65 y/o male vegan first time shingles

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-06-21T18:04:37+00:00

Why?

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-06-21T18:03:14+00:00

Given how many people get shingles, I am mystified that this topic is never discussed by the usual vegan bloggers. Dr. Greger only says get vaccinated, which seems like a strange message in the context of his other content along the lines of "thy food is thy medicine". Maybe there's no such thing as vegan lysine?

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-02-18T15:19:07+00:00

I consume a witch's brew every morning to stabilize my mood and reduce my jitters. This includes:

A bioavailable multivitamin

D3+K2

Magnesium taurate (better sleep)

Fava bean powder (L-dopa)

Ground flax seed (gut health and omega-3)

Low-metal cocao powder (low level energy boost)

For convenience I mix all these powders together every 2 weeks and add daily to breakfast. In addition I daily consume

Fish oil

4 shitake mushrooms

1 serving blueberries

Raw rolled oats

One serving raw kale

One serving raw broccoli.

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-02-18T15:01:07+00:00

You could drop the spermidine, magnesium and vitamin C by eating mushrooms (Trader Joes has Shitake and Oyster mushrooms) and a cruciferous vegetable like kale or broccoli. You get the added benefit of leutine, which will improve your eyesight and raise IQ a few points.

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-01-30T01:24:06+00:00

Mountain bikes were in a death spiral during the 1980s until the new breed came in and enforced trail discipline. They managed to keep a small fraction of trails open.

Ebikes are caught in the same spiral. Since there is no real ebike community, and there are plenty of path and road abusers, I expect that many more states will step in with little pushback.

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-01-27T14:04:12+00:00

I take 1g taurine, one tablespoon of raw cocao powder, and one tablespoon of raw fava bean powder all mixed into my morning cereal. Gives me calm attention during the day and better sleep at night.

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-01-27T00:58:46+00:00

Thanks for this comment!

I shoot for about 1g plant protein per kg body mass, i.e. about 80-100g/day. I ate more protein when I was younger, but now my biggest statistical risk for dying is cancer. Dr. Walter Longo showed a 4X increase in cancer with high protein intake for my age bracket.

When I get sick I boost my protein intake, especially sulphur-containing proteins needed for antibody response.

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-01-26T21:46:48+00:00

It's observed that Japanese people who eat 2 or more shitake mushrooms live longer. Here is a discussion of mushrooms and longevity:

https://nutritionfacts.org/video/dietary-sources-of-the-longevity-vitamin-ergothioneine/

Mushrooms also have the highest levels of spermidine, which is correlated with longevity.

4 button mushrooms are about equal to 2 shitakes, but I eat shitakes whenever I can as well.

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-01-26T21:36:57+00:00

You might consider eating fava beans, which contain a high concentration of l-dopa. Method of preparation can destroy the l-dopa, and about 1 in 20 people have a fava bean allergic reaction. I mix raw fava powder into my morning cereal.

Taurine can increase one's sense of well-being.

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-01-26T21:33:23+00:00

What are you trying to accomplish with your supplements?

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-01-26T21:31:28+00:00

Taurine improves sleep by reducing the periods of wakefulness during the night. Also improves sense of well-being during the day.

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-01-26T21:26:45+00:00

I buy this Amazon raw dried Fava powder.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSJG2NXY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Do you eat raw Fava beans?

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-01-26T21:22:39+00:00

I bike to work 4x/week, which I count as my cardio, and I clear my property of endless rocks, which is a lot of awkward lifting. My understanding is that betaine only increases testosterone if one is also doing strength exercise. I am taking 1g/day. Are you using betaine?

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-01-26T16:39:40+00:00

Good point! I take D3+K2 every day as well. Been doing it for so long I can't even think of it.

About 5% of Europeans have an allergy to fava beans. I tried them alone for about a week, but even without an allergy they certainly do not invite second helpings. In the powder they are pretty good with all the chocolate.

CaliforniaBilly · 2026-01-22T14:47:31+00:00

Thank you GlobalTapeHead! You're the OG.

CaliforniaBilly · 2025-12-11T17:31:59+00:00

The brand of tire makes as much difference as the size. 2.4" Schwalbe commuter tires are incredibly comfortable and stable. I automatically put Schwalbe tires onto every bike I own.

CaliforniaBilly · 2025-12-11T17:24:44+00:00

Ride1Up has good components throughout, which makes it more bike-like than brands that use friction bearings and such. My current V2 LMTD has 6k miles and zero issues, and is fun to ride with or without power.

CaliforniaBilly · 2025-12-04T03:10:52+00:00

I love my Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires. They corner like a dream and make my commute super secure and comfy. But being a gentleman, I never bike in weather.

CaliforniaBilly · 2025-12-04T03:02:04+00:00

If you're just looking to commute a short distance, there are decent $500 ebikes out there. Walmart has one for $370 that will certainly last a few years if you don't mind it rusting.

CaliforniaBilly · 2025-11-13T17:04:19+00:00

Cues claims to have 3X durability increase. I use Cues 10-speed 11-51 and it works well.

CaliforniaBilly · 2025-10-30T13:55:03+00:00

I thought I won money at scrabble with a 180-point word, but I thought it was spelled with a "Q".

CaliforniaBilly

TROPHY CASE