#168 | Mito Boosters: Methylene Blue & Urolithin A | Richard LaFountain, Phd & Brandon Fell, MS

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About the guests: Richard LaFountain, PhD & Brandon Fell, MS

Clinical Staff at Healthspan (gethealthspan.com)

Rich LaFountain, PhD - Health coach and science writer; his academic and research focus centers on metabolic health, cardiovascular physiology, and the optimization of physical performance through dietary and exercise interventions.

• Education: Ph.D. in Kinesiology from The Ohio State University; Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College at Brockport, State University of New York.
• Research: His academic and research focus centers on metabolic health, cardiovascular physiology, and the optimization of physical performance through dietary and exercise interventions.
• Current Role: Senior Scientist on Healthspan's clinical staff

Brandon Fell, MS - Wellness Coach, with expertise in keto nutrition, clinical research, and longevity science.

• Education: M.S. in Kinesiology (OSU, 2020); Dietetic Internship with rotations through Volek’s lab.
• Research: Graduate Research Associate in Dr. Jeff Volek’s ketogenic diet studies; major controlled trials.
• Current Role: Head of Metabolic Coaching at Healthspan

Episode Summary:

In my followup chat with Healthspan, we talk about Methylene Blue and Urolithin A, the darlings of the mitochondrial boosting party set.

Healthspan offers both supplements as a part of its suite of longevity and healthspan offerings.

Methylene Blue is very edgy, so I wanted to understand how Healthspan came to believe it was safe for their clients/patients (I take Methylene Blue)

Urolithin A is very new and somewhat controversial. I wanted to know how Healthspan came to believe it was effective (I take Urolithin A).

Some important notes:

• Webinar for healthspan onboarding
• gethealthspan.com
• MB
• What is it, and how it is used in medicine?
• Why does Healthspan believe it is a useful supplement to use chronically?
• What are the targeted symptoms and effects of MB?  Dosing?  Take regularly or only when symptoms arise?  How long to feel an effect?
• Does it help athletic performance? (I found it makes exercise feel harder)
• What are the side effects to be cautious of?
• Who should not take MB?
• Urolithin A
• What is it, and why do people need to supplement it?
• Why would a bacteria post biotic signal the mitochondria to scavenge old mitochondria?  Is it similar to an internally made chemical used for the same purpose?
• I’ve heard a lot of marketing of Urolithin A by the company that patented its delivery mechanism, and I’ve heard scientists say there is no real proof it works.
• What did Healthspan uncover to prompt it to offer it?
• What are the targeted symptoms and effects of UA?  Dosing?  Take regularly or only when symptoms arise?  How long to feel an effect?
• Does it help athletic performance?
• What are the side effects to be cautious of?
• Who should not take UA?

Related episodes & links:

• Urolithin A -- Nature Paper
• Episode 128 | Mitochondrial Powerup w/Methylene Blue | Dr Scott Sherr
• Episode 144 | Muscle for Athletic Healthspan | Mark Tarnopolsky MD PhD

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*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.