Claude Opus 4.6 vs GPT-4
Compare Claude Opus 4.6 by Anthropic against GPT-4 by OpenAI, context windows of 1.0M vs 8K, tested across 21 shared challenges. Updated February 2026.
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Claude Opus 4.6vsGPT-4
21 challenges
Why Claude Opus 4.6?
2.8x cheaper overall$5.00/M in · $25.00/M out
122.1x more context1.0M
33 months newerFeb 2026
Why GPT-4?
No standout advantages
Favorites
Claude Opus 4.6GPT-4
12 / 21
SVG Layout Challengeimage generation
Tests an AI's ability to generate vector graphics
GPT-4
As a AI text-based model, I'm currently unable to create SVG or any kind of images. However, I can guide you on how to do that. You will need to sketch a pelican riding a bicycle, scan or digitally draw your design, and then use a vector graphic software like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape to create an SVG file of your design.
Vote
2 / 21
Xbox Controller SVG Artimage generation
Tests an AI's ability to create detailed SVG illustrations of gaming hardware
Claude Opus 4.6
No content available for this output.
GPT-4
As a text-based AI model developed by OpenAI, I'm incapable of creating images or drawings, such as requested vector or SVG graphics. I recommend you to use vector graphic software like Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, or reach out to graphic designers who can make such an SVG art. However, I can generate pseudo-code as a guide for graphic designers to create SVG art:
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512">
// Draw the main shape of the xbox controller
<path of main body shape>
// Draw the two joysticks
<circle_based_on_the_design_of_the_joystick_1>
<circle_based_on_the_design_of_the_joystick_2>
// Draw the D-pad
<path representing D-pad_up_shape>
<path representing D-pad_down_shape>
<path representing D-pad_left_shape>
<path representing D-pad_right_shape>
// Draw regular buttons (A, B, X, Y)
<circle_based_on_the_design_of_button_A>
<circle_based_on_the_design_of_button_B>
<circle_based_on_the_design_of_button_X>
<circle_based_on_the_design_of_button_Y>
// Draw special buttons (Start, Back, Xbox Button)
<shape_based_on_the_design_of_start_button>
<shape_based_on_the_design_of_back_button>
<shape_based_on_the_design_of_xbox_button>
</svg>
Please, replace the placeholders with actual SVG path and circle commands with correct coordinates. The colors, gradients, and other design specifications can be implemented within each individual element.
Vote
3 / 21
Mario Level UI Recreationweb design
Recreate an interactive, classic Mario level in a single HTML file.
Claude Opus 4.6
GPT-4
Couldn't render this response
This model didn't return a displayable web page for this challenge.
View raw output
Sorry, as a text-based AI, I'm unable to create a single-page self-contained HTML for a Super Mario Bros. level. However, I can provide a rough sketch of how the level can be designed. Level Name: Mushroom Heights 1. The level starts in a small room with a "Mushroom" power-up. The player must jump up to reach it. This introduces players to the jumping mechanic. 2. The player then exits the room and enters a wide, open area. There are several platforms at different heights, each with a different enemy. This introduces players to the combat mechanic, as they must navigate past or defeat these enemies. 3. Next, the player encounters a series of pipes. Some pipes have piranha plants coming out of them, while others can be entered to reach hidden areas. This introduces players to the mechanic of entering pipes. 4. In the hidden areas, there are various power-ups and coins. The hidden areas are optional but reward exploration. 5. The level then has a series of tricky jumps, including moving platforms and areas where the player must jump off of enemies to reach high places. This tests the player's mastery of the jumping mechanic. 6. Finally, the level ends with a flagpole that the player must slide down. This is a classic ending to a Mario level. Remember that this is just a rough sketch and the actual implementation would require a lot of coding and graphic design. Each part of the level should be designed in a way that it gradually introduces players to the game's mechanics and then tests their mastery of them. It's also important to keep the level fun and engaging, with a mix of challenges and rewards.
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4 / 21
Framer-Style Animationweb design
Tests an AI's ability to create smooth web animations
Claude Opus 4.6
No content available for this output.
GPT-4
No content available for this output.
Vote
5 / 21
World Map SVGimage generation
Tests an AI's ability to create a detailed world map in SVG format
Claude Opus 4.6
No content available for this output.
GPT-4
As an AI text-based model, I am unable to create visuals or graphical content, including SVG maps. However, I can guide you on how to do this.\n\nFirst, you'll need an SVG editor like Inkscape or an online SVG editor.\n\nTo create a simple world map SVG:\n\n1. Import a real world map into your SVG editor.\n2. Use drawing tools to outline the continents.\n3. Fill each continent with a unique color.\n4. Add text labels on top of at least 5 major countries, for example, the US, China, Russia, Brazil, and Australia.\n\nYou might need some knowledge of SVG syntax to manipulate the SVG elements and attributes. Here's a basic example of SVG syntax for a circle:\n\nHTML\n<svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\">\n <circle cx=\"250\" cy=\"250\" r=\"200\" fill=\"blue\" />\n</svg>\n\nIn this code snippet, cx, cy define the center of the circle, r is the radius, and fill defines the fill color.\n\nSince creating complex diagrams like world maps in SVG manually can be complex, you should consider using libraries such as D3.js that can help you manipulate SVG images and produce geographical data-based visualizations easily.
Vote
6 / 21
Random Tailwind Webappweb design
Generate a single-page, self-contained HTML webapp using Tailwind CSS for a randomly chosen category/industry/niche.
Claude Opus 4.6
No content available for this output.
GPT-4
No content available for this output.
Vote
7 / 21
Surprise Animal SVGimage generation
Generate SVG art of a randomly chosen animal in a setting of its choosing.
Claude Opus 4.6
No content available for this output.
GPT-4
No content available for this output.
Vote
8 / 21
Simple 7-Ingredient Recipeconversation
Generate a unique and simple recipe with common ingredients.
Claude Opus 4.6
No content available for this output.
GPT-4
No content available for this output.
Vote
9 / 21
Beginner's Longevity Planreasoning
Create a starter plan for improving long-term health.
Claude Opus 4.6
No content available for this output.
GPT-4
No content available for this output.
Vote
10 / 21
Retro macOS UI Recreationweb design
Recreate a classic, retro, macOS Desktop UI — make it interactive and nostalgic, make it as interactive as you can, you can be creative.. Feel free to showcase your skills. The entire application must be a single-page self-contained HTML file.
Claude Opus 4.6
GPT-4
Vote
Sponsored
11 / 21
Advanced Longevity Plan (Biohacker)reasoning
Develop a cutting-edge 3-month longevity plan for a biohacker.
Claude Opus 4.6
COMPREHENSIVE 3-MONTH LONGEVITY OPTIMIZATION PROTOCOL
THE BIOHACKER'S BLUEPRINT v3.0
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Foundation & Baseline Testing
- Month 1: Foundation & Calibration
- Month 2: Optimization & Intensification
- Month 3: Integration & Peak Performance
- Supplement Stacks & Cycling Protocols
- Dietary Protocols
- Exercise Programming
- Sleep Architecture Optimization
- Stress Resilience & Cognitive Enhancement
- Tracking, Wearables & Biomarker Monitoring
- Environmental & Lifestyle Optimization
- Weekly Schedules & Daily Templates
PHASE 0: PRE-PROTOCOL BASELINE (Week 0 — Before Day 1)
Comprehensive Lab Panel
Blood Biomarkers (Request from physician or use services like InsideTracker, Marek Health, or Function Health)
Metabolic Panel:
- Fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c, HOMA-IR calculation
- Complete lipid panel: Total cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL-P (particle number), HDL-C, HDL-P, triglycerides, VLDL, Lp(a), ApoB, ApoA1, oxidized LDL
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
Hormonal Panel:
- Total & free testosterone, SHBG, estradiol (sensitive assay)
- DHEA-S, pregnenolone, cortisol (AM draw at 8 AM)
- Free T3, free T4, TSH, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies (TPO, TG)
- IGF-1, growth hormone (optional stimulation test)
- Prolactin
Inflammatory Markers:
- hs-CRP, homocysteine, fibrinogen
- ESR, ferritin (also iron marker), IL-6 (if available)
Nutrient Status:
- 25-OH Vitamin D, RBC magnesium, zinc (serum + RBC), copper
- Vitamin B12, folate (serum + RBC), iron panel (serum iron, TIBC, ferritin, transferrin saturation)
- Omega-3 Index (OmegaQuant test)
Organ Function & Aging:
- CBC with differential
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (liver: ALT, AST, GGT, ALP; kidney: BUN, creatinine, eGFR, cystatin C)
- Uric acid
Advanced Longevity Markers (optional but recommended):
- Biological age testing: TruAge (epigenetic clock), GlycanAge
- Telomere length (e.g., via SpectraCell or Life Length)
- NAD+ levels (Jinfiniti IntracellularNAD test)
- 8-OHdG (oxidative DNA damage marker, urine)
Functional Assessments
- DEXA scan (body composition, visceral fat, bone density)
- VO2max test (gold standard cardiorespiratory fitness)
- Grip strength (both hands, using dynamometer)
- Resting heart rate, HRV baseline (7-day average)
- Blood pressure (3 readings averaged, both arms)
- Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) — 14-day baseline (Abbott Libre 3 or Dexcom G7)
- Cognitive baseline: Cambridge Brain Sciences or BrainHQ assessment
- Sleep baseline: 7 nights with Oura Ring or WHOOP
Genetic Testing (One-time)
- Whole genome sequencing or SNP panel (23andMe + upload to SelfDecode, Genetic Lifehacks, or Promethease)
- Key SNPs to review: MTHFR, COMT, APOE, CLOCK genes, ACTN3, CYP enzymes, SOD2, BDNF Val66Met
MONTH 1: FOUNDATION & CALIBRATION (Weeks 1–4)
Theme: "Build the Base"
Primary Goals: Establish circadian rhythm mastery, gut optimization, metabolic flexibility, movement foundation, stress resilience baseline
1.1 SUPPLEMENT STACK — MONTH 1: "Foundation Stack"
Morning Stack (taken with breakfast, ~7:00 AM)
| Supplement | Dosage | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) | 500 mg sublingual | NAD+ precursor, cellular energy | Take sublingual for better absorption; Renue By Science or ProHealth brand |
| Trans-Resveratrol | 500 mg | Sirtuin activation, synergist with NMN | Take with fat source (yogurt/olive oil); Micro-encapsulated form preferred |
| Vitamin D3 | 5,000–10,000 IU (dose based on baseline levels) | Immune, bone, gene expression | Target serum 60–80 ng/mL; take with K2 and fat |
| Vitamin K2 (MK-7) | 200 mcg | Calcium metabolism, synergist with D3 | Prevents arterial calcification |
| Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) | 2g EPA / 1g DHA | Anti-inflammatory, membrane fluidity, brain | Molecular-distilled; Nordic Naturals or Carlson; target Omega-3 Index >8% |
| Magnesium L-Threonate | 1,000 mg (144 mg elemental Mg) | Brain magnesium, cognitive function | Crosses BBB; Magtein brand |
| B-Complex (methylated) | 1 capsule | Methylation support, energy | Must contain methylfolate + methylcobalamin; Thorne Basic B or Seeking Health |
| Creatine Monohydrate | 5g | Cognitive + muscular performance, neuroprotection | Creapure brand; mix in water/shake; take daily, no cycling needed |
| Vitamin C (liposomal) | 1,000 mg | Antioxidant, collagen synthesis, immune | Liposomal for absorption; LivOn Labs |
Midday Stack (taken with lunch, ~12:30 PM)
| Supplement | Dosage | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulforaphane (or broccoli sprout extract) | 10–20 mg sulforaphane equivalent | Nrf2 activation, detox pathways | Avmacol or BROQ brands; or grow broccoli sprouts |
| Quercetin Phytosome | 500 mg | Senolytic (mild), anti-inflammatory | Thorne Quercetin Phytosome for absorption |
| CoQ10 (Ubiquinol form) | 200 mg | Mitochondrial function, heart health | Kaneka ubiquinol; take with fat |
| Alpha-Lipoic Acid (R-ALA) | 300 mg | Universal antioxidant, glucose metabolism | R-form only; take on empty stomach if tolerated |
Evening Stack (taken with dinner or 2 hours before bed, ~6:30 PM)
| Supplement | Dosage | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium Glycinate | 400 mg (before bed) | Sleep, muscle relaxation, stress | In addition to morning threonate; different forms serve different purposes |
| Apigenin | 50 mg | Sleep quality, CD38 inhibition (protects NAD+) | Found in chamomile; Andrew Huberman protocol |
| L-Theanine | 200 mg | GABA modulation, calm focus, sleep onset | Only if needed; some people are non-responders |
| Tart Cherry Extract | 500 mg | Natural melatonin source, recovery | Preferred over synthetic melatonin for Month 1 |
Cycling Notes — Month 1
- All supplements taken daily for the full month to establish baseline response
- Track subjective response in a daily journal (1–10 energy, mood, sleep quality, cognition)
- If any GI distress, reduce omega-3 and ALA first, reintroduce gradually
1.2 DIETARY PROTOCOL — MONTH 1: "Metabolic Reset"
Protocol: Modified Mediterranean-Ketogenic Hybrid + Time-Restricted Eating (TRE)
Eating Window: 16:8 intermittent fasting
- Feeding window: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (8 hours)
- First meal: 11:00 AM
- Last meal finished by: 7:00 PM
- Fasting window: 7:00 PM – 11:00 AM (16 hours)
During fasting window (allowed):
- Water (with electrolytes: ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp potassium chloride per liter)
- Black coffee (before 2 PM only)
- Plain green tea / matcha
- Mineral water with lemon
Macronutrient Targets (adjust based on DEXA and activity level)
Training Days (4 days/week):
- Calories: TDEE (maintenance) — approximately 2,200–2,600 kcal for active male, adjust for female
- Protein: 1.6–2.2 g/kg lean body mass (e.g., 130–170g for 80kg male with 75kg LBM)
- Fat: 30–35% of calories (primarily monounsaturated + omega-3)
- Carbs: 100–150g (timed around training)
- Fiber: 35–50g minimum
Rest Days (3 days/week):
- Calories: TDEE minus 10–15%
- Protein: Same as training days (maintain)
- Fat: 35–40% of calories
- Carbs: 50–80g (lower carb, bordering ketogenic)
- Fiber: 35–50g minimum
Food Quality Framework
Protein Sources (prioritize):
- Wild-caught salmon, sardines, mackerel (3x/week minimum)
- Pasture-raised eggs (whole, 2–4/day)
- Grass-fed beef/bison (2x/week)
- Organic chicken thighs
- Wild game (venison, elk) when available
- Bone broth (homemade, daily — 1 cup, rich in glycine/collagen)
- Whey protein isolate (grass-fed) or plant protein for shakes
Fat Sources:
- Extra virgin olive oil (high-polyphenol, >500 mg/kg polyphenols; 2–4 tbsp/day)
- Avocados (1/2–1 daily)
- Raw nuts: macadamia, walnuts, almonds (1 oz/day)
- MCT oil (1 tbsp in morning coffee on rest days for mild ketosis)
- Ghee or grass-fed butter (cooking)
Carbohydrate Sources (emphasize low-glycemic, high-fiber):
- Sweet potatoes, purple potatoes
- Wild rice, quinoa
- Legumes: lentils, black beans (if tolerated — excellent for microbiome)
- All berries: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries (1 cup/day)
- Cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale (2+ cups/day)
- Leafy greens: spinach, arugula, Swiss chard (2+ cups/day)
- Fermented foods: sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir (1 serving/day minimum)
Foods to Eliminate Completely:
- Refined seed/vegetable oils (soybean, canola, sunflower, safflower, corn oil)
- Added sugars and artificial sweeteners (stevia and monk fruit OK sparingly)
- Ultra-processed foods (anything with >5 unrecognizable ingredients)
- Trans fats
- Excessive alcohol (limit to 2 drinks/week maximum; red wine preferred)
- Conventional dairy (replace with grass-fed/A2 or eliminate if sensitive)
Specific Daily Meal Templates — Month 1
TRAINING DAY EXAMPLE:
Meal 1 (11:00 AM — Break-fast):
- 3 pasture-raised eggs scrambled in ghee
- 1/2 avocado
- 1 cup sautéed spinach + mushrooms
- 1/4 cup sauerkraut
- 1 cup bone broth on the side
- Calories: ~550 | P: 30g | F: 40g | C: 12g
Meal 2 (2:30 PM — Pre-training fuel, eaten 90 min before workout):
- 6 oz wild-caught salmon
- 1 medium sweet potato with 1 tbsp EVOO
- Large mixed green salad with arugula, walnuts, blueberries, balsamic
- Calories: ~650 | P: 42g | F: 28g | C: 55g
Post-Workout Shake (5:00 PM):
- 30g grass-fed whey isolate
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 5g creatine (if not taken AM)
- Water/unsweetened almond milk
- Calories: ~300 | P: 35g | F: 10g | C: 25g
Meal 3 (6:30 PM — Dinner):
- 6 oz grass-fed beef or bison
- 2 cups roasted cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts) with EVOO
- 1/2 cup cooked lentils or quinoa
- 1 cup kimchi
- Calories: ~600 | P: 45g | F: 25g | C: 45g
Daily Totals: ~2,100 kcal | P: 152g | F: 103g | C: 137g (Adjust portions up/down based on individual needs)
REST DAY EXAMPLE:
Meal 1 (11:00 AM):
- Smoothie: 1 cup full-fat kefir, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1 tbsp MCT oil, 30g collagen peptides, handful spinach, 1 tbsp cacao nibs
- Calories: ~450 | P: 35g | F: 25g | C: 22g
Meal 2 (2:30 PM):
- Large salad: mixed greens, 5 oz grilled chicken, 1/2 avocado, pumpkin seeds, EVOO + lemon dressing, 1/4 cup fermented vegetables
- Calories: ~550 | P: 42g | F: 35g | C: 15g
Meal 3 (6:30 PM):
- 6 oz wild sardines (canned in EVOO)
- Roasted cauliflower "steaks" with turmeric and black pepper
- Side of mixed roasted vegetables
- 1 cup bone broth
- Calories: ~500 | P: 38g | F: 30g | C: 20g
Daily Totals: ~1,500 kcal | P: 115g | F: 90g | C: 57g
Week 4 Special Protocol: 72-Hour Fasting-Mimicking Diet (FMD)
During the last 3 days of Month 1 (Days 26–28), implement a Prolon-style FMD:
| Day | Calories | Composition |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 1,100 kcal | 10% protein, 56% fat, 34% carb |
| Day 2 | 800 kcal | 9% protein, 44% fat, 47% carb |
| Day 3 | 800 kcal | 9% protein, 44% fat, 47% carb |
Allowed foods during FMD: Vegetable soups, olives, small portions of nuts, herbal teas, small amounts of kale chips, flax crackers, 1 tbsp EVOO per meal. This triggers autophagy, stem cell regeneration, and metabolic reset without full water fasting.
Refeeding (Day 29): Break with bone broth, then small meal of easily digestible foods. Gradually resume normal eating over 24 hours.
1.3 EXERCISE PROGRAMMING — MONTH 1: "Build the Engine"
Weekly Structure
| Day | Focus | Duration | Intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Strength A — Upper Push/Pull | 55 min | Moderate-High |
| Tuesday | Zone 2 Cardio | 45–60 min | Low (conversational) |
| Wednesday | Strength B — Lower Body + Core | 55 min | Moderate-High |
| Thursday | Active Recovery + Mobility | 30–40 min | Low |
| Friday | Strength C — Full Body + Power | 55 min | Moderate-High |
| Saturday | Zone 2 Cardio + Zone 5 Finisher | 50–65 min | Low + High |
| Sunday | Full Rest or Gentle Walk (nature) | 30–60 min | Very Low |
Detailed Workout Protocols
MONDAY — Strength A: Upper Push/Pull
Warm-up (10 min):
- Cat-cow x 10
- Band pull-aparts x 15
- Shoulder CARs (Controlled Articular Rotations) x 5 each direction
- Push-up to downward dog x 8
- Light rowing machine 3 min
Main Work (40 min):
| Exercise | Sets x Reps | Tempo | Rest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbell Bench Press | 4 x 6–8 | 3-1-1-0 | 2.5 min | RPE 7–8; progressive overload weekly |
| Weighted Pull-ups (or Lat Pulldown) | 4 x 6–8 | 3-1-1-0 | 2.5 min | Add weight when 4x8 achieved |
| Seated DB Overhead Press | 3 x 8–10 | 2-1-1-0 | 2 min | |
| Cable Row (close grip) | 3 x 10–12 | 2-1-2-0 | 90 sec | Squeeze at contraction |
| Dips (weighted if possible) | 3 x 8–12 | 2-0-1-0 | 90 sec | |
| Face Pulls | 3 x 15–20 | 2-1-2-0 | 60 sec | Posterior delt health |
Finisher:
- Farmer's carries: 3 x 40m with heavy dumbbells (grip strength = longevity predictor)
Cool-down (5 min):
- Pec doorway stretch 30 sec/side
- Lat hang from pull-up bar 30 sec x 2
- Deep breathing: 5 breaths, 4-7-8 pattern
WEDNESDAY — Strength B: Lower Body + Core
Warm-up (10 min):
- Foam roll quads, glutes, adductors (2 min)
- 90/90 hip switches x 10
- Goblet squat hold 30 sec
- Walking lunges x 10/side
- Glute bridges x 15
Main Work (40 min):
| Exercise | Sets x Reps | Tempo | Rest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back Squat (or Front Squat) | 4 x 6–8 | 3-1-1-0 | 3 min | Depth: hip crease below knee |
| Romanian Deadlift | 4 x 8–10 | 3-1-1-0 | 2.5 min | Hamstring focus; hip hinge mastery |
| Bulgarian Split Squat | 3 x 10/leg | 2-1-1-0 | 90 sec/leg | Hold DBs; balance + unilateral strength |
| Leg Curl (Nordic if possible) | 3 x 8–12 | 3-0-1-0 | 90 sec | Nordic curl eccentrics if gym allows |
| Pallof Press | 3 x 12/side | 2-2-2-0 | 60 sec | Anti-rotation core stability |
| Dead Bug | 3 x 10/side | Controlled | 60 sec | Full exhale at extension |
| Calf Raises (standing) | 4 x 12–15 | 2-2-1-0 | 60 sec | Full ROM; pause at bottom stretch |
Finisher:
- Wall sit: 2 x max hold (target 90 sec)
FRIDAY — Strength C: Full Body + Power
Warm-up (10 min):
- Jump rope 2 min
- Arm circles, leg swings
- Medicine ball slams x 10
- Bodyweight squats x 10
Main Work (40 min):
| Exercise | Sets x Reps | Tempo | Rest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trap Bar Deadlift | 4 x 5–6 | Explosive up, 3 sec down | 3 min | Heavy; RPE 8 |
| Barbell Push Press | 3 x 6–8 | Explosive | 2.5 min | Power development |
| Weighted Chin-ups | 3 x 6–8 | 2-1-1-0 | 2.5 min | |
| DB Walking Lunges | 3 x 10/leg | 2-0-1-0 | 2 min | |
| Cable Woodchops | 3 x 12/side | Controlled | 60 sec | Rotational power |
| KB Swings | 3 x 15 | Explosive | 90 sec | Hip power; cardiovascular |
| Hanging Leg Raises | 3 x 10–15 | Controlled | 60 sec | Grip + core |
Cardio Protocols — Month 1
ZONE 2 SESSIONS (Tuesday + Saturday):
What is Zone 2? Heart rate at which you can maintain nasal breathing and hold a conversation. Approximately 60–70% of max HR. For most people: 120–150 bpm depending on age and fitness.
Calculate your Zone 2:
- MAF Method: 180 – age = top of Zone 2 (e.g., 180 – 35 = 145 bpm)
- Adjust: subtract 5 if recovering from illness/injury; add 5 if consistently training 2+ years
Modalities (choose one per session; vary for engagement):
- Incline treadmill walking (10–15% grade, 3.0–3.5 mph) — excellent for Zone 2
- Cycling (stationary or outdoor)
- Rowing machine (excellent full-body Zone 2)
- Swimming
- Rucking (20–30 lb pack, outdoor walk)
Duration: 45–60 minutes Frequency: Minimum 150 minutes Zone 2 per week (Peter Attia protocol)
Why: Zone 2 training improves mitochondrial density, fat oxidation, metabolic flexibility, and is the single most impactful exercise modality for longevity according to current evidence.
SATURDAY ZONE 5 FINISHER (after Zone 2 session):
- 4 x 30-second all-out sprints (bike or rower preferred for joint safety)
- 4 minutes easy recovery between sprints
- Total additional time: ~20 minutes
- This trains VO2max, the strongest predictor of all-cause mortality
Movement & Mobility (Thursday — Active Recovery)
30–40 minute session:
- Yoga flow (Ashtanga primary series modified, or follow Yoga with Adriene "flexibility" sessions)
- Foam rolling: IT band, thoracic spine, lats, calves (2 min each area)
- CARs (Controlled Articular Rotations): Every major joint — neck, shoulders, hips, ankles, wrists (5 rotations each direction)
- Deep squat hold: accumulate 5 minutes total (use support if needed; this restores hip mobility)
- Hanging from pull-up bar: accumulate 3–5 minutes total (decompresses spine, improves grip)
Daily Non-Negotiable Movement (every day including rest days)
- Morning: 10-minute walk outside within 30 minutes of waking (circadian entrainment)
- Post-meal walks: 10–15 minutes after each meal (dramatically improves glucose disposal — CGM will confirm)
- Movement snacks: Every 60 minutes of sitting, perform 2 minutes of: air squats, push-ups, or simply standing/walking
- Daily step target: 8,000–12,000 steps (track via wearable)
1.4 SLEEP OPTIMIZATION — MONTH 1
Target: 7.5–8.5 hours of sleep opportunity (in bed), 7–8 hours actual sleep
Sleep Environment Engineering
Temperature:
- Bedroom temperature: 65–67°F (18.3–19.4°C)
- Consider: ChiliPad/Eight Sleep Pod (mattress cooling system) — set to 67°F at sleep onset, 65°F during deep sleep, warm to 68°F 30 min before wake
- Wear socks to bed if extremities are cold (vasodilation aids sleep onset)
Light:
- Complete blackout: blackout curtains + cover all LED lights with black electrical tape
- Target: cannot see your hand in front of your face
- If not possible: use a quality sleep mask (Manta Sleep mask)
Sound:
- White/brown noise machine (LectroFan) or brown noise app
- Or: silicone ear plugs (Mack's) if noise-sensitive
Air Quality:
- HEPA air purifier running in bedroom (Coway Airmega or Molekule)
- Humidity: 40–50% (use humidifier/dehumidifier as needed)
- Open window slightly if air quality permits (CO2 reduction)
Evening Routine (Begin 2 hours before target sleep time)
T-minus 2 hours (e.g., 8:30 PM for 10:30 PM bedtime):
- Blue light blocking glasses on (TrueDark Twilight or Ra Optics)
- Dim all house lights to <50 lux (use smart bulbs: Philips Hue set to warm 1,800K)
- No screens ideally; if necessary, use Night Shift + f.lux at maximum warmth
- Last meal should be finished
T-minus 1.5 hours:
- Evening supplement stack (magnesium glycinate, apigenin, L-theanine, tart cherry)
- Warm shower or bath (the subsequent body cooling triggers sleep onset)
- If using sauna, finish sauna session by this time
T-minus 1 hour:
- Journaling: 5-minute brain dump (write tomorrow's top 3 priorities)
- Gratitude practice: write 3 specific things from today
- Light reading (physical book, not Kindle with backlight)
- Gentle stretching or legs-up-the-wall pose (5 min)
T-minus 15 minutes:
- Nasal breathing practice: 4-7-8 breathing x 4 cycles
- Body scan meditation (use Yoga Nidra recording: NSDR — Non-Sleep Deep Rest)
- Room should be completely dark
Morning Wake Protocol
- Consistent wake time: ±30 minutes, even on weekends (this is the single most important sleep habit)
- No snooze button. Ever.
- First 5 minutes: Get outside for sunlight exposure (even on cloudy days, outdoor light is 10,000+ lux vs. 500 lux indoors)
- Sunlight exposure target: 10 minutes direct morning sun (no sunglasses); 20–30 minutes on cloudy days
- Delay caffeine: Wait 90–120 minutes after waking before first coffee (allows adenosine clearance and cortisol peak to pass)
Sleep Tracking Metrics (via Oura Ring or WHOOP)
| Metric | Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Sleep | 7–8 hours | Actual sleep, not time in bed |
| Sleep Latency | <20 minutes | Time to fall asleep |
| REM Sleep | 1.5–2 hours (20–25%) | Critical for memory consolidation |
| Deep Sleep (SWS) | 1–1.5 hours (15–20%) | Growth hormone release, physical recovery |
| Sleep Efficiency | >85% | Time asleep / time in bed |
| HRV during sleep | Trending upward over weeks | Sign of recovery and parasympathetic tone |
| Resting HR during sleep | Trending downward | Cardiovascular efficiency |
| Wake episodes | <2 per night |
1.5 STRESS RESILIENCE & COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT — MONTH 1
Daily Meditation Practice
Week 1–2: 10 minutes/day Week 3–4: 15 minutes/day
Protocol: Vipassana-style body scan or focused attention meditation
- App recommendation: Waking Up (Sam Harris) — foundational course
- Timing: Morning, after sunlight exposure, before first meal
- Position: Seated, spine erect, eyes closed or soft gaze downward
Breathwork Protocols
Daily Morning Breathwork (5–10 minutes, after meditation):
Wim Hof Method (Modified):
- 30 deep breaths: full inhale through nose, passive exhale through mouth
- After 30th exhale: hold breath (empty lungs) as long as comfortable
- Recovery breath: deep inhale, hold 15 seconds
- Repeat for 3 rounds
- Finish with box breathing: 4-4-4-4 x 5 cycles
Benefits: Increases norepinephrine, reduces inflammation (proven in RCTs), improves stress tolerance, alkalizes blood temporarily, enhances focus.
Caution: Perform seated or lying down. Never in water or while driving.
HRV Training — Month 1: Baseline & Resonance Frequency
Equipment: Elite HRV app + compatible chest strap (Polar H10) or use Oura Ring passive HRV
Protocol:
-
Week 1–2: Morning HRV readings only (2-minute seated reading upon waking, before standing)
- Track daily; establish 7-day rolling average
- Note: HRV is highly individual; compare only to your own baseline
-
Week 3–4: Begin resonance frequency breathing
- Use Elite HRV or Breathe+ app
- Breathe at ~5.5–6 breaths per minute (typically ~5 sec inhale, ~5 sec exhale)
- Practice for 10 minutes, 1x daily (can combine with morning meditation)
- Goal: Find your personal resonance frequency (the breathing rate that maximizes HRV amplitude)
HRV Targets:
- Not about absolute number (varies by age, genetics)
- Goal: upward trend over 12 weeks
- Use HRV to guide training intensity: if HRV drops >15% below baseline, reduce training intensity that day
Cold Exposure — Month 1: Adaptation Phase
Protocol: Gradual Cold Water Immersion
Week 1: End showers with 30 seconds of cold water (as cold as tap allows) Week 2: 60 seconds cold at end of shower Week 3: 90 seconds cold; begin dedicated cold plunge if available (50–59°F / 10–15°C) Week 4: 2–3 minutes cold plunge at 50–59°F, 3x/week minimum
Timing: Morning preferred (dopamine increase lasts 3–5 hours) Key rules:
- Do NOT use cold within 4 hours after strength training (blunts hypertrophy signaling)
- Cold after Zone 2 cardio is fine
- Allow body to rewarm naturally (no hot shower after) — this extends the metabolic/dopamine benefits
- Focus on controlled nasal breathing during exposure
Benefits: 2.5x dopamine increase (lasting hours), norepinephrine surge, brown fat activation, improved insulin sensitivity, mental resilience, reduced inflammation.
Heat Exposure — Month 1
Sauna Protocol:
- Frequency: 3–4x/week
- Type: Finnish sauna preferred (dry, 170–212°F / 77–100°C); infrared sauna (130–150°F) acceptable
- Duration: 20–30 minutes per session (can split into 2–3 rounds of 10–15 min with 2-min cool breaks)
- Timing: Evening preferred (2–3 hours before bed; the subsequent body cooling aids sleep)
Hydration during sauna: 16 oz water with electrolytes before and after
Benefits: Heat shock protein activation (cellular repair), growth hormone increase (up to 16x in some studies with repeated exposure), cardiovascular conditioning (equivalent to moderate cardio), reduced all-cause mortality by 40% with 4–7x/week use (Finnish study, JAMA Internal Medicine 2015).
Journaling & Cognitive Practices
Daily (5 minutes, evening):
- 3 gratitudes (specific, not generic)
- 1 thing learned today
- Tomorrow's #1 priority
Weekly (Sunday, 20 minutes):
- Week review: wins, challenges, adjustments
- Rate week 1–10 on: energy, mood, sleep, training performance, cognitive clarity
1.6 TRACKING & WEARABLES — MONTH 1
Wearable Stack
| Device | Purpose | Key Metrics | When to Wear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oura Ring (Gen 3) | Sleep, HRV, readiness, temperature | Sleep stages, HRV, resting HR, body temp trends | 24/7 (especially sleep) |
| WHOOP 4.0 (alternative to Oura) | Strain, recovery, sleep | HRV, respiratory rate, strain score | 24/7 |
| Apple Watch Ultra / Garmin Fenix 7 | Activity tracking, workout HR zones | Steps, active calories, HR zones during exercise, VO2max estimate | During waking hours + workouts |
| CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) | Glucose response to foods | Fasting glucose, post-meal spikes, glucose variability | Weeks 1–2 of each month (cycling) |
| Polar H10 Chest Strap | Accurate HR during workouts + HRV training | Real-time HR, HRV for biofeedback | During workouts and HRV sessions |
CGM Protocol (Weeks 1–2)
Wear Abbott Libre 3 or Dexcom G7 continuously for 14 days
Goals:
- Fasting glucose: 72–85 mg/dL
- Post-meal peak: <120 mg/dL (ideally <110)
- Return to baseline: within 2 hours of eating
- Glucose variability (SD): <15 mg/dL
- Time in range (72–110): >90%
- No glucose spikes >140 mg/dL
Experiments to run during CGM wear:
- Test your standard meals — identify which spike you most
- Test the effect of a 10-min post-meal walk vs. no walk
- Test meal order: vegetables first, then protein, then carbs last (Jessie Inchauspé protocol)
- Test impact of vinegar (1 tbsp ACV in water before meals)
- Test impact of sleep quality on next-day fasting glucose
- Test individual foods: oatmeal, rice, sweet potato, berries, etc.
Document all findings in a spreadsheet or use Levels Health app for analysis
Daily Tracking Dashboard (use Notion, Google Sheets, or dedicated app)
Morning Metrics (within 15 min of waking):
- HRV (Oura/WHOOP readiness score)
- Resting heart rate
- Body weight (same scale, after bathroom, before water)
- Subjective scores (1–10): energy, mood, sleep quality, motivation
- Fasting glucose (from CGM or glucometer)
Evening Metrics (before bed):
- Total steps
- Training completed (Y/N, type, RPE)
- Nutrition adherence (1–10)
- Supplements taken (checklist)
- Stressors/notable events
- Gratitude entries
MONTH 2: OPTIMIZATION & INTENSIFICATION (Weeks 5–8)
Theme: "Push the Envelope"
Primary Goals: Introduce advanced supplementation, intensify training, implement deeper fasting, add nootropic stack, begin neurofeedback concepts
2.1 SUPPLEMENT STACK — MONTH 2: "Performance Stack"
Additions & Modifications to Month 1 Stack
Keep all Month 1 supplements, with these changes:
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| NMN → increase to 750 mg | Sublingual; split 500 AM + 250 midday |
| Add Fisetin | 500 mg on days 1–3 of the month only (senolytic pulse) |
| Add Spermidine | 10 mg/day with breakfast (autophagy enhancer) |
| Add Urolithin A (Mitopure) | 500 mg/day (mitophagy — mitochondrial recycling; Timeline brand) |
| Add Tongkat Ali | 400 mg/day (standardized 2% eurycomanone; Nootropics Depot) — 5 days on, 2 days off |
| Add Cistanche | 200 mg/day (pairs with Tongkat Ali for hormonal optimization) |
NEW: Nootropic/Cognitive Stack (Month 2)
Morning Cognitive Stack (taken with first meal):
| Supplement | Dosage | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Lion's Mane (dual extract) | 1,000 mg | NGF stimulation, neuroplasticity |
| Bacopa Monnieri (standardized 50% bacosides) | 300 mg | Memory consolidation, anxiolytic |
| Phosphatidylserine | 200 mg | Cortisol modulation, cognitive support |
| CDP-Choline (Citicoline) | 250 mg | Acetylcholine precursor, focus |
As-Needed Focus Stack (for demanding cognitive work):
- Caffeine 100 mg + L-Theanine 200 mg (capsule or matcha tea)
- Take no later than 1:00 PM
- Max 2x/week to prevent tolerance
Senolytic Pulse Protocol (First 3 days of Month 2 only)
| Day | Supplement | Dosage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Fisetin | 500 mg (20 mg/kg for more aggressive protocol) | Take with fat (EVOO); Swanson or Doctor's Best |
| Days 1–3 | Quercetin Phytosome | 1,000 mg (doubled from maintenance) | Combined with fisetin for synergistic senolytic effect |
Purpose: Clear senescent "zombie" cells that accumulate with age, secreting inflammatory SASP factors. Pulsed dosing mimics the protocol used in Mayo Clinic research. Do not take senolytics continuously.
Cycling Schedule — Month 2
| Supplement | Schedule |
|---|---|
| NMN | Daily (no cycling needed) |
| Resveratrol | Daily |
| Tongkat Ali | 5 days on / 2 days off |
| Lion's Mane | Daily for Month 2, then 1 week off at start of Month 3 |
| Bacopa | Daily (requires 8–12 weeks for full effect; do not cycle) |
| Fisetin + high-dose Quercetin | Days 1–3 only, then return to maintenance quercetin dose |
| All others | Daily |
2.2 DIETARY PROTOCOL — MONTH 2: "Metabolic Flexibility"
Protocol: Carb Cycling + Extended Fasting Integration
Eating Window: Tighten to 18:6 on rest days, maintain 16:8 on training days
Carb Cycling Framework
| Day Type | Carbs | When |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Training Days (Mon, Wed, Fri) | 150–200g | Concentrated around training (75% of carbs within 3 hours of workout) |
| Zone 2 Cardio Days (Tue, Sat) | 75–100g | Fasted cardio in AM; carbs at lunch and dinner |
| Rest Days (Thu, Sun) | <50g (ketogenic) | Promotes metabolic flexibility and ketone production |
New Additions to Diet
Polyphenol-Rich Foods (increase):
- Dark chocolate: 1 oz daily (>85% cacao; Hu Kitchen or Lindt 90%)
- Green tea / matcha: 2–3 cups daily (EGCG for AMPK activation)
- Pomegranate juice: 4 oz daily or pomegranate seeds (urolithin A precursor)
- Turmeric + black pepper: add to cooking daily (curcumin absorption)
Organ Meats (introduce if not already consuming):
- Beef liver: 3–4 oz, 1–2x/week (nature's multivitamin: retinol, B12, folate, copper, CoQ10)
- If taste is an issue: freeze liver, grate frozen into ground beef, or use Ancestral Supplements desiccated liver capsules (6/day)
Glycine Loading:
- Add 5g glycine powder to evening tea or bone broth
- Benefits: collagen synthesis, sleep quality (acts on NMDA receptors), glutathione precursor
Month 2 Extended Fast: 48-Hour Water Fast (Week 7)
Preparation (Day before):
- Eat a normal dinner, slightly lower carb
- Hydrate well
- Take electrolytes
During the 48-hour fast:
- Water: 2–3 liters/day with electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium)
- Black coffee and plain tea allowed
- Electrolyte recipe: per liter of water add ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp potassium chloride (NoSalt), 1 tsp magnesium citrate powder
- Light walking OK; no intense exercise
- Monitor glucose with CGM (expect 60–75 mg/dL range)
- Monitor ketones with blood ketone meter (target: 1.5–3.0 mmol/L by hour 36+)
- Continue NMN and basic supplements; pause fat-soluble supplements (need food for absorption)
Breaking the fast (critical):
- Hour 0: Bone broth (1 cup, warm)
- Hour 1: Small meal — 2 eggs, ½ avocado, sauerkraut
- Hour 3: Normal-sized meal, moderate protein and fat, moderate carbs
- Resume normal eating by next meal
Benefits of 48-hour fast: Deep autophagy, stem cell regeneration (Valter Longo research), insulin sensitivity reset, gut lining renewal, immune system reboot, BDNF increase.
2.3 EXERCISE PROGRAMMING — MONTH 2: "Intensify"
Key Changes from Month 1
- Add 1 dedicated VO2max session per week (replacing Saturday Zone 5 finisher with a standalone session)
- Increase strength training volume (add 1 set to main lifts, introduce progressive overload tracking)
- Add plyometric/power work
- Introduce grip strength specific training (longevity marker)
Updated Weekly Structure
| Day | Focus | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Strength A — Upper Hypertrophy | 60 min |
| Tuesday | Zone 2 Cardio | 50–60 min |
| Wednesday | Strength B — Lower Hypertrophy | 60 min |
| Thursday | VO2max Intervals + Core | 35–40 min |
| Friday | Strength C — Full Body Strength/Power | 60 min |
| Saturday | Zone 2 Cardio (long session) | 60–75 min |
| Sunday | Active Recovery: Yoga/Mobility + Nature Walk | 45–60 min |
VO2max Interval Protocol (Thursday)
The "4x4 Norwegian Protocol" (proven to improve VO2max in research):
Warm-up: 10 minutes easy cardio (bike or rower)
Main set:
- 4 x 4 minutes at 90–95% max HR (Zone 5; should be VERY hard, unable to speak more than a few words)
- 3 minutes active recovery at 60–70% max HR between intervals
- Total work time: 16 minutes high intensity
Cool-down: 5 minutes easy + stretching
Modality: Rowing machine, assault bike, or uphill running (bike preferred for joint preservation)
Why VO2max matters: Moving from "low" to "above average" VO2max is associated with a 5x reduction in all-cause mortality. It is the single most powerful predictor of longevity (Peter Attia, Outlive).
Grip Strength Protocol (add to 2 training days/week)
| Exercise | Sets x Duration/Reps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dead hang from pull-up bar | 3 x max hold | Target accumulating 3+ min total |
| Plate pinch hold | 3 x 30 sec | Pinch two 10-lb plates together |
| Fat Gripz on pulling exercises | Use on 1 pulling exercise per session | Increases grip demand |
| Hand gripper (Captains of Crush) | 3 x 8–10 reps each hand | Start with "Sport" or "Trainer" level |
Progressive Overload Tracking
Use a training log (app: Strong, or Google Sheets) to track:
- Exercise, weight, sets, reps, RPE for every session
- Month 2 goal: increase weight on main lifts by 5–10% or add 1–2 reps at same weight
- Follow double progression: when you hit the top of rep range for all sets, increase weight by smallest increment
2.4 ADVANCED STRESS RESILIENCE — MONTH 2
Meditation Upgrade
Duration: 20 minutes/day Add: 1x weekly "long sit" — 30–45 minutes on Sunday
New technique introduction: Open monitoring / choiceless awareness
- After 10 minutes of focused attention (breath), release focus
- Simply observe whatever arises: thoughts, sounds, sensations
- Non-judgmental awareness — this builds metacognition and emotional regulation
Neurofeedback Concepts — Month 2
Option A: Professional Neurofeedback (if accessible)
- Find a neurofeedback practitioner offering qEEG-guided training
- Protocols: SMR (sensorimotor rhythm) training for focus, alpha training for calm alertness
- Frequency: 1–2 sessions/week
- Cost: ~$100–200/session
Option B: At-Home Neurofeedback (more accessible)
- Device: Muse 2 headband (~$250)
- Protocol: Use Muse app for guided meditation with real-time EEG feedback
- 10–15 minutes daily
- Track "calm" percentage over time
- Goal: increase calm percentage from baseline by 20%+ over Month 2–3
Option C: Focus@Will or Brain.fm
- Use neuroscience-based audio for work sessions
- Not true neurofeedback but leverages auditory entrainment for focus states
Advanced Cold Exposure — Month 2
Upgrade protocol:
- Temperature: 40–50°F (4–10°C) — colder than Month 1
- Duration: 3–5 minutes
- Frequency: 4–5x/week
- Introduce: deliberate calm during cold (controlled nasal breathing, resist urge to hyperventilate)
- New addition: Contrast therapy — alternate 3 min cold → 10 min sauna → 3 min cold → 10 min sauna (2–3 rounds)
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Techniques
Daily practices (choose 2–3):
- Gargling: Gargle water vigorously for 30 seconds, 2x/day (stimulates vagus via pharyngeal muscles)
- Cold face immersion: Submerge face in bowl of ice water for 15–30 seconds (triggers dive reflex, activates vagus)
- Humming/chanting: 5 minutes of "Om" chanting or humming (vibration stimulates vagus)
- Slow exhale breathing: 5.5 breaths/min, emphasizing long exhale (resonance frequency breathing)
- Singing loudly: Activates vagus via vocal cord engagement
MONTH 3: INTEGRATION & PEAK PERFORMANCE (Weeks 9–12)
Theme: "Sustain & Transcend"
Primary Goals: Consolidate gains, test peak performance, establish sustainable long-term protocols, retest biomarkers, optimize based on data
3.1 SUPPLEMENT STACK — MONTH 3: "Integration Stack"
Modifications
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| NMN: maintain 750 mg | Reassess based on NAD+ test if retested |
| Add Rapamycin (if physician-supervised) | 5–6 mg once weekly (sirolimus); requires prescription and medical oversight; this is the most evidence-backed longevity drug in animal models |
| Add Metformin OR Berberine (choose one) | Metformin: 500 mg with dinner (Rx required) OR Berberine: 500 mg 2x/day with meals |
| Cycle off Lion's Mane | Week 9 off, resume Week 10–12 |
| Add Astaxanthin | 12 mg/day |
| Add PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline quinone) | 20 mg/day |
| Continue all other Month 2 supplements | Maintain cycling schedules |
Important Note on Rapamycin
Rapamycin (sirolimus) is a prescription immunosuppressant being studied off-label for longevity. It inhibits mTOR, promoting autophagy and extending lifespan in every organism tested. This should ONLY be pursued under physician supervision (longevity-focused doctors like those at Attia's practice, AgelessRx, or similar). Weekly low-dose pulsing is the protocol used in human longevity contexts. If not comfortable with Rx interventions, skip this and rely on natural mTOR modulation via fasting and exercise.
Month 3 Senolytic Pulse #2 (Week 11, Days 1–3)
Repeat the fisetin + quercetin senolytic pulse from Month 2:
- Fisetin 500 mg + Quercetin 1,000 mg for 3 consecutive days
- Then return to maintenance quercetin (500 mg/day)
Complete Daily Supplement Schedule — Month 3
Upon Waking (6:30 AM, with water):
- Nothing (wait for morning routine)
With Meal 1 (11:00 AM):
- NMN 500 mg (sublingual 10 min before eating)
- Trans-Resveratrol 500 mg
- Vitamin D3 5,000 IU + K2 200 mcg
- Omega-3 2g EPA/1g DHA
- Creatine 5g
- B-Complex (methylated)
- Vitamin C 1,000 mg
- Lion's Mane 1,000 mg
- Bacopa 300 mg
- CDP-Choline 250 mg
- Spermidine 10 mg
- Urolithin A 500 mg
- Tongkat Ali 400 mg (weekdays only)
- Astaxanthin 12 mg
With Meal 2 (2:30 PM):
- NMN 250 mg (sublingual)
- Sulforaphane 15 mg
- CoQ10 200 mg (ubiquinol)
- PQQ 20 mg
- R-ALA 300 mg
- Quercetin 500 mg
- Phosphatidylserine 200 mg
- Cistanche 200 mg
Evening (6:30 PM with dinner or before bed):
- Berberine 500 mg (with dinner) OR Metformin 500 mg (if using)
- Magnesium Glycinate 400 mg
- Magnesium L-Threonate 1,000 mg
- Apigenin 50 mg
- L-Theanine 200 mg
- Glycine 5g (in tea or water)
- Tart Cherry Extract 500 mg
Weekly (if using):
- Rapamycin 5–6 mg: Sunday morning, fasted (physician-supervised)
3.2 DIETARY PROTOCOL — MONTH 3: "Precision Nutrition"
Protocol: Personalized Carb Cycling + OMAD Days + Quarterly Extended Fast
Based on Month 1–2 CGM data, you should now know:
- Your personal glycemic responses to specific foods
- Optimal meal timing for glucose control
- Which carb sources you tolerate best
- Impact of exercise timing on glucose
Week 9–10: Refined Carb Cycling
Same framework as Month 2, but now personalized:
- High carb training days: Emphasize your best-tolerated carb sources (per CGM data)
- Keto rest days: Target blood ketones 0.5–1.5 mmol/L (verify with blood ketone meter — Keto-Mojo)
- Add 1 OMAD (One Meal A Day) day per week — typically Sunday
- Single large meal: 1,500–2,000 kcal
- High protein (60–80g), moderate fat, moderate carb
- 23-hour fast provides deep autophagy benefits
Week 11: 72-Hour Water Fast (Quarterly Extended Fast)
This is the capstone fasting event of the 3-month protocol.
Days 1–3 of Week 11:
Preparation (day before):
- Light dinner, lower carb
- Prepare electrolyte water
- Clear schedule of demanding social food events
During the fast:
- Water with electrolytes (same recipe as Month 2)
- Black coffee (1–2 cups max, before noon)
- Herbal tea
- ½ tsp salt under tongue if feeling lightheaded
- Light walking only (20–30 min/day)
- Monitor: glucose, ketones, blood pressure, weight, subjective well-being
- Expected ketone levels by hour 48–72: 3.0–5.0 mmol/L
- Expected glucose: 55–70 mg/dL (this is safe in a fasting context for healthy individuals)
- Continue: basic supplements (NMN, electrolytes, magnesium)
- Pause: fat-soluble supplements, berberine/metformin, protein-based supplements
Breaking the fast (Day 4 — critical for safety and gut comfort):
- Hour 0: Warm bone broth (1 cup)
- Hour 2: Small meal — 2 soft-boiled eggs, ½ avocado, small portion sauerkraut
- Hour 5: Moderate meal — 4 oz salmon, steamed vegetables, small sweet potato
- Hour 8+: Resume normal eating
- Expect vivid mental clarity and enhanced insulin sensitivity for days after
Contraindications: Do NOT attempt 72-hour fasts if you have a history of eating disorders, are underweight (BMI <18.5), are pregnant/nursing, have type 1 diabetes, or are on medications that require food. Consult physician.
Week 12: Return to Optimized Baseline Eating
- Resume your refined 16:8 protocol with carb cycling
- This becomes your sustainable long-term dietary framework
- 1 OMAD day per week (optional, based on preference)
- Quarterly 48–72 hour fasts going forward
3.3 EXERCISE PROGRAMMING — MONTH 3: "Peak & Test"
Key Changes
- Deload Week 9 (reduce volume by 40%, maintain intensity) — allows supercompensation
- Peak performance testing Week 10–11
- Introduction of rucking as Zone 2 modality
- Add stability and balance training (fall prevention = longevity)
Updated Weekly Structure
| Day | Focus | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Strength A — Upper (Peak Phase) | 60 min |
| Tuesday | Zone 2: Rucking (30 lb pack, outdoor) | 60 min |
| Wednesday | Strength B — Lower (Peak Phase) | 60 min |
| Thursday | VO2max Intervals (Norwegian 4x4) | 35 min |
| Friday | Strength C — Full Body + Stability | 60 min |
| Saturday | Zone 2: Long Ruck or Bike | 75–90 min |
| Sunday | Active Recovery: Yoga + Balance Training | 45 min |
Week 9: Deload Protocol
- Same exercises as Month 2
- Reduce all working weights by 40%
- Reduce sets by 1 (e.g., 4 sets → 3 sets)
- Focus on movement quality, mind-muscle connection, tempo
- Maintain Zone 2 cardio volume
- Skip VO2max session (replace with easy Zone 2)
Weeks 10–11: Performance Testing
Test the following and compare to Phase 0 baseline:
| Test | Protocol | Target Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| 1RM or estimated 1RM (Bench, Squat, Deadlift) | Work up to heavy single or use RPE-based estimation | 5–15% increase |
| VO2max (or proxy) | 12-min Cooper Run Test or lab VO2max retest | 5–10% improvement |
| Grip strength | 3 attempts each hand, dynamometer | 5–10% improvement |
| Resting heart rate | 7-day average from wearable | 3–5 bpm decrease |
| HRV | 7-day average from wearable | 10–20% increase |
| Body composition | DEXA scan retest | Decrease body fat 1–3%, maintain/gain lean mass |
| Dead hang | Max time | Target: 90+ seconds |
| Deep squat hold | Max time | Target: 5+ minutes |
Balance & Stability Training (added to Sunday sessions)
| Exercise | Duration/Reps | Progression |
|---|---|---|
| Single-leg stand (eyes open) | 60 sec each leg | Progress to eyes closed |
| Single-leg stand (eyes closed) | 30 sec each leg | Progress to unstable surface (BOSU) |
| Tandem walk (heel-to-toe) | 20 steps forward + backward | Add head turns |
| Single-leg Romanian deadlift (unloaded) | 10 reps each leg | Add light dumbbell |
| Turkish get-up | 3 per side, light KB | Focus on control and stability |
| Bosu ball squats | 3 x 10 | Progress to single leg |
Why balance training matters for longevity: Inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds in adults over 50 is associated with an 84% increased risk of death (British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2022). Falls are a leading cause of death in older adults.
3.4 ADVANCED STRESS RESILIENCE — MONTH 3
Meditation: 20–25 minutes daily
Add: Loving-kindness (Metta) meditation 1x/week
- Generates positive emotional states
- Research shows it increases vagal tone and social connection
- Protocol: Systematically send wishes of well-being to self → loved ones → neutral people → difficult people → all beings
Advanced Breathwork — Month 3
Add: Cyclic Hyperventilation + Retention (weekly)
- 3 rounds of 30 breaths + max retention (Wim Hof style)
- Followed by 5 minutes of box breathing (4-4-4-4)
- Then 5 minutes of resonance frequency breathing
- Total session: ~20 minutes
- Track retention times (expect improvement from Month 1)
Add: CO2 Tolerance Training
- Exhale, then time how long you can hold before the urge to breathe
- Baseline: most people 20–30 seconds
- Target: 60+ seconds (indicates high CO2 tolerance, better stress resilience)
- Practice: daily, 3 attempts, track longest hold
Psychedelic-Assisted Neuroplasticity (Legal Alternatives)
Note: This section covers legal approaches only.
Option A: Psilocybin Microdosing (where legal — e.g., Oregon, Netherlands, Jamaica)
- Protocol: Fadiman Protocol — dose every 3rd day
- Dose: 50–100 mg dried psilocybin mushrooms (sub-perceptual)
- Duration: 4–6 weeks
- Benefits: enhanced neuroplasticity, creativity, mood, default mode network modulation
- Track: mood, creativity, social connection, cognitive performance
Option B: Legal Neuroplasticity Enhancement
- Lion's Mane (already in stack) — promotes NGF
- BDNF enhancement: High-intensity exercise, sauna, cold exposure (all in protocol)
- Novel experiences: Dedicate 1 day/week to something completely new (new skill, new route, new food, new social group)
- Non-dominant hand practice: Brush teeth, eat, write with non-dominant hand for 5 min/day
Nature Exposure Protocol
Minimum: 120 minutes/week in natural environments (forest, park, waterfront)
- Research (White et al., 2019, Scientific Reports): 120 min/week in nature associated with significantly better health and well-being
- Combine with Zone 2 cardio (rucking in nature = double benefit)
- Practice "forest bathing" (shinrin-yoku): slow, mindful walking in forest, engaging all senses
- Leave phone on airplane mode during nature sessions
3.5 ADVANCED TRACKING & RETESTING — MONTH 3
Week 10: Retest CGM (14-day wear)
- Compare glucose metrics to Month 1 baseline
- Expected improvements: lower fasting glucose, reduced post-meal spikes, tighter variability, higher time-in-range
Week 11–12: Comprehensive Lab Retest
Retest the full blood panel from Phase 0:
Expected improvements after 3 months:
| Marker | Expected Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HbA1c | ↓ 0.1–0.3% | Reflects 3-month glucose average |
| Fasting insulin | ↓ | Improved insulin sensitivity |
| hs-CRP | ↓ | Reduced systemic inflammation |
| Homocysteine | ↓ | Improved methylation (B vitamins) |
| Triglycerides | ↓ | Reduced carb intake, improved fat metabolism |
| HDL-C | ↑ | Exercise + healthy fats |
| ApoB | ↓ or stable | Monitor; if elevated, discuss with physician |
| Vitamin D | ↑ to 60–80 ng/mL | Supplementation effect |
| Omega-3 Index | ↑ to >8% | Supplementation effect |
| Testosterone (free) | ↑ | Tongkat Ali, sleep, exercise, stress reduction |
| Cortisol (AM) | Optimal range | Stress resilience practices |
| RBC Magnesium | ↑ | Supplementation effect |
| NAD+ (intracellular) | ↑ | NMN supplementation |
| Biological age (TruAge) | ↓ 1–3 years | Epigenetic clock; most exciting metric |
Week 12: Performance Retesting
Retest all functional assessments from Phase 0 and Week 10–11 testing:
- VO2max
- DEXA scan
- Grip strength
- HRV trends
- Cognitive assessment (same platform as baseline)
- Biological age test
COMPREHENSIVE WEEKLY SCHEDULE TEMPLATE
Sample Week — Month 2 (Peak Protocol)
MONDAY
| Time | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | Wake | Consistent time |
| 6:05 AM | Morning light | 10 min outdoor walk, no sunglasses |
| 6:20 AM | HRV reading | 2-min seated reading (Elite HRV + Polar H10) |
| 6:25 AM | Breathwork | Wim Hof 3 rounds (15 min) |
| 6:45 AM | Meditation | 20 min focused attention (Waking Up app) |
| 7:05 AM | Cold exposure | 3 min cold plunge (45°F) |
| 7:15 AM | Allow natural rewarming | Light movement, journaling |
| 7:30 AM | Morning hydration | 16 oz water + electrolytes + morning supplements (NMN sublingual) |
| 8:00–10:30 AM | Deep work block | Fasted; black coffee at 8 AM if desired; phone on DND |
| 11:00 AM | Meal 1 (break-fast) | Training day meal + AM supplement stack |
| 11:30 AM–2:00 PM | Work / meetings | Post-meal 10-min walk at 11:45 |
| 2:30 PM | Meal 2 (pre-training) | Moderate carbs + protein + midday supplements |
| 3:30 PM | Gym: Strength A (Upper) | 60 min; log all lifts in Strong app |
| 4:30 PM | Post-workout shake | 30g whey + berries + creatine |
| 5:00 PM | Sauna | 20 min at 185°F; hydrate with electrolytes |
| 5:30 PM | Post-meal walk / errands | 15 min |
| 6:30 PM | Meal 3 (dinner) | Anti-inflammatory dinner + evening supplements |
| 7:00 PM | Feeding window closes | |
| 7:30 PM | Evening routine begins | Blue light blockers on; dim lights |
| 8:00 PM | Quality time / reading / light hobby | No screens ideally |
| 9:00 PM | Evening supplements | Mg glycinate, apigenin, L-theanine, glycine |
| 9:15 PM | Warm shower/bath | |
| 9:30 PM | Journaling | Brain dump + gratitude |
| 9:45 PM | NSDR / Yoga Nidra | 10 min recording |
| 10:00 PM | Lights out | Target: asleep by 10:20 PM |
TUESDAY (Zone 2 Day)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | Wake, morning light, HRV |
| 6:30 AM | Fasted Zone 2 cardio: 50 min incline treadmill walk or outdoor ruck |
| 7:20 AM | Cold shower (2 min cold finish) |
| 7:30 AM | Meditation (20 min) |
| 8:00 AM | Hydration + morning supplements |
| 11:00 AM | Meal 1 |
| Evening | Sauna (20 min) if not done post-cardio |
| 10:00 PM | Lights out |
THURSDAY (VO2max + Recovery Day)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | Wake, morning light, HRV |
| 6:30 AM | Meditation (20 min) + breathwork (10 min) |
| 7:00 AM | Morning supplements |
| 11:00 AM | Meal 1 |
| 2:30 PM | Meal 2 |
| 3:30 PM | VO2max intervals (Norwegian 4x4): 35 min total |
| 4:15 PM | Mobility work: foam rolling + CARs (20 min) |
| 5:00 PM | Contrast therapy: cold plunge 3 min → sauna 10 min → cold 3 min → sauna 10 min |
| 6:30 PM | Meal 3 + evening supplements |
| 10:00 PM | Lights out |
SUNDAY (Recovery + Reflection)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:30 AM | Wake (allow slight sleep-in but within 30 min of usual) |
| 6:35 AM | Morning light walk (20 min, nature if possible) |
| 7:00 AM | Extended meditation (30–45 min; Metta or long Vipassana sit) |
| 7:45 AM | Breathwork (resonance frequency, 10 min) |
| 8:00 AM | Journaling: weekly review (20 min) |
| 11:00 AM | Meal 1 (OMAD day in Month 3 — this becomes the single large meal) |
| 12:00 PM | Nature walk / forest bathing (60–90 min) |
| 2:00 PM | Yoga / mobility / balance training (45 min) |
| 3:00 PM | Leisure: reading, socializing, hobby |
| 5:00 PM | Sauna (20 min) |
| 5:30 PM | Cold plunge (3 min) |
| 6:30 PM | Light meal (if not OMAD) + evening supplements |
| 9:00 PM | Prepare for week: meal prep, supplement organizer, review schedule |
| 10:00 PM | Lights out |
ENVIRONMENTAL & LIFESTYLE OPTIMIZATION
Air Quality
- HEPA air purifier in bedroom and office (Coway Airmega 400)
- Monitor AQI; avoid outdoor exercise when AQI >100
- Houseplants: pothos, snake plant, spider plant (mild air filtering + biophilic benefit)
- Avoid: scented candles, air fresheners, conventional cleaning products (VOCs)
- Use: Branch Basics or Force of Nature for cleaning
Water Quality
- Whole-house water filter or countertop reverse osmosis (AquaTru)
- Remineralize RO water: add trace mineral drops (ConcenTrace)
- Avoid: plastic water bottles (BPA/BPS, microplastics)
- Use: glass or stainless steel bottles (Hydroflask, Klean Kanteen)
- Daily water intake: 0.5 oz per pound of body weight + additional for exercise and sauna
Light Environment
- Morning: maximize bright light (outdoor sunlight or 10,000 lux light therapy box if dark climate — Carex Day-Light)
- Daytime: work near windows; take outdoor breaks
- Evening: smart bulbs set to 1,800K warm after sunset (Philips Hue)
- Night: complete darkness for sleep
- Screen filters: f.lux on computer, Night Shift on phone, or physical blue light filter
EMF Reduction (precautionary)
- Phone on airplane mode during sleep
- WiFi router on timer (off during sleep hours) or use ethernet for desktop
- Phone not in pocket against body (use bag or desk)
- No phone/laptop on lap near reproductive organs
Social Connection (often overlooked longevity factor)
- Research: Social isolation increases mortality risk by 26% (Holt-Lunstad meta-analysis)
- Schedule: minimum 2 meaningful social interactions per week
- Prioritize in-person over digital
- Consider: joining a fitness community, meditation group, or mastermind
- Maintain/cultivate 3–5 deep relationships
Toxin Reduction
- Food: Organic for Dirty Dozen produce; pasture-raised animal products
- Personal care: EWG Skin Deep database — switch to clean products (score 1–2)
- Cookware: Cast iron, stainless steel, ceramic — eliminate non-stick/Teflon
- Storage: Glass containers (Pyrex) — eliminate plastic food storage
- Dental: Biological dentist; consider mercury amalgam removal if present
LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK
After the 3-Month Protocol
What to Continue Indefinitely
- Zone 2 cardio: 150+ min/week (non-negotiable)
- Strength training: 3x/week (non-negotiable)
- Sleep optimization: 7–8 hours, consistent schedule
- Morning sunlight: 10+ minutes daily
- Meditation: 10–20 min daily
- Cold exposure: 3x/week (11 min total/week minimum per Huberman)
- Sauna: 3–4x/week
- Time-restricted eating: 16:8 minimum
- Core supplement stack: NMN, D3/K2, Omega-3, Magnesium, Creatine
- Quarterly 48–72 hour fasts or FMD
- Bi-annual comprehensive blood work
- Annual: DEXA, VO2max test, biological age test
What to Cycle
- Nootropic stack: 8 weeks on, 2 weeks off
- Tongkat Ali: 5 on/2 off ongoing
- Senolytic pulses: every 2–3 months (3-day fisetin + quercetin)
- Rapamycin (if using): ongoing weekly under physician supervision with periodic labs
Quarterly Reviews
- Full blood panel
- DEXA scan
- CGM wear (2 weeks)
- Adjust supplement dosages based on labs
- Adjust training based on progress and goals
- Review and update dietary protocol based on CGM data and body composition
Annual Advanced Testing
- Biological age test (TruAge or GlycanAge)
- Full-body MRI (Prenuvo — screen for early cancer and structural issues)
- Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score (after age 40)
- Comprehensive cognitive assessment
- CPET (cardiopulmonary exercise test) for true VO2max
COST ESTIMATE (Monthly)
| Category | Estimated Monthly Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Supplements (full stack) | $350–500 |
| Food (high-quality, organic) | $600–900 |
| Gym membership | $50–100 |
| Wearables (amortized) | $30–50 |
| CGM sensors (when used) | $75–150 |
| Sauna access (gym or home) | $0–100 |
| Lab testing (amortized quarterly) | $100–200 |
| Cold plunge (amortized or gym) | $0–50 |
| Apps/subscriptions | $20–40 |
| Total | $1,225–2,090/month |
Note: Costs can be significantly reduced by prioritizing the highest-impact interventions: sleep, Zone 2 cardio, strength training, and basic supplements (D3, Omega-3, Magnesium, Creatine) — which cost under $200/month total.
QUICK-REFERENCE: TOP 10 HIGHEST-IMPACT INTERVENTIONS
If you can only do 10 things from this entire protocol, do these:
- Sleep 7–8 hours with consistent wake time and dark/cool room
- Zone 2 cardio 150+ minutes per week
- Strength train 3x per week with progressive overload
- Morning sunlight 10+ minutes within 30 min of waking
- Time-restricted eating (16:8) with whole foods, high protein
- Supplement: Vitamin D3 (to 60+ ng/mL), Omega-3 (to Index >8%), Magnesium, Creatine
- Daily meditation/breathwork 10–20 minutes
- Cold exposure 11+ minutes per week total
- Walk after meals 10 minutes
- Maintain strong social connections
DISCLAIMER
This protocol is for educational purposes and designed for generally healthy adults interested in optimization. It is not medical advice. Before implementing any supplement, fasting, exercise, or pharmaceutical protocol (especially rapamycin, metformin, or any prescription medication), consult with a qualified healthcare provider. Individual responses vary based on genetics, health status, medications, and other factors. Start conservatively, titrate up, and listen to your body. Blood work should be interpreted by a qualified professional. The author assumes no liability for individual outcomes.
Version: 3.0 Last Updated: Based on evidence available through mid-2025 Key Influences: Peter Attia (Outlive), David Sinclair (Lifespan), Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab), Bryan Johnson (Blueprint), Valter Longo (fasting research), Rhonda Patrick (FoundMyFitness), Andy Galpin (exercise science)
This document represents a synthesis of current best evidence in longevity science. The field evolves rapidly. Stay curious, stay skeptical, measure everything, and adjust based on YOUR data.
GPT-4
3-Month Longevity Plan
- Dietary Protocols
Month 1: Ketogenic Diet This diet is high in fats, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. It helps in burning fat more effectively.
Breakfast: 2 eggs, avocado, and mixed vegetables. Lunch: Grilled salmon with a side of asparagus. Dinner: Stir-fried chicken with broccoli. Snacks: Nuts, seeds, and cheese.
Month 2: Intermittent Fasting Skip breakfast and eat during an 8-hour feeding window, e.g., 12-8 PM. This type of fasting can potentially reduce inflammation, improve heart health, and boost brain function.
Month 3: Caloric Restriction Lower your daily caloric intake by 20-30% while maintaining adequate nutrient density. This approach has been shown to decelerate the aging process in many species.
- Supplements
-Resveratrol (500mg daily): Antioxidant that activates longevity genes. -NMN (500mg daily): Boosts NAD levels, critical for cellular health and longevity. -PQQ (20mg daily): Enhances mitochondrial function. -CoQ10 (200mg daily): Supports heart health and energy production. -Curcumin (500mg daily): Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant benefits. -Vitamin D3 (5000 IU daily): Supports immune function and bone health.
- Exercise Routine
Week 1-4: Strength Training Focus on compound movements like squats, deadlifts, bench press, and pull-ups. Aim for 3 sessions weekly.
Week 5-8: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Alternate between 30-second sprints and 1-minute rest periods. Do this 2-3 times per week.
Week 9-12: Active Recovery Incorporate light activities such as yoga or swimming. Daily walks are also beneficial.
-
Advanced Wearable Tracking Use a device like an Oura Ring or Biostrap to monitor sleep quality, heart rate variability (HRV), and physical activity. Aim for an HRV above 60, a resting heart rate below 60, and at least 7 hours of sleep per night.
-
Stress Resilience Techniques
HRV Training: Use an app like Elite HRV to train your body to respond better to stress. Aim for 15 minutes daily.
Neurofeedback: Use a device like Muse to improve your brain's resilience to stress via biofeedback. Aim for at least 10 minutes daily.
- Other Strategies
Cold and Heat Exposure: Alternate between hot saunas and cold showers to boost the immune system and improve cardiovascular health.
Red Light Therapy: Use a device like Joovv for 10 minutes daily to improve skin health and boost energy.
Sleep Hygiene: Ensure your room is dark, cool, and quiet. Avoid screens 2 hours before bed.
Remember, everyone's body responds differently, so it's essential to regularly monitor your bio-markers and adjust the plan accordingly. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new regimen.
Vote
12 / 21
Michelin Star Recipe Designplanning
Design an innovative, multi-component dish worthy of a 3-star Michelin restaurant.
Claude Opus 4.6
"Tidal Memory"
Slow-Cooked Octopus, White Chocolate-Dashi Velouté, Charcoal Meringue, Fermented Black Garlic, and Sea Buckthorn
Conceptual Narrative
"Tidal Memory" is a meditation on the liminal space where ocean meets shore — the moment a wave recedes and leaves behind a constellation of treasures on dark volcanic sand. The dish explores the tension between marine depth (octopus, dashi, nori) and unexpected sweetness (white chocolate, sea buckthorn), challenging the diner's assumptions about where savory ends and sweet begins.
The unusual central pairing — white chocolate and dashi — exploits their shared high glutamate and lactic profiles. Cocoa butter's fat-soluble flavor carriers bind to the umami compounds in katsuobushi, creating a velouté that tastes neither sweet nor traditionally savory but occupies an entirely new register: round, deeply oceanic, and hauntingly creamy. The dish is served at three temperatures (warm, ambient, frozen) to unfold across time on the palate, much like memory itself.
Components Overview
| # | Component | Role | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sous-Vide Octopus, Olive Oil & Smoked Paprika Glaze | Protein / Centerpiece | Warm (58°C) |
| 2 | White Chocolate-Dashi Velouté | Sauce / Umami Bridge | Warm (65°C) |
| 3 | Charcoal Meringue Shards | Texture / "Volcanic Sand" | Ambient |
| 4 | Fermented Black Garlic Purée | Depth / Sweetness | Ambient |
| 5 | Sea Buckthorn Gel & Fresh Berries | Acidity / Color | Cold (4°C) |
| 6 | Nori Dust & Togarashi Oil | Seasoning / Finish | Ambient |
| 7 | Frozen Dashi "Snow" | Aroma / Temperature Play | Frozen (−18°C) |
Serves: 4 (tasting-course portions) Total Active Time: ~3 hours (plus 12–24 hours octopus curing and meringue drying)
Sourcing Notes
- Octopus: Source Spanish or Portuguese pulpo (Galician preferred), 1.5–2 kg whole. Flash-frozen is acceptable and actually tenderizes the protein. Avoid pre-cooked.
- White Chocolate: Use Valrhona Ivoire 35% or Opalys 33% — real cocoa butter is essential; compound "white chocolate" will not emulsify properly.
- Katsuobushi (Bonito Flakes): Seek hon-karebushi (aged, mold-cured bonito) from a Japanese specialty grocer for deeper umami. Hanakatsuo (shaved) from Yamaki or Kaneso is widely available online.
- Sea Buckthorn: Fresh berries (autumn harvest) from Nordic or Central Asian suppliers; frozen purée from Boiron or a Nordic specialty brand is an excellent substitute.
- Fermented Black Garlic: Whole bulbs aged 40–60 days. Available at specialty grocers or online (Korean-produced is excellent).
- Activated Charcoal (food-grade): Capsule or powder form from health-food suppliers. Use sparingly — it can interfere with medications.
- Nori: High-grade Ariake Sea nori (shin-nori first harvest) for maximum fragrance.
- Togarashi: Shichimi togarashi blend, or source pure ichimi (red chili) and blend your own.
Detailed Recipes
Component 1: Sous-Vide Octopus with Smoked Paprika Glaze
Objective: Impossibly tender octopus with a caramelized, lightly smoky exterior.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 kg whole octopus, cleaned, beak removed
- 30 g fine sea salt
- 10 g sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon (microplaned)
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 60 ml extra-virgin olive oil (for bag)
- Glaze: 20 ml extra-virgin olive oil, 5 g Pimentón de la Vera (hot), 10 g honey, 5 ml sherry vinegar
Method:
-
Cure (12–24 hours ahead): Combine salt, sugar, and lemon zest. Rub the mixture over the entire octopus. Place in a perforated container set over a tray, cover, and refrigerate for 12 hours. This firms the flesh and seasons deeply.
-
Rinse and bag: Rinse octopus thoroughly. Pat dry. Separate tentacles from the head (reserve head for staff meal or another use). Place tentacles in a single layer in a vacuum bag with olive oil and thyme. Seal on full vacuum.
-
Cook sous vide: Immersion circulator set to 77°C for 4–5 hours. This converts collagen to gelatin without overcooking the protein. The texture should be fork-tender but not mushy — a slight resistance at the center.
-
Ice bath: Transfer bag to an ice bath for 20 minutes. (Can be refrigerated up to 2 days at this point.)
-
Glaze and sear (à la minute): Whisk together glaze ingredients. Remove tentacles from bag, pat very dry with paper towels. Heat a cast-iron or carbon-steel pan to smoking. Sear tentacles for 45–60 seconds per side until lightly charred. Brush with glaze in the final 15 seconds and allow it to caramelize. Rest 1 minute. Slice the two largest tentacles on a bias into 3 cm segments; leave two smaller tentacles whole for plating drama.
Component 2: White Chocolate-Dashi Velouté
Objective: A silky, emulsified sauce that bridges umami and sweetness — the intellectual heart of the dish.
Ingredients:
- 500 ml water (soft or filtered)
- 15 g kombu (wiped, scored lightly)
- 20 g katsuobushi (hon-karebushi shavings)
- 80 g Valrhona Ivoire white chocolate, finely chopped
- 15 g unsalted butter, cold, cubed
- 2 g fine sea salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 ml usukuchi (light) soy sauce
- 5 ml mirin
Method:
-
First dashi: Place kombu in cold water. Heat slowly over medium-low to 60°C and hold for 30 minutes (this maximizes glutamate extraction without sliminess). Remove kombu just before the water reaches 80°C.
-
Second extraction: Bring dashi to 85°C. Remove from heat, add katsuobushi, and steep for exactly 4 minutes without stirring. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with muslin. You should have approximately 400 ml of ichiban dashi.
-
Reduce: Gently reduce dashi to 200 ml over medium-low heat — this concentrates umami without developing bitterness.
-
Emulsify: Remove from heat. While dashi is at approximately 75°C, add white chocolate in three additions, whisking constantly with a small balloon whisk (or use an immersion blender on low). The cocoa butter will emulsify into the dashi, creating a glossy, cream-like consistency.
-
Monte au beurre: Whisk in cold butter one cube at a time for body and sheen.
-
Season: Add salt, soy sauce, and mirin. Taste — the sauce should be savory-forward with a haunting, almost subliminal sweetness and extraordinary roundness. Adjust. Strain through a fine sieve.
-
Hold: Keep in a bain-marie at 62–65°C. Whisk before plating. It should coat the back of a spoon with a nappe consistency.
Component 3: Charcoal Meringue Shards ("Volcanic Sand")
Objective: Jet-black, dramatically shattered meringue pieces that provide crunch and visual storytelling.
Ingredients:
- 100 g egg whites (approximately 3 large eggs), at room temperature
- 200 g caster sugar
- 3 g food-grade activated charcoal powder
- 1 g cream of tartar
- Pinch of fine salt
Method:
-
Preheat oven to 100°C (fan off, or lowest fan setting).
-
Whip: In a spotlessly clean stand-mixer bowl, combine egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt. Whip on medium speed until soft peaks form.
-
Sugar stream: With mixer running on medium-high, add sugar in a slow, steady stream over 2 minutes. Continue whipping to stiff, glossy peaks (~8 minutes total).
-
Charcoal: Sift activated charcoal over the meringue. Fold in gently with a spatula using 3–4 strokes — deliberate under-mixing creates dramatic marbled striations of black and white.
-
Shape: Spread meringue in an irregular, thin layer (3–5 mm) on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing natural peaks and valleys.
-
Dry: Bake at 100°C for 2–2.5 hours until completely dry and crisp. Turn off oven and leave meringue inside with door ajar overnight.
-
Shatter: Break into jagged, organic shards of varying sizes (2–8 cm). Store in an airtight container with silica gel packets for up to 5 days.
Component 4: Fermented Black Garlic Purée
Objective: Intensely sweet, mildly tangy, ink-dark purée that anchors the dish's bass notes.
Ingredients:
- 80 g fermented black garlic cloves (peeled)
- 40 ml water
- 15 ml aged balsamic vinegar (at least 12-year)
- 10 ml extra-virgin olive oil
- Fine sea salt to taste
Method:
-
Combine black garlic, water, and balsamic in a small saucepan. Warm gently over low heat for 5 minutes to soften.
-
Transfer to a high-speed blender (Vitamix preferred). Blend on high for 90 seconds, streaming in olive oil, until completely smooth — the texture should resemble a thick, glossy paint.
-
Pass through a fine-mesh tamis for absolute smoothness.
-
Season with salt. Transfer to a squeeze bottle for precise plating. Holds refrigerated for 2 weeks.
Component 5: Sea Buckthorn Gel & Fresh Berries
Objective: Bright, tart counterpoint — the "sunlight hitting the tide pool."
Gel Ingredients:
- 150 ml sea buckthorn juice (from ~200 g fresh berries, pressed and strained, or thawed frozen purée)
- 30 g sugar
- 2 g agar-agar powder
- 0.5 g gellan gum (low-acyl, for fluid gel)
Garnish:
- 20–30 fresh sea buckthorn berries (or substitute physalis segments or fresh passion fruit seeds)
Method:
-
Juice: If using fresh berries, blend and pass through a fine sieve, pressing to extract maximum juice.
-
Hydrate gelling agents: Combine juice, sugar, agar-agar, and gellan gum in a saucepan. Whisk well while cold.
-
Set: Bring to a full boil, whisking constantly, and boil for 1 minute. Pour into a shallow container and refrigerate until fully set (~30 minutes).
-
Blend to fluid gel: Transfer set gel to a blender. Blend on high for 60 seconds until perfectly smooth and pipeable — it should flow slowly, like a coulis, but hold its shape on a plate.
-
Transfer to a squeeze bottle. Refrigerate. The gel can be made 3 days ahead.
Component 6: Nori Dust & Togarashi Oil
Nori Dust:
- 2 sheets high-grade nori
- Toast nori over an open flame (2–3 seconds per side) until fragrant and brittle. Cool. Grind in a spice grinder to a fine powder. Store airtight.
Togarashi Oil:
- 50 ml grapeseed oil
- 8 g shichimi togarashi
- Warm oil to 70°C. Add togarashi, stir, and infuse off-heat for 30 minutes. Strain through a coffee filter. The oil should be a vibrant burnt orange. Transfer to a dropper bottle.
Component 7: Frozen Dashi "Snow"
Objective: A tableside theatrical element — frozen, powdery dashi that sublimates on the warm plate, releasing a wave of oceanic aroma.
Ingredients:
- 200 ml ichiban dashi (made as in Component 2, but unseasoned)
- 3 g soy lecithin (optional, for lighter texture)
Method:
-
If using lecithin, blend into cold dashi with an immersion blender.
-
Pour dashi into a shallow metal pan. Freeze solid (at least 4 hours, ideally overnight).
-
Using a Microplane or the fine blade of a box grater, shave the frozen dashi block into a chilled metal bowl, working quickly. The result should be a fluffy, snow-like powder.
-
Return immediately to the freezer. Prepare just before service and transport to the table in a frozen vessel.
Plating Presentation
Vessel: A wide, shallow, matte-black stoneware bowl (26–28 cm diameter) — handmade ceramics with an irregular rim are ideal. The dark surface represents the volcanic shore.
Assembly (per plate, working swiftly):
-
Black garlic canvas: Using the squeeze bottle, paint two bold, sweeping arcs of black garlic purée across the lower third of the bowl — gestural, not symmetrical. Use a small offset spatula to drag one arc into a thin tail.
-
Velouté pool: Pour approximately 50 ml of warm white chocolate-dashi velouté into the center-left of the bowl, tilting the plate gently so it pools naturally into an organic, asymmetric lake. It should not cover the garlic strokes entirely — let them peek through.
-
Octopus placement: Arrange 3 bias-cut octopus segments and 1 whole small tentacle in a loose, naturalistic cluster at the 2 o'clock position of the velouté pool. The glazed surfaces should catch the light. One piece should rest partially on the rim of the sauce, one partially on bare plate — suggesting emergence from water.
-
Sea buckthorn gel: Pipe 5–7 small dots and one elongated teardrop of the orange gel at irregular intervals around the octopus — concentrating them at 10 o'clock and 5 o'clock. Place 4–5 fresh sea buckthorn berries (halved to reveal their jewel-like interior) nestled among the gel dots.
-
Charcoal meringue: Lean 2–3 dramatic shards against and over the octopus at varying angles — one large, one medium, one small — creating height and shadow. They should look like fragments of volcanic rock, partially obscuring the protein beneath.
-
Nori dust: Using a fine-mesh tea strainer, dust nori powder lightly over the velouté surface and the exposed plate at the 7 o'clock position — suggesting dark sand.
-
Togarashi oil: Using the dropper bottle, place 6–8 precise droplets of the vibrant orange oil on the velouté surface. They will float and catch light like tiny suns.
-
Final garnish: 2–3 micro shiso leaves (green or purple) and 1 edible flower (viola or borage) placed with tweezers near the octopus.
-
Tableside — Dashi Snow: Bring the frozen dashi snow to the table in a small chilled ceramic vessel. With a spoon, gently mound a quenelle of the snow onto the exposed plate surface at the 11 o'clock position, away from the warm sauce. As it meets the warm bowl, it will begin to sublimate, releasing a wave of smoky, oceanic aroma. Instruct the guest: "Begin here — breathe in — then eat from warm to cold."
Tasting Sequence (Suggested to Guest)
"Lean in and inhale the dashi snow as it disappears. Then begin with the octopus and velouté together — let the white chocolate reveal itself slowly. The black garlic will deepen each bite. Finish with the sea buckthorn for brightness, and shatter the meringue over everything for texture."
Wine Pairing Suggestion
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Rangen de Thann Pinot Gris Grand Cru 2018 (Alsace) — its smoky volcanic minerality, honeyed weight, and bright acid mirror every element of the dish.
Alternatively: A mature Jura Savagnin sous voile (e.g., Domaine Tissot) for its oxidative, nutty umami character.
Technical Notes & Troubleshooting
- Velouté breaking: If the white chocolate emulsion splits, blend with an immersion blender while adding 1 tablespoon of cold dashi — the temperature shock and mechanical action will re-emulsify.
- Octopus texture: If tentacles are still chewy after 5 hours sous vide, the octopus may not have been previously frozen. Freeze overnight and re-cook.
- Meringue humidity: In humid kitchens, meringue shards will soften within 30 minutes of exposure. Plate them last, moments before service.
- Dashi snow timing: This component waits for no one. Shave and serve within 90 seconds in a warm dining room.
"Tidal Memory" — a dish that asks the diner to taste the space between the ocean and the sky.
GPT-4
Dish Name: Symphony of Scarlet Prawn and Yuzu
Conceptual Narrative: This dish is a harmonious interplay of land and sea, with the sweetness of scarlet prawns, a gem of the deep sea, and the refreshing, fragrant citrus notes of yuzu fruit, a treasure from the land. It celebrates the fusion of Italian and Japanese gastronomy, bringing together the refined simplicity of the East with the bold, robust flavors of the Mediterranean.
Ingredients:
- 6 large Scarlet prawns
- 1 Yuzu fruit
- 100g Arborio Rice
- 50ml Sake
- 30g Parmigiano Reggiano
- 500ml Fish Stock
- 50g Unsalted Butter
- 1 Shallot
- Sea Salt
- Fresh Dill
Specialized Ingredients: Scarlet prawns: These red prawns are native to the Mediterranean sea and are renowned for their sweet, delicate flavor. They can be sourced from high-end seafood markets. Yuzu fruit: This aromatic Japanese citrus fruit is not commonly found in Western supermarkets. It can be ordered from Asian grocery stores or online.
Instructions:
-
Scarlet Prawn Brodo: Clean the prawns, reserving the shells. In a heated pan, add the shells with a bit of olive oil and toast till they turn red. Add sake and let it simmer until the alcohol evaporates. Pour in fish stock, and let it simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the broth, add a pinch of salt, and set aside.
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Yuzu Risotto: Finely chop the shallot and sauté in a pan with butter until translucent. Add Arborio rice and stir until the grains are well coated and slightly toasted. Deglaze the pan with a splash of sake. Once the sake has evaporated, start adding the prawn brodo, one ladle at a time, stirring continuously. Repeat until the rice is cooked al dente. Grate the rind of the yuzu fruit into the risotto and squeeze in some juice for a burst of citrus flavor. Fold in grated Parmigiano Reggiano and a knob of butter to make the risotto creamy.
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Scarlet Prawn: Season the prawns with salt and sear them in a hot pan with olive oil. Cook each side for about 2 minutes until they turn opaque.
Plating: Mold the risotto in the center of the plate using a ring mold. Arrange the prawns around the risotto. Drizzle some prawn brodo around the plate. Garnish with fresh dill and thin slices of yuzu peel for a pop of color and freshness.
This dish presents a beautiful contrast of colors, and a delectable interplay of flavors and textures. The sweet, succulent prawns paired with the creamy, citrusy risotto create a symphony of flavors that is both familiar and surprising. The presentation is simple yet elegant, reflecting the minimalism of Japanese aesthetics and the heartiness of Italian cuisine.
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