America To rejuvenate his biological age, millionaire Bryan Johnson, 45 years old, transfused plasma from his son's blood into his body.
At a clinic near Dallas, Johnson, his father Richard, 70, and his son Talmage, 17, came in for a three-generation blood exchange.
Talmage donated about a liter of blood (one-fifth of his body's blood volume). The blood was separated into plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The plasma was then transfused to his father, Johnson. The 45-year-old millionaire underwent a similar procedure, transfusing plasma to his father, Richard.
For Johnson, blood transfusions are routine. He has been coming to the clinic for months, receiving plasma from young, anonymous donors. They receive about $100 gift cards for a treatment that costs about $5,500.
Johnson carefully screens donors, ensuring they have an ideal body mass index, a healthy lifestyle and are free of disease. This was the first time he had received plasma from his son.
In traditional medicine, plasma is used to treat a variety of conditions, including liver disease, burns, and blood disorders. During the pandemic, plasma exchanges became a major topic of discussion among scientists. Some patients received plasma transfusions from people who had recovered from the disease, which contained antibodies against the virus. As of 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that countries not perform this method.
Bryan Johnson (right) and his son Talmage Johnson (left). Photo: Bryan Johnson
The idea of using plasma as a rejuvenation therapy gained traction after a number of clinical trials in which scientists surgically transplanted organs from old mice to younger mice. Results showed that old mice receiving blood and organs from younger mice could reverse aging, improving cognitive function, metabolism, and bone structure.
There is also evidence that regular blood donation can have positive health effects, as people get rid of old blood, helping the body generate new fluid cells.
However, this work is controversial. There is currently no evidence that blood exchanges would be effective in humans.
“We don’t have enough knowledge to say this is a viable therapy. To me, it’s crude, it’s not well-documented, and it’s quite dangerous,” said Charles Brenner, a biochemist at City of Hope National Medical Center in Los Angeles.
However, the team of doctors working with millionaire Johnson has used this therapy to treat cognitive decline, prevent Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
The time it takes to exchange plasma varies from person to person. Johnson typically draws a liter of blood, then receives the same amount of plasma back. By changing the flow rate of the dialysis machine and the size of the needle used to collect the plasma, he shortened the process to 80 minutes.
The day before the family went to the clinic, Johnson celebrated with his son and father. The three gathered in the lobby of the upscale hotel for a healthy breakfast. Talmage seemed perfectly happy to donate plasma to his father.
Johnson has previously attracted attention for spending about $2 million a year to have the physique and appearance of an 18-year-old. With stable habits, Johnson said he has "the heart of a 37-year-old, the skin of a 28-year-old, the lung capacity and stamina of an 18-year-old."
To achieve this, he has assembled a team of 30 doctors and health professionals to monitor his diet, lifestyle, and exercise regimen. Johnson's ultimate goal is to ensure that all of his organs, including his brain, liver, kidneys, teeth, skin, hair, penis, and rectum, function as well as those of a young man.
The Johnson family undergoes plasma exchange therapy. Photo: Magdalena Wosinska
Johnson set up a program called Project Blueprint, which required him to follow a strict vegan diet, consume 1,977 calories, and exercise for an hour a day. He also did high-intensity workouts three times a week and went to bed at a set time.
Typically, he wakes up at 5 a.m., takes 20 supplements, exercises for an hour, then drinks juice containing creatine and collagen peptides, and brushes his teeth with tea tree oil and antioxidant gel.
Johnson wears blue-light-blocking glasses for two hours before bed. He also constantly monitors his vital signs, has monthly physicals, and undergoes ultrasounds, MRIs, endoscopies, and blood tests to maintain his results.
“What I do may sound extreme, but I'm trying to prove that you can prevent aging and the harmful effects it has on yourself,” Johnson says.
Thuc Linh (According to Bloomberg )
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