My last trip back home to the states was as expected and 95% of people are in poor metabolic health. Not the end all but I would hope people cared more to put in the effort to be semi-healthy. Not going to happen at this point but interested how you would stack up here in Thailand using metabolic health by age bands. These bands were provided by AI and are quite shocking.

What is blatantly obvious is it is game over as far as America's health is concerned. Maybe not a huge catastrophe because medical advancement are keeping hearts beating longer than ever before.

Age Band	Optimal Health (%)	Primary Failure Point	The "Average" Reality
30s	~21% – 24%	Visceral fat & Low HDL	3 in 4 fail at least one marker; the "office body" takes root.
40s	~12% – 15%	Hypertension (BP)	The "Biological Pivot." Maintenance meds for BP/Lipids often start here.
50s	~7% – 9%	The "Great Widening"	Systemic insulin resistance; waistlines typically cross the 40" threshold.
60s	~2.1%	Polypharmacy	"Managed stability." 98% of peers are chemically supported.
70s	~1.5%	Sarcopenia	Loss of muscle mass causes glucose floor to rise regardless of diet.
80s+	< 1.0%	Multi-system failure	The "Biological Unicorn." Natural metabolic health is a statistical anomaly.

Healthy is a stretch, but healthy enough. In my family & peer group, outlasted most of my friends, peers, coworkers my age, or those that didn't make it to 70s.

Expiration date for being born USA, 1954 was few years ago @ 66.7

Keeping up with my older brothers (73 & 77), passed most of other family members in age, as most died in 50s & 60s. Passed my father (69) 2 yrs ago, and 2 yrs to go, to get pass Ma's age when she crapped out (73).

Recent trip to my cardiologist had mixed results, strong heart via echocardiogram, (knew that), BP #s excellent. CAVI score was silly high, and that surprised me. So could crap out any moment, or live 10 more years

Another test of his, lean vs fat, suggested losing only 6 kg, to meet optimal weight for me,, which is only 7%. Puts me at what I weighed in boot camp at 21 yrs old, and peak condition. Most of that extra, was gained this past year, so easy enough to knock off again.

Mobility is fine, endurance is fine, though back & hip keep me from jogging or running.

Almost no alcohol, past 15ish years. Most home cooking of whole foods, minimal junk, or highly processed foods. Minor supplement to fill in the gaps.

Amazed I made this far, and squeeze a few more years, and I'll be even happier.

5 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Healthy is a stretch, but healthy enough. In my family & peer group, outlasted most of my friends, peers, coworkers my age, or those that didn't make it to 70s.

Expiration date for being born USA, 1954 was few years ago @ 66.7

Keeping up with my older brothers (73 & 77), passed most of other family members in age, as most died in 50s & 60s. Passed my father (69) 2 yrs ago, and 2 yrs to go, to get pass Ma's age when she crapped out (73).

Recent trip to my cardiologist had mixed results, strong heart via echocardiogram, (knew that), BP #s excellent. CAVI score was silly high, and that surprised me. So could crap out any moment, or live 10 more years

Another test of his, lean vs fat, suggested losing only 6 kg, to meet optimal weight for me,, which is only 7%. Puts me at what I weighed in boot camp at 21 yrs old, and peak condition. Most of that extra, was gained this past year, so easy enough to knock off again.

Mobility is fine, endurance is fine, though back & hip keep me from jogging or running.

Almost no alcohol, past 15ish years. Most home cooking of whole foods, minimal junk, or highly processed foods. Minor supplement to fill in the gaps.

Amazed I made this far, and squeeze a few more years, and I'll be even happier.

With your attitude, I bet you make it for many more years. You never scream at those you disagree and seem like you're calmer than the average bloke. I think civility improves health and those that are generally satisfied with their place in the world live a healthier life.
Good luck with the CAVI score. On the upside it is a factor that can be improved which I know you already know.

Other than the H Pylori infection I got living here, which I treated and have been building up my gut microbiome with ever since, the only things that ever went wrong are joint issues sometimes from too heavy lifting too long. I've been eating very healthy all my life, and slowly adopting the Blue Zone diet more and more, as they're the ones who live the longest on average every year.

My dad passed at 79 from lung cancer from smoking 3 packs a day for over 60 years, and mom at 84 from bladder cancer, which usually comes from smoking but she never did, although she did live with my dad for decades. My brother passed at 67 from a heart attack, brought on by diabetes, which some in my family have, mainly because he didn't lose the weight he needed to control that diabetes. His heart was always strong until near the end. You can do everything wrong and live to 100, and vice-versa, but it's still best to lower the odds by following a healthy lifestyle.

Bananas are 14% sugar.

13 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Other than the H Pylori infection I got living here, which I treated and have been building up my gut microbiome with ever since, the only things that ever went wrong are joint issues sometimes from too heavy lifting too long. I've been eating very healthy all my life, and slowly adopting the Blue Zone diet more and more, as they're the ones who live the longest on average every year.

My dad passed at 79 from lung cancer from smoking 3 packs a day for over 60 years, and mom at 84 from bladder cancer, which usually comes from smoking but she never did, although she did live with my dad for decades. My brother passed at 67 from a heart attack, brought on by diabetes, which some in my family have, mainly because he didn't lose the weight he needed to control that diabetes. His heart was always strong until near the end. You can do everything wrong and live to 100, and vice-versa, but it's still best to lower the odds by following a healthy lifestyle.

The last sentence is my stance. it is an odds game, and the odds are much better you live longer if you can avoid as many metabolic issues as possible.

My goal though isn't longevity and is focussed on quality. I experiment probably too much but I haven't done any damage as of yet. It sounds like we both have used load to improve our health which is good but I'm now forcing myself to add all the silly, prior me belief, mobility exercises that seem too easy to make a difference. I'm starting to creak at the shoulders and fear my hips could be next. THe hips for me would be a real issue for my lifestyle.

4 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Bananas are 14% sugar.

Air cooking a batch of 20 bananas I just blended. Also take potassium chloride (very carefully! ) to get my numbers up. Been borderline low for decades. Also add about 6-8 teaspoons of salt to my drinks each day because sodium is always low and last test was scary low for a runner in the heat.

I mention the above because it is a perfect example why people need to take control of their own health. Doctors have told me I consume too much sodium which is a generic reply that applies to most and not me. If I cut my sodium I would blow up like a balloon. Also eating 6 bananas a day would be stupid for most but not enough in my case.

6 minutes ago, atpeace said:

The last sentence is my stance. it is an odds game, and the odds are much better you live longer if you can avoid as many metabolic issues as possible.

My goal though isn't longevity and is focussed on quality. I experiment probably too much but I haven't done any damage as of yet. It sounds like we both have used load to improve our health which is good but I'm now forcing myself to add all the silly, prior me belief, mobility exercises that seem too easy to make a difference. I'm starting to creak at the shoulders and fear my hips could be next. THe hips for me would be a real issue for my lifestyle.

I'm hoping for longevity and quality, as I have a daughter that I'll be taking care of for at least 9 more years, and still hope to finish my bucket list, which includes traveling to a few places. I used to be very flexible but need to work on that more now. I'm just happy I didn't drink to excess or smoke, and always ate healthy. Now it's probiotics, yogurt, kimchi, fermented pickles, turmeric, slippery elm powder and daily oatmeal, along with the usual things. I wish I didn't lift so heavy for so long, as no one's joints can take that forever.

1 minute ago, atpeace said:

Air cooking a batch of 20 bananas I just blended. Also take potassium chloride (very carefully! ) to get my numbers up. Been borderline low for decades. Also add about 6-8 teaspoons of salt to my drinks each day because sodium is always low and last test was scary low for a runner in the heat.

I mention the above because it is a perfect example why people need to take control of their own health. Doctors have told me I consume too much sodium which is a generic reply that applies to most and not me. If I cut my sodium I would blow up like a balloon. Also eating 6 bananas a day would be stupid for most but not enough in my case.

I only ate bananas occasionally until I had that bout with H Pylori, which put a dent into my gut. Now it's everyday with oatmeal. I also started making banana ice cream for my daughter and I, with bananas, almond milk, eggs, honey, yogurt and peanut butter with nothing added.

6 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Air cooking a batch of 20 bananas I just blended. Also take potassium chloride (very carefully! ) to get my numbers up. Been borderline low for decades. Also add about 6-8 teaspoons of salt to my drinks each day because sodium is always low and last test was scary low for a runner in the heat.

I mention the above because it is a perfect example why people need to take control of their own health. Doctors have told me I consume too much sodium which is a generic reply that applies to most and not me. If I cut my sodium I would blow up like a balloon. Also eating 6 bananas a day would be stupid for most but not enough in my case.

Doctors are idiots. Sodium is essential for muscle contraction as is calcium. Potassium for blood flow. Magnesium to relax the muscles.

Coconut water is great then add salt.

21 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Bananas are 14% sugar.

I think fruit has been oversold as a health food.

Locals in Thailand may have DNA that can tolerate all this tropical fruit all year round, but we weren't born in the tropics. I haven't had a mango or pineapple in months. Way too much sugar.

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

I think fruit has been oversold as a health food.

Locals in Thailand may have DNA that can tolerate all this tropical fruit all year round, but we weren't born in the tropics. I haven't had a mango or pineapple in months. Way too much sugar.

Yes fruit often is. I think coconut water and unsweetened soy milk are good. I drink everyday and feel better. Soy milk has less sugar than cow milk.

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

I think fruit has been oversold as a health food.

Locals in Thailand may have DNA that can tolerate all this tropical fruit all year round, but we weren't born in the tropics. I haven't had a mango or pineapple in months. Way too much sugar.

Because you have figured out what is important to "your" health. Many fruits are loaded with carbs and spike glucose numbers. You probably already figured out how to get vitamin C without fruit.

30 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Bananas are 14% sugar.

2 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Because you have figured out what is important to "your" health. Many fruits are loaded with carbs and spike glucose numbers. You probably already figured out how to get vitamin C without fruit.

Blueberries have half the sugar of bananas. Vit c tablets are cheap though.

9 minutes ago, atpeace said:

You probably already figured out how to get vitamin C without fruit.

My multi-vitamin has small amount of Vitamin C.

If you don't eat many carbs, you don't need much Vitamin C because the carbs are "competing" with the Vitamin C in the body ...

1 minute ago, Rockyroad said:

Blueberries have half the sugar of bananas. Vit c tablets are cheap though.

"Farang" bananas (gluay hom) cost maybe 40 THB for a bunch (wii). The short, rather tasteless Thai bananas grow like weeds. We're going to put in some of the "farang" bananas when the rains start. The last time I checked in Makro, a pint of blueberries were between 150 to 200 THB. Stupid expensive.
On occasion I can find them at Big C for 80 THB a pint. As a general rule, I eat tropic fruits in moderation. The price of Western fruit simply gets silly. Mangos will be coming into season soon. We ate mangos from out trees for 5 months last year. Heck of a crop. Same with Lamyai (Logans). We had a bumper crop last year, not my favorite fruit though.

1 minute ago, Rockyroad said:

Blueberries have half the sugar of bananas. Vit c tablets are cheap though.

Vitamins seem to good to be true but they probably do work. I started taking a conservative multi vitamin a year ago. Also take Biotin every day but only 800 mg because I my wife's weird skin issues that appeared ( before vaccine) during covid cleared nhen she took it. It was a terrible experience for her but now she is fine and no lasting scars. I took it for my thinning hair which is just as thin now but extremely health compared to pre - biotin. Hard to tell I'm balding at this point :)

I took a magnesium pill a few days ago with shockingly terrible results. I shttt myself while at the running track. Never buy Thai supplements!! Switched to pumpkin seeds that are loaded in magnesium and basically free here.

11 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Vitamins seem to good to be true but they probably do work. I started taking a conservative multi vitamin a year ago. Also take Biotin every day but only 800 mg because I my wife's weird skin issues that appeared ( before vaccine) during covid cleared nhen she took it. It was a terrible experience for her but now she is fine and no lasting scars. I took it for my thinning hair which is just as thin now but extremely health compared to pre - biotin. Hard to tell I'm balding at this point :)

I took a magnesium pill a few days ago with shockingly terrible results. I shttt myself while at the running track. Never buy Thai supplements!! Switched to pumpkin seeds that are loaded in magnesium and basically free here.

Too much mag makes you dump! Cheese does the opposite. I only ate cheese one day and couldnt dump.

So balance out cheese and mag.

I am very old and I ejaculation everyday. PSA 1.3 and I feel great.

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

Other than the H Pylori infection I got living here,

Living here? It can be transmitted via Analingus is it possible that is how you got it?

6 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I am very old and I ejaculation everyday. PSA 1.3 and I feel great.

That's cool! My main reason to stay healthy is to ejeculate :)

2 hours ago, atpeace said:

So How are You staying Healthy and How You Measure Up to Others

Sadly I reckon most here have given up on health.

Most are fat slobs, drinking alcohol excessively, eating crappy processed foods, not exercising.

I stay healthy by having picked the right parents.🤔

8 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Living here? It can be transmitted via Analingus is it possible that is how you got it?

Too much info 555

3 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

I stay healthy by having picked the right parents.🤔

It seems like 90% of parents suddenly developed bad genes and unhealthy lifestyles. My parents were also healthy until they hit 82. Now they are both adjusting and trying to get healthy after heart issues and a broken hip. They both are doing the best they can to not to let the old person into their head. Not easy!

14 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Living here? It can be transmitted via Analingus is it possible that is how you got it?

Why, is that how you got it? It actually comes from kissing and water, along with surfaces. It also comes from childhood, as up to 70% worldwide have it, most without knowing it.

3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Why, is that how you got it? It actually comes from kissing and water, along with surfaces. It also comes from childhood, as up to 70% worldwide have it, most without knowing it.

Darn, thought I was in the clear not having ever been an ass licker.

4 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Darn, thought I was in the clear not having ever been an ass licker.

Try it one time!

52 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

My multi-vitamin has small amount of Vitamin C.

If you don't eat many carbs, you don't need much Vitamin C because the carbs are "competing" with the Vitamin C in the body ...

Not trying to be a smart arse _ promise :) THat is another grifter scare tactic used over and over on the internet. Huberman and Atilla do it constantly and so many others. Yes, there is an ounce of truth to it but mostly it is a bunch of BS.

AI:

The idea that Vitamin C and carbohydrates (specifically glucose) "compete" is based on a legitimate biochemical mechanism that has been stretched into a standard "influencer" oversimplification.

Here is the breakdown of the science versus the hype.

The Mechanism: GLUT Transporters

The theory rests on the Glucose-Ascorbate Competition Theory (GACT).

• The Science: Vitamin C (in its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid or DHA) enters cells using the same transport "doors" as glucose—specifically the GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4 transporters.

• The Conflict: Because they share the same entrance, high levels of blood glucose can theoretically "crowd out" Vitamin C, slowing its uptake into cells.

Why It’s Usually Not a Concern

While the competition exists in a test tube or in cases of extreme hyperglycemia (uncontrolled diabetes), it is rarely a practical concern for someone with functional metabolic health for several reasons:

• Sodium-Dependent Transporters (SVCT): Most Vitamin C is actually absorbed via SVCT1 and SVCT2 transporters, which are dedicated solely to Vitamin C and do not care about your glucose levels.

• Affinity Levels: Cells that desperately need Vitamin C (like those in the nervous system or immune system) are highly efficient at grabbing it even when glucose is present.

• The "Fruit Paradox": If this competition were a major health barrier, the Vitamin C in fruit (which comes packaged with fructose and glucose) would be useless. Clinical data shows that Vitamin C from fruit is highly bioavailable and effective.

The "Grifter" Angle

The "grifter" element comes into play when influencers use this biochemical factoid to push specific agendas, such as:

1. Carnivore/Zero-Carb Extremism: Claiming you don't need Vitamin C if you don't eat carbs (False: you still need it, though your requirements might be slightly lower due to less oxidative stress).

2. Mega-Dosing: Suggesting you need 5,000mg of Vitamin C to "overpower" the carbs you ate (False: your kidneys will just filter out the excess).

3. Anti-Fruit Rhetoric: Suggesting the sugar in an orange "cancels out" its Vitamin C (False: that’s not how biology works).

The Verdict

For a metabolically healthy individual with stable blood sugar, the competition is a biochemical footnote, not a clinical crisis. As long as your post-prandial glucose isn't chronically red-lined, your cells are getting all the Vitamin C they need.

Unless you are treating active scurvy while simultaneously sitting on a literal mountain of glazed donuts, you can safely ignore the "competition" concerns.

Do you have a specific supplement or dietary change in mind that sparked the question?