I Refuse to Let You Down

Stanfield spent considerable time explaining why he built this formulation. The COSMOS-Mind trial (2023) demonstrated that a daily multivitamin could improve memory and executive function, which convinced him to consolidate his personal supplements. However, he found commercial multivitamins problematic: they contain high doses of all vitamins, including vitamin A and E, which he believes are unnecessary or potentially undesirable in supplemental form. He prioritized bioactive forms: vitamin K2 (menaquinone) for calcium regulation and cardiovascular benefits; magnesium threonate because it crosses the blood-brain barrier effectively; and vitamin D at a “correct dose” (not exaggerating IU). He also added TMG to support methylation and potentially lower homocysteine. The result is a minimalist, targeted stack packaged as a single product. He acknowledges that launching this supplement was far harder than anticipated, with cash flow and inventory challenges.

To bridge the funding, Stanfield launched a supplement business in 2023 to generate profits. However, the business struggled with inventory and scaling costs, so profits had to be reinvested. Meanwhile, a viewer offered to fund half the trial, and later another offered the rest—but the second donor couldn't deliver when the stock market crashed. Facing a costly pause, Stanfield secured a bank loan by remortgaging his home and borrowing against the business, covering approximately $150K. This allowed recruitment of 40 participants in 2024 and uncompromised execution. The database locked after data auditing, and the manuscript was finished and submitted. Results are pending peer review, with a follow-up study planned as part of his PhD.

He observed that most commercial multivitamins contain high doses of all vitamins, including vitamin A and E, which he wanted to avoid, and lack the specific forms he valued: vitamin K2 (for bone and cardiovascular health), magnesium threonate (for brain penetration), and trimethylglycine (TMG) for methylation support. He also wanted a micro-dose approach that complements a healthy diet rather than providing mega-doses. The COSMOS-Mind findings gave him the confidence that a well-formulated multivitamin could have meaningful cognitive benefits. So he created his own brand, intending to funnel profits into the rapamycin trial. However, he admits he massively underestimated the difficulty of scaling a supplement business—accounting, inventory, and demand management meant profits were reinvested to avoid stockouts.

With the trial's wheels in motion—ethics approval obtained, recruitment about to start—pausing would be costly and could stall the project indefinitely. Stanfield approached the bank, highlighting positive revenue trends of his supplement business and the equity in his family home. He had a long discussion with his wife, and together they decided to remortgage and take on the financial risk. This loan, around $150K, plugged the gap and allowed recruitment of 40 participants in 2024. The decision was made possible by the business hitting projections and his wife's support, underscoring the personal sacrifice behind the science.