Final week I shared my private longevity should‑haves. The response was overwhelming—a lot of you shared tales of residing with power sickness, caring for folks with dementia, or just wanting to remain wholesome on your youngsters and grandkids. Others despatched sharp questions concerning the science behind longevity.
Studying by all of it, I noticed the identical themes come up many times. That’s what I wish to reply immediately.
1. What’s the behavior that makes the largest distinction?
My reply: sleep. In case you’re not sleeping effectively (emphasis on the phrase “effectively”) nothing else strikes the needle. Because of this I referred to as my guide “The 8-Hour Sleep Paradox” — folks get their eight hours and assume they’re carried out, when that couldn’t be farther from the reality.
Why is a dentist speaking about sleep? As a result of the way you sleep is determined by how your mouth and jaw developed as a baby.
Dentists are literally educated on this. The American Academy of Dental Sleep Drugs (AADSM) exists to assist dentists acknowledge and deal with sleep-disordered respiratory, as a result of the form of your jaws, how your tooth match collectively, and the place your tongue rests can all have an effect on whether or not your airway stays open at evening.
This isn’t fringe—it’s accepted, evidence-based care. Which is why I say typically…
In case your dentist doesn’t ask you about your sleep, it’s time to discover a new dentist.
After sleep, spermidine (hyperlink to the one I take) and C15:0 dietary supplements are the 2 I by no means drop, particularly for longevity. They handle mobile growing older immediately—autophagy and membrane energy.
Get Dr. B’s Dental Well being Ideas
You possibly can’t be wholesome and not using a wholesome mouth. Join my free publication and also you’ll get my unconventional ideas, beginning with: If I had a cavity, right here’s precisely what I’d do to reverse it.
2. Why We Wrestle to Stick With Habits (and Easy methods to Repair It)
Most individuals don’t wrestle with realizing what to do. They wrestle with doing it, persistently. That’s the place the true longevity work occurs.
One reader instructed me: “The issue is execution. I do know a lot of this stuff, however I can’t follow them.”
I’ve seen this in sufferers and in my very own life. One story I’ve instructed for many years: if flossing feels overwhelming, begin with simply one tooth. That impossibly low bar is difficult to fail at, and over time the behavior grows—two tooth, then three, till the entire mouth will get carried out.
The identical psychology applies to any longevity behavior.
The answer is to not pile on extra. It’s to decide on fewer levers and cut back friction:
- Decide one non-negotiable and make it ridiculously straightforward and small (i.e. floss one tooth).
- Stack a brand new behavior onto an present one (stroll proper after dinner, tape your mouth proper earlier than mattress).
- Observe your wins—consistency compounds.
3. Your Complement Questions, Answered: Magnesium, Spermidine, C15:0, Omega-3s
I received dozens of questions on dietary supplements. A number of the most typical:
- Is it secure to take magnesium in case your ranges are regular?
Sure. Blood assessments don’t inform the total story. And most of us are nonetheless decrease than is perfect, even when serum ranges look “regular.” Magnesium helps over 300 enzymatic reactions, calms the nervous system, regulates blood strain, and improves sleep depth. Latest 2024 evaluations hyperlink larger magnesium consumption with decrease all-cause mortality and lowered threat of dementia and heart problems. I take this one each day as a result of it’s one of the best in the marketplace. - Is spermidine gluten-free?
It is determined by sourcing. I exploit a gluten-free one. You received’t get sufficient from meals alone—most research recommend supplementation if you need dependable autophagy advantages. - Is C15:0 simply one other fish oil?
No. C15:0 is a hint fatty acid that strengthens growing older cell membranes. It enhances omega-3s however works in a different way—consider it as restoring cell structure, not simply decreasing irritation. (Hyperlink to the one I take) - Do longevity dietary supplements mess with hormones?
There’s no proof that spermidine or C15:0 disrupt hormones. Most concern on-line is with compounds like resveratrol or rapamycin, which act on pathways that may overlap with hormone regulation. Spermidine and C15:0 have clear security profiles in present analysis. - Do I would like each omega‑3s and C15:0?
Sure—they aim totally different pathways. Omega‑3s cut back irritation and help mind/coronary heart. C15:0 stabilizes cell membranes and prompts AMPK/PPAR for metabolic resilience. - What’s one of the best time of day to take spermidine?
Analysis is early, however as a result of spermidine helps autophagy, many take it within the morning or throughout a fasting window. Consistency is extra essential than timing. - Can I mix C15:0 with omega‑3s?
Sure. Research recommend they’re complementary: omega-3s cut back irritation, whereas C15:0 strengthens membranes and improves metabolic signaling. - Does spermidine work straight away?
No. Autophagy is a protracted‑time period course of. Advantages accumulate over months. Human trials present measurable enhancements in resilience markers after constant use. - What’s distinctive about C15:0 in comparison with different fatty acids?
It’s a hint odd‑chain saturated fatty acid. Not like most saturated fat, it’s linked to decrease irritation, improved cell restore, and higher metabolic stability. - Can omega‑3s substitute spermidine?
No. Omega‑3s and spermidine work on totally different longevity pathways. One helps irritation management, the opposite clears broken proteins and organelles.
4. Oral Well being = Longevity Drugs
What in case your dentist holds the key to residing longer?
Right here’s my view:
- Oral well being is systemic well being. We now know that micro organism from the mouth—particularly P. gingivalis, a keystone pathogen in gum illness—don’t keep confined to the gums. They will enter the bloodstream, set off irritation in distant organs, and have been detected within the brains of sufferers with Alzheimer’s illness. Research recommend their toxins (gingipains) could injury neurons and speed up cognitive decline. This is without doubt one of the clearest examples of the mouth–physique connection: the well being of your gums and oral microbiome has direct penalties on your mind, coronary heart, and general longevity.
- Flossing is without doubt one of the strongest preventive instruments we’ve got. It disorganizes the pathogens that begin the cascade and retains gum illness from gaining a foothold. As soon as illness is superior, you’ll want skilled care too—however each day flossing is the behavior that ideas the chances in your favor.
- Oil pulling: swishing oil (like coconut or MCT) for two–5 minutes. It helps the oral microbiome, and is secure. Consider it as an addition to, not a alternative for, brushing and flossing.
- Hydroxyapatite: I’d solely use Fluidnova model nano‑hydroxyapatite, which is biomimetic and effectively‑studied for remineralization and systemic security. It integrates naturally with enamel, helps oral well being with out fluoride, and has a robust security profile. (Hyperlink to my toothpaste)
I’ll go away you with this:
The most important threat to your longevity is feeling overwhelmed. Select one or two levers, get them rock-solid, and solely then, you may layer on extra.
Hit reply along with your burning questions—I could function them within the subsequent publication.
Discuss quickly,
Mark
P.S. Could I ask for a favor? Ahead this electronic mail to a cherished one or fellow “well being nut” — they by no means need to miss one other publication in the event that they join future emails right here.
Sources & Additional Studying