Klotho (α-Klotho)

Longevity Research only Animal studies

Also called alphaKlothoLR, Anti-aging protein

A large protein named after the Greek fate who spins the thread of life. Mice that cannot make it age rapidly and die early; mice that overproduce it live substantially longer. In people, higher natural levels track with better kidney function and sharper cognition into old age.

Evidence at a glance

Evidence: Animal studies — Not yet studied in people
Status: Research compound only
Dosing: No human study has set a dose

The human evidence is observational — people with more klotho do better, which is not the same as showing that giving klotho helps. It is a large protein, so delivery is a genuine unsolved problem.

What studies report

Overexpression extended lifespan roughly 20–30% in mice
Injected klotho improved cognition in old mice and in a small monkey study
Higher circulating levels associated with better cognition and kidney function in people

How it works

Acts as a co-receptor for FGF23 in the kidney, controlling phosphate handling, and separately suppresses insulin and IGF-1 signalling — a pathway repeatedly linked to lifespan across species.

Binds a receptor on the cell surface and signals inward

Where it acts

Acts body-wide rather than on one organ

The library groups this compound under Longevity. The diagram shows that target, not every tissue it reaches.

Illustrated

Kidney cortical tubules in microscopic cross-section with one glomerulus.

AI-generated subject illustration; not a depiction of the compound or evidence of its effects.

Why people take it

Longevity and healthy agingCognitive protectionKidney function

Reasons people seek it out — not a list of proven effects.

In practice Unapproved use

Barely obtainable; interest is far ahead of any practical access

Reported real-world use, not evidence and not a recommendation.

Status: Research protein. No human trials of administration.

Route: Injection, in research settings only
Molecular weight: ≈133–135 kDa (long-release construct)
Available as: 20 mcg

Search PubMed for Klotho (α-Klotho) → We link a live search rather than a fixed citation list, so it stays current and nothing here is a reference we have not checked.

Educational information only. Nothing here is medical advice, a dosing protocol, or a recommendation to use any compound. Most entries describe substances not approved for human use. Talk to a licensed clinician before acting on anything you read here. How to read these entries.