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The Phoenix Community May Update

T
· Reviewed by Dr. Kevin Tran, PharmD

Key takeaways · TL;DR

The Phoenix Community May update recaps a member Live Q&A with Pr. Margit Burmeister on genetics and APOE4, monthly pod matching, and active discussion threads on MCT oil, GLP-1 drugs for dementia prevention, lowering LDL, HSV-1 links to Alzheimer risk, keto macros, soluble fiber, SGLT2 inhibitors, and creatine for brain energy.

Definition

Small APOE4 carrier groups matched by shared genetics, habits, environment, and goals for personalized protocol sharing.

Each month Phoenix members are matched into themed pods such as the Lipid Lowering League or Deep Sleep Guild to discuss interventions with people most similar to them.

Hi friends,

May was so rich in discussions!!

We had a fascinating Live Q&A with our Phoenix Founding Member Pr. Margit Burmeister on the topic of DNA and Genetics. Pr. Burmeister has spent decades uncovering the genetic roots of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
She brings deep expertise in brain health, gene-environment interactions, and neurodegeneration—and she also happens to be an ApoE2/4 carrier herself, giving her a uniquely personal perspective.

Our members were matched in their monthly pods (grouping ApoE4 carriers that share similar health profile — genetics, environment, habits, goals) because there is no one-size fits-all answers when it comes to your health.
What works for people similar to you has a much higher chance to work for you too!

May Pods Highlights:

  • Lipid Lowering League – Cholesterol

  • Resilience Circle – Stress

  • Deep Sleep Guild – Sleep

  • Quant Crew – Biohack

  • Agility Alliance – Sports

As our community continues to double in size each month, we're now exploring more and more fascinating topics.
Below, you’ll find a preview of some of the threads started by our members.

May Topics Highlights:

Supplements, Nutrition, and Medication

  • Would One Meal a Day be cognitive protective? Why?

  • Coconut Oil

  • Optimal macro mix for ApoE4s: Protein %, Carb %, Fat %

  • Help needed determining and tracking macros for ketosis.

  • Acetyl L carnitine and high TMAO

  • Ninja Creami and making ice creams

  • Chobani vs Fage

  • Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) and stress reduction

  • Soluble fiber – anti-inflammatory, modulates the gut microbiome and more?

  • Microdosing Semaglutide

  • Testosterone Therapy for Males

  • Lithium Microdose

Sports, Sleep, and Stress management

  • Swimming seems to have some additional benefits compared to other sports

  • Outsized effect interventions for brain clarity / avoiding brain fog

Join the discussion by applying to join The Phoenix.
I read all applications myself, so mention you're a newsletter reader to get some extra love :)

Biomarkers, Tracking, Monitoring

  • Proof that diet and Strategy do Work for Apoe4! I lowered my LDL 76 points!

  • Updated cholesterol and a1C

  • Cholesterol Balance Test Hyper absorb or Hyper produce

Toxins, Pathogens, Heavy metals

  • HSV1 and AD / Dementia risk

Tech and Medical devices

  • Cognitive training apps

  • Ketone Monitoring

  • Red Light Therapy

Genetics

  • Sequencing.com Kit is processing

  • Detailed sequencing reports, premium plan

  • How many rs protective variants are there?

Research

  • The use of GLP-1 s for dementia prevention.

  • IntellxxDNA report and worksheet

  • Stopping inflammation

  • Ezetimibe for prevention

  • Small human pilot study shows 20g creatine supplementation and improved brain energetics

  • Untitled post

  • Evidence Linking SGLT2 Inhibitors to Alzheimer’s/Dementia Prevention

  • 7 APOE4 Breakthroughs That Could Delay Alzheimer’s, from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on APOE and Lipid Biology (March 2025)

  • Melatonin: I am receiving a newsletter called Genetic Life Hacks. This article on Melatonin is very interesting. The body’s ability to produce Melatonin is influenced by circadian rhythm. Worth implementing.

  • Alzheimer’s and circadian rhythm.

  • Study showing ApoE4s got better cognition after … HIGH GI and saturated fat meal

As always, thank you for being part of this mission to help all ApoE4s beat the odds and defeat Alzheimer’s. 🧡

Kevin

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Discussion

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

What topics did the Phoenix Community discuss in May?
Phoenix members discussed a wide range of APOE4-relevant topics in May. Supplements and nutrition threads covered one-meal-a-day cognitive effects, coconut oil, optimal macro ratios for APOE4, ketosis tracking, modified citrus pectin, soluble fiber, microdosed semaglutide, testosterone therapy, and lithium microdosing. Biomarker discussions included cholesterol balance testing and hyper-absorb versus hyper-produce phenotyping. Research threads covered GLP-1 drugs for dementia prevention, SGLT2 inhibitors, creatine at 20g for brain energetics, HSV-1 links to Alzheimer risk, and APOE4 breakthroughs from the AAIC March 2025 conference on APOE and lipid biology.
Who is Professor Margit Burmeister and what did she discuss?
Professor Margit Burmeister is a Phoenix Founding Member who has spent decades researching the genetic roots of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Her expertise covers brain health, gene-environment interactions, and neurodegeneration. She is also an APOE2/4 carrier herself, giving her a uniquely personal perspective on APOE4 prevention. In a May Live Q&A with the Phoenix Community, she discussed DNA and genetics as they relate to APOE4 risk, how gene-environment interactions shape outcomes, and what her research reveals about neurodegeneration pathways.
What are monthly pods in the Phoenix Community?
Monthly pods group APOE4 carriers who share similar health profiles, including genetics, environment, habits, and goals, so members can swap protocols that are more likely to work for them specifically. The premise is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer in APOE4 prevention, but what works for people similar to you has a much higher chance of working for you too. May pods included the Lipid Lowering League for cholesterol, Resilience Circle for stress, Deep Sleep Guild for sleep, Quant Crew for biohacking, and Agility Alliance for sports.
Can GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide help prevent dementia in APOE4 carriers?
GLP-1 receptor agonists were a hot discussion topic in the Phoenix May update, with members exploring microdosed semaglutide and reviewing emerging evidence linking GLP-1 drugs to dementia prevention. Some members also discussed SGLT2 inhibitors and their potential Alzheimer prevention effects. These drugs were originally developed for diabetes and obesity but are now being studied for metabolic and neuroinflammatory effects on the brain. Phoenix did not make definitive claims but tracks the evolving research so APOE4 carriers can make informed decisions with their physicians.
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