05/01/2024
Hanging Out with
and I and my .life partners just got back from a great Wellness event in Los Angeles, where we got to meet with many experts we’ve been following for years! I’ll share some highlights in my next few posts! First: our heartfelt thanks to the organisers, especially !
One of the folks we enjoyed meeting was Ben Greenfield, who was an all-around great guy! We were chuffed to chat over a couple of meals with him about some of the following. Thanks Ben!
▪️ Mitohormesis
Essentially: sometimes, whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. When exposed to some stressors, our bodies can adapt and become stronger.
For example, reactive oxygen species (ROS) from calorie restriction (diet restriction), exercise, or hypoxia (lack of oxygen) can act as signals to our mitochondria to improve performance and extend our lifespans.
▪️ Not Too Much Exercise!
Ben feels the optimal amount of exercise each week is about 150 minutes, after which the downsides are greater than the benefits! One other suggestion: not to take antioxidants too soon after exercise as it reduces the hormetic response.
▪️ Temperature Stress
Ben recommends cold and hot treatments - he does a half-hour sauna 4-7 times each week, and also cold plunges. He even takes pepper before saunas to improve the sweat response!
▪️ Oxygen Stress
Ben recommends exercising with hypo or hyper-oxygenation (EWOT), as well as hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT) or intermittent hypoxic therapy (IHT).
▪️ Alcohol Stress
I loved how Ben was able to articulate my views on drinking via the framework of mitohormesis - that a little can be beneficial - especially if we drink clean alcohol, hydrate well, and use DHM (dihydromyrecitin).
(While excessive drinking is not good, small amounts seem to be associated with a higher chance of living to 85, and with better mental function. The basis of this could be anti-inflammatory as well as social!)
We highly recommend checking out Ben’s various podcasts!
