Medalma.Clinic

Peptides are having a moment. But the hype is moving faster than the human evidence.

Take BPC-157: the research remains overwhelmingly preclinical, with very limited human data to date.

Promising? Possibly. Proven? That’s a different question.

In longevity medicine, one question is always worth asking: what does the human evidence actually show?

For general educational information.

What happens when a career spent treating people at the point of crisis makes you start asking what could have prevented it?

For our Founder and Medical Director, that question became the thread connecting two decades in emergency medicine and humanitarian work to her practice today: one focused on prevention, hormonal and metabolic health, and longevity.

In this excerpt from a recent podcast conversation with Cindy Schwartz, Dr. Johnson speaks about menopause, longevity, and why quality of life matters as we age.

The conversation was prompted by the release of her new book, which tells much of the story that came before this chapter.

So what connects her humanitarian work and emergency medicine career to her practice at Medalma today?

She connects the dots in our latest blog. Find the full story and the Spotify podcast at the links in our bio.

Should you get genetic testing for longevity? 🧬

Not every genetic variant is actionable and more data doesn’t always mean better care.

From MTHFR to BRCA and pharmacogenomics, the question is: will knowing the result actually change what you do?

That’s where genetic testing becomes useful.

Would you get your DNA tested?

Still lifting light weights for 15–20 reps?

After 35, it may be time to lift heavier.

As women move through midlife, maintaining muscle mass and strength becomes increasingly important. And as estrogen declines through the menopause transition, protecting muscle and bone matters even more.

That’s where progressively heavier resistance training comes in — particularly compound movements like squats, deadlifts, rows and presses.

The goal isn’t to become a powerlifter.

It’s to build the strength that helps protect your muscle, bones and independence as you age.

Your 40s and 50s aren’t the time to back away from strength.

They’re the time to build it.

Karanga → Barafu

We made it to base camp.

And there it is. 🏔️

Tomorrow at 5:30 a.m., we start the final push to the summit.

Next stop: the top of Africa.

New research is adding an important layer to the conversation around menopause, hormone therapy and brain health.

In a study following more than 183,000 postmenopausal women for an average of 13 years, HRT use was associated with a lower risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

What’s especially interesting?

Who appeared to benefit most and when. The associations varied based on factors including timing of HRT, surgical menopause, lifetime estrogen exposure and APOE4 status.

An important caveat: this was an observational study. It shows an association, not that HRT prevents Alzheimer’s — and HRT isn’t right for everyone.

But it adds to an evolving picture: when it comes to hormones and long-term health, timing and individual risk matter.

Study: Squires et al., Alzheimer’s & Dementia (2026).

Barranco → Karanga

The Barranco Wall demanded more than strength.

High steps, uneven volcanic rock, shifting weight, hands and feet working together, it got me thinking about something we don’t talk about enough as we age: balance and agility.

We spend a lot of time thinking about strength and endurance. But staying capable also means being able to react, stabilize, and trust your body when the ground isn’t predictable.

At 13,000 feet, the Barranco Wall was a pretty good reminder.