The Big O | August 2025 Newsletter
At Optispan, we don’t think small, we aim for exponential impact. The Big O notation* represents the growth of complexity in algorithms. At Optispan, we take a similar approach to scaling opportunities for optimal healthspans for everyone. Our mission is to redefine what’s possible in health, creating meaningful change on a global scale.
August Highlights
Business Insights Journal spotlight: Dr. Matt Kaeberlein on the Future of Longevity
This month, our CEO Dr. Matt Kaeberlein was featured in the Business Insights Journal, where he shared how Optispan is transforming longevity science into real-world health solutions.
Key Highlights from the Interview:
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Dr. Kaeberlein brings over 25 years of aging biology experience, from co‑founding the Dog Aging Project to leading Ora Biomedical, to Optispan’s mission of extending healthspan.
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Optispan prioritizes data-driven diagnostics and biomarkers over trends, focusing first on Eat, Move, Sleep & Connect lifestyle pillars before introducing targeted medical interventions.
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By detecting early risk factors like prediabetes, fatty liver, and cognitive decline, Optispan is shifting healthcare from treatment to prevention, unlocking more years of vitality.
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Looking ahead, Optispan aims to leverage AI-powered health tools and emerging geroscience therapies to make proactive, personalized care accessible at scale.
“Our goal is to bring the best of longevity science to everyday clinical practice—helping people live healthier, longer lives.”
— Dr. Matt Kaeberlein
Reflections From Matt
It’s hard to believe, but we’re approaching our two-year anniversary at Optispan. We officially launched in September 2023 with the ambitious goal of delivering optimal healthspan for everyone.
The first two years certainly haven’t been the straight-line path I envisioned, but we’ve learned a lot and made great progress toward our goals. I’ve never been more optimistic about the future. From launching our flagship clinical programs, Helix and Embody, to expanding our platform and education offerings, the momentum is building.
Our technology team, led by CTO Mark Bowers and Director of AI, Dr. Sepi Dibay, has been hard at work developing the Optispan Health Intelligence Platform. This engine powers our approach to personalized care, integrating real-time diagnostic data with each client’s health history, and delivering actionable insights to both clients and providers.
We’re also nearing the launch of the first major component of our Healthspan Medicine Certification Program: the Healthspan Coaching Curriculum. This evidence-based training program will provide a comprehensive foundation in lifestyle, diagnostics, emerging therapeutics, and personalized intervention strategies. It’s designed to empower both professionals and individuals to guide themselves and others toward longer, healthier lives.
And I’m particularly excited for the launch of Longevity Texts, a new product that delivers science-based, personalized healthspan insights directly to your phone. In collaboration with the Help Texts, our team has crafted hundreds of bite-sized messages grounded in evidence-based strategies for health optimization. We’ve also partnered with thought leaders like Kayla Barnes, Dr. Brian Kennedy, Dr. Mary Pardee, Dr. Brad Stanfield, Dr. Kevin White, and others to contribute motivational and inspirational messages aligned with our mission. Longevity Texts is rolling out to Optispan clients now and will be available more broadly in the coming weeks.
On a personal note, Tammi and I are celebrating another big anniversary this month: our 25th wedding anniversary. We’re taking a trip to Ketchikan and Juneau, Alaska this month followed by an excursion to Great Bear Lodge in British Columbia next month. Like so many things in life, our wedding day didn’t go exactly as we’d planned, but looking back I wouldn’t change a thing. After twenty-five years, I feel deep gratitude for having shared this journey with a beautiful, amazing woman who is also my best friend.
Thank you to everyone who's been part of this journey so far. We're just getting started!
Clinic Updates
Patient Spotlight: Building Strength in Your 70s– A Testament to Consistency
By Dr. Nicki Byrne, MD
Here at Optispan our clients never cease to amaze. This month we would like to cast the spotlight on one of clients, a 79 year old woman, who is showing that it’s never too late to build muscle and transform your health trajectory. Over the course of the past year, she gained over 6 pounds of lean muscle mass and increased her Appendicular Lean Mass Index (ALMI) by 0.4%—a meaningful physiological shift with profound implications for aging and longevity.
The Impact of Muscle on Lifespan and Healthspan
Muscle is more than strength—it’s metabolic currency. In older adults, particularly women, increased lean mass correlates with:
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Skeletal muscle is the primary site for glucose uptake after meals. Higher lean mass is associated with greater insulin sensitivity and more stable glucose regulation. Even modest increases in muscle can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.¹
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Preserving leg strength and muscle power enhances balance and reflexive stability. Older adults with higher muscle mass experience up to a 30% lower risk of falls.² Resistance training also improves gait speed and mobility—key predictors of independence and longevity.³
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Muscle mass serves as a critical reservoir of amino acids during illness or injury, supporting immune function, wound healing, and recovery. Low lean mass is linked to longer hospital stays, more complications, and higher mortality.⁴
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Frailty is often driven by muscle decline. Resistance training helps maintain bone mineral density through mechanical loading. Higher ALMI in women is protective against osteoporotic fractures and loss of independence.⁵
In this client’s case, these gains become even more significant given a backdrop of osteoporosis, colon cancer recovery, and dealing with grief from recent loss. Her improved body fat percentage (from 38.9% to 32.8%), stable cardiovascular markers, and enhanced sleep and mood speak to the far-reaching effects of a body composition upgrade.
The Power of Modest, Consistent Change
This wasn’t a transformation marked by massive shifts or punishing routines. Her improvements came from:
Gentle, consistent strength training (daily balance and body-weight or light dumbbell resistance work)
Nutritional tweaks, including more wild-caught fish and protein-rich snacks
Supportive supplementation to cover nutrient gaps (D3, omega-3, and B12)
Sleep hygiene and recovery, with Oura Ring feedback confirming progress
As a testament to these positive changes, our client started to fall, but was able to catch herself and arrest the fall to a significant degree, so instead of a serious injury or fractures, she ended up with some bruised ribs (which we know is still painful, and not fun, but much better than the alternative). And after an appropriate recovery period, she returned to her exercise routine, committed to staying strong—a clear testament to the resilience muscle brings.
This spotlight isn’t about extremes—it’s about persistence, alignment, and intention. At Optispan, we celebrate these steady, lifelong health investments that yield compounding returns.
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Srikanthan, P., & Karlamangla, A. S. (2011). Relative muscle mass is inversely associated with insulin resistance and prediabetes. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 96(9), 2898–2903.
Visser, M., et al. (2005). Muscle mass, muscle strength, and muscle fat infiltration as predictors of incident mobility limitations in well-functioning older persons. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 60(3), 324–333.
Fielding, R. A., et al. (2011). Sarcopenia: an undiagnosed condition in older adults. Current consensus definition: prevalence, etiology, and consequences. J Am Med Dir Assoc., 12(4), 249–256.
Deutz, N. E., et al. (2014). Protein intake and exercise for optimal muscle function with aging: recommendations from the ESPEN Expert Group. Clinical Nutrition, 33(6), 929–936.
Daly, R. M., et al. (2013). Effect of high-intensity resistance training on bone mineral density and functional performance in older adults with osteopenia or osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 28(4), 736–746.
Bonus Clinical Podcast
A Blueprint for Lifelong Health
Doctors Reveal 4 Pillars & Key Blood Tests
“Small, sustainable habits—guided by biomarkers—lead to the biggest health transformations.”
In this illuminating Optispan video, Drs. Nicole Byrne and Kevin White join Dr. Matt Kaeberlein to unveil Optispan’s four-pillar health framework—a clinically refined blueprint aimed at elevating every patient’s journey toward sustained vitality.
Discover a holistic path to well-being with our expertly guided clinic approach, where each pillar supports your journey towards optimal health.
Begin with the foundation of nutrition -EAT-, embracing anti-inflammatory whole foods tailored to your needs through personalized nutrition and fasting protocols. Enhance your physical vitality -MOVE- by incorporating strength, cardio, and flexibility exercises under a custom exercise prescription designed for enduring results. Achieve rejuvenation -SLEEP- with restorative, consistent sleep, guided by sleep hygiene coaching and tips for creating an ideal sleep environment. Finally, nurture your social and emotional health through meaningful connections and community strategies -CONNECT- that reinforce and elevate your sense of belonging and personal fulfillment.
Key Clinical Takeaways
Biomarker‑Driven Care: Focus on glucose, insulin, hs‑CRP, lipid panels, and hormones.
Proactive Intervention: Identify and act on early signals of dysfunction before they become disease.
Sustainable Results: Lifestyle coaching meets personalized medical guidance for long‑term impact.
What This Means for Patients
Tailored lifestyle plans across the 4 pillars
Transparent progress tracking through biomarkers
Early detection and course correction for optimal vitality
Healthspan Coach Notes
Coaching Corner: How Lifestyle Pillars Drive Muscle Gain and Longevity
By Will Merrick, NBHWC Certified Health & Wellness Coach
When helping clients build or preserve lean muscle mass—especially later in life—coaches must look beyond the gym. Muscle is the visible outcome of an invisible ecosystem, supported by the four lifestyle pillars: Eat, Move, Sleep, and Connect.
Eat: Muscle Is Made in the Kitchen
Why it matters: Nutrition provides the raw materials for muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Without adequate fuel—especially protein—training efforts can go unrewarded.
Protein timing and sufficiency are non-negotiable—aim for 0.7 - 1.0g per lb. of ideal body weight per day. Spread your protein intake evenly across meals to optimize muscle protein synthesis
Post-workout nutrition: A meal or shake with 20–30g of high-quality protein + carbohydrates within 1–2 hours supports repair and growth.
Anti-inflammatory fats (omega-3s) enhance recovery and muscle protein synthesis. Fatty fish, seeds, nuts, soybeans and of course supplements are good sources of Omega-3s.
Micronutrients like Vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc play critical roles in tissue repair and hormonal signaling.
Watch for hidden barriers: inadequate appetite, low stomach acid, or iron overload risk (as in this client’s case) may require tailored supplementation and dietary balance.
Move: Stimulus Drives Growth
Why it matters: Resistance training causes micro-damage that, when repaired, results in stronger, thicker muscle fibers. But the stimulus must be sufficient and progressive.
Progressive overload: Gradually increase reps, weight, or time under tension. Sticking to the same load for months won’t yield change.
Train to near failure: Especially for hypertrophy, working within 1–2 reps of muscular failure is more effective than stopping short.
Don’t skip recovery days: Rest is where growth happens—opt for active recovery (walking, mobility, stretching).
Consistency > intensity: daily bodyweight movements can be just as powerful if maintained long-term. This is also likely to reduce your risk for injury over time.
Include balance, agility, and proprioception training to reduce fall risk and enhance neuromuscular adaptation.
Sleep: Your Natural Anabolic Window
Why it matters: Sleep is the most powerful natural anabolic agent. It’s when growth hormone spikes, tissue repair accelerates, and inflammation cools.
Key strategies:
Aim for 7–9 hours/night—non-negotiable for serious strength gains.
Deep sleep is when growth hormone peaks, fueling repair and muscle building. Consistent sleep and wake times help contribute to quality deep sleep.
Address sleep disruptors: Caffeine, alcohol, blue light, and erratic schedules impair recovery.
Track patterns: Use wearables (like Oura, WHOOP, or Apple Watch) to assess trends in sleep efficiency, HRV, and recovery.
Connect: Social Health Fuels Physical Health
Why it matters: People who feel supported and connected are more likely to stay active, eat well, and maintain consistency. Loneliness, on the other hand, raises cortisol and undermines muscle-preserving hormones like testosterone and IGF-1.
Key strategies:
Accountability partnerships: Find a workout buddy, group, or coach check-in.
Community involvement: Group training, sports leagues, or fitness communities improve adherence and enjoyment.
Stress buffering: Emotional connection lowers allostatic load, protecting muscle from catabolic breakdown.
Purpose and identity: Connecting yourself to why you train (e.g., to hike with family, to compete, feel strong, to be active with grandkids) strengthens commitment.
