Despite his 41 years of age, California-based entrepreneur Sean Kelly claims his biological age (that is, the age of his actual body) is only 27 thanks to his extensive supplement routine which has reversed his biological clock.
He made these comments on a thread on X, the social media platform, stating he takes over 40 supplements a day to achieve these results. The post has since garnered 10.5 million views.
Kelly notes the supplements are the key to his biological benefits, stating nutrients through food alone are not enough to de-age an individual.
The Californian’s comments were met with skepticism, however, as other X users wrote: “Total lie… Body can manage this by itself” and “Fix your diet if you need this many supplements.” Others have pointed out how Kelly’s “biohacking” advice is unlikely to stem from generosity alone; a disclaimer on his thread states the company Kelly works at, the Family Fund, invests in two of his recommended products, possibly providing financial motives for promoting products scientists say are not wholly up to snuff.
Popularized by influencers and millionaires like Bryan Johnson, biohacking has recently gained traction for many; the technique involves rigorous daily exercise, strict diet and sleep routines, and is measured through blood tests, sleep trackers, and other biological metrics.
In commenting on his use of over 40 supplements, Kelly admitted it’s easy to purchase poor-quality supplements. He did promote one company, Momentous, as one of the few brands he uses. Family Fund appears to invest in this company as well.
Kelly also stated he receives his blood tests from Lifeforce, another company Family Fund invests in, four times a year.
These tests, which can either be taken at home or at a Lifeforce facility, can be sent in to have them graded out of 100 to determine biological health. Kelly’s score, he claims, is 93/100, equating to a score typical of a 27-year-old.
As biohacking continues to grow more popular, companies are offering more services to test biological age, albeit at prices running at hundreds of dollars. Two such companies, TruMe Labs and GlycanAge, offer spit tests and blood tests respectively, charging $110 and $348 for their services.
These tests look for epigenetic changes, which are minute alterations in your cells that accumulate over time. This gradual accumulation is referred to as an epigenetic clock and serves as one marker for age.
Epigenetic clocks were originally devised by scientists as methods of determining how much damage a particular cell has sustained over time. These markers are now used as standards for measuring whether someone’s longevity lines up with their actual age.
Although these markers are used in lab studies, they are still fairly experimental and do not always offer the most accurate information in real-world applications, making them imperfect tools more suited for those curious about their biological information than people looking to glean useful knowledge.
Even if these measures were as accurate as claimed, scientists are still unsure what to do about advanced aging and have largely agreed there are no proven anti-aging tactics, despite what biohackers might state otherwise.
Persons utilizing biohacking strategies may on the whole be healthier than the average individual, but professionals like Dr. Charles Brenner, a biochemist at City of Hope, a non-profit research center in California, note these individuals aren’t stopping or reversing the aging process.
In commenting on claims surrounding the necessity for supplements, Dr. Pieter Cohen, an internist and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, states, “While some people may need specific vitamins or supplements to help with deficiencies, for the average healthy person, following a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables provides all the essential vitamins and minerals.”
As such, it would appear people can get the nutrition they need from food alone provided they are adhering to a healthy and balanced diet.
