💪🏼 Protein wars: which one's for you?

Montana opens the floodgates to experimental drugs, 23andMe lives on, and we share a deep dive on whey vs. plant protein. All that and more in this week's edition.

Good morning friends. It’s May 21st, and Summer has arrived faster this year than your dreaded annual physical (that you still haven’t scheduled…🫠).

The rundown for this week:

  • 💪🏼 Whey vs. Plant; which protein is for you?

  • ⛰️ Montana says “all drugs are allowed!”

  • 🧬 23andMe saved from bankruptcy by Regeneron

  • đź’° XPrize Healthspan competition announces 40 semifinalists

Let’s get to it. 👇

New York Times -  Health expert Peter Attia sits down with New York Times to discuss the science of aging well. (Watch interview)

NBC Today - World’s oldest practicing doctor, 102, shares 3 best tips for a long, healthy life. (Read more)

Forbes - Somite AI raises $47MM in Series A to tackle regenerative & cell replacement therapy. (Read more)

CNBC - 23andMe is back from the dead; delivered lifeline from Regeneron for $256MM. (Read more)

Axios - It’s not just you; everybody is talking about creatine as the most important aging-defense supplement. (Read more)

Pelobuddy - Peloton launches mobility & strength classes for longevity. (Read more)

Presswire - Longevity Health Holdings completes merger with 20/20 Biolabs, set to launch new lab and cancer screening test. (Read more)

GlobeNewsWire - Juvena Therapeutics kicks off first-in-human clinical trial for muscle regeneration . (Read more)

IN THE NEWS

Montana Bets on Experimental Drugs: The Future of Anti-Aging?

Hold onto your un-tested supplement pushed from your favorite longevity guru, we’ve got big news from the State of….Montana?!

Montana has just passed Senate Bill 535, a groundbreaking law that allows doctors to prescribe experimental drugs that have only completed Phase I clinical trials. It’s a major departure from the traditional FDA approval process, which typically requires years of data and layers of oversight before new treatments reach the public.

For those chasing longer healthspans, this could be a game-changer.

Think early access to senolytics, NAD+ boosters, or other age-defying compounds that are still stuck in clinical limbo elsewhere.

Want to try the next rapamycin before it's cool (and approved)? Book a trip to Big Sky Country. It might just be your next destination for both hiking trails and health trials.

👉🏾 Catch up on the full story.

IN THE NEWS

Meet the Semifinalists of the $101MM XPRIZE Healthspan Competition

In a groundbreaking initiative to redefine aging, the XPRIZE Foundation has unveiled the Top 40 Semifinalists for its $101MM Healthspan competition.

This global contest challenges teams to develop therapies that can restore at least 10 years of muscle, cognitive, and immune function in adults aged 50–80, aiming for a goal of 20 years, all within a one-year treatment timeframe.

From over 600 entries across 58 countries, these semifinalists have proposed diverse solutions ranging from stem cell therapies to advanced biologics and lifestyle interventions.

A quick look at 10 that we found incredibly compelling:

1. Longeveron (Miami, FL, USA)
Longeveron is advancing "laromestorcel," an allogeneic stem cell therapy targeting aging-related frailty and Alzheimer’s disease. The therapy has received multiple FDA designations, including Orphan Drug and Fast Track statuses.

2. Immunis (Irvine, CA, USA)
Immunis is developing a stem cell-derived biologic aimed at reversing immune system decline and muscle atrophy associated with aging. Their investigational therapy, IMM01-STEM, is currently undergoing Phase 2 clinical trials.

3. BioAge Labs (California, USA)
BioAge Labs focuses on identifying and developing drugs that target the molecular mechanisms of aging, aiming to extend healthspan by modulating key biological pathways.

4. Ani Biome (San Francisco, CA, USA)
Ani Biome is exploring the gut microbiome's role in aging, developing interventions that modulate microbial communities to promote healthy aging.

5. Healthy Longevity Clinic (Boca Raton, FL, USA)
This clinic integrates personalized medicine approaches, combining diagnostics and tailored interventions to address aging-related decline.

6. Intervene Immune (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
Intervene Immune is investigating thymus regeneration as a means to reverse immunosenescence, aiming to rejuvenate the immune system in older adults

7. Team GLYNAC (Houston, TX, USA)
This team is researching the supplementation of glycine and N-acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) to improve mitochondrial function and combat oxidative stress, factors implicated in aging.

8. Canadian Translational Geroscience Network (Montreal, QC, Canada)
A consortium aiming to translate geroscience research into clinical applications, focusing on interventions that target the biological processes of aging.

9. Rejuvenation Through Low Frequency Ultrasound (San Antonio, TX, USA)
This team is exploring the use of low-frequency ultrasound technology to stimulate tissue regeneration and reverse age-related degeneration.

10. Sanjeevini (Mumbai, India)
Sanjeevini is developing plant-based therapeutics rooted in traditional medicine, aiming to promote healthy aging through natural compounds.

DEEP DIVE SESSION

The Great Protein Showdown: Is Whey or Plant Better?

One is churned from cow's milk and comes with a frat-boy reputation for bulking season.

The other is crafted from peas, rice, hemp, and other humble plants, often tucked into Whole Foods carts by the modern wellness junkie.

Welcome to the nutritional Thunderdome: Whey vs. Plant Protein.

We’re diving into the molecular level, sorting the hype from the science, and dropping a few brands that we like and are well validated out in the market.

Let’s dive in.

Whey Protein: An Old Classic

  • Source: Whey is the liquid byproduct of cheese production, packed with complete proteins—meaning it contains all 9 essential amino acids your body can’t make on its own.

  • Bioavailability: Extremely high. Whey protein isolate boasts a PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score) of 1.0, the gold standard.

  • Key Benefit: Lightning-fast absorption. Think Ferrari-level muscle recovery.

  • Downside: Contains lactose (less so in isolates), which can cause bloating or digestive rebellion in the lactose-intolerant

🥇 Two of the whey producers we like…

  • Flavor: Smooth, classic, no weird aftertaste.

  • Macronutrients: 24g protein, 1g fat, 3g carbs

  • Why it's loved: Fast-absorbing, affordable, and widely trusted by athletes.

  • Downside: Contains artificial sweeteners and dairy.

  • USP: Made from grass-fed Irish cows and sweetened with stevia.

  • Macronutrients: 22g protein, 0g fat, 2g carbs

  • Vibe: More “clean label” than most, with excellent sourcing.

  • Best for: The ethical lifter who still wants to grow biceps the size of sourdough loaves.

Plant Protein: The New-Age, Green Machine

  • Source: Typically a blend of pea, rice, hemp, chia, or pumpkin. Alone, most plant proteins are incomplete, but savvy brands blend them to create a complete profile.

  • Bioavailability: Slightly lower than whey, but improving with sprouting, fermenting, and better formulations.

  • Key Benefit: Easier on digestion (no dairy), environmentally friendlier, and comes with fiber, phytonutrients, and fewer cows harmed in the making.

  • Downside: Some mixes taste like compressed grass clippings. Others have gritty textures or chalky aftertastes.

🌱 A few plant based brands we like…

  • Blend: Pea, brown rice, chia

  • Macronutrients: 21g protein, 3g fat, 15g carbs (mostly fiber)

  • Taste: Surprisingly pleasant; good with almond milk.

  • Why it sells: Organic, vegan, no added sugar.

  • Downside: Grittier than whey, unless blended thoroughly.

  • Blend: Pea, pumpkin seed, organic sunflower seed, alfalfa

  • Macronutrients: 30g protein, 3g fat, 4g carbs

  • Athlete appeal: NSF Certified for Sport.

  • Bonus: Includes BCAAs and probiotics.

  • Downside: Earthy flavor. Tastes like a trail run.

  • Flavor: Vanilla-forward and sophisticated

  • Science-backed: Designed by nutritionists, includes choline (important for brain health)

  • Macronutrients: 20g protein, 0g sugar

  • Clean cred: Heavy metal tested, fully traceable ingredients

  • Best for: The minimalist biohacker.

So you’ve got options.

Plenty of them.

If you’re overwhelmed with choices, use the handy chart below to help make your decision in either direction.

Whey Protein

Plant Protein

Amino Acid Profile

Complete (high leucine)

Often incomplete unless blended

Absorption Rate

Fast (~1 hour)

Slower (~2-4 hours)

Digestibility

High (unless lactose intolerant)

Generally easier on the gut

Environmental Impact

High (animal agriculture)

Low (plant-based, more sustainable)

Taste

Creamy, familiar

Earthy, varies widely

Ideal For

Muscle gain, recovery

Clean eaters, vegans, sensitive guts

đź§  The Takeaway: Which One Wins?

If your goal is maximum muscle protein synthesis and fast recovery after heavy training, whey still wins on pure science.

It's fast, bioavailable, and time-tested.

But if you're focused on gut health, sustainability, or avoiding animal products, plant protein is no longer a second-tier option. It’s a legitimate rival, especially when using blends from reputable brands.

And one final dose of truth…

The best protein is the one you’ll actually drink.

Consistency matters more than marginal differences in leucine content.

The health “advice” space is a s*itshow.

One week it’s “you must do this excercise.”

The next its “don’t do that, do this instead”.

So we want to leave you this week with a a really important thought as you implement your own protocol, that works for you, and no-one else.

It often doesn’t matter what training or exercise that you’re doing; its simply critical you are just doing something.

Anything.

Don’t stress yourself if you’re not in a full-body sweat.

If you got your butt up and tossed some stuff around, your mitochondria is taking notice (for the better).

Keep reading. 👇

May 30 - June1 | Austin, TX | Live Beyond 180, Biohacking Conference

Experience the latest technologies and hear from the disruptors and trailblazing biohacking thought leaders.

May 31 - June 1 | West Palm Beach, FL | The Longevity Expo

Engage with topics ranging from biohacking and fitness to functional medicine and mental well-being. The expo features live demonstrations, interactive zones, and sessions with leading experts in the field.