How to Avoid the Traps of Health Influencers and Choose Science-Based Solutions

If you want to improve your health, you should be careful about who you listen to.

There are many health influencers out there who claim to have the best advice for you, but they often contradict each other or lack scientific support.

For example, some of them say that you should limit your protein intake, while others say that you should eat a lot of protein. Who is right?

One of the arguments for limiting protein intake is based on the studies of Sinclair, who found that mice that ate less protein lived longer. He suggested that this could apply to humans as well. However, this is a very simplistic and misleading conclusion. Humans are not mice in a cage. We have different needs and challenges than laboratory animals. We need protein to maintain our immune system, our muscle mass, our enzymes and our chemical balance. We also face different stressors and environmental factors than mice in a controlled setting. Therefore, we cannot generalize from mice studies to human health. In fact, most studies recommend that humans consume 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, depending on their activity level. Eating too little or too much protein can have negative consequences for your health.

David Sinclair is one of the most influential people in the world when it comes down to longevity science

Another problem with many health influencers is that they base their claims on personal anecdotes or testimonials, rather than scientific evidence.

For instance, some of them promote ice baths as a way to improve your recovery or metabolism (among other benefits), but there is no solid proof for that. On the contrary, there is evidence that ice baths can impair your muscle adaptation and inflammation response (see the article in the footer)

There are also many cases of supplements that are hyped as the key to eternal life (such as resveratrol, fisetin, nmn and so on), but they turn out to be ineffective or even harmful for humans. However, they are very profitable for the people who sell them.

How can you know if a supplement is safe or not?

The answer is not simple, because supplements are not regulated by the same standards as drugs. They do not have to prove their safety or efficacy before they are marketed. They can also contain ingredients that are not listed on the label, or interact with other medications or foods that you consume. Therefore, you should always consult your doctor before taking any supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or take any prescription drugs. You should also do your own research and look for reliable sources of information, such as peer-reviewed studies or reputable organizations. You should avoid websites or blogs that are sponsored by supplement companies or have a conflict of interest.

At age-healthy, we do not follow the trends or the fads of the health industry.

We do not give you false promises or easy recipes. We provide you with solutions that are based on science, our evolutionary history and the experience of the blue zones (the regions where people live the longest and healthiest). We tailor our solutions to your individual needs and goals. We help you achieve optimal health and longevity.