If you're like me, you're always on the lookout for those small, everyday tweaks that can stack up to big wins in health and longevity. We talk a lot about nutrition, exercise, and mindset, but sometimes the real game-changers are hiding in your bathroom cabinet. Today, let's dive into something I recently switched up in my routine: making the switch to aluminum-free deodorant. Why? Because emerging concerns about aluminum's potential health impacts could be quietly chipping away at our long-term vitality. I'll break down the science, the risks, and the perks of going aluminum-free—all with an eye on how this fits into living a longer, healthier life.

What's Aluminum Doing in Your Deodorant Anyway?

First off, a quick primer. Most traditional antiperspirants (not just deodorants, which mainly mask odor) use aluminum compounds like aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium to block sweat glands. They form a temporary plug in your pores, stopping sweat from reaching the skin's surface. Sounds handy for staying dry, right? But here's the thing: sweating is a natural process. It's how your body regulates temperature, detoxifies, and maintains balance. For those of us chasing longevity, anything that interferes with our body's innate functions deserves a second look.

Aluminum isn't just in antiperspirants—it's everywhere, from cookware to food additives—but the underarm area is particularly absorbent, especially after shaving. Studies show that while absorption is low (around 0.012% in some tests), repeated daily exposure adds up over decades. That's a lifetime of potential buildup, and in the context of the 200 Year Life, we can't afford to ignore cumulative effects.

Why Aluminum Might Be Sabotaging Your Health Span

Now, let's get to the heart of it: why is aluminum potentially bad news? The science isn't black-and-white—some reviews conclude it's safe in small amounts —but there's enough smoke to suggest a fire, especially for longevity enthusiasts who prioritize precaution over waiting for absolute proof.

One big concern is aluminum's possible link to breast cancer. Aluminum can mimic estrogen, a hormone that promotes cell growth, including in breast tissue. Some researchers theorize that aluminum absorbed through the skin near the breasts could alter estrogen receptors, potentially increasing cancer risk. While large reviews like one from 2014 found no definitive correlation, other studies highlight higher aluminum levels in breast tissue and suggest gene changes or oxidative stress from long-term exposure. A 2023 systematic review on daily aluminum exposure (including from antiperspirants) called for applying the precautionary principle, advising avoidance until more data is in.

Then there's the brain health angle, crucial for longevity. Aluminum has been implicated in neurotoxicity, with some studies linking it to Alzheimer's disease through oxidative stress and protein buildup in the brain.

While not proven causative, elevated aluminum levels have been found in Alzheimer's patients, and animal studies show it can cross barriers and accumulate over time. For those aiming for a sharp mind into our 100s and beyond, why risk it? Chronic low-level exposure could contribute to inflammation and cognitive decline, eroding the very years we're working to extend.

Other red flags include hormone disruption (as a “metalloestrogen”), skin irritation, and even potential ties to other conditions like Crohn's disease through bacterial-metal interactions. People with kidney issues are especially vulnerable, as they can't clear aluminum efficiently.

And on a simpler level, antiperspirants work by blocking sweat — and sweating is a natural process your body uses to regulate temperature. It's worth noting that sweat is mostly water and electrolytes (your liver and kidneys do the real detoxification work, not your sweat glands), so I'd be skeptical of anyone claiming deodorant “traps toxins.” For me the appeal is simpler: I'd rather not interfere with a normal bodily function every single day if I don't have to.

In the longevity game, it's about minimizing risks. Even if the evidence is mixed, with some bodies like the European Commission's SCCS deeming it safe at certain levels, the precautionary approach wins. Why gamble when alternatives exist?

The Longevity-Boosting Benefits of Going Aluminum-Free

Switching to aluminum-free deodorant isn't just about avoiding risks—it's about embracing benefits that align with a longer, vibrant life. Here's what I've noticed since making the change, backed by what the experts say:

1. Lets Your Body Sweat Normally: Without aluminum plugging your pores, your body can sweat freely and do its main job — regulating your temperature. I'm not going to tell you sweat “flushes out toxins” (that's mostly a myth — sweat is largely water and salt), but I do like the idea of not chemically shutting down a normal function day after day.

2. Gentler on Your Skin, Reducing Irritation and Inflammation: Aluminum can cause contact dermatitis or irritation, especially in sensitive folks. Natural alternatives often use ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot, coconut oil, or essential oils that soothe rather than inflame. Less chronic irritation means less systemic inflammation, a major driver of aging and diseases like heart issues or diabetes.

3. Hormonal Harmony and Overall Wellness: By sidestepping potential endocrine disruptors, you're supporting balanced hormones, which play a huge role in metabolism, energy, and aging.
Many aluminum-free options incorporate probiotics or botanicals that combat odor-causing bacteria naturally, promoting a healthier microbiome—another longevity key.

4. No More Yellow Stains or Harsh Chemicals: Practical perks matter too. Aluminum reacts with sweat to stain clothes, and free versions often skip parabens and synthetic fragrances, reducing overall chemical load. Plus, they're often eco-friendly, aligning with sustainable living that indirectly boosts health through a cleaner planet.

5. Long-Lasting Protection Without Compromise: Modern aluminum-free deodorants provide 6-12 hours of odor control under normal conditions, using natural absorbers and antimicrobials.
I've found them effective even during workouts, and the peace of mind? Priceless for long-term health.

In essence, going aluminum-free is a low-effort hack that could reduce your toxic burden, enhance detox, and minimize inflammation—cornerstones of extending your health span.

Making the Switch: Tips for Longevity Seekers

If you're convinced, start simple. Look for labels saying “aluminum-free” or “natural deodorant.” There are plenty of good options out there, from established natural brands to DIY mixes with baking soda and essential oils. There might be a “detox” phase where you sweat more as your body adjusts—hang in there; it passes in a week or two. Pair it with other longevity habits: stay hydrated to support sweating, eat antioxidant-rich foods to combat any oxidative stress, and get regular check-ups.

Remember, the 200 Year Life isn't about perfection—it's about informed choices that compound over time. Ditching aluminum is one more step toward that goal. Have you made the switch?

Drop your experiences in the comments—I'd love to hear how it's boosted your routine.

Stay strong, stay curious, and here's to many more years,

Gary Leland

A note from Gary: I'm not a doctor, and I'm definitely not your doctor. Nothing here is medical advice — the science on aluminum is genuinely mixed, and I'm sharing a precautionary choice I made for myself, not a diagnosis or a prescription. Check with your own doctor before changing anything in your routine.

The post The Case for Aluminum-Free Deodorant appeared first on Gary Leland.

Last week I sat down with Dr. Bill Andrews, and I think it might be the most important hour I've recorded since starting this project.

The full video is coming soon. Here's who he is and what we covered, so you know why you should block out the time.

Who Is Dr. Bill Andrews?

Bill Andrews has been trying to cure aging since he was ten years old, when his father asked him whether he'd be interested in solving it. He's almost 75 now and still in the lab every day.

He runs Sierra Sciences. He holds more than 50 patents, and he was a key inventor on human growth hormone, tissue plasminogen activator, Betaseron and erythropoietin — drugs that are in hospitals right now. He was National Inventor of the Year for his cancer research. He co-starred in the documentary The Immortalist, which made the Academy's top ten for documentary in 2014.

He also held the world speed record for barefoot water skiing, and the record for the most hundred-mile ultramarathons run in a single year. I'm 71 and I felt lazy sitting across from him.

If you want to understand aging at the mechanical level — not the supplement-influencer level, the actual biology — he is arguably the best explainer alive.

What We Talked About

A preview of what's in the interview:

• Why telomeres actually shorten — and why the shoelace analogy everybody repeats is wrong. His bricklayer explanation finally made it click for me.
• The ride ticket math. You get 100 tickets as a single-cell embryo. Bill told me how many you have left by the time you're born, and the number genuinely stopped me cold on camera.
• The hard ceiling. There's a maximum human lifespan you cannot exceed no matter how perfect your protocol is. He says what it is and why.
• How to spot a fake telomere product. This is the most useful thing in the whole hour. There's one question you can ask any company selling telomere support — and Bill says if they can't answer it, their product may be accelerating your aging. I'd never have known to ask.
• Telomerase and cancer. Everybody assumes lengthening telomeres causes cancer. Bill argues the exact opposite, and his reasoning is airtight.
• What Bill Andrews takes himself — his actual daily stack, including one thing he says most people are wasting their money on.
• The price tag on curing aging. He named a dollar figure and a timeline. Both are smaller than you'd think.
• Liz Parrish, gene therapy, and the fight to let dying people try treatments that haven't cleared the FDA.

Why This One Matters to Me

I'm 71. My whole bet is that I can stay sharp and functional long enough to reach the wave — the point where science starts adding years back faster than I lose them. Aubrey de Grey calls it longevity escape velocity. Dr. Terry Grossman puts it better: live long enough to live forever.

Bill Andrews is one of the handful of people on earth actually working on the thing that decides whether that bet pays off. And he gives nearly all of it away for free.

Thanks to Liz Parrish for putting us together. If you haven't watched her episode yet, start here.

The Video Is Coming Soon

Keep an eye out — I'll post the full interview here and on my YouTube channel shortly. Subscribe so you don't miss it.

Everything I track is public and free at GaryLeland.com.

A note from Gary: I'm not a doctor, and I'm definitely not your doctor. Nothing here is medical advice. Check with your doctor before you copy anything I do.

Stay sovereign, stay healthy.

The post I Interviewed Dr. Bill Andrews, the Man Trying to Cure Aging appeared first on Gary Leland.

I get on a scale once a week. Most people do it to check one number. I do it to check about a dozen.

This is my Hume scale review after using it daily in my 200 Year Life Project. The Hume Body Pod is a smart scale that runs a bioelectrical impedance scan every time I step on it — weight, body fat percentage, lean mass by body segment, visceral fat, hydration, and the number everybody asks me about: metabolic age.

My Hume scale says my metabolic age is 53.

I'm 71 years old.

Wait — Didn't Your Blood Test Say 56?

Sharp eye. If you read my CardioSmile review, you saw that my Function Health blood work puts my biological age at 56. Now the scale says 53. So which is it?

Honest answer: both, and neither. They're measuring completely different things.

Function Health draws my blood twice a year and runs it through more than 100 biomarkers — lipids, hormones, inflammation, kidney and liver function. Their biological age number comes from what's happening inside my body chemistry.

The Hume scale never touches my blood. It sends a tiny electrical signal through my body and calculates metabolic age from body composition — how much of me is muscle, how much is fat, and where it sits. A 71-year-old carrying the lean mass and fat percentage of a 53-year-old gets a 53.

Two different rulers. Two different numbers. One direction: down. That's the only part I actually care about. Every number I track is public on my Blood Test Results page.

What the Hume Scale Tracks

This morning it read 184.0 pounds. But the weight is the least interesting part. The app breaks my body into segments — arms, legs, trunk — and shows fat and lean mass for each one. My trunk carries 78.4 pounds of lean mass. My right arm is 10.2% fat. I know these numbers the way I used to know batting averages.

Why does that matter at 71? Because muscle is the retirement account of aging. Sarcopenia — age-related muscle loss — is one of the biggest predictors of frailty, falls, and decline. I can't fight what I can't measure. The Hume scale turns “I think I'm getting stronger” into a chart.

How I Use It

Same time in the morning once a week. After the bathroom, before coffee, minimal clothing. Consistency matters more than precision with any bioimpedance scale — hydration swings the readings, so I control everything I can and watch the trend line, not the daily number.

Thirty seconds on the scale, and the app has already synced before I'm done brushing my teeth (with this, naturally).

The Bottom Line

Is a $200-class smart scale as accurate as a DEXA scan? No. Is it 1,000 times more useful than a dumb scale? Yes.

I'm 71 chronologically, 56 by my blood, and 53 by my body composition. Every one of those numbers is heading the right way, and this scale is how I catch it when they're not.

Get yours here: GaryLeland.com/Hume — that's my affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. It helps keep this project going. There's an exclusive discount for 200 Year Life Project readers.

Everything I do is public and free at GaryLeland.com.

A note from Gary: I'm not a doctor, and I'm definitely not your doctor. Nothing here is medical advice. Check with your doctor before you copy anything I do.

Stay sovereign, stay healthy.

The post The Hume Scale Says I’m 53. My Blood Says 56. I’m 71. appeared first on Gary Leland.

Gum bacteria has been found in people's arterial plaque — and in their brains. Let that sink in. What's living in your mouth doesn't stay in your mouth.

Gum disease raises your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. The mechanism is inflammation, and inflammation drives aging at the cellular level. It also turns out that people with 20 or more teeth at age 70 are significantly more likely to live longer. Your teeth are a scoreboard for how well your body's been maintained.

Here's the part that surprised me most: antiseptic mouthwash can cut your body's nitric oxide production by up to 90%. Nitric oxide relaxes your blood vessels and protects your heart — so the “healthy” habit may be working against you. I switched to a fluoride-free, nitric oxide boosting toothpaste instead, and I floss or waterpik every single day.

At 71, I'm treating my mouth as longevity infrastructure, not vanity. You can find the toothpaste I use at GaryLeland.com/toothpaste.

The post The Bacteria in Your Mouth Ends Up in Your Brain appeared first on Gary Leland.

Twice a year I get my Function Health results back — more than 100 biomarkers pulled from my blood and analyzed. It's the single most important thing I do in my 200 Year Life Project, because it's the one place I can't lie to myself. The scale can be fooled. The mirror can be fooled. Blood doesn't care how I feel — it just tells me what's true.

In June 2026 I got my latest Function Health results back. My biological age came in at 56.

In January 2026, that same blood test said 58.

I'm 71 years old, and in six months my body got two years younger.

What Is a “Biological Age” From Blood?

Your chronological age is just the calendar — how many birthdays you've had. Your biological age is how old your body actually behaves, and the two can be wildly different. Two 71-year-olds can be a decade apart on the inside depending on inflammation, metabolic health, organ function, and dozens of other markers.

Function Health draws my blood and runs it through more than 100 biomarkers — cholesterol and lipid particles, blood sugar and insulin, inflammation markers, kidney and liver function, thyroid, hormones, vitamins, heavy metals, and more. It then models a biological age from that whole picture. It's not one number pulled from thin air; it's the sum of what's happening in my chemistry.

That's why I trust it more than anything else I track. You can find every one of these numbers, updated as I test, on my Blood Test Results page. Everything is public.

Is It Worth It?

58 in January, 56 in June

Here's the part I'm proud of. When I tested in January 2026, the blood said 58 — already younger than my calendar age, but I wasn't satisfied. Over the next six months I stayed relentless with the protocol: sleep, nutrition, movement, targeted supplements, sunlight, grounding, and everything else I document on this site.

When the June blood came back at 56, that wasn't a fluke or a good night's sleep before the draw. Biological age from blood work moves slowly, because it reflects real changes across your whole system. Dropping two years in six months means the inputs are working. The trend line is pointing exactly where I want it: down.

For context, this is the same 56 you'll see referenced in my CardioSmile review. Different tools measure different things — the Hume scale reads my body composition and says 53, the blood reads my chemistry and says 56 — but they're all telling the same story from different angles.

Why I Test Twice a Year Instead of Guessing

Most people my age get a basic panel once a year at their physical, if that — maybe a dozen markers, a quick glance, and “see you next year.” That's flying blind. You can't manage what you don't measure, and you certainly can't catch a problem early if you only look once a year at a handful of numbers.

Testing more than 100 markers twice a year does three things for me:

First, it catches problems while they're small. A marker drifting the wrong way shows up as a trend long before it becomes a diagnosis. Second, it tells me what's actually working. When I add or change something in my protocol, the next round of blood tells me whether it earned its place. Third, it keeps me honest and motivated. It's a lot harder to skip the hard stuff when you know the blood is going to grade you in a few months.

How I Moved the Number

I'm not going to pretend one magic pill did this. It's the whole stack, compounding. The pillars that I believe moved my biological age the most between January and June:

Sleep. I treat sleep as the number one longevity weapon, and I protect it obsessively. Nutrition. Real food, heavy on the anti-aging inputs, and I take some of it on the road so I never have an excuse. Movement. Consistent activity, resistance work, and staying on my feet. Targeted supplements. Only the ones I can justify, tracked against the blood. Light and grounding. Morning sun, blocking junk light at night, and staying connected to the earth.

None of it is exotic. All of it is consistent. Consistency is the whole game.

Get Your Own Blood Tested

If you're serious about your own longevity, this is where I'd tell you to start. Not another supplement, not another gadget — get your blood tested properly so you actually know where you stand. You can't build a 200-year life on guesses.

Start here: GaryLeland.com/Function — that's my affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. It helps keep this project going. Use my link to get their best current offer on the full biomarker panel.

Everything I do is public and free at GaryLeland.com.

A note from Gary: I'm not a doctor, and I'm definitely not your doctor. Nothing here is medical advice. Blood work should be reviewed with a qualified physician, and you should check with your doctor before you copy anything I do.

Stay sovereign, stay healthy.

The post My Blood Just Got Two Years Younger: Function Health Results at 71 appeared first on Gary Leland.

I get asked about this one product more than almost anything else in my protocol.

CardioSmile's Breath of Life toothpaste. The world's first nitric oxide–enhancing toothpaste.

I have been brushing with it twice a day for six months. Here's my honest review.

Why a Toothpaste Made It Into a Longevity Protocol

Most people think toothpaste is about cavities. I think about it differently.

Your mouth is a nitric oxide factory. The bacteria on your tongue convert nitrates from food into nitric oxide — the molecule that keeps your blood vessels flexible and your blood pressure in check.

Here's the problem. Nitric oxide production drops as you age. By your 70s, you're making a fraction of what you made at 40.

And most toothpaste makes it worse. Harsh antiseptics and fluoride formulas can wipe out the very bacteria doing that conversion. You brush your teeth and kill your nitric oxide factory at the same time.

CardioSmile went the other direction. Their toothpaste is designed to support nitric oxide production. Fluoride-free. No harsh antimicrobials.

What CardioSmile Actually Is

CardioSmile's Breath of Life is a fluoride-free toothpaste built to support your body's natural nitric oxide production, starting right in the mouth. Instead of the harsh antiseptics and fluoride found in most pastes, it's formulated to remineralize enamel, support gum health, freshen breath, and protect the oral microbiome — the bacteria that actually do the nitric oxide conversion. It was developed by experts in nitric oxide research, so the whole design points at systemic wellness through better blood flow, not just a cleaner smile.

After six months, my gums feel healthier and I've had less sensitivity — small things, but exactly the kind of edge I'm looking for.

Why Nitric Oxide Matters So Much

Nitric oxide is the molecule that keeps blood vessels flexible and blood pressure in check, and its reach goes well beyond your mouth:

• Circulation & gum health — more blood flow to the gums means healthier tissue and less inflammation, and poor gum health is linked to heart disease.
• Exercise & recovery — better muscle blood flow supports endurance, strength, and post-workout recovery. For my squats and cardio, that's real.
• Brain & nerves — it supports nerve communication and may help protect against cognitive decline.

Here's the catch: nitric oxide production drops as you age — by your 70s you're making a fraction of what you made at 40. Supporting it instead of sabotaging it is the whole point.

The Fluoride Question

The other reason this paste earns its spot is what it leaves out: fluoride. Fluoride is added to most toothpaste and water to fight decay, but excessive exposure — easy in a fluoride-saturated world — carries real concerns, from dental fluorosis to questions around thyroid, kidney, and neurological effects. I'm not here to fear-monger, but for a longevity-minded person, avoiding an unnecessary accumulating toxin when a remineralizing alternative exists is an easy call. CardioSmile strengthens enamel naturally, without the fluoride baggage.

My Thoughts

What I can tell you for certain: I haven't missed a day, and I take it on the road with me. That's the real test of any product in my protocol. The ones that don't earn their spot get cut.

Is It Worth It?

For me, yes. Oral health is one of the most overlooked longevity levers there is — I wrote a whole post on how your mouth predicts how long you'll live. A toothpaste that cleans your teeth and supports the nitric oxide pathway is an easy win.

I'm 71 with a biological age of 56. Every small edge compounds.

Try it here: GaryLeland.com/Toothpaste — that's my affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. It helps keep this project going.

Everything I do is public and free at GaryLeland.com.

A note from Gary: I'm not a doctor, and I'm definitely not your doctor. Nothing here is medical advice. Check with your doctor before you copy anything I do.

Stay sovereign, stay healthy.

The post CardioSmile Toothpaste Review: My 6-Month Results at 71 appeared first on Gary Leland.

I'm 71 years old, and I just added something new to my longevity protocol: NAD+ injections.

Yes, injections. A small needle, everyday of the week, right into the belly fat. If that sounds extreme to you, stick with me. Because the reason I'm doing this might be the most important thing you read today.

What Is NAD+ and Why Should You Care?

NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Don't worry about pronouncing it. Here's what you need to know: it's a molecule found in every single cell of your body, and your cells cannot produce energy without it.

NAD+ powers your mitochondria. It fuels DNA repair. It activates sirtuins, the so-called “longevity genes” that researchers like Dr. David Sinclair have been studying for decades.

And here's the problem. By the time you hit your 60s and 70s, your NAD+ levels may have dropped to half or less of what they were in your 20s. Some researchers believe this decline is one of the core drivers of aging itself. Less NAD+ means less cellular energy, slower repair, more fatigue, foggier thinking.

I'm running a long-term experiment on myself. My goal is to live to 200 in peak health. Letting one of my body's most critical molecules quietly drain away is not part of the plan.

Why Injections Instead of Pills?

You've probably seen NAD+ supplements at the store. NMN. NR. Capsules and powders everywhere. So why am I using a needle?

Simple: absorption.

When you swallow NAD+ or its precursors, they have to survive your digestive system and a first pass through your liver. A lot of it never makes it where it needs to go. Injecting subcutaneously bypasses the gut entirely. What goes in is what your body gets to work with.

One note for the sticklers out there: NAD+ is technically a coenzyme, not a peptide. But it's sold and administered right alongside the peptide protocols, in the same vials with the same insulin syringes, so most people lump it into the peptide world. Either way, the mechanism is what matters.

My Protocol

Here's exactly what I'm doing:

Dose: 0.25 mL per injection
Frequency: 7 times per week
Method: Subcutaneous injection into the abdomen

The injections themselves are quick. The needle is tiny, the same kind diabetics use every day. If you can pinch an inch of belly fat, you can do this.

Fair warning: NAD+ injections have a reputation. Go too fast with too much and some people report flushing, nausea, or a tight feeling in the chest. That's why smart protocols start low and build up gradually. I'm starting conservative and titrating from there. I have not had this issue.

What I'm Tracking

You know how I operate. I don't do vibes. I do data.

Here's what I'm watching over the coming months:

Energy levels throughout the day, especially that afternoon slump.
Sleep quality from my nightly tracking.
Mental clarity and focus during long recording sessions.
Recovery from workouts, including my grip strength numbers.
Bloodwork at regular intervals to see what's actually moving.

The Bottom Line

I'm not chasing miracle cures. I'm stacking evidence-based interventions, one at a time, and measuring everything. NAD+ decline is real. The question is whether restoring it makes a measurable difference in a 71-year-old body. In a few months, I'll have an answer, and you'll be the first to know.

If you're over 60 and you feel like your battery doesn't hold a charge the way it used to, this is a topic worth understanding. Talk to your doctor about it. Do your homework. And follow along as I put it to the test.

Stay sovereign, stay healthy.

I am not a doctor and I am definitely not your doctor. Just a 71-year-old Boomer doing the research and documenting the results. Talk to your physician before starting any new protocol.

Stay sovereign, stay healthy.

— Gary Leland
The 200 Year Life Project

The post NAD+ Injections: Why This Boomer Is All In appeared first on Gary Leland.

At 71, I test my grip strength regularly — and it might be telling me more about how long I'll live than almost anything else I track.

Grip strength is one of the simplest, most powerful predictors of healthy aging there is. It's not about looking strong; it's a proxy for your whole neuromuscular system, and it correlates with mortality risk better than most people realize. The tool I use to measure and train it costs about $10.

I'm a Boomer running a long-term experiment on myself, documenting every intervention out in the open. Here's why your hands might be the most honest messenger you have about your own longevity.

The post The $10 Tool That Predicts How Long You’ll Live appeared first on Gary Leland.

I'm always on the lookout for innovative, evidence-based ways to optimize healthspan—not just living longer, but looking and feeling vibrant for centuries. One area that's intrigued me lately is facial fitness. We train our bodies with strength workouts, why not our faces? A strong, defined jawline isn't just about aesthetics; it ties into better muscle tone in the face and neck, which can support overall posture, breathing, and even metabolic health as we age.

That's why I decided to try Jawzrsize. I picked up the Pop ‘N Go Beginners Bundle 2-Pack, which includes two ready-to-use silicone devices: one with 20 pounds of resistance  and one with 30 pounds of resistance.

What Is Jawzrsize

Jawzrsize is a simple, hands-free jaw exerciser made from food-grade silicone. It's essentially a small, ball-like device you place in your mouth and bite down on repetitively. The resistance targets the masseter muscles (your main chewing muscles) and engages dozens of other muscles in the jaw, face, and neck.

The idea is straightforward: just like resistance training builds muscle in your body, repetitive biting against resistance can strengthen and tone facial muscles.

Proponents say this leads to:
1. A more defined jawline
2. Reduced appearance of double chin
3. Tighter neck and facial skin
4. Stronger bite force

How I Going  To Use It

The Pop ‘N Go version is beginner-friendly because it's ready out of the box—no boiling or molding required (unlike some custom-fit models).

Here's the basic routine:
1. Place it between your front teeth (centered on your incisors).
2. Bite down firmly and release in a controlled, repetitive motion—like chewing but with resistance.
3. I am aiming for 100 reps per set, 5 sets per day.
4. I am doing this daily.

The company recommends progressing resistance levels over time, much like adding weight in the gym.

I'll Track:
1. Jawline definition (before/after photos)
2. Any changes in neck tone
3. Overall feel—energy, confidence, etc.

Of course, this complements our core longevity habits: strength training, nutrient-dense eating, and tracking biomarkers. Facial muscle health might play a small but meaningful role in aging gracefully—stronger muscles could support better facial structure over decades.

I'll be back in 60-90 days with an honest update: results, any challenges, and whether it's worth adding to the 200 Year Life Project toolkit.

 Jawzrsize – Jaw training to tighten my jaw and neckline.  Save 20% — GaryLeland.com/jawzrsize

Have you tried Jawzrsize or any facial exercises? What's your experience? Share in the comments—I'd love to hear from the community as we all optimize for the long haul.

Join the Ultimate Longevity Journey

If you’re serious about maximizing your years, jump in:

Subscribe to the blog and on YouTube

Share your thoughts in the comments

Together, we’re rewriting what’s possible. One day at a time. Live long. Until next time, stay optimized!

The post Jawzrsize Review: Facial Fitness at 71 appeared first on Gary Leland.

Most people think about dental health the same way they think about getting an oil change. Something you do because you're supposed to. A maintenance task. A checkbox.

That thinking could be costing you years of your life.

The research is now clear: your oral health is one of the most powerful — and most overlooked — predictors of how long and how well you live. At 71, running my own longevity experiment and tracking every biomarker I can get my hands on, I've come to treat my mouth the same way I treat my heart, my brain, and my mitochondria. As a system that needs active protection.

Here's what the science says — and what I'm doing about it.

The Mouth-Body Connection Is Real

For decades, dentistry and medicine operated in separate silos. Your dentist handled your teeth. Your doctor handled everything else. That model is now officially obsolete.

Certain pathogenic oral bacteria — particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis — have been linked to systemic inflammation and a variety of chronic diseases including Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, and even pancreatic cancer. These bacteria don't stay in your mouth. They enter your bloodstream, travel to your organs, and cause damage far from where they originated.

Oral bacteria have literally been found in arterial plaques and brain tissue. Let that sink in. The bacteria living in your gums can end up in your heart and your brain. This is not a theory. This is what researchers are finding when they open arteries.

How Many Teeth You Have Predicts How Long You Live

This one stopped me cold when I first read it.

Studies show a strong correlation between the number of natural teeth you have and longevity. People with 20 or more teeth at age 70 are significantly more likely to live longer. Fewer teeth equals higher risk for frailty, malnutrition, and early mortality.

It's not just about chewing — though that matters too. Tooth loss is a proxy for decades of oral inflammation, poor microbiome health, and systemic disease risk. Your teeth are a scoreboard for how well your body has been maintained.

Gum Disease Is a Whole-Body Disease

Chronic gum disease increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. These aren't coincidental associations. The mechanism is inflammation. Periodontal disease creates a chronic low-grade inflammatory state that doesn't stay local. It floods your entire system with inflammatory signals that accelerate aging at the cellular level.

We know that chronic inflammation is one of the primary drivers of biological aging — what researchers call “inflammaging.” Every source of chronic inflammation in your body is a drain on your healthspan. Gum disease is one of the most common and most preventable sources most people are completely ignoring.

Your Mouthwash Might Be Killing Your Heart Health

Here's something that surprised me and completely changed my oral care routine.

Research shows that using antiseptic mouthwash can reduce systemic nitric oxide production by up to 90% and cause an immediate, measurable spike in blood pressure.

Nitric oxide is one of the most important molecules in the human body for cardiovascular health. It relaxes and widens blood vessels, improves circulation, and protects the heart. And your oral microbiome plays a critical role in producing it. When you nuke your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash, you're destroying the beneficial bacteria your body depends on to make nitric oxide.

As we age, our body's ability to produce nitric oxide declines by over 50% by age 40. While the body produces this molecule naturally, it relies heavily on a healthy oral microbiome to do so.

This is why I switched to CardioSmile Nitric Oxide Boosting Toothpaste — a fluoride-free toothpaste developed by Dr. Nathan Bryan, a biomedical scientist who has spent his career studying nitric oxide. CardioSmile is designed to boost nitric oxide levels, improve circulation, and support gum health — and it supports your mouth's natural nitric oxide production rather than destroying it. I pair it with N1O1 Nitric Oxide Lozenges for a complete oral nitric oxide protocol.

You can check out both products at GaryLeland.com/Toothpaste — CardioSmile and N1O1 are two of the products I personally use every single day.

Oral Frailty Is a Real Thing — And It Predicts Disability

There's a term in the research literature called “oral frailty” — and it's gaining serious attention in longevity science.

A six-year prospective study of over 11,000 older adults found that oral frailty — defined as having difficulty chewing, swallowing, dry mouth, speaking difficulty, and fewer teeth — was associated with a 23% higher risk of transitioning from healthy to disabled, and a 34% higher risk of death.

Twenty-three percent higher risk of disability. Thirty-four percent higher risk of death. From oral health decline. This is not a minor variable. This is one of the most significant predictors of how your later years will go.

What I Do Every Day

Here's my current oral health protocol as part of The 200 Year Life Project:

• CardioSmile Toothpaste — twice daily, fluoride-free, nitric oxide boosting
• N1O1 Nitric Oxide Lozenges — daily, to support cardiovascular nitric oxide production
• No antiseptic mouthwash — protecting my oral microbiome and nitric oxide pathways
• Waterpik/Floss daily — non-negotiable for gum health
• Regular dental cleanings — every six months minimum
• Tongue scraping — removes bacteria that contribute to systemic inflammation

The Bottom Line

Oral health has been overlooked as a passive hygiene task rather than a therapeutic pathway to improving overall well-being. That is changing fast. The most forward-thinking longevity physicians are now treating oral health as a core pillar of healthspan — right alongside sleep, exercise, nutrition, and supplementation.

If you're serious about living a long, healthy life, your mouth deserves the same attention as your heart, your brain, and your bloodwork. It's not about having a perfect smile. It's about keeping the bacteria in your mouth from cutting your life short.

I'm tracking everything. Follow my full protocol at GaryLeland.com/data.

I am not a doctor and I am definitely not your doctor. Just a 71-year-old Boomer doing the research and documenting the results. Talk to your physician before starting any new protocol.

Stay sovereign, stay healthy.

— Gary Leland
The 200 Year Life Project

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