Hi guys! I am considering using Metformin for overall wellbeing, glucose disposal and longevity. I am aware there are possibly other benefits to this such as positive effects on the Thymus gland and activating ampk? Is this correct? Looking at this from the refreshing no "bro science" angle, which massively attracted me to this group, is there a duality to this approach and anything to consider before starting such a protocol? Is there a downside? Alternatives such Jardiance or Berberine derivatives? Or a stack to potentiate or synergise? Any info on this or other people's experiences with regard to understanding the mechanisms involved would be so welcome. Thanks in advance! Excited to be here😊🙏

64 ounces water, 5g creatine, 4g glutamine, 4g alanine, 3g glycine, 3g leucine. Sipped throughout the day. My question is how meals and EAA/creatine intake that is already taking place affects the ability for the icell water to signal in the manner intended. Is it best to only do this in the fasted state and postprandial state so as to avoid interference by other aminos/nutrients?

Glucose matters, but so does the ability to switch away from it. Metabolic flexibility, the capacity to toggle between carbohydrate and fat oxidation as conditions change, is a core health trait. Loss of this flexibility (leaning chronically on any single fuel, whether glucose or fat) drives mismatch between fuel supply and oxidation, promotes ectopic lipid or glycogen accumulation, and sets up insulin resistance, mitochondrial stress, and redox imbalance [4,5,6]. Beyond ATP, glucose feeds the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) to make NADPH, which maintains the glutathione system and broader antioxidant defense. In states of high oxidative demand or low oxygen, routing glucose through glycolysis/PPP supports redox homeostasis; starving these pathways can impair cellular repair and antioxidant capacity. Recent Cell Metabolism work highlights glycogen->PPP flux as an "extramitochondrial redox hub" sustaining cytosolic NADPH [1,2,3]. The Randle (glucose-fatty acid) cycle shows that sustained dominance of one substrate suppresses the other for example, high fatty acid oxidation inhibits glucose oxidation and vice versa [4,5]. Over time, this competitive inhibition, combined with nutrient excess, leads to intramyocellular lipid accumulation, impaired PDH activity, and insulin resistance - classic metabolic inflexibility [5]. Exercise restores the switch: training induces tissue-specific adaptations (PGC-1alpha programs, mitochondrial biogenesis, improved substrate transport) that enhance the ability to alternate between fuels and improve cardiometabolic health. Physical inactivity does the opposite, leading to glycogen overaccumulation, reduced oxidative capacity, and impaired redox balance [6,7]. Bottom line, glucose isn't the villain; chronic overreliance on glucose (or fat) is. Protect redox by preserving the switch - periodize intake and training so the system regularly uses both glycolysis/PPP and fat oxidation, rather than locking into one lane.

I have my first order of Masszymes arriving tomorrow. What's the group's thoughts on enzymes in general? I have done 2 food sensitivity tests in the past 6 months and working on improving those sensitivies in hopes of not having to always simply avoid some things. My first priority is to help the digestion and processing of the foods with the enzymes, but I also am hoping to help speed/aid the digestion process so the foods I consume pre-workout and in between my multiple workouts have been digested and the substrates are available for metabolic processes. I know the makers of Masszymes tought them as a great way to enhance protein breakdown and synthesis - not just from foods, but also the intrinsic processes that take place in tissues and suggest they can help with overall improved muscle protein synthesis. I would greatly appreciate insights, experiences, and recommendations (including whether or not Masszymes cost is justifiable). TIA.

picked up some goBHB because it was on clearance (30 servings for $12). I have used it 3 times: 1x prior to a an endurance/volume strength workout, 1x after a workout, and 1x during a strength workout while fasted that was done immediately after a fasted cardio session. I feel like it might have given some benefits during the 2 workouts and supposedly when taken postworkout can help support anabolic metabolism. Does anyone: A) have experience with goBHB specifically B) have recommendations for use (the 3 uses I describe above are what I found through a Perplexity AI search recommendation) C) I know @AnthonyCastore is a proponent of the ketone esthers and @MikeTNelson is big on the Tecton brand....is goBHB a waste or for the purposes I describe above (not needing to be a "game changer", just support some energetics pre/intra and maybe some recovery post-workout) an OK application if not wanting to break the bank for some Tecton or Ketone IQ ?