Extended blood panel
Regular bloodwork including ApoB, lipids, glucose and hormones
ApoB and Lp(a) rather than just total cholesterol; fasting insulin and HbA1c rather than just glucose; thyroid, vitamin D and inflammatory markers on top of those. Testing this far beyond a standard annual physical is meant to catch trends years before a diagnosis, and to give you a baseline against which any intervention can be judged. Ordered through a doctor or through a direct-to-consumer lab. Interpretation is where the value is.
People on record
Sorted by strength of stance
Does it: documented as part of their own routine. Recommends: explicitly advises other people to do it. Discusses: covered it substantively without clear personal adoption; this can include criticism or disagreement.
- Bryan JohnsonDoes it
Founder · Blueprint longevity protocol
Blood work every three to six months, an annual full-body MRI, percentile results published.
Source: Blueprint protocol site - Kelly StarrettDoes it
Doctor of physical therapy · The Ready State
Held an eat-food-and-skip-supplements position for years. Then he started testing regularly and found deficiencies he had not suspected. Pairing the panels with genetic testing is what pointed at how poorly he handles omega-3s. Very specific, very personalized supplementation is how he describes the role it plays now.
Source: The Tim Ferriss Show: Kelly Starrett Q&A, episode 85 transcript - Mark HymanRecommends
Physician · The Dr. Hyman Show · author of Young Forever
Wants people testing far beyond a standard checkup: vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3 levels, ferritin, inflammatory markers and a full lipid panel. He co-founded Function Health, which sells that panel, an interest he states himself.
Source: The Dr. Hyman Show: How To Choose The Best Supplements (episode transcript) - Peter AttiaRecommends
Physician · The Drive · author of Outlive
ApoB and Lp(a) rather than a standard lipid panel, he argues, because the standard test misses the risk.
Source: peterattiamd.com: cardiovascular disease risk and the importance of ApoB - Rhonda PatrickRecommends
Biomedical scientist · FoundMyFitness
Vitamin D, the omega-3 index, ApoB, Lp(a), homocysteine and fasting insulin are the markers she pushes people to measure rather than supplement blind.
Source: FoundMyFitness: key biomarkers - Steven BartlettDiscusses
Entrepreneur · The Diary of a CEO
He has covered detailed biomarker testing with medical guests. He treats it as the starting point for any health change.
Source: The Diary of a CEO podcast
Aimed at the same thing
Other entries filed under longevity.
- Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Resistance training
Lifting weights 2-4 times a week to build and hold muscle
On record from 43 of 62 tracked people: 37 do it, 4 recommend it, 2 have discussed it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Protein-forward eating
Roughly 1g of protein per pound of target bodyweight, spread across meals
On record from 21 of 62 tracked people: 15 do it, 5 recommend it, 1 has discussed it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Time-restricted eating
Confining food to a set window, often 8-10 hours a day
On record from 21 of 62 tracked people: 13 do it, 8 have discussed it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Sauna
Regular heat exposure, often 4 sessions a week at 20 minutes
On record from 17 of 62 tracked people: 11 do it, 3 recommend it, 3 have discussed it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Zone 2 cardio
Easy aerobic work you can hold a conversation through, 3+ hours a week
On record from 12 of 62 tracked people: 5 do it, 5 recommend it, 2 have discussed it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Cycling
Steady riding, outdoors or on a stationary bike, as daily low-intensity cardio
On record from 9 of 62 tracked people: 9 do it
Protocol entry · notes paraphrased from cited sources, quoted excerpts copied from the transcript they link to. Not medical advice. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by anyone listed. How this works.