The Optispan Podcast with Matt Kaeberlein

Longevity Lie: Doctor Reveals Why Anti-Aging Supplements Don’t Work

Oct 22, 2025

Jan Hennigs and Alexandru Ardellian, leading physicians at the YEARS Healthspan Clinic, explore the science behind longevity and healthspan. They discuss the importance of rigorous diagnostics over trendy supplements, emphasizing personalized interventions. The duo reveals insights from a comprehensive 6-hour health assessment and shares a compelling case of reversing type 2 diabetes. They advocate a lifestyle-first approach, caution against overusing supplements, and highlight the cautious use of experimental therapies, debunking myths around longevity medicine.

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INSIGHT

Scientific Healthspan Over Longevity

YEARS frames its mission as "scientific healthspan" to focus on quality healthy years rather than just lifespan extension.
The clinic runs clinical-style, prospective data collection and research alongside personalized preventive care.

ADVICE

Prepare For The Full Clinical Workup

Expect a broad, standardized 6+ hour assessment including functional tests, imaging, OGTT, and deep blood panels.
Fast 12 hours for the OGTT but eat before VO2peak testing to get valid results.

ADVICE

Use Biological Age Metrics Cautiously

Treat epigenetic clocks and biological age metrics as research tools, not definitive clinical guides.
Do not base medical recommendations solely on current methylation age outputs due to lab error and limited interpretation.

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Subscribe to our channel: / @optispan Get Our Newsletter (It's Free): https://www.optispan.life/Join me for an in-depth conversation with Dr. Alex and Dr. Jan from the YEARS Healthspan Clinic in Berlin. They pull back the curtain on what a truly evidence-based, scientific approach to longevity medicine looks like, moving beyond the hype and "snake oil" to focus on rigorous diagnostics, personalized interventions, and the critical collection of high-quality data.In this episode, they delve into the comprehensive 6+ hour diagnostic workup I am about to undergo, discuss the hierarchy of interventions (from lifestyle as the foundation to the careful use of pharmaceuticals), and debate the role of supplements, peptides, and more experimental therapies. This is a masterclass in the practical application of healthspan medicine from leading clinicians in the field.This video was produced by One Billion Media, an agency that specializes in YouTube virality for health brands and experts. Learn more about their work here:https://onebillionmedia.com/

Timestamps:

00:00 – Trailer01:12 – Introduction02:19 – Inside the 6-Hour Health Assessment05:00 – Full-Body MRI & Advanced Testing11:57 – Biological Age Tests & Organ-Specific Clocks17:10 – "Scientific Healthspan" vs. Longevity Medicine25:50 – Reversing Type 2 Diabetes: A Real-World Case31:42 – Supplements: Separating Facts from Fads43:20 – Rapamycin, GLP-1s & Metformin: What's Proven?54:00 – Muscle Loss, Brain Health & Alzheimer's Prevention01:05:11 – Stem Cells, Exosomes & Peptides: Hype or Hope?01:12:57 – No Shortcuts: The Need for Clinical Trials01:17:47 – Preventive Cardiology & Lipid Management01:26:52 – Hormone Therapy: Men, Women & Misconceptions01:33:12 – The Longevity Field's Biggest Problem01:39:05 – "Dr. ChatGPT" & The Self-Diagnosis Dilemma01:43:14 – Why Healthcare Must Change Now01:45:26 – Closing ThoughtsDISCLAIMER: The information provided on the Optispan podcast is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.More places to find us:Twitter: https://x.com/Optispan_IncTwitter: / mkaeberlein Linkedin: / optispan Instagram: / optispan_ TikTok: / optispan https://www.optispan.life/Hi, I'm Matt Kaeberlein. I spent the first few decades of my career doing scientific research into the biology of aging, trying to understand the finer details of how humans age in order to facilitate translational interventions that promote healthspan and improve quality of life. Now I want to take some of that knowledge out of the lab and into the hands of people who can really use it.On this podcast I talk about all things aging and healthspan, from supplements and nutrition to the latest discoveries in longevity research. My goal is to lift the veil on the geroscience and longevity world and help you apply what we know to your own personal health trajectory. I care about quality science and will always be honest about what I don't know. I hope you'll find these episodes helpful!