19 replies to this topic

[Matt]

I've been doing calorie restriction for almost 14 years now, but around 12 years if you consider the ON (optimal nutrition) part. A healthy diet for 14 years, plus skincare regimen and sun avoidance. I might not have the most perfect skin, I still have some red marks, probably going to need laser to completely get rid of them. I think they are actually something called PIE, not actually hyperpigmentation. Small dilated blood vessels from injury (previous acne)... which never seem to go away - ever. Or maybe it's new injuries from shaving? I'm really not sure....

Anyway, a few photos I took the other day. My 32nd birthday is coming up in 9 days time, and I never thought that I'd get these kind of results. I've made some mistakes over years, and even recently in fact with regards to vitamin D... but I think I haven't done so bad. I do frequently... No, very frequently get mistaken for being very young.  My sister looks fairly young too, but I don't think it's just genetics... I think my lifestyle helped. Anyway, I just want to share. I feel shy posting around here lately lol, because I don't interact much on here anyway, but I want to again... As I go well into my 30s, I think life extension, diet + supplement optimising etc is going to start to take more of a priority again.

 

I've made some recent changes which I haven't shared yet, I think it's actually helping my skin a lot... will share another time.

 

excuse my slightly tired eye lol (it happens when I'm tired, wanders off :P) 

 

you can read my blood tests over the years here  

 

I'll be doing more of that again from now. Also will be getting a 23andMe test done when I'm able. 

 

 

 

Edited by Matt, 11 October 2016 - 10:28 PM.

[twinkly]

Thank you for sharing your progress Matt.

I, too have been practicing CR for the better part of the last 10 years or so even thought I haven't been documenting it, but I'm trying to learn as much as I can about optimal nutrition as the years go on. To me, a good genetic makeup is an invaluable boost to leading a healthy lifestyle, which obviously does the heavy lifting.

Based on your recommendation, I recently invested in Phloretin serum, too, having previously used CE Ferulic.

May I ask, if it's not too much, about the recent changes you've made that have benefitted your skin, whether skincare, diet or supplements? These days, as a vegan, I use multivitamin (which I occasionally take a few times a week), d3 (being cautious about not overdoing it) and B-complex. I've debated a vegan protein powder, but as a stickler for clean living, I have yet to find something approrate that either hasn't been processed to death or gone through extreme heating methods.

[Matt]

No problem

Wow cool! It seems that a lot of people have abandoned CR as a method to slow ageing. I don't see any other CR bloggers out there, but maybe people are just quiet about it these days. I suppose even my own focus for a while shifted away from nutrition and aging, because I was in my 20s, it wasn't something I wanted to think about a lot. Now I'm in my 30s, it's becoming more of a priority. My diet was still pretty good though, I just wasn't as strict, and maybe I could've made some better choices. In some ways my diet become more restricted, in that the variety wasn't there as much, but still, majority of what I ate was still healthy.

 

I think CR is working great, as I've always expected it would, but of course genetics probably are playing a big role too. I'm still optimistic that CR will give a lot more than just 2 years Aubrey and some others say it'll give. I think he's super smart, just wrong about this (I might be biased! lol). That being said, I think he's right in that focus should be more on rejuvenation, not CR mimetics (it's a distraction).

 

It'll be interesting to see the results from 23andMe! I've been meaning to get it done for so long, I just kept putting it off. 

 

Ah great! I'm thinking about changing between them depending on the time of year. Phloretin for summer and CE Ferulic during the winter. I started advanced pigment corrector a couple years and this has made an improvement to my skin, but hasn't completely cleared the red marks I have left over. Although I am sure it did even out my skin tone somewhat and made my skin brighter. It has yeast extract in there I believe, which has some impact on the structure of the skin (makes it more youthful). How long have you used CE Ferulic for?  What's your opinion on adding reintol? (evening). 

 

I'm also a vegan, but recently I increased my protein intake. I've never measured my IGF-1, but CR+Low protein, is meant to lower IGF-1 a lot. I think it was having a negative impact on my hair growth and maybe skin, but since I've improved it I noticed a difference in the rate of growth. My hair is not that bad (my hair on a vegan diet) but I was considering experimenting with Whey (going off vegan) for a while, to measure how fast my hair grows and see how my skin reacts. Still undecided. I have to get my IGF-1 levels tested first I think, so I have a baseline. IGF-1 levels that are too low is probably not good for skin and hair growth. Perhaps there is a trade off, I don't know.

A little while after I made that change I introduced a few supplements /drinks like:  Licorice Root extract, Spearmint tea, white peony root extract. I've recently, about a month ago, started taking Finasteride 1.25 mg a day. (father and grandfather have had mpb). My goal was to to lower my total testosterone, free T and especially DHT.  I'm doing it mainly to slow down / prevent further masculinizing effects of T/DHT and hair loss. My skin all over became softer and very smooth. My facial features softened a bit and I think I look a bit younger. I don't really recommend guys do this.I also think T accelerates aging a little, but it wasn't my reason. 

 

I've also recently started drinking daily smoothies again, common ingredients would be kale blueberries. Also added a bunch of herbs and other things (will write about in my blog).

There's other things, but I'll write everything in detail on my blog.  I have pictures here of me from 17 to 32 (almost). and my skincare regimen in full. Some of the pics aren't clear, but I don't think I've changed much. 

I need to get back on track and optimise my diet and blood markers again. I just added half a multi, but recently stopped taking it due to my high vitamin D level. Will resume again in a month or two (500 IU) and then retest later. My goal, and probably the hardest for me, is to actually become physically fit again. I really let myself down here.... But I need to be serious now :D

Edited by Matt, 13 October 2016 - 01:07 PM.

[twinkly]

Thank you for your detailed response Matt. It's really nice when people are willing to share their experiences with any given routine they've made a constant part of their lives, even more so as it relates to diet and CR.

I'd venture to say that a whole lot of people, unwillingly, are the subject of some form of caloric restriction based on their dietary habits, and as such reap the benefits, and when optimized, all the more. Some just don't eat as much as others. I, too, have been experimenting with increasing protein here and there where I can (more beans in our case, like lentils and peas). However, there is so much to learn and discover.

As for CE Ferulic, I've probably been using it for the last 3-4 years when I came across these boards. They were turned on to me right on these boards thankfully. I'd like to give pigment corrector a go. Retinoids I've read a whole lot about, but haven't taken the plunge. There are too many conflicting reports, unfounded or not, of it decreasing subcutaneous fat. And, in some cases, the vitamin a in it just doesn't react ideally to some folks' skin because of potential sensitivity issues. I think sun avoidance, or protection thereof, along with a healthy lifestyle, is the strongest bulwark against aging for obvious reasons that have been reiterated on here numerous times. People obviously differ on diet, but one can do so much worse than what just about anyone on here has made a persuasive case for.

Some of those supplements you mentioned seem benign enough for me to give a try if need be. Spearmint tea is delicious as is! Have you stopped taking Finasterside or will be taking it indefinitely? Have you experienced any side effects from it? I had thought of this in the past, but wouldn't know if it's advisable.

[The Beauty of Peace]

How many calories per day do you consume (approx.)? 

 

I found the answer on your webpage: 1500...

 

What do you do when post-workout hunger strikes?)

Edited by The Beauty of Peace, 30 October 2016 - 09:53 PM.

[malgorzatah]

Matt, you obviously look much younger than your age, no doubt about it, but in this light it is impossible to see you face in detail and evaluate properly whether you look a teenager, a man in his early 20s or in mid 20s. Is the photo overexposed or is it something else?

[bosharpe]

You look really good Matt and I enjoy reading your blog. Thank you

 

 

[Matt]

Thank you for your detailed response Matt. It's really nice when people are willing to share their experiences with any given routine they've made a constant part of their lives, even more so as it relates to diet and CR.

I'd venture to say that a whole lot of people, unwillingly, are the subject of some form of caloric restriction based on their dietary habits, and as such reap the benefits, and when optimized, all the more. Some just don't eat as much as others. I, too, have been experimenting with increasing protein here and there where I can (more beans in our case, like lentils and peas). However, there is so much to learn and discover.

As for CE Ferulic, I've probably been using it for the last 3-4 years when I came across these boards. They were turned on to me right on these boards thankfully. I'd like to give pigment corrector a go. Retinoids I've read a whole lot about, but haven't taken the plunge. There are too many conflicting reports, unfounded or not, of it decreasing subcutaneous fat. And, in some cases, the vitamin a in it just doesn't react ideally to some folks' skin because of potential sensitivity issues. I think sun avoidance, or protection thereof, along with a healthy lifestyle, is the strongest bulwark against aging for obvious reasons that have been reiterated on here numerous times. People obviously differ on diet, but one can do so much worse than what just about anyone on here has made a persuasive case for.

Some of those supplements you mentioned seem benign enough for me to give a try if need be. Spearmint tea is delicious as is! Have you stopped taking Finasterside or will be taking it indefinitely? Have you experienced any side effects from it? I had thought of this in the past, but wouldn't know if it's advisable.

 

It's hard to know how many people are doing CR and meeting all required nutrients to be healthy. There was a local study where I live a few years ago, and they found that only 15 out of 2235 men met 5 healthy behaviors as outlined in the study. Meaning, a very small percentage ate enough vegetables, fruits, or never smoked and drank lots of alcohol. I personally don't know anyone in my real life who eats anywhere near as healthy as myself. A majority have pretty bad diets, whether they are CR'd for whatever reason or not. I'd guess that only a very, very small % of people are doing proper CRON and intentionally restricting calories.

 

I've used retinol for brief periods of time but mostly stuck with what I feel is working. I just don't know if it's a good idea... and I tend to go with my gut instinct a lot (and the science obviously). Maybe avoiding long-term use of retinoids isn't rational... I need to see better results from long-term users.

 

My skincare regimen has evolved over the years, and now I mainly stick with SC products. They always just seem to work with my skin very well... I've never had breakouts or them causing major issues as with other skin serums I used when I was younger.

 

I'll be taking finasteride indefinitely. My hair is sooo much thicker. I'll post some pictures on my hair site soon. My hairline moved down a bit and just feels much better overall. 

 

I've never experienced any side effects from finasteride...  I'm just never going to risk losing my hair lol. My dad started losing his hair mostly after he turned 30...  That cannot happen to me lol.

 

I'm maintaining my protein intake at a higher level than last year. Added soy milk back into my diet and even use a vegan protein powder sometimes... I feel much healthier and just "better" since doing that. I've never tested my IGF-1 level, but I wonder if it was too low.

 

 

How many calories per day do you consume (approx.)? 

 

I found the answer on your webpage: 1500...

 

What do you do when post-workout hunger strikes?)

 

About 1600 K/cal right now. It's been a long time since I started CR... My body is just far more resistant to losing weight now than it used to be. 

 

Matt, you obviously look much younger than your age, no doubt about it, but in this light it is impossible to see you face in detail and evaluate properly whether you look a teenager, a man in his early 20s or in mid 20s. Is the photo overexposed or is it something else?

 

I'm reinvesting into my sites, and one of the things on my list is a good Nikon SLR camera. But no, I've never photoshopped any images ever. Most people think I am in my early 20s, still in uni or something. (I'm 34 this year). Some of the photos are overexposed, way too much. I'll post some new pictures here soon.

 

You look really good Matt and I enjoy reading your blog. Thank you

 

Thanks! I'm making more of an effort to post often these days. More info about how my own CR diet as evolved recently is coming soon!    Stop by and leave a little comment if you check it out again.

Edited by Matt, 23 April 2018 - 11:03 PM.

[twinkly]

Thank you for your response -- certainly much to to consider.

I had a few follow-up questions if you don't mind?

I, myself, have been on the lookout for a natural alternative to soy milk rather than one that's been overly processed. What kind/brand are you using?

The same pretty much holds true for vegan protein powders: What kind/brand are you using at the moment and is it flavored or not? I don't want to go through the trouble of thinking whether I'm doing a disservice to myself by getting on one product over the other, which is why I thought I'd ask before making any decisions.

Along with every other measure I take against hair loss, the closer I get to 30, the more I consider whether to get on finasteride or not. How old were you when you got on it?

It's hard to know how many people are doing CR and meeting all required nutrients to be healthy. There was a local study where I live a few years ago, and they found that only 15 out of 2235 men met 5 healthy behaviors as outlined in the study. Meaning, a very small percentage ate enough vegetables, fruits, or never smoked and drank lots of alcohol. I personally don't know anyone in my real life who eats anywhere near as healthy as myself. A majority have pretty bad diets, whether they are CR'd for whatever reason or not. I'd guess that only a very, very small % of people are doing proper CRON and intentionally restricting calories.

I've used retinol for brief periods of time but mostly stuck with what I feel is working. I just don't know if it's a good idea... and I tend to go with my gut instinct a lot (and the science obviously). Maybe avoiding long-term use of retinoids isn't rational... I need to see better results from long-term users.

My skincare regimen has evolved over the years, and now I mainly stick with SC products. They always just seem to work with my skin very well... I've never had breakouts or them causing major issues as with other skin serums I used when I was younger.

I'll be taking finasteride indefinitely. My hair is sooo much thicker. I'll post some pictures on my hair site soon. My hairline moved down a bit and just feels much better overall.

I've never experienced any side effects from finasteride... I'm just never going to risk losing my hair lol. My dad started losing his hair mostly after he turned 30... That cannot happen to me lol.

I'm maintaining my protein intake at a higher level than last year. Added soy milk back into my diet and even use a vegan protein powder sometimes... I feel much healthier and just "better" since doing that. I've never tested my IGF-1 level, but I wonder if it was too low.



About 1600 K/cal right now. It's been a long time since I started CR... My body is just far more resistant to losing weight now than it used to be.


I'm reinvesting into my sites, and one of the things on my list is a good Nikon SLR camera. But no, I've never photoshopped any images ever. Most people think I am in my early 20s, still in uni or something. (I'm 34 this year). Some of the photos are overexposed, way too much. I'll post some new pictures here soon.


Thanks! I'm making more of an effort to post often these days. More info about how my own CR diet as evolved recently is coming soon! Stop by and leave a little comment if you check it out again.

Edited by twinkly, 24 April 2018 - 07:22 PM.

[Rocket]

You look really good Matt and I enjoy reading your blog. Thank you

 

No offense, but being 32 and looking young isn't an accomplishment. When I was in my middle 30s I used to get ID'd buying lottery tickets once in a while(18 years old is the age limit) and I wasn't doing CR and I smoked.

 

When I was in my late 30s people used to think I was in my 20s. Now in my 40s, recently a 19yo cashier at my grocery stored asked me out on a date.

 

Maintaining a healthy weight, keeping a full head of hair, not going gray, and your choice in clothes... those things alone will take 10 years off your perceived age.

 

I've also noticed blonde men tend to look younger than men with other hair color. Look at the guy from Dukes of Hazard... Matt Damon, Brad Pitt. Robert Plant looked young up until he gained weight around 50 and let himself go. There are others I'm not thinking of at the moment.

 

Being early 30s and looking early 20s isn't a big deal. Especially if you're skinny and have long hair like a college kid. After all, in society, who else is male and 5'10 and weight 140lbs with hair past his shoulders but young kids?

 

When you're 45 and get mistaken daily for 21, then we can talk.

Edited by Rocket, 25 April 2018 - 02:58 PM.

[orion22]

i can t see you re pictures Matt i don t know if its because the java9 i have or if its because im a guest you have a link to them also where can i see a recent picture of David Fisher 

[Matt]

No offense, but being 32 and looking young isn't an accomplishment. When I was in my middle 30s I used to get ID'd buying lottery tickets once in a while(18 years old is the age limit) and I wasn't doing CR and I smoked.

 

 

I'm 34 this year. Well, apparently almost everyone who meets me IRL and finds out my age thinks it is a big deal   Because it's not that common. If it were that common to look so young, then most people wouldn't care or mention it.

 

But idk, I think that it could be harder to have a discrepancy between perceived age and chronological age in your 20s and 30s than it would be later on in life. The reason is the fact of "time" - there's more time to diverge from your peers by the by the point you reach 40-50.  And when you're young, things are functioning at a more optimal state, so it'd actually be harder to do any better, and so most people should look about the same.

 

Does that make sense? lol
 

Can I see a picture of you in your mid-30s though? 

 

When I was in my late 30s people used to think I was in my 20s. Now in my 40s, recently a 19yo cashier at my grocery stored asked me out on a date.

 

wow. Do you have any recent photos?

 

Being early 30s and looking early 20s isn't a big deal. Especially if you're skinny and have long hair like a college kid. 

 

 

I've always looked younger with shorter hair, sometimes I want to see what it'd be like again. But I like long hair. 

 

When you're 45 and get mistaken daily for 21, then we can talk.

 

 

Always setting the bar higher and higher around here xD

You should see Paul    (he's around here somewhere). He's one of the youngest looking almost-50-year-old I've seen.

 

 

Edited by Matt, 29 April 2018 - 04:28 AM.

[Matt]

I, myself, have been on the lookout for a natural alternative to soy milk rather than one that's been overly processed. What kind/brand are you using? 

 

 

Do you really want to make me run downstairs to the fridge? :p  It's some locally produced brand.

 

The same pretty much holds true for vegan protein powders: What kind/brand are you using at the moment and is it flavored or not? I don't want to go through the trouble of thinking whether I'm doing a disservice to myself by getting on one product over the other, which is why I thought I'd ask before making any decisions. 

 

 

I've only really used one called Vega Clean Protein powder, and it's chocolate. I think they have vanilla too. There's another I thought about getting: "all in one", but it has a bunch of stuff in there that I don't need.

 

Along with every other measure I take against hair loss, the closer I get to 30, the more I consider whether to get on finasteride or not. How old were you when you got on it? 

 

 

I started taking it just before I turned 32.Or maybe a few days after.. I don't know.  

I've almost run out and the website that I get it from is still down (until the end of the month they say). I'm glad I went on it tbh. It made a massive difference to my hair and how it feels. It's not like I was bald, but clearly, DHT was having an effect, even if I never really noticed it because it was slow..

[Matt]

I can't see your pictures Matt.  I don t know if its because the java9 I have, or if it's because I'm a guest and you have a link to them.  Also, where can I see a recent picture of David Fisher?

 

 

 

I was thinking about reaching out to David and doing an interview with him. I wonder if he'll also send a recent picture...  But I think the best place to look would be on his Facebook if you're connected.  David looked great, but he started in his mid-30s and already had a party lifestyle apparently. But he still looked very good for his age in the TV programme he was on a few years ago. I don't think he looked particularly young in his 30s, just about the same as the average 30-year-old today from what I remember.

 

My pictures? They must've been deleted from the server.

 

I redesigned the website and am trying to clean it up a little, so they may have gotten deleted. The quality of my blog posts from years ago was just bad, and the pictures may have been posted on those blog posts. I shouldn't have deleted many of them, now I get lots of 404s in search console 

 

I'll update with a new one soon.   

 

 

 

[TheFountain]

Matt, you obviously look much younger than your age, no doubt about it, but in this light it is impossible to see you face in detail and evaluate properly whether you look a teenager, a man in his early 20s or in mid 20s. Is the photo overexposed or is it something else?

Give the man a break, his CR regimen makes him take pictures like a teenager would. Ya know, with over exposure, it's natural for a biologically younger individual. I have the exact same issue. 

[Matt]

Give the man a break, his CR regimen makes him take pictures like a teenager would. Ya know, with over exposure, it's natural for a biologically younger individual. I have the exact same issue. 

 

hahah   Maybe I should also use some Instagram filters.

Nobody needs to see those nasolabial folds and deep forehead lines from the stress of trying to stay young.   

[Mind]

On the CR thing vis-a-vis popularity, it does seem like the buzz has died down. IMO, it had to do with the primate studies not showing much life extension. If the primates had gained 20% to 30% life extension like other species, then more people would be doing it. Also, a lot of people are doing modified CR through other fad diets. Maybe not getting as much "health extension" as a dedicated CRONie, but still a bit similar practice

[twinkly]

Do you really want to make me run downstairs to the fridge? :p It's some locally produced brand.

Yes! I'm pretty iffy about Al Pro these days considering all the unknown additives that are used in them. I've had a really hard time finding something pure and natural that hasn't been overly processed.

Edited by twinkly, 30 April 2018 - 07:00 PM.

[Rocket]

On the CR thing vis-a-vis popularity, it does seem like the buzz has died down. IMO, it had to do with the primate studies not showing much life extension. If the primates had gained 20% to 30% life extension like other species, then more people would be doing it. Also, a lot of people are doing modified CR through other fad diets. Maybe not getting as much "health extension" as a dedicated CRONie, but still a bit similar practice

I was a dedicated CRONie for a coupe of years. I am much happier now being into building and maintaining muscle. Why starve yourself for life for a couple of healthier biomarkers that show up in bloodtests when it doesn't translate into SLOWING the aging process or adding any worthwhile time to life? Why be old and skinny with no muscle when you can be old and have muscle? Ever heard of sarcopenia? I have seen it first hand in my family and its brital... So why assist sarcopenia and starve away your muscles?

Real CRONies also can't exercise because of the calorie deficit it would send them into causing further loss of vital muscle.

If CRON worked, it would have been noticed thousands of years ago that people living on very little food (like slaves) lived longer... But there is nothing in history to this point. Therefore it does not work. You may get healthy biomarkers... Big deal. You can do that by eating and exercising wisely.

If CRON worked, nature would have selected animals that ate very little over those that ate whenever they were hungry or could find or capture food. But nature hasn't selected CRON.

Edited by Rocket, 01 May 2018 - 01:34 AM.

[male_1978]

Let me share a few thoughts on your pictures:

 

First, those pictures look as if you wanted to look as cool/nice as possible and not very informative in a medical sense. You need a bright light which actually shows skin problems instead of hiding them.

Second, people below 30 usually dont have much age-related skin problems anyway, especially if they dont smoke. When they start having them (above 30) you can first see them when they are smiling (wrinkles around the eyes). 

 

So i dont want to offend, but your blog seems to me like as if you want to show how cool you are and get some attention. However, if you actually want to show me the benefits of your lifestyle, you need to show me in detail which problems you dont have, while others at the same age have them. The absolute minimum are high resolution images of the skin, ideally in a light which brings out uneven parts of the skin.