My Longevity Stack: Why I Stopped Buying Supplements and Built My Own

I built my own longevity stack because the one I was buying didn't work as a system. I was taking six ingredients from different brands, with doses I couldn't verify, sourcing I couldn't trace and a monthly bill that kept climbing. Ares is the formula I wanted to take and couldn't find: six ingredients, doses checked against the published research, one daily routine.

Key facts

• Ares combines urolithin A (500 mg), calcium AKG (1,000 mg), NAC (600 mg), taurine (1,000 mg), broccoli sprout extract (250 mg, a source of sulforaphane) and low-dose lithium orotate (120 mg, about 4 to 5 mg of elemental lithium).
• Each ingredient was chosen because it targets a different part of how cells age: mitochondria, metabolism, antioxidant defense, cellular stress response and brain health.
• Every choice is documented, including where our doses sit relative to the clinical trials.

Who I am, and why this matters to me

I'm Ryan Bethencourt. I've spent my career at the intersection of biology and business. I co-founded IndieBio, one of the world's largest biotech accelerators, and I've backed more than 180 biotech and tech startups. I also founded Wild Earth, which I pitched on Shark Tank, and learned firsthand how to bring real science to consumers.

That background makes me picky. I read the papers. I want to know whether a finding came from worms, mice or people. And I've seen enough of the supplement industry to know that what's on a label and what's in the bottle aren't always the same.

What my stack looked like before

For years, mine looked like most people’s: a shelf of single-ingredient bottles accumulated one study or podcast episode at a time — each with its own brand, its own serving size, its own schedule, and a dose that didn’t always match the research that justified buying it.

The problems stacked up:

• Too many bottles. Different serving sizes and schedules made consistency hard. The best supplement is the one you actually take every day.
• Unclear doses. Some products hid behind "proprietary blends." Others used doses far below what studies tested.
• Unclear sourcing. Few brands shared where ingredients came from or published third-party testing.
• Cost. Buying six premium single-ingredient products adds up fast.

How I chose what went into Ares

I started with the biology of aging, not with trending ingredients. Researchers group aging into a set of "hallmarks," including mitochondrial dysfunction, loss of protein quality control, deregulated nutrient sensing and chronic inflammation. I looked for ingredients that support these systems and have real published research behind them.

Each ingredient has its own deep-dive article explaining the research, the dose and the safety notes, including the places where the evidence is still early.

What I didn't include, and why

A good stack is defined as much by what it leaves out.

Three examples of what stayed out:

• NMN and NR. NAD+ precursors reliably raise NAD+ levels in humans, but the functional benefits in trials so far have been modest. That evidence may mature, for now, it did not clear the bar.
• Resveratrol. One of the most famous longevity molecules, and one of the most disappointing in rigorous human trials.
• Spermidine. A plausible caloric-restriction mimetic, but the randomized SmartAge trial missed its primary cognitive endpoint. Watching, not including.

The principles behind Ares

• Research first. Every ingredient has published studies, and we tell you which ones were in animals and which in humans.
• Transparent doses. No proprietary blends. Every milligram is on the label.
• One routine. One formula instead of a shelf of bottles.
• Honesty about uncertainty. Longevity science is young. We'll update the formula as the evidence changes, and tell you why.

Should you build your own stack?

You can, and some people enjoy it. If you do, look for third-party tested products, avoid proprietary blends and check doses against the studies. If you'd rather not manage it yourself, that's exactly why Ares exists. Explore Ares.

For the evidence behind each ingredient, start with Longevity Supplements That Actually Have Human Data.

FAQ

What is a longevity stack? A longevity stack is a combination of supplements taken together to support healthy aging. Good stacks target different aging processes rather than doubling up on one.

Is it better to take one combined formula or separate supplements? Separate products let you adjust each dose. A combined formula is simpler and improves consistency. The right choice depends on how hands-on you want to be.

Should I talk to my doctor before starting a longevity stack? Yes, especially if you take prescription medications, are pregnant or nursing, or have a medical condition.

Why doesn’t Ares include NMN or NR? NAD+ precursors reliably raise NAD+ levels in humans, but functional benefits in trials have been modest so far. Urolithin A, by comparison, has more consistent human trial data on muscle and mitochondrial measures, which is why we built Ares around it.

Published by the SciRouter Editorial Team for general educational purposes. Last updated October 2026.

Educational disclaimer. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It summarizes published scientific research and does not endorse any specific product, supplement, drug, or treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed physician before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.