Q&A 416: How To Reverse Gray Hair (& Other Beauty Biohacks), The Adrenal Fatigue Myth, The Shocking Beer Exercise Results & Much More!

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Biohacking, Body, Diet & Nutrition, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Podcast, Podcast-new, Recovery

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News Flashes – Follow Ben on Twitter for more…5:00

  • Those who want to lose weight but don’t want to give up their beer will find this quite compelling: alcohol (especially beer) seems to be OK if you’re doing HIIT…5:40
    • Positive effects of HIIT were not negatively influenced by the daily intake of beer over a 10-week period with no other dietary modifications.
  • Alcohol consumption following a workout doesn’t seem to affect the majority of the biological and physical benefits, but cortisol increased, and testosterone and muscle protein synthesis decreased. So, long term muscular adaptations could be impaired if alcohol consumption during recovery is consistent. (Alcohol is a well-known HGH acting at the GHRH level inhibitor/suppressor, and it also leads to IGF-1 decrease. Surprisingly, this is not mentioned in the study.)…9:05
    • No change in force, power, muscular endurance, soreness, rating of perceived exertion.
    • No change in resting heart rate, lactic acid.
  • Chalk another one up to the life-extending benefits of low-to-moderate alcohol consumption, at least in tiny cocktail swigging rodents…13:00
    • Low-dose alcohol intake (equivalent to 1 drink a day in a human) results in:
      • A significant increase in lifespan.
      • Better insulin sensitivity.
      • Better expression of AMPK, which is involved in mitochondrial genesis.
      • Across the board better overall physiological parameters for most of the things we would consider to be related to anti-aging, better health, or better response to exercise.
  • Israeli firm says medical marijuana is best taken in ‘micro-doses’  (500mcg!); pain management with no high…20:45
  • An interesting idea: Use your old coffee grounds by drying them, mixing into foods, and then burn more fat by changing your gut biome?…23:45
    • In a study done on rats, coffee grounds mitigated the damaging effects of high carb/high fat more than what coffee would.
    • Brewing modifies the compounds found in ground coffee into a polymer called melanoidin.
    • Melanoidins in the coffee grounds can sneak through the digestive tract and wind up in the large intestine where they get metabolized by the gut bacteria and fermented into short-chain fatty acids—improving the quality of the gut microbiome.
    • Consuming coffee grounds decreases the ratio of firmicutes to Bacteroides, which are proxies for obesity.

Resources mentioned:

Listen to my two-part interview with Joel Greene:

 


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Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

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Listener Q&A:

How To Reverse Gray Hair…36:34

Zirak from Singapore asks: I was wondering if you've come across a really good biohack for gray hair. How can one actually avoid getting gray hair as you mature, and if you do get it, can you reverse it?

In my response, I recommend:

Why hair turns gray:

  • Hair whitens because of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).
    • In young people, H₂O₂ is easily broken down into O₂ and H₂O.
    • As you age…
      • The breakdown process is less effective, more H₂O₂ builds up in the hair follicle.
      • You get an inhibition of the synthesis of the color pigment melanin which helps to color hair.
    • Increasing H₂O₂ breakdown is one way to delay hair whitening.
  • The enzyme methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSR) normally helps hair follicles repair the damage done by H₂O₂.
    • As you age, levels of MSR tend to decrease.
    • High levels of H₂O₂ with low levels of MSR causes more gray hair production.
  • What would cause H₂O₂ breakdown to increase or keep it from being broken down?
    • The enzyme catalase plays a role in the graying process of hair because it breaks down H₂O₂ into O₂ and H₂O.
      • Catalase levels increase, H₂O₂ decreases, hair graying process is stimulated.
    • Another enzyme, glutathione peroxidase converts H₂O₂ into water.
      • Glutathione Peroxidase level increases, effects of H₂O₂ decrease.
    • Homocysteine, related to inflammation, increases levels of H₂O₂.
      • High levels of inflammation ≈ high levels of homocysteine ≈ high levels of H₂O₂.
    • Xanthine oxidase produces H₂O₂ in the body.
      • High levels of Xanthine Oxidase ≈ high H₂O₂ levels.

How to stop hair from graying:

The Adrenal Fatigue Myth…55:30

Janae from Australia asks: Hi Ben, I got the Epstein-Barr virus, aka mono, during week 38 of my pregnancy. It stayed with me and left me bed-bound for 4 months or so. Couple with a newborn baby, it was not an ideal experience. Since then, I've had post-viral fatigue, and just when I start to feel a bit better, I just get sick again and the fatigue comes back. I've been doing things like NAD IV's and hyperbaric oxygen chamber at 1.35 ATA, but the fatigue is really persistent and seems to keep coming back. I'm hoping for some guidance on how to kick this fatigue for good.

In my response, I recommend:

How I Would Nourish My Body After A Viral Infection…1:07:35

Mark asks: I'm a 36-year-old Marine Corps veteran, former college athlete, big fan of yours…and I have COVID-19. I'm beginning to recover from it, but I'm wondering what are some things I should be focusing on as I recover?

In my response, I recommend: 


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23 thoughts on “Q&A 416: How To Reverse Gray Hair (& Other Beauty Biohacks), The Adrenal Fatigue Myth, The Shocking Beer Exercise Results & Much More!

  1. Dorris says:

    Most people I talk to have no clue that fast hair growth scalp therapy shampoos (obviously with no sulfates, no parabens and no DEA) are a thing. People can now have longer hair and attain more possibilities. Certainly worth exploring.

    Whether you’re addressing alopecia, hair damage, preventing hair disorders, fast hair growth, hair and scalp health normally, very similar rules apply.

    In general, you want to stay away from hair treatments and products that use chemicals such as parabens, DEA or sulfates.

    What’s healthy for your hair is good for your skin also.

    Obviously the content here is spot on for multiple reasons. It avoids the accustomed pitfalls and errors too many fall into: purchasing horrible alternatives. Keep up the great content!

  2. D says:

    Hey Ben!

    Really interesting stuff regarding adrenal fatigue. Any recommendations for specific tests for mold, mycotoxins, and biolfilm.

    Thanks for the great info!

  3. Great show, but I cannot find a link here for the source for the best Ashwaganda, goji etc. Could you post please?

  4. Shaun says:

    Hey Ben!

    You guys were talking about possible things you can do with your spent coffee grounds in the podcast. I have a roommate which is quite a green thumb and spent 14 years growing marijuana in California, so he learned a lot of things along the way. He taught me, and we do this in our home garden, that putting spent coffee grounds on top of the soil in the garden, along with being organic matter, makes the worms in the soil more active (maybe with the residual caffeine that washes down into the soil when it rains or the soil is watered?) and makes the soil healthier. I haven’t actually looked into this to verify it, but it makes a lot of sense and he does know a lot of good things that helps plants grow fast and healthy … results of which I have seen with my own eyes.

    Just wanted to share that. Take care!

  5. Brad says:

    “PHYTO RE30 Anti-Grey Hair Treatment supposedly re-pigments hair at its roots (no research)”

    Really, “no research?” What’s the point of referencing a product with no research except for perhaps affiliate marketing kickbacks?

    There are too many false claims made in the supplement industry. Much of it is supported by very weak science. Now we are hyping stuff with no science?

    Mainstream scientists appear to believe that there is little one could do to reverse grey hair caused by aging. If there was a reliable supplement solution that could stand up to repeated university run double blind studies , it might be a billion dollar business.

    L’Oreal and NYU Medical Lab announced in 2011 that they identified a potential treatment for reversing grey hair and a journal article was even published in Cell. To my knowledge, no product was ever released (presumably because they were unsuccessful). If Billion dollar companies and institutions can’t solve the issue, what are the odds that off the shelf supplements that lack rigorous double blind testing will work?

    1. Michael says:

      Because then you would have no need to buy their hair products. Lifetime customer or a one time customer. Do the math 👌

  6. Rebecca Prange says:

    Overflowing with useful info, as always.
    Regarding the grey hair convo, want to mention a product, Hair Print.
    Haven’t tried it yet, I like the way my grey hair is growing in, but am keeping it in mind for the middle blah stage.
    It repigments the hair. Only available for black or brown hair.

  7. Meags says:

    Love the ideas on “adrenal fatigue”. I def have an imbalance, as a mum to a special needs child I wonder if its just being “on” all the time but I also donated a kidney to my hubby and the adrenal gland isnt removed but gets moved…. I want to try Vit C and get my methalyation tested. Questions – where to look for testing, what is it called (I am in Australia) & also, DUTCH tells me my cortisol is high at night and low mid morning – is that when I take the C or doesnt it matter…. Thanks!

  8. Chris says:

    Hi Ben
    Really loved this episode, loaded with stellar info as always.
    My question is about Glutathione, your nebulizer concoction sounds amazing, do you also use the Almsbio, Quicjsilver brands? Or only nebulize it using Glutastat?

    Thanks for any info!

  9. Drea says:

    I use my espresso pucks as an exfoliator. Smooths and firms my skin :) makes a mess in the shower though.

  10. Ron Stark says:

    Melanoidins. How would you suggest digesting Melanoidins from coffee grounds Should I bake in sourdough starter to make a crust crumb or mix in my food?

    Enjoy your podcast and your “encyclopedia” Boundless

  11. Steve says:

    Did Ben have a discount code for Kauai Farmacy

  12. Tom says:

    When you suggest applying Kion or Alitura to the “hair” do you mean the scalp/follicles? You’re not suggesting it would actually change a hair that is already gray are you? I was thinking the idea was that it would gradually help the follicle produce a non gray hair.

  13. Jenifer Cardone says:

    Interesting idea on the coffee grounds, never thought of that although I do like to use chaga grounds (after they no longer produce a good brew) in smoothies, protein bites, oatmeal, etc!

  14. Joey says:

    Ben first off thanks for all the information your provide from your various social media post and podcast. I read everything you put out. I am 41 years old, work out all the time and eats pretty healthy. I have been struggling with server neurological problems such as tingling in hands and feeling like I have to continue to move my body around so I can get comfortable. Here lately I feel like I’m slurring my speech or have a lisp. I also feel like I am drunk all the time with no energy. Any suggestions on what I could do to get to feel better. Thanks again.

  15. Jose says:

    Hi Mr. Greenfield,

    Do you know of a clinic or physician who practices in San Diego that has a similar approach as Dr. Matt Cook? You have talked about your visits to San Diego almost every year; thought I might ask.

    Thank you!

  16. Abigail Bates says:

    Which GHK peptide do you recommend?? Which brand or company??

  17. Jeremiah Thompson says:

    I thought coffee grounds containing acrylamide were potentially identified as cancer causing in long term studies. I wanted to try the idea of adding the dried grounds into a smoothie. I’m using your coffee beans or purity so does the brand maybe steer me away from coffee that might contain acrylamide? I’m just grinding and brewing in a common coffee maker so maybe there is a better way to reduce acrylamide? Also if I’m worrying about something that is not some really an issue feel free to say! :)

  18. robert rochowiak says:

    Any update on decaf kion coffee?

  19. Jeremy Berman says:

    hi Ben
    Great podcast. I see that in a lot of your recommendations you use NAD enhancing substances. There has been some research on increasing NAD levels and reducing the effects of COVID symptoms. Most comorbidity patients have low NAD levels and children have particularly high NAD levels, just joining the dots. A Dr friend of mine who has been working with COVID has recommended vitamin B3. He says the results have been astonishing. He has put all his nurses in the COVID wards onto doses of B3 as well as the old age homes in his area. He has not had any of them show symptoms, and this is in an area with high COVID population. It’s not a cure, but a way to reduce the symptoms. He has done research on it, but purely anecdotal as he would have to test over 10000 people. Thought you would find it interesting .

  20. Babs says:

    Thanks again Ben for a GREAT podcast with update real life hacks. I had a question regarding your suggestion fr WHEY protein. I have a genetic inability to digest dairy. Does this mean I can not consume WHEY protein? It is confusing because I get paradoxical answers. Note, this is not lactose intolerance. I had my 23 and Me results evaluated by one of your prior guests. If I can not use WHEY protein, what are options for a plant based protein? Thanks again. Babs

    1. Markus says:

      Hi Babs,

      now being Ben but most have a Problem with the Casein fraction of milk Proteins (aside from the Lactose), So using a good cross-filtered whey Isolate may be good for you. Aside from this I have great results with egg white Protein powder.

  21. Roberta Allen says:

    Thanks

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