Mario (MOLEQLAR): Hello Reiner, I am very pleased to talk with you today about you and your background in the biohacking and longevity field.Can you briefly explain how a leader in Silicon Valley comes to support people on their journey to better health?
Reiner Kraft: Hello Mario, it all started out of self-interest. Due to a lot of stress and an unbalanced lifestyle, my body showed me that this couldn't go on. It was clear that I had to do something. But what? Back then, I started an MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) program that was offered at Yahoo. It was a compact course over 6 weeks, where we met weekly in a group and learned how to calm our minds with breathing exercises and some meditation. I quickly realized that it had a positive effect on my mind.
As a scientist, however, that wasn't good enough for me. I wanted to know what exactly was happening. How can I measure that? At that time, there was no answer to that.My body had become unfit due to various symptoms such as high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and overweight (today I would call this the beginning of metabolic syndrome). After visiting several doctors and cardiologists, I was prescribed a few medications. Here I realized:
“You may be familiar with complex software systems, but your own body is a black box.” If you want to age healthily, you need to know what is going on in your body and how it works. Because no one else will do that for you ! ”I consciously decided to take responsibility for my health back then. That was the turning point!
When I moved to Berlin with my family in 2016, I met integrative medicine practitioners for the first time. They looked at genes, conducted complex measurements, and tried to find the actual causes.That was my world! Since then, I have further educated myself by reading medical studies in the fields of cellular metabolism, Mitochondria, neuroscience, and epigenetics, with the motivation to get my own body and mind back in top shape
.In 2022, I then moved back to my original home in Central Hesse, opened my own epigenetics practice with a biohacking lab. This year (2024), I have decided that my knowledge of functional epigenetics &and longevity is very valuable and I want to share it with others in the form of further education for doctors, therapists, and coaches.
Mario (MOLEQLAR): How was your time in the USA and how did it differ from your time in Germany? Also in terms of opportunities to do something for yourself and your health?
Reiner Kraft: California is usually 7-10 years ahead of Germany in such aspects of health for mind and body
Innovation is my strength. Back then, I was an inventor in Silicon Valley with over 120 patents. That was already a record! If I were in California now with my offering of Longevity Programs, it would most likely be much easier to market them. I still have some clients from the USA. They are usually more open-minded there. There is simply more openness to new approaches.This is exactly what Silicon Valley stands for! Here, everything arrives with a delay, but eventually, it will also establish itself here in Germany.
Mario (MOLEQLAR): Do you miss anything from your time in Silicon Valley?
Reiner Kraft: Yes, of course, sometimes I do. Everything has its pros and cons. Here in the countryside of Central Hesse, I have created a high quality of life for myself. My epigenetic age is now almost 10 years younger, and my 100+ biomarkers that I track regularly are developing very well. My gray hair is also gone (it was almost white back then), and I feel fit and healthy.
However, my approach differs significantly from biohackers like Bryan Johnson. I try to achieve similar results with a minimal budget, but also with a flexible (yet scientific) approach. Such a system would be too rigid for me, and therefore it only works for very few.
But yes, I believe the lack of California sun is the biggest disadvantage here. From October onwards, it gets gray. Surely I can somehow compensate for that with tanning beds, infrared, and BioCharger (a technology from the USA), but that's rather suboptimal. Also, the networking in the tech industry with all the cool entrepreneurs close by was an exciting time. I like to support startups or companies in the role of a Tech & Scientific Advisors. This way, I keep in touch and stay updated with the latest technologies. When I built Zalando's Deep Learning / AI Lab, it almost felt like being in Silicon Valley. Berlin also has a very diverse startup scene. I always look forward to a visit to Berlin, especially since my two boys live there and study.
Mario (MOLEQLAR): What fascinates you the most about biohacking?
Reiner Kraft: It is an agile approach.I have been using this for over 20 years. The motto in tech is “Do. Measure. Learn.” - This is exactly how it works with mind and body. The ability to measure something, then do something to change it, and then see if it makes a difference. This is how the tech industry works successfully, and therefore I know that this approach is perfect for personal application.
Biohacking is also an art of shaping one's own body and mind. Just as you like. There is no right or wrong here, but creativity is needed. As I said, that is my strength.
Mario (MOLEQLAR): You have your own practice for epigenetics and are, among other things, an epigenetics coach and human potential coach.What do you offer in your practice and what is your philosophy behind it? And for which people is your offer suitable?
Reiner Kraft: I have set up my own biohacking lab here with everything you need to optimize the body and mind. For example, the IHHT altitude training, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber (HBOT), ozone, infrared, BioCharger, nanoVI, Airnergy, but also neurofeedback and much more. With this, I have created a very effective portfolio of methods for truly integrative therapy.
In addition, I use modern instant diagnostics, such as laser spectrophotometry. Here, you can quickly measure the condition of the body in relation to minerals, but also heavy metal exposure.The combination of complex (micro) nutrients, when one knows how to use them therapeutically and the knowledge of genetics, as well as the current state of the body through functional lab values, brings successful results.
I offer a coaching program for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and executives, for example. I know this target group very well, as I have been in the same boat for decades.I have clients in Europe and the USA.
In the meantime, I also offer a “Stay Younger” longevity program. Women in menopause often use it, but also others with health challenges. We systematically go through all phases: epigenetic anamnesis, DNA analysis, immediate diagnostics, and based on that, an optimized nutrient protocol with tips for lifestyle optimizations based on genetics.Many are amazed at what is possible in a relatively short period of time.
In terms of further education, I offer training to become a Longevity Coach. Here, I share my knowledge and provide participants with a system over 3 months that can create an optimized longevity protocol for themselves and others through modern instant diagnostics and (micro) nutrients. I focus on a solid foundational therapy for the body. The basics must be established before tackling advanced topics. Unfortunately, too many make this mistake.
My highlight is probably the training in functional epigenetics. Especially for doctors, therapists, and coaches. This brings all these areas together and provides a system based on the most important health competencies that I have developed over the years and that helps with implementation. A competency can be imagined as a defined area with its own metrics, but also interventions.In 4-5 months, participants will learn how to create a sustainable therapy through applied epigenetics and functional laboratory values. The implementation will then take place through a complex (individualized) nutrient therapy in combination with biohacking technologies. This is an innovative and unique approach.
Mario (MOLEQLAR): What prompted you to focus on epigenetics and what tools or supplements do you work with?
Reiner Kraft: If you think about it: If I don't know the genes, the DNA, the blueprint of a body, how can I create a sustainable therapy? It doesn't work! It is very important that people understand this.Without the blueprint, not much happens! It would be the same as if I wanted to repair a car but didn't know how the engine is built.If, for example, I know that there are gene variants or even defects in my Vitamin D metabolism, then I can approach it therapeutically in a different way. Epigenetics is the key to this, as I can now specifically rewrite the software of the genes . However, the so-called DNA methylation must function well.I work with everything that makes sense. Primarily, I use complex nutrients in therapeutic dosages. In doing so, I repair one system after another. Then I optimize it as needed. So it's not about healing as a goal, but about the repair of individual systems. Once these come back online, the body can better return to self-regulation. Healing happens, so to speak, as a "side effect."
Mario (MOLEQLAR): How did you come across MOLEQLAR and what made the difference for you?
Reiner Kraft: It was a coincidence back then. I was looking for a chemical that I had learned about from the American longevity scientist David Sinclair and came across MOLEQLAR. I was probably one of the first to order back then, and since then I have become a partner at MOLEQLAR and am happy to see the product line continue to develop.
Above all, I appreciate the good quality of these nutrients, but also the composition of the range and think that MOLEQLAR is very well positioned in the area of longevity.
Mario (MOLEQLAR): One more personal question.What does the term Longevity mean to you and what measures do you implement in your own life?
Reiner Kraft: For me, Longevity means growing old healthily. That is my goal and I implement it daily in my life. My lifestyle is indeed an optimized Longevity lifestyle, where I live my own approach to functional epigenetics every day.
This means I know my most important genes and their variations, have a plan for how to support them, track over 100 biomarkers, use wearable tech (like the Oura Ring), and have an optimized nutrient protocol with more than 50 complex products per day.
In doing so, I pay attention to my diet, exercise regularly, use IHHT altitude training, and also regularly lie in my hyperbaric oxygen chamber.But I also support my mind with meditations, neurofeedback, and I have even developed a system with key figures to see what is changing.
Important: Without a healthy mind, not much can be achieved on a physical level. Many overlook this. People resort to supplements, but the underlying thought carousel is not addressed. It's like pouring water on a fire to extinguish it, but the wind is stronger and spreads the fire faster than it can be put out.
In all these areas, I conduct regular progress checks and continue to adjust my protocol. Also, through new knowledge that I continuously acquire, my longevity protocol is further optimized.
The results are impressive: The biomarkers, my epigenetic age, and how I feel are in harmony with what I want to achieve.
In doing so, I have created a very flexible lifestyle. There are no real restrictions. If I should have a good glass of wine, my body can detoxify it quickly again. My sleep scores are usually always above 90 (out of 100).
For me, the focus is on balance. My body and also the immune system have become very resilient over the years (Oura says "Excellent").
All in all, it took me 10-15 years to get there. But that was my path. Now I am happy when I can help others take this path in a shorter time. I also call this transformation "The New U" - that's what I named my blog (and Instagram @thenewu.de), where I regularly share new posts on these topics.
Mario (MOLEQLAR): What would be a few tips from your personal biohacking toolbox that you would share with our readers?
Reiner Kraft: The reality is that you can achieve a lot of positive results with simple means. I recommend that people do not start with advanced topics right away, but rather first establish a healthy foundation. This starts with a protocol of healthy oils, fats, phospholipids, nucleotides, and amino acids. This may not sound particularly sexy, but it is what we need at the cellular level and what we generally have far too little of. Therefore, it is worth establishing these fundamentals first.
Another tip would be to take a look at my Magnesium protocol, because this mineral is involved in hundreds of metabolic processes in the body and almost all the ones I measure through instant diagnostics have suboptimal magnesium levels or even a severe magnesium deficiency. Improving or even optimizing this value is not easy. Getting magnesium into the cells, where it belongs, is a challenge.
But much more importantly: Be aware that aging healthily, longevity, is a daily challenge.
Bryan Johnson says “Don’t die!” - I say it a bit more positively with “Stay Younger”.Therefore, I encourage everyone: Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way, be open to new things, and find out what your own manual is! It takes time and patience, but it's worth it!
Here is the website: https://www.epigenetikpraxis.de/
