17 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

The relationship between electrolytes and longevity is less about "extension" and more about the maintenance of critical biological systems. While taking an electrolyte supplement won't act as a fountain of youth, chronic imbalances are directly linked to cardiovascular and neurological decline.

Here is how specific electrolytes influence the aging process:

1. Magnesium: The "Anti-Aging" Mineral

Magnesium is a cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including DNA repair and protein synthesis.

• Telomere Protection: Low magnesium levels are associated with accelerated shortening of telomeres—the protective caps on our chromosomes that dictate cellular aging.

• Blood Pressure: It helps maintain arterial elasticity, reducing the risk of hypertension-related cardiac events.

2. The Sodium-Potassium Pump

Longevity is heavily dependent on the balance between sodium and potassium, rather than just the absence of salt.

• The Ratio: A high sodium-to-potassium ratio is a significant predictor of cardiovascular mortality.

• Cellular Function: Every cell in your body uses the sodium-potassium pump (Na^+/K^+-ATPase) to generate electrical charge. When this pump is well-supported by adequate potassium, it reduces the workload on the heart and kidneys.

3. Calcium and Vitamin D Synergy

As the body ages, calcium regulation becomes more difficult.

• Bone Density: Maintaining electrolyte balance prevents the body from "leaching" calcium from the bones to buffer blood pH.

• Cell Signaling: Calcium is vital for neurotransmitter release; however, excess intracellular calcium can lead to neurotoxicity, making balance (regulated by magnesium) essential for brain health.

Magnesium definitely helps, for me anyway, and noticeable benefits. Sleep wise and staying 'regular'.

Get outdoors for my Vit D and dairy intake is good, never a problem and actually cut back to more acceptable level.

Don't need to supplement electrolytes, and sodium / potassium ration is good ...

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Magnesium definitely helps, for me anyway, and noticeable benefits. Sleep wise and staying 'regular'.

Get outdoors for my Vit D and dairy intake is good, never a problem and actually cut back to more acceptable level.

Don't need to supplement electrolytes, and sodium / potassium ration is good ...

Good numbers. I started drinking coconut water for potassium. They have have flavoured ones like coffee, chocolate and watermelon. Cacao is also high in potassium and magnesium plus 25% protein.

2 hours ago, Yagoda said:

I had one, left coronary 8 years ago, Dr. Wacin Buddhari did me. Fabulous. Quit smokin cigs, got my blood pressure under control, just passed a stress test even though I am a fat weed smoking bum.

My symptoms began after I got home from Mixx at 4am.

That's the point, in a lot of cases there was no benefit of having a stent but the patient thinks the doctor saved his life, and the hospital makes money win win, major reason they like to give stents

7 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Good numbers. I started drinking coconut water for potassium. They have have flavoured ones like coffee, chocolate and watermelon. Cacao is also high in potassium and magnesium plus 25% protein.

I actually cut my Cacao (70% dark chocolate) daily intake, for now. Too many saturated fat calories for only 65 gr of. For now anyway, as want to dump 5 or 6 kgs. Need to find 100% Cacao powder that isn't Dutch'd. Nothing available locally, so need to check online, after I dump the kgs. I do miss it, as a tasty snack, and stem cell booster as added plus.

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I actually cut my Cacao (70% dark chocolate) daily intake, for now. Too many saturated fat calories for only 65 gr of. For now anyway, as want to dump 5 or 6 kgs. Need to find 100% Cacao powder that isn't Dutch'd. Nothing available locally, so need to check online, after I dump the kgs. I do miss it, as a tasty snack, and stem cell booster as added plus.

Don't like Dutch brands? Ask AI.

4 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Don't like Dutch brands? Ask AI.

Dutch'd isn't a brand, it's a process that reduces the polyphenols/flavanols. The whole point of eating 70% Cacao for stem cells growth, besides being damn tasty.

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Dutch'd isn't a brand, it's a process that reduces the polyphenols/flavanols. The whole point of eating 70% Cacao for stem cells growth, besides being damn tasty.

I eat it for protein, potassium and magnesium. Hua Hin malls would have it.

4 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I eat it for protein, potassium and magnesium. Hua Hin malls would have it.

Tulip supposedly makes a non alkalized version but not available locally. In BKK & HH next week, and will have a peek.

2 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Brain Health:

Hey I Know that guy!

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Magnesium definitely helps, for me anyway, and noticeable benefits. Sleep wise and staying 'regular'.

Get outdoors for my Vit D and dairy intake is good, never a problem and actually cut back to more acceptable level.

Don't need to supplement electrolytes, and sodium / potassium ration is good ...

Those are good numbers. My potassium is always on the low end and so is my sodium (131 last test). I'm not a fan of vegies and hoping I can increase my magnesium levels over the next few months so I don't just piss out the potassium in all the bananas I eat. 50 -100 grams of pumpkin seeds should surely do the trick.

WHy the high alert on the potassium?

15 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Those are good numbers. My potassium is always on the low end and so is my sodium (131 last test). I'm not a fan of vegies and hoping I can increase my magnesium levels over the next few months so I don't just piss out the potassium in all the bananas I eat. 50 -100 grams of pumpkin seeds should surely do the trick.

WHy the high alert on the potassium?

Don't think 'high alert' for me. Maybe for whoever is giving a consultation to take note. If 'high or low' in anything, it's noted with bold H / L next to averages, as noted with Blood Osmolality # being shy of average.

Not much of a concern as the rest of my hematology #s are normal. WBC could be better, but might have had an infection they were busy with.

Like the 'Lymphocytes' on the high side, being cancer fighting cells.

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Don't think 'high alert' for me. Maybe for whoever is giving a consultation to take note. If 'high or low' in anything, it's noted with bold H / L next to averages, as noted with Blood Osmolality # being shy of average.

Not much of a concern as the rest of my hematology #s are normal. WBC could be better, but might have had an infection they were busy with.

Like the 'Lymphocytes' on the high side, being cancer fighting cells.

Too many possibilities :) :) That is why multiple reports are needed and preferably over years. Then it all makes much more sense. I keep repeating this - I already know you know this.

7 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Too many possibilities :) :) That is why multiple reports are needed and preferably over years. Then it all makes much more sense. I keep repeating this - I already know you know this.

Some test are useless, PSA for one, unless you have good baselines established over the years. Use to get almost yearly full check ups, though slacked off a bit. More targeted blood work now, since stent placed. Curious about #s with med, and weened off meds, and very little difference. So that's good, actually surprising, BP didn't change at all.

Numbers are from Nov 2024, last full check up. Of late May 2025, just lipid panel, HbA1C, ap/b. With those I can calculate other things like insulin resistence.

Cardio check up last month just for hell of it, and first real peak since stent placed. Probably do the CAVI test again, next year, see if improvement, as that was silly high.

Since I have no negative effects of statin, on or off, headaches or muscle pain, testosterone levels normal on or off. Good # while on statin ...

I put myself back on statin, as the only med that would improve my CAVI #. Give that a test run for a year. Not concerned about any long term use issues, at my age. If CAVI score drops a point or 2, I'll continue, if not, I'll stop.

4 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Did you read the info? If you fail 10 seconds after practice you have serious health issues

yep i read it :)

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Some test are useless, PSA for one, unless you have good baselines established over the years. Use to get almost yearly full check ups, though slacked off a bit. More targeted blood work now, since stent placed. Curious about #s with med, and weened off meds, and very little difference. So that's good, actually surprising, BP didn't change at all.

Numbers are from Nov 2024, last full check up. Of late May 2025, just lipid panel, HbA1C, ap/b. With those I can calculate other things like insulin resistence.

Cardio check up last month just for hell of it, and first real peak since stent placed. Probably do the CAVI test again, next year, see if improvement, as that was silly high.

Since I have no negative effects of statin, on or off, headaches or muscle pain, testosterone levels normal on or off. Good # while on statin ...

I put myself back on statin, as the only med that would improve my CAVI #. Give that a test run for a year. Not concerned about any long term use issues, at my age. If CAVI score drops a point or 2, I'll continue, if not, I'll stop.

That testosterone number is astronomically high for a 70 year old. What doctor told you that was normal? DO you take testosterone pills or injections? You and your wife probably are still very active in bed ;)

3 minutes ago, atpeace said:

That testosterone number is astronomically high for a 70 year old. What doctor told you that was normal? DO you take testosterone pills or injections? You and your wife probably are still very active in bed ;)

No pills or shots, guess I'm just lucky, or she is 🙄

8 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

No pills or shots, guess I'm just lucky, or she is 🙄

Your numbers are higher than the average 30 year old in America. 50 years ago, not the case but men in America have seen their testosterone levels plummet and this is part of the reason for all the depression.

12 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Your numbers are higher than the average 30 year old in America. 50 years ago, not the case but men in America have seen their testosterone levels plummet and this is part of the reason for all the depression.

Fasting fixes that as does training to failure. Both result in more hgh production too.

21 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Fasting fixes that as does training to failure. Both result in more hgh production too.

yes they can be fixes but far from definite. Fasting and training to failure may crash your numbers also. I wish nutrition was as easily manipulated and precise as the influencers lead the public to believe. They know what triggers interest and deliver media that gets clicks.

21 minutes ago, atpeace said:

yes they can be fixes but far from definite. Fasting and training to failure may crash your numbers also. I wish nutrition was as easily manipulated and precise as the influencers lead the public to believe. They know what triggers interest and deliver media that gets clicks.

I read AI. I don't trust youtubers on diet. They get sponsored to promote stuff.

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

No pills or shots, guess I'm just lucky, or she is 🙄

Why did you even check testosterone? Presumably people check when they have symptoms of low levels

2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Why did you even check testosterone? Presumably people check when they have symptoms of low levels

Because all the YT negativity about statins. Prescribed 10mg of Rosuvastatin along with a bunch of other stuff, when stent placed. I think 12 total scripts, which I scratched 5 off from the get go, since not related to cardiac anything.

Ones I took, were aspirin (common sense) and anti clotting. Anti clotting was first one I stopped taking after a year or so. Other were beta blockers, calcium to bones instead of blood vessels. Blood vessel relaxers, all made sense, and no side effects. All rather inexpensive also. Most recommended of a year or 2, or if needed, lifetime. No thanks, and blood work number didn't change with any adjustments.

First and only time had Testosterone checked, after on the statin shy of a year. Getting my usual blood work done, and he asked if I wanted Testosterone check ... why not.

On the subject of statins, for me, I adjusted the dose, 10 to 5mg, after a year or so, as metadata study concluded, half dose is 80% effective as whole dose. So I tried that for 6 month, then retested. Cholesterol didn't change much at all.

So stayed at that dose for another 6 - 12 months, then weened off completely. Along with some diet adjustments along the way, and again, blood work numbers barely changed.

Never returned to my cardiologist after first follow up, couple weeks after stents placed. Since 100 kms away at Hua Hin. So last month thought I pop in, as ask his advice about everything, showed him all my numbers, blood work, over the past 3+ yrs, and especially BP, which remained steady with all the changes.

Asked him to do the test, lean mass vs fat, CAVI & echocardiogram. All normal as expected, except for the CAVI score. Hence my decision to go back on the statin, and at max dose of 20mg, since I don't have any side effects; sore muscles or headaches being main obvious ones.

As stated, I'll give it a year, see if lowers the CAVI score. All the fear mongering of statins, apparently has now effect on me. At 71, certainly not worried about any long term effects. If it starts to bring the CAVI down a point or 2, then I'll stay on it.

44 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I read AI. I don't trust youtubers on diet. They get sponsored to promote stuff.

This guy is the only one I pay attention to. Doesn't sell anything, no drama, no fear mongering, and deep reviews a lots of metadata. He's been spot on so far, with the ones I watched or made adjustments because of.

https://www.youtube.com/@NutritionMadeSimple

15 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Because all the YT negativity about statins. Prescribed 10mg of Rosuvastatin along with a bunch of other stuff, when stent placed. I think 12 total scripts, which I scratched 5 off from the get go, since not related to cardiac anything.

Ones I took, were aspirin (common sense) and anti clotting. Anti clotting was first one I stopped taking after a year or so. Other were beta blockers, calcium to bones instead of blood vessels. Blood vessel relaxers, all made sense, and no side effects. All rather inexpensive also. Most recommended of a year or 2, or if needed, lifetime. No thanks, and blood work number didn't change with any adjustments.

First and only time had Testosterone checked, after on the statin shy of a year. Getting my usual blood work done, and he asked if I wanted Testosterone check ... why not.

On the subject of statins, for me, I adjusted the dose, 10 to 5mg, after a year or so, as metadata study concluded, half dose is 80% effective as whole dose. So I tried that for 6 month, then retested. Cholesterol didn't change much at all.

So stayed at that dose for another 6 - 12 months, then weened off completely. Along with some diet adjustments along the way, and again, blood work numbers barely changed.

Never returned to my cardiologist after first follow up, couple weeks after stents placed. Since 100 kms away at Hua Hin. So last month thought I pop in, as ask his advice about everything, showed him all my numbers, blood work, over the past 3+ yrs, and especially BP, which remained steady with all the changes.

Asked him to do the test, lean mass vs fat, CAVI & echocardiogram. All normal as expected, except for the CAVI score. Hence my decision to go back on the statin, and at max dose of 20mg, since I don't have any side effects; sore muscles or headaches being main obvious ones.

As stated, I'll give it a year, see if lowers the CAVI score. All the fear mongering of statins, apparently has now effect on me. At 71, certainly not worried about any long term effects. If it starts to bring the CAVI down a point or 2, then I'll stay on it.

I will never take any drugs for any length of time. Don't believe in them.

15 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I will never take any drugs for any length of time. Don't believe in them.

Not a fan myself, but some are life savers, some simply help relieve symptoms, others, useless and nothing but money grab.

Some addicting, over prescribed, and cause some real issues with people.

Some pain management meds before I had back surgery were a Godsend. Need to use common sense, to avoid addiction.

Others are just plain fun 🙄

I seem to be able to tolerate most, although I'm patient, and prefer my body to fix itself, without any assistance.

49 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

First and only time had Testosterone checked, after on the statin shy of a year.

Statin affects testosterone?

26 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Statin affects testosterone?

Fear mongers state the lower cholesterol, to the brain & hormone production will affect sex drive, libido, hormones, etc etc etc. Anything cholesterol is good for, now bad with statin use, since now limiting it's production. As if your body made, and you only ate just enough

None of that materialized. Does lower LDL, which of course, then you need to adjust your diet, saturated fat / cholesterol intake, to naturally lower your cholesterol, if wanting to maintain what is considered safer levels of, without the statin.

Bit of a balancing act, along with sugar & starchy carbs. Probably my biggest diet adjustment. Potatoes & pasta mostly, as never was a big rice fan. Higher saturated fat & sugary pastries, I cut way back on.

Still eat some crap, but try to eat the tastiest, and nutrient dense items as possible. Dark chocolate, probably the best example. Real Cheesecake another for pastry side of things. Since cutting back on bread, quite a bit, whole wheat toast & butter is quite the dessert treat for me.

Don't miss any foods, and most things we eat, are whole foods made at home. I only eat crap when O&A, and even that's easy enough to avoid. Been paying a lot more attention to my food intake the past 10 ish year any way. Starches & pasties the main changes, and simple common sense. Sugar and saturated fats are still that, no matter what form they come in. Too much info on the internet to be duped by BS or marketing ploys.

READ THE LABELS, if buying processed foods.

Real Docs, I'll listen to their advice, and take it under advisement. Not a cardiologist, new to me, so I'll listen to him, and research myself, throw in some common sense. Been self diagnosing and treating myself for decades. Pretty much got it down to a science. BS is easy enough to spot.

9 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Fear mongers state the lower cholesterol, to the brain & hormone production will affect sex drive, libido, hormones, etc etc etc. Anything cholesterol is good for, now bad with statin use, since now limiting it's production. As if your body made, and you only ate just enough

Yes—your brain does make its own cholesterol, and it’s a big deal.

Cholesterol in the brain is essential for normal function. It’s a key component of:

• Cell membranes (especially in neurons)

• Myelin, the insulating layer that helps nerve signals travel quickly

• Synapse formation, which is critical for learning and memory

Here’s the important part: cholesterol in the brain is largely separate from the rest of your body’s cholesterol.

• The blood-brain barrier prevents most cholesterol in your bloodstream from entering the brain.

• So brain cells (mainly astrocytes) produce cholesterol locally instead of importing it.

This has a few implications:

• Lowering blood cholesterol (e.g., with statins) doesn’t directly “drain” cholesterol from the brain in most cases.

• Disorders in brain cholesterol metabolism are linked to neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.

So yes—the brain is largely self-sufficient when it comes to cholesterol, and it needs that supply to function properly.

If you want, I can explain how this ties into diet or statin use, which is where most people get confused.

8 minutes ago, Effective altruism said:

Yes—your brain does make its own cholesterol, and it’s a big deal.

Cholesterol in the brain is essential for normal function. It’s a key component of:

• Cell membranes (especially in neurons)

• Myelin, the insulating layer that helps nerve signals travel quickly

• Synapse formation, which is critical for learning and memory

Here’s the important part: cholesterol in the brain is largely separate from the rest of your body’s cholesterol.

• The blood-brain barrier prevents most cholesterol in your bloodstream from entering the brain.

• So brain cells (mainly astrocytes) produce cholesterol locally instead of importing it.

This has a few implications:

• Lowering blood cholesterol (e.g., with statins) doesn’t directly “drain” cholesterol from the brain in most cases.

• Disorders in brain cholesterol metabolism are linked to neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.

So yes—the brain is largely self-sufficient when it comes to cholesterol, and it needs that supply to function properly.

If you want, I can explain how this ties into diet or statin use, which is where most people get confused.

Thanks. As you point out, 2 completely different things. Which of course the YT'er neglect to mention, when telling how your brain & body need cholesterol, but sourced differently.

Over the pass 3.5 yrs, I thing I'm ready to take the cardio doc & pharmacist test, hang my shingle up and start practicing medicine 🙄

12 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Over the pass 3.5 yrs, I thing I'm ready to take the cardio doc & pharmacist test, hang my shingle up and start practicing medicine

People do need to spend time researching their medical conditions. Doctors are not infallible.