September 10, 2020
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Resources mentioned:
- Chaga powder (use code BEN10 to save 10%)
- MiCacao
- Book: The Metabolic Approach to Cancer by Nasha Winters
- Book: Awareness by Anthony De Mello
- Oura Ring
- BGF podcast with Dr. Dan Stickler and Ryan Smith on epigenetic testing
- Dr. Peter Attia's interview with Dr. Azra Raza: “Why we're losing the war on cancer”
- Morozko Forge cold tub (use code BENFORGE to save $150)
- Kion Lean
Special Announcements
Join Ben at the Wild Health Brain Optimization Summit in Lexington, KY or Online Sep 26-28 (use code BEN to save 20%)
Ben Greenfield's bestselling book Boundless is still available! Click here to get your hands on a copy.
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Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
This podcast is brought to you by:
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Listener Q&A:
What Are The Best Blood Tests?…29:30
Derek asks: What is the best protocol for testing for a young biohacker who has a limited budget, around $300-700 per year for testing? I'm looking for the best way to optimize my diet and workout.
In my response, I recommend:
- BGF podcasts mentioned:
- Bill Andrews on telomere testing
- Viome (Naveen Jain)
- Onegevity
- Daily test:
- Genetics test: AncestryDNA, 23andme exported to StrateGene
- BGF podcast with Dr. Ben Lynch on genetic testing
- Viome Complete Microbiome and Metabolism Testing and Optimization
- Onegevity Health Gutbio (use code BEN20 to save $20)
- GI Effects Comprehensive Profile 3 Day Stool Panel by Direct Labs
- Comprehensive Blood Panel by Wellness FX
- Longevity Blood Testing Panel For Men by Wellness FX
- Longevity Blood Testing Panel For Women by Wellness FX
- Genova Diagnostics NutrEval (combination blood and urine)
- DUTCH test
How To Fix Brain Fog…42:50
Jacob asks: I've been experimenting with nootropics for quite awhile. I host a podcast of my own, and lately, I've had a few incidents where I jumbled up my words and experienced a bit of brain fog. I avoid eating rancid, corrupted oils and use a variety of nootropics. Just wondering if you have any ideas and advice on why I might be experiencing brain fog and what I can do to overcome it.
In my response, I recommend:
- Nervous system inflammation affects the limbic system in the brain
- Hypothalamus is the control center for mood, appetite, emotions, etc.
- Supplement with melatonin
- Diet:
- Lectins and/or oxalates and gluten are triggers for inflammation
- Book: The Plant Paradox by Steven Gundry
- Book: Grain Brain by David Perlmutter
- Sleep:
- Finger pulse oximeter to test for sleep apnea
- Mouth taping – SomniFix mouth tape
- Wellue O2Ring
- Infections:
- Epstein-Barr
- Candida (identified by NutrEval)
- Parasites or Lyme
- Metals (identified by NutrEval) or electrohypersensitivity
- Leaky gut/dysbiosis
- Kion Colostrum
- Histamine intolerance
- StrateGene analysis
- Neurotransmitter imbalances
- Coldwater therapy
- BGF podcast on the vagus nerve
- Singing, humming
- NAD
- Curcumin
- Vitamin B-Complex
- Magnesium
- CBD oil
- BGF podcast with Dr. John Lieurance
- Rapé
Dry vs. Infrared Sauna…58:00
Morgan asks: I'm on the verge of buying a sauna, and I can't decide between a traditional or infrared sauna. In spite of the many health claims of both types of saunas, I can't find a lot of concrete evidence to support them, especially with infrared. My goal is longevity, and because I'm a 51-year-old skateboarder, I want to recover quickly. So I want to know your thoughts on both types of saunas and which way you think I should go.
In my response, I recommend:
- Clearlight Infrared Sauna
- Embrocation cream
- Skin warming cream (Prototype 8)
- Morozko Forge (use BENFORGE to save $150)
- NuCalm
- HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket (use code BEN to save 15%)
Giveaways & Goodies
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Hi Ben – you mentioned having a fan at the top of your sauna to push the heat down. I’m curious which one you use. Do you have a link.
Thank you, enjoy your content!
Anything like this should do the trick: https://amzn.to/3alwjoo
Thank you!
PS: I’ve been devouring your book Boundless. Thank you for writing it.
Hi Ben,
Great episode! I tried the melatonin to help with my sleep and it has really helped – started with 5mg and am now up to 10mg which has been giving me great sleep. The bottle mentions that it shouldn’t be used for longer than 4 weeks – is this something that I should be worried about taking on a regular basis? If so, any recommendations for helping to make sure that I keep sleeping great, but without the melatonin if I need to go off of it for a little bit?
Thanks!
Hi Ben, as a follow up to the piece on the woman who could smell disease, check out Owlstone Medical. They have devices that perform breath biopsy, very interesting and links to what you were talking about.
(No affiliation whatsoever, I did look at their technology as a potential for monitoring VOCs in waste water during MSc research)
Im trying to get to the vagus nerve hacks but cant seem get it to come up in my podcast app when I search the title? Is it because its older? Im assuming this one https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/podcast/341/
Regarding how quickly you heat up with Dry vs Infrared saunas. I’d say that depends heavily on what sort of infrared sauna you have. I currently have one of these ones that have 4x 250W bulbs and the amount of heat they put out is nuts:
https://gohealthynext.com/discontinued-items/sauna-fix-ultimate-bundle-uk-240v-near-infrared-sauna/
I end up sitting only about a foot or so away from the bulbs so after only 30 sec, I’m already starting to have sweat run down me. After 5 minutes, if I lift my forearms so my elbows are pointing down then I’ll literally have a drop of sweat falling of my elbows every second!
Hi Ben, You spoke about the clearlight red light therapy light that attaches to the sauna door. I am very confused about the difference between that and the Joov light. I am actually on the waiting list for the clearlight one….but have been since May.
Can you offer any advice on your preference if you have one! I know you have both! :)
Thanks,
Jamie
Hey Ben and Jay, what are your thoughts on “detox binders”, like clay and charcoal, when using the sauna? Are these a must? I plan to ask a more in depth podcast question relating to my work environment and suggestions for detox. Thanks!
Where was the info promised on reversing grey hair? I cant find it anywhere??? thx!
That was the previous Q&A, which you can find here: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/podcast/lifestyl…
Do you recommend an alternative to Stratagene? Just wasted $45 following your link, for no export.
Following up to mention I went with SelfDecode. Total cost including accidental purchase of StrataGene pathway diagram and 2015(!) course was about $130 for those looking to get in the $300-$700 price range that’s how much the SelfDecode/StrataGene combo resulted in cost.
Thank you for the info on selfdecoder test
The connection between Parkinson’s and Toxic Mold exposure may explain this phenomenon.
To the guy who wanted info for under $700 … get a library card, free and unlimited knowledge , every book Ben mentions is available there.
To the guy with no brain fog before experimenting with drugs… then has brain fog experimenting with drugs…stop taking the drugs dummy.
Hi Ben, my name is Peri. I love your podcasts and your books.
I wanted to inform you about the epigenetic clock test based on dr Hovarth’s research study. I have taken this test and while I am 31 years old it told that I am 40. I have to say I was surprised as I live very healthy, have cold showers daily, exercise 60 mins per day and do multiple sports. I never drink or smoke and eat only Mediterranean diet and never any junk food. My 23andMe test and raw data used in SNPedia shows no signs of early ageing or any significant SNPs related to diseases.
Basically I look 25 and I feel 20 but the test said that I have heavily methylated islands in my genome. But when I asked them for a solutions they pointed me out to two articles which say that when athletes got their blood sampled for methylation then they found heavily methylated genes which were also related as oncogenes. So it was actually good that they were methylates.
My question to you is how can I take this test seriously that when the methylation shows accelerated ageing or probably not because of some genes being methylated to prevent cancer??
And they agree to it in this article here: https://www.mydnage.com/blogs/1573241903
So how can I trust these results if I am indeed healthy but it tells me I am 40 years old?? Thank you for your time.
Test taken: https://www.mydnage.com
This is the sort of thing I go over in a one-on-one consult. You can get more info here: https://BenGreenfieldCoaching.com
Is “Dry Sauna” the right terminology? Barrel Saunas are typically referred to as “traditional saunas,” “wet saunas,” or “steam saunas.”
The heat is anything but “dry” in my barrel sauna because I throw a lot of water on the rocks. The steam adds way more heat stress to the body because the body absorbs heat much faster in a humid environment. (Humidity intensifies cold stress in the same way Compare walking outside on a cold day vs jumping in ice water or walking around in the cold while being wet.)
I stay in the sauna for 25 minutes. If I did not repeatedly add water to the rocks, I would not be all that hot at 195 degrees after 25 minutes. With the steam, I am hot and sweaty after the first five minutes.
I have seen at least one sauna advertised as having both infrared panels and a traditional heater. Perhaps the infrared panels are steam resistant in that model?
Thanks Ben, you’re one of a kind and amazing. On this podcast you recommended using StrateGene–that a person can export their 23&me genome mapping and get a StrateGene’s analyses. This is no longer the case with StateGene’s new test & analysis.
Thanks for backing up what I found as well. I did export my raw data on FoundMyFitness.com and got a pretty extensive 50 page report that helped quite a bit to understand myself. Only $25 also.
You mentioned flying to Austin for a conference. What precautions and advice do you have for plane travel in these times?
Check out this post where I go over that: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9e6-xXg_if/