About Life Extension^® Protocols

Science-based educational health information from Life Extension

What Are Life Extension® Protocols?

Life Extension Protocols are in-depth, freely accessible, educational resources that review a wide range of health concerns and wellness topics. Each Protocol is designed to help readers understand what the current scientific and medical literature says about conventional care, lifestyle measures, laboratory markers, and integrative approaches.

Our goal is to provide clear, science-based information intended to support general health literacy and informed discussions with qualified healthcare professionals. We aim to explain the evidence accurately and with appropriate context, especially in areas where the science is evolving, mixed, or limited.

Editorial Approach

Protocols are developed according to editorial standards that prioritize scientific accuracy, context, balance, and source fidelity. The purpose of Life Extension® Protocols is educational: to help readers understand the evidence, including what is known, what remains uncertain, and what limitations or safety considerations may be important. Editorial decisions about what evidence to include, how findings are characterized, and what conclusions are supported are based on scientific merit, relevance to the topic, and the strength and applicability of the evidence.

As of mid-2026, our Protocol content development process brings together the expertise of internal Life Extension team members and external expert writers, editors, and reviewers. Every Protocol is developed through a structured evidence review process. Published Protocol content is reviewed by experienced science communicators, editors, and, when appropriate, clinicians or other subject matter experts.

How We Evaluate Evidence

Life Extension ® Protocols rely primarily on peer-reviewed research published in reputable scientific and medical journals, along with clinical guidelines, consensus statements, and other authoritative sources from relevant professional or scientific organizations.

We aim to represent evidence proportionately. In general, we focus primarily on human clinical evidence, especially well-conducted randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and established clinical guidelines. Observational studies, mechanistic research, animal studies, and laboratory findings may be discussed when relevant, but they are framed according to their limitations and should not be interpreted as proving clinical benefit in humans.

We use language intended to reflect the strength and type of evidence. For example, findings from observational studies are generally described as "associated with" an outcome rather than as causing or preventing it. Evidence from randomized trials may be described more directly when the study design, results, and limitations support that wording. Preliminary, indirect, mixed, or preclinical evidence is identified as such.

When discussing treatment effects, therapeutics, health products, or risk reduction, we aim to provide appropriate context, including the type of study, the population studied, the intervention or exposure evaluated, the comparator when relevant, the duration of follow-up, and the magnitude and limitations of the reported findings when feasible. We also seek to address important safety considerations, including potential adverse effects, contraindications, drug-nutrient interactions, and key limitations of the evidence base.

Protocols distinguish between established standard-of-care approaches and emerging, investigational, adjunctive, or supportive strategies. Integrative approaches are discussed in the context of the available evidence and are not presented as substitutes for established medical care.

Our Protocols are fully referenced and generally follow American Medical Association editorial conventions.

Who Our Protocols Are For

Life Extension® Protocols are written for health-engaged readers who want more than a superficial overview. Our readers often want to understand not only what has been studied, but how strong the evidence is, where uncertainties remain, and how different approaches are discussed in the scientific and medical literature.

We aim to make our Protocols accessible to general readers while preserving the depth and specificity needed by health-literate consumers, clinicians, and other professionals who may use them as educational background or as a starting point for further discussion.

How We Use AI

We use AI tools in a limited and carefully supervised way to support aspects of Protocol development. These tools may assist with tasks such as literature searching, early-stage evidence organization, summarization, and preliminary citation-support checks.

AI-assisted outputs are not included in Protocols without human review and substantial modification prior to publication. Content developed with AI assistance remains subject to the same editorial, scientific, source-verification, and fact-checking standards as other Protocol content. Credentialed reviewers verify claims against appropriate sources, including primary literature when needed, before content is published.

Human experts remain fully responsible for the content, interpretation, and accuracy of every Protocol.  AI does not replace scientific judgment, editorial review, fact-checking, clinical context, or expert oversight. Our approach is to use AI as an assistive tool to support human expertise, not replace it.

Scope and Limitations

Life Extension® Protocols are intended for educational purposes only. They are not a substitute for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.

Scientific evidence relevant to populations or study groups may not apply equally to every individual. This is especially important for people with complex medical conditions, those who are pregnant or nursing, and those taking prescription medications. Readers should use Protocols as educational resources and consult their healthcare team before making health-related decisions.

About the Editor:

Blake Gossard

Chief Editor

Blake Gossard has served in this role for approximately 14 years and has been with Life Extension for about 18 years. His background is in scientific and medical communications, and he holds several professional credentials in the field, including Medical Writer Certified (MWC), Certified Medical Publications Professional (CMPP), and Editor in the Life Sciences (ELS). He is also a past president of the Florida chapter of the American Medical Writers Association and has received training in statistics through Indiana University.

If you would like to share comments or suggestions about our Protocols, contact Blake at BGossard@LifeExtension.com.