CLAUDE.md

This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository.

Repository Overview

This is a brain health research repository focused on cognitive decline prevention. The primary output is index.md, a comprehensive evidence-based protocol for delaying/preventing cognitive decline based on medical literature and expert recommendations from Dr. Peter Attia and Dr. Richard Isaacson.

Repository Structure

• index.md - Main protocol document with interventions organized by estimated impact (exercise, target blood levels, sleep, smoking, alcohol, nutrition, vitamins/supplements)
• _layouts/ - Jekyll layout templates for GitHub Pages
  • default.html - Main layout with GitHub-flavored markdown styling and external link handling
• assets/css/ - Custom stylesheets
  • style.css - Responsive layout styling (centered, max-width 800px)
• _config.yml - Jekyll/GitHub Pages configuration
• CNAME - Custom domain configuration (brainhealth.dev)
• notes/ - Supporting research notes (gitignored)
• transcripts/ - Source transcripts (gitignored)

Content Organization

The protocol is structured hierarchically:

1. Protocol - Interventions ranked by impact with evidence citations
2. Appendix - Detailed implementation guidance (exercise specifics, target level management strategies, sleep improvement strategies, nutrition patterns)

Each section follows this format:

• Recommendations with emoji indicators (💪 for exercise, 🩸 for blood markers, 💤 for sleep, 🔴 for restrictions, 🟢 for beneficial foods, 💊 for supplements)
• “Why” subsections with research evidence
• “How to use” subsections with actionable guidance
• Numbered source citations linking to studies/content

Key Content Principles

When editing or adding to this repository:

1. Evidence-based: All recommendations must be supported by citations from medical experts or peer-reviewed research
2. Actionable: Focus on specific, measurable actions (e.g., “below 95” for fasting glucose, “7.5-8.5 hours” for sleep)
3. Expert-driven: Primary sources are Dr. Peter Attia (physician studying healthspan/lifespan) and Dr. Richard Isaacson (preventative neurologist)
4. Citation format: Inline citations use [number] with full sources listed at end of each section
5. Organized by impact: Protocol sections are ordered by estimated effectiveness, not alphabetically
6. Caveats included: When research is inconclusive or controversial, include “Caveats” subsections

GitHub Pages Hosting

This repository is published to GitHub Pages at https://brainhealth.dev. The site uses:

• Jekyll for static site generation with kramdown markdown processor
• GitHub-flavored markdown CSS for content styling
• Custom responsive layout centered at 800px max-width
• Automatic external link handling (opens in new tabs)

When editing layouts or styles, test changes locally with Jekyll if possible before committing.

Git Workflow

This repository is version-controlled with git. The main branch is main. When making changes, follow standard git practices for commits and pull requests (as noted in the “Changes” section at the end of index.md).