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Avoid These Powerful But ‘Risky’ Biohacks To Live Longer – Do This Instead!
In the pursuit of extending human lifespan and enhancing vitality, biohacking has emerged as a promising avenue. Biohacking encompasses a wide array of practices, ranging from lifestyle modifications to cutting-edge technological interventions aimed at optimizing health and longevity. However, within this landscape of experimentation and innovation, there exist certain biohacks that carry inherent risks to individuals' health and well-being. In this report, I dive into three of the top biohacks for longevity and their potential perils. Then, you’ll learn exactly how to take advantage of each concept and turn it into a low risk high return longevity practice.
Biohack #1.
Extreme Caloric Restriction
Caloric restriction, the practice of significantly reducing caloric intake while maintaining proper nutrition, has garnered attention for its potential to extend lifespan and improve metabolic health. Studies in various organisms, from yeast to mammals, have demonstrated that caloric restriction can absolutely increase lifespan and delay the onset of age-related diseases (Mattison et al., 2017).
However, the degree of caloric restriction required to mimic these benefits can be extreme and may lead to malnutrition, nutrient deficiencies, and other adverse effects.
Extreme caloric restriction, particularly when undertaken without proper supervision or guidance, can pose serious risks to your health. Severe calorie restriction may result in muscle wasting, decreased bone density, hormonal imbalances, and impaired immune function. Moreover, the psychological toll of chronic hunger and food deprivation can lead to disordered eating patterns and negatively impact mental well-being.
The safer and potentially even more powerful approach – Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting emphasizes when to eat. One method simply extends the period between your last evening meal and your first meal the next day. Common protocols include daily fasting of 12 to 16 hours after your evening meal thereby shortening your “eating window” during the day anywhere from 12 down to 8 hours. Another variation is 24 or 48 hour fasts less often with normal eating patterns in between plus many other variations.
Intermittent fasting typically lowers calorie intake over a weekly basis but even without reduced caloric intake, windows of fasting of at least 12 hours have many health benefits.
Here are some of those benefits supported by scientific research:
Weight Loss and Fat Loss: Periodic fasting can lead to weight loss by creating a calorie deficit and promoting fat burning. During fasting periods, the body depletes its glycogen stores and switches to burning stored fat for energy. Studies have shown that intermittent fasting can be as effective as continuous calorie restriction for weight loss (Harris et al., 2018). Additionally, intermittent fasting may help preserve lean muscle mass better than continuous calorie restriction, which is important for maintaining metabolic health during weight loss.
Improved Metabolic Health: Periodic fasting has been shown to improve various markers of metabolic health, including insulin sensitivity, blood sugar control, and cholesterol levels. Fasting triggers cellular and molecular changes that enhance metabolic efficiency and reduce inflammation. Research suggests that intermittent fasting can lower fasting insulin levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (Patterson & Sears, 2017). Moreover, intermittent fasting may lower triglyceride levels and increase levels of "good" HDL cholesterol, which are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
Enhanced Brain Function: Periodic fasting has been linked to cognitive benefits, including improved focus, mental clarity, and brain health. Fasting stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the growth and maintenance of neurons. Higher levels of BDNF are associated with improved learning, memory, and mood (Mattson et al., 2018). Intermittent fasting may also reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, by promoting cellular repair mechanisms and reducing oxidative stress in the brain.
Longevity and Cellular Health: Emerging research suggests that periodic fasting may promote longevity and delay aging by activating cellular repair pathways and increasing resistance to stress. Fasting triggers autophagy, a process in which cells remove damaged components and recycle cellular waste. Autophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular health and preventing age-related decline (Longo & Mattson, 2014). Animal studies have shown that intermittent fasting can extend lifespan and improve overall healthspan by enhancing cellular resilience and reducing the risk of age-related diseases.
Cardiovascular Health: Intermittent fasting may benefit cardiovascular health by reducing risk factors associated with heart disease, such as high blood pressure, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Fasting has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve endothelial function, and reduce levels of inflammatory markers (de Cabo et al., 2019). These effects may help protect against atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries, and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Periodic fasting offers a range of potential health benefits, including weight loss, improved metabolic health, enhanced brain function, longevity, and cardiovascular protection. However, it's essential to note that intermittent fasting may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions or dietary restrictions. Before starting any fasting regimen, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure that it's safe and appropriate for your individual needs.
Biohack #2.
Experimental Hormone Therapies And Even TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy)
Hormone therapies, including the administration of growth hormone (GH) and other hormones implicated in aging, have been proposed as potential interventions to counteract age-related decline and extend lifespan. Proponents of hormone therapies argue that restoring youthful hormone levels can improve muscle mass, cognitive function, and overall vitality in older individuals. However, the safety and efficacy of such interventions, particularly when used outside of clinical settings, remain uncertain.
Experimental hormone therapies carry significant risks, including hormonal imbalances, metabolic disturbances, and increased susceptibility to certain diseases. For instance, exogenous administration of GH has been associated with adverse effects such as insulin resistance, cardiovascular complications, and acromegaly - enlargement of the face, hands, and feet. (Renehan et al., 2016). Also, long-term hormone replacement therapy may disrupt the body's natural feedback mechanisms and lead to dependency on exogenous hormones.
Despite these risks, some individuals may perceive the potential benefits of hormone therapies as worth the risk, especially if they are motivated by a desire to delay aging and maintain vitality in later life. However, the decision to pursue experimental hormone therapies should be informed by thorough medical evaluation, including consideration of individual health status, hormone levels, and potential contraindications.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a medical treatment used to address low testosterone levels in men, a condition known as hypogonadism. While TRT can have various benefits, it also carries potential side effects and risks. It's important to be aware of these potential side effects and to discuss them with your healthcare provider before you start TRT. Here are some common side effects associated with TRT:
Acne: TRT can increase oil production in the skin, leading to acne breakouts, particularly on the face, chest, and back.
Fluid Retention: Some individuals may experience fluid retention, leading to swelling in the ankles, feet, or hands.
Breast Tenderness or Enlargement (Gynecomastia): TRT can cause imbalances in hormone levels, leading to breast tissue enlargement or tenderness, a condition known as gynecomastia.
Sleep Apnea: TRT can worsen or contribute to sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep.
Testicular Shrinkage: TRT can suppress natural testosterone production in the testes, leading to testicular atrophy (shrinkage). This side effect can be reversible upon discontinuation of TRT.
Increased Risk of Blood Clots: Some studies suggest that TRT may increase the risk of blood clots, particularly deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) which are which are potentially very serious conditions.
Changes in Mood: TRT can affect mood and behavior in some individuals, leading to mood swings, irritability, or increased aggression. However, these effects are not universal and may vary among individuals.
Elevated Red Blood Cell Count (Polycythemia): TRT can stimulate the production of red blood cells, leading to an elevated red blood cell count. This condition, known as polycythemia, can increase the risk of blood clots and cardiovascular events.
Infertility: TRT can suppress natural testosterone production in the testes, leading to a decrease in sperm production and potential infertility. This effect is reversible upon discontinuation of TRT.
Prostate Issues: There is some concern that TRT may exacerbate prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or increase the risk of prostate cancer. Therefore, regular monitoring of prostate health is essential during TRT.
It's important to note that not everyone will experience these side effects, and some individuals may tolerate TRT well with minimal adverse effects. Additionally, many side effects are dose-dependent and may be mitigated by adjusting the dosage or delivery method of TRT. If you’re considering TRT make sure to discuss the potential risks and benefits with your healthcare provider and undergo regular monitoring to ensure optimal safety and efficacy.
Once you start exogenous hormone therapies there is often no turning back. Taking exogenous hormones usually inhibits your body’s natural production of these hormones requiring injections, creams, pills etc. they may be required for the rest of your life.
The safer and potentially more powerful approach -
Natural Hormone Optimization
Before you go down the road of exogenous hormone therapies such as TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), GH etc. I believe a more natural approach should be considered first.
Although I believe there is a time and place for hormone therapies especially as we age, why not first optimize your health through diet, sleep, exercise, testing and addressing nutritional imbalances and hormone dysregulation naturally along with detoxifying strategies?
Natural hormone optimization is a much more all encompassing approach.
Suppose you had a concern that your testosterone was low. Testing only your testosterone level is only one small piece of the all important puzzle. Why?
Because most likely there is an underlining reason why your testosterone is low. Your low testosterone may very well be an indicator of a deeper issue that needs to be addressed.
At the very least please don’t start testosterone based only on your testosterone level.
I would start with an at-home Stress, Mood and Metabolism test (sample report below). Not only does it give us a testosterone level, it gives us other key hormone levels which gives tremendous insight as to why your testosterone might be low (among other things) helping us to find and address the root cause.
This approach has no downside and will most likely regulate your hormones to optimal levels and have you feeling amazing at any age.
Biohack #3.
Genetic Modification
Advancements in genetic engineering, particularly the development of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, have opened up new possibilities for modifying the human genome to enhance longevity and resilience to age-related diseases. Genetic modifications targeting specific genes associated with aging, such as those involved in DNA repair, cellular senescence, and immune function, hold the potential to rejuvenate tissues and prolong lifespan.
However, the prospect of genetic modification for longevity raises ethical and safety concerns. Manipulating the human genome carries inherent risks, including unintended mutations, off-target effects, and unpredictable consequences for individual health and future generations. Also, the long-term effects of genetic modifications on human health and evolutionary trajectories are not fully understood, necessitating caution and careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits.
While genetic modification through technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 holds great promise for addressing age-related decline and extending lifespan, I don’t believe we are at the stage where the potential rewards outweigh the risks.
I have no problem with biohackers that are using CRISPR technology for DIY gene editing if that’s what they want to do. For me, we already know how to influence our genes with outstanding upside potential with virtually zero risk… see below.
The safer and potentially more powerful approach -
How To Be The Symphony Conductor Of Your Personal Genetic Orchestra – The Power Of Epigenetics
Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype that do not involve alterations in the underlying DNA sequence. While DNA provides the instructions for building and maintaining an organism, epigenetic modifications control how those instructions are interpreted and implemented. These modifications can influence gene activity, turning genes on or off, without changing the DNA sequence itself.
In basic terms epigenetic influences like our diet, sleep, exercise, our thoughts, stressors, pollution, fresh air and sunshine, how much we love our pet dog, basically our entire life experience has profound effects on the expression of our genes.
In fact, what’s known as The Danish Twin Study suggests that more than 90 percent of our longevity is determined by the lifestyle choices we make (epigenetics) and not the genes we happened to inherit from our parents.
This means that although you may have a genetic predisposition for diabetes or obesity or most any other chronic disease of today, your environment and lifestyle choices have more than 9 times the influence of whether or not you develop any of those conditions than your genetic make-up.
Not only do these lifestyle choices “turn off” the genes responsible for disease but they also “turn on” the genes responsible for vibrant health and longevity.
Yes, your daily choices and habits have tremendous power over whether you suffer a long, slow and painful death or thrive with abundant health and energy until the very end.
Conclusion
We live in amazing times and the advances in health and longevity technologies are extremely exciting. My job is to stay on top of the most powerful, efficient and safe, science based protocols and tools for you to live the longest life possible in amazing health.
Want to try the most powerful and safe “biohack” I know of that’ll have you feeling amazing in only one, two or three weeks? Click HERE.
Or ask a question HERE.
Or set up a free consultation HERE.
Talk soon,
Gregg Kellogg (a.k.a. 5G)
References:
Fontana, L., & Partridge, L. (2015). Promoting health and longevity through diet: from model organisms to humans. Cell, 161(1), 106-118.
Mattison, J. A., Colman, R. J., Beasley, T. M., Allison, D. B., Kemnitz, J. W., Roth, G. S., ... & Anderson, R. M. (2017). Caloric restriction improves health and survival of rhesus monkeys. Nature Communications, 8(1), 1-10.
Renehan, A. G., Zwahlen, M., & Minder, C. (2016). Oestrogen and hormone replacement therapy for prevention of reoccurrence in hormone-sensitive cancer. The Lancet, 388(10061), 472-493.
Harris, L., Hamilton, S., Azevedo, L. B., Olajide, J., De Brún, C., Waller, G., ... & Ells, L. (2018). Intermittent fasting interventions for treatment of overweight and obesity in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 16(2), 507-547.
Patterson, R. E., & Sears, D. D. (2017). Metabolic effects of intermittent fasting. Annual Review of Nutrition, 37, 371-393.
Mattson, M. P., Longo, V. D., & Harvie, M. (2018). Impact of intermittent fasting on health and disease processes. Ageing Research Reviews, 39, 46-58.
Longo, V. D., & Mattson, M. P. (2014). Fasting: molecular mechanisms and clinical applications. Cell Metabolism, 19(2), 181-192.
de Cabo, R., Mattson, M. P., & Effects, C. (2019). Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(26), 2541-2551.
Herskind, AM et al. The heritability of human longevity: a population-based study of 2872 Danish twin pairs born 1870-1900. Hum Genet. 1996 Mar;97(3):319-23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8786073.