Therapeutics

Therapeutics, including medications, supplements, and other treatments, are an important strategy for living a healthier, longer life. With the right combination of medications, supplements, and treatments, it is possible to reduce inflammation, prevent age-related diseases, and potentially extend lifespan.

Please note: all of the following is still a work in progress

Medications

mTOR Inhibitors

mTOR inhibitors are a type of medication that have been shown to have potential anti-aging and life-extension benefits. They are targeted to a specific enzyme, mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), which regulates cell growth and metabolism, and can be used to slow down the effects of aging. Studies have shown that mTOR inhibitors may help to reduce inflammation, prevent age-related diseases, and even extend lifespan. They are most commonly used to treat certain types of cancer and as immunosuppressive drugs for organ transplant patients, but have been explored for their potential in anti-aging and life-extension therapies.

• Rapamycin works by inhibiting mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), an enzyme that regulates cell growth and metabolism. By inhibiting this enzyme, rapamycin slows down the effects of aging and has been shown to reduce inflammation, prevent age-related diseases, and even extend lifespan. It works by binding to the mTOR protein and preventing it from doing its job, thus inhibiting cell growth and metabolism. Rapamycin has been used for decades in cancer treatments, as well as for immunosuppressive drugs for organ transplant patients. Recently, it has been explored for its potential in anti-aging and life-extension therapies. For longevity and preventative health, it is typically used in doses of 4-12mg, once per week. It is also known by the trade name Rapamune and the generic name sirolimus.
• Everolimus is another type of mTOR inhibitor, similar to rapamycin. It works in a similar manner by inhibiting mTOR, thus slowing down the effects of aging and reducing inflammation, preventing age-related diseases, and even extending lifespan. However, everolimus has a different structure than rapamycin, which may make it more effective at inhibiting mTOR. Additionally, everolimus has fewer side effects than rapamycin, making it a preferential choice.
• Startups:
  • Healthspan — prescribes rapamycin as well as acarbose (see below)

Lipid Lowering Medications

• PCSK9 inhibitors are a class of lipid-lowering medications that work by blocking a protein known as Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). This protein helps to regulate the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the body, and when it is blocked, the amount of LDL cholesterol decreases. This can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke.
  • Evolocumab is prescribed as an injection, given at a dose of 140mg/mL every two weeks. It is also known by the trade name Repatha.
  • Alirocumab is prescribed as an injection, given at a dose of 75mg/mL every two weeks. It is also known by the trade name Praluent.
• Statins are a class of lipid-lowering medications that work by blocking an enzyme in the liver known as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR). This enzyme helps to regulate the production of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is a type of “bad” cholesterol. Blocking this enzyme reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol in the body, which can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke.
  • Atorvastatin is taken orally as a pill, typically at a dose of either 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, or 80mg per day. It is also known by the trade name Lipitor.
  • Rosuvastatin is taken orally as a pill, typically at a dose of either 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, or 40mg per day. It is also known by the trade name Crestor.
• Selective cholesterol-absorption inhibitors are a class of lipid-lowering medications that block the intestinal absorption of cholesterol by inhibiting the cholesterol transporter protein NPC1L1. This protein is responsible for the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine, and when it is blocked, the absorption of both dietary and biliary cholesterol is prevented, resulting in a decrease in cholesterol levels in the blood.
  • Ezetimibe

Blood Pressure Medications

• ACE Inhibitors (or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) are a class of medications used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). They work by inhibiting the enzyme angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which is responsible for the production of a hormone called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes the blood vessels to constrict, which increases blood pressure. By blocking the production of this hormone, ACE inhibitors work to relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure. ACE inhibitors have been shown to be effective in treating hypertension, and are typically prescribed in combination with other blood pressure medications.