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