All I want for Christmas is....
The proliferation of Christmas ads on TV got me thinking about starting my Christmas shopping and what I would like if people ask. My first thoughts are that I don’t need anything and hate the idea of people wasting their money on things I don’t really want. Most of the things I want in life, money can’t buy. Saying that, it is nice to give and receive gifts. I actually enjoy trying to find things that my friends and family would really like or appreciate. Anyway, when I sat down and thought about what I would like, to most, my list would seem very bizarre. To me, totally normal.
For the last seven years or so I have been experimenting with DIY biology or ‘biohacking’ as it’s otherwise known. Basically it is a systems based approach to optimising your body with regards to how it feels, looks, performs, ages etc. It is based on the concept that what we put into our bodies has a huge impact on what it gives back. If we want better ‘outputs’ from our body (like reduce diseases, better memory, improved focus and better athletic performance) then we need to improve our ‘inputs’.
Basically what it involves is to try different methods which include those involved with sleep, brain function, nutrition, supplements, productivity, fitness and recovery in the hope that some, if not all of them can potentially improve our biology and therefore lead to a positive change.
Results need to be tracked and quantified whether it be physical, behavioural, biological, lifestyle or environmental data so we can then use this data to experiment with further self improvement.
I’m sure many of you have tracked a certain aspect of your life. Anyone tracked weight, kept a food diary, training diary, used a FitBit to track steps, monitored blood pressure, heart rate? What did you do with that data? Technology has improved so much to the extent we are in a much stronger position to be able to track and measure so many aspects of our lives, giving us a more complete understanding of how we work and what makes us feel good.
Biohacking might sound like some crazy idea dreamt up by people obsessed with superhero characters, but it’s not. It is a legitimate phenomenon which has conferences taking place all over the world. They have been described as the ‘health focused amusement park of the future’ seeing exhibits such as nutrient injection stations, an oxygen bar, a bulletproof coffee bar, vibration plates and gene testing analysis. Many of the speakers who deliver at such events are psychologists, dieticians and neurological doctors.
It all sounds very complicated but there are some very simple biohacks that everyone can do to improve their body systems helping us to live a more fulfilling, happier, longer life. I have already implemented into my lifestyle many of these ‘hacks’ and find they are working really well for me but there are so many others I want to try and quantify.
The first part of this blog was just to explain the reason for my ‘bizarre’ to some but ‘normal’ to me Christmas list…..and the second to give you a little bit of an insight into what’s out there with regards to the world of biohacking should you wish to improve any of these aspects of your life.
So, here it is, the things I would like to add to my collection of biohacking tools…most of them I have already ordered as presents for myself….I have a Christmas time birthday too so I’m spoiling myself.
Sleep biohacks
BULLETPROOF SLEEP MAT
‘The Bulletproof Sleep Induction Mat is a tool that helps you fall asleep faster, feel more refreshed, and improve overall energy levels. It's about the size of a pillowcase and can be rolled up for storage or travel.
A few minutes of lying on the mat stimulates acupressure points up and down your back to ease your body into a deep relaxation response. This acupressure stimulation quickly increases blood circulation, which then causes your body to release endorphins and beneficial hormones in response. Several important acupuncture sites are located on the back. The sites along the spine and shoulders boost relaxation and increase deep restfulness which in turn gives you more energy upon waking. You will first feel a flood of warmth to the back area, followed by a dramatic release of muscle tension as any aches and pains start to melt away. The concept for the Bulletproof Sleep Induction Mat originates from techniques in acupuncture developed in Russia, China, India, and the Middle East.’
LUMIE LIGHT ALARM CLOCK
‘The refreshing way to wake up. It's effective for healthy sleep, sports training, energy at work, and a useful complement to a lightbox in treating SAD.
The Bodyclock twilight and dawn simulator wakes you up in a natural way with a 30-minute sunrise simulation. In the evening, a 30-minute sunset will help you to relax and fall asleep more easily. You can dim the light and use the wake-up light also as a bedside lamp. In addition, the Lumie light alarm also offers a sunrays effect, a snooze function and a wake up alarm sound (if desired).
A wake-up light promotes healthy sleep and has also an effect on the performance of the day. If you would like to improve your athletic training or performance at work, healthy sleep and waking up as naturally as possible is the best approach to this goal.
It wakes you up with natural light that gradually becomes brighter. Your body receives in a gentle and natural way the signal to reduce or enhance the production of hormones such as melatonin (for the sleep) or cortisol (for waking up). Light alarms promote the sleep rhythm, increase energy and performance and provide you with a good mood during daytime.’
Nutritional biohacks
CHOCOLATE COLLAGEN BULLETPROOF BAR
Benefits:
• Bulletproof® Diet and Lifestyle Approved
• Made with pasture-raised Upgraded Collagen Protein
• Upgraded Collagen Protein supports health of body tissues such as skin, joints, and muscles
• 11 grams of protein per bar
• XCT and Brain Octane support low-carb dietary lifestyle and energy
Ingredients
Organic cashew butter, Bulletproof® Upgraded Collagen Protein, chicory root fiber, Bulletproof® XCT™ Oil Powder, (Caprylic and Capric Acid Triglycerides sourced from coconut oil) organic cashews, organic Bulletproof® Upgraded Chocolate Powder (raw cacao powder), Bulletproof® Brain Octane (Caprylic Acid Triglycerides sourced from coconut oil), organic coconut oil, sea salt, stevia.
CHOCOLATE FUEL BARS MIX PACK
Benefits:
• Upgraded decadent flavour
• Now 78% dark chocolate, for a more pure and rich experience
• Made with Bulletproof tested and approved ingredients for optimal human performance
• Enriched with Bulletproof XCT™ Oil, a delicious source of quality fats
Description:
• 1 variety pack contains: 1 Himalayan Sea Salt, 1 Upgraded Coffee, and 1 Original Chocolate Fuel Bars
Bulletproof® Chocolate Fuel Bars are made using our highest quality ingredients.
Organic, raw Upgraded Chocolate Powder and Cacao Butter is sourced from premium cacao beans that are carefully processed and stored to minimise contamination from performance-robbing heavy metals and fungal toxins.
Bulletproof VanillaMax™, made from 100% lab-tested, low heated Madagascar vanilla beans, creates a true desert-like experience for your taste buds, and transforms boring low-carbohydrate snacks into something that is rich and flavourful.
Added Bulletproof XCT™ Oil is an energy-rich source of MCT's that increase performance by giving your body quick, sustained energy throughout your day.
Upgraded Coffee Chocolate Fuel Bars are made using Upgraded Coffee Beans. They are meticulously grown at high altitude on single estates in Guatemala, hand-harvested, carefully processed, handled and roasted to maintain maximum integrity and flavour. The final roast then undergoes proprietary lab testing to verify that our coffee meets the Bulletproof quality and purity standards, and tastes decadent when dusted on Chocolate Fuel Bars.’
Productivity/Brain biohacks
KIMERA KOFFEE
Kimera Koffee is packed with premium-grade Nootropics, proven to help you increase focus, power output and cognition. Nootropics are powerful cognitive enhancers that improve some aspect of mental function. The Nootropics in Kimera Koffee are all-natural amino acids typically found in protein-rich foods but not always easy enough to get from diet alone.
Natural choline compound found in the brain and can be found in soy, meats and fish. Improves memory, enhances mental focus and increases power
An organic acid commonly found in eggs that delays cognitive decline due to ageing, fights oxidative stress, reduces fatigue, and helps boost fat metabolisation.
Tea extract that balances daily anxiety, improves sleep patterns and helps prevent cholesterol-related damage.
Choline molecule found in fish that boosts mental performance, increases energy, improves oxygen efficiency and promotes red blood cell function.
BULLETPROOF COFFEE
‘Jump-start your day by blending Upgraded Coffee with Bulletproof® Brain Octane and grass-fed, unsalted butter to energise your mind and body for hours. Supports regenerative antioxidant processes, you will feel the Bulletproof difference with your first cup.
Our coffee is carefully produced and lab tested using the Bulletproof Process™ to minimise toxins, so you can enjoy a pure cup of coffee worry-free.
Upgraded beans are harvested in Central America from passive organic estates without chemicals (herbicides, pesticides, etc.). Each bean is hand-picked by experienced coffee harvesters – skilled people who only pick perfectly ripe berries.
How to put butter in your coffee, the Bulletproof way.
Make Bulletproof Coffee right and you’ll feel the difference with your first cup.
Step 1: Brew
Choose your favourite brewing method and use 2 1⁄2 Tablespoons (37ml) freshly ground beans for every 8 ounces of water. (Dave recommends French Press)
Step 2: Bulletproof
Add 1 Tbsp of grass-fed, unsalted butter.
If you’re new to Bulletproof Coffee, add 1 tsp (5 ml) Bulletproof Brain Octane oil to your coffee, gradually increasing each day up to 1 Tbsp. Blend for 20–30 seconds until it’s creamy and frothy.
Drink. Energise. Perform.’
Fitness/Recovery biohacks
ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATOR
Advanced Electrical Muscle Stimulation unit that helps you to train and get results with minimum effort in less time: 20 minutes, twice a week.
For your EMS training you need an ergonomically designed suit, easy to use and maintain, and with just one cable attached easy to handle.
Set different profiles
Record results
Get statistics
Calendar of the training program
Video training for self-training guided by a professional demo
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES:
1 XBODY suit
1 electrode pack
1 EMS suit cable pack
1 power cable
3 training kits
1 custom XBODY rack
1 custom XBODY water measuring bottle
BENEFITS:
Fat deposit reduction
Cellulite reduction
Anti-ageing effect
Speeds up metabolism
Muscle toning
Improvement and recovery for athletes
Muscle injuries rehabilitation
Reduction of fluid retention
BOOKS
Tracking and analysis
FITNESS GENES ANALYSIS
‘Another aspect to developing increased self-knowledge is understanding biologically what makes you, you! We may all share similar characteristics, but we aren't identical. This is due to the genetic variation that exists amongst all of us. This genetic variation leads to some people being more prone to developing certain diseases, responding to certain drugs differently, gaining weight more easily, or being naturally more athletic.
Therefore, self-tracking of physical, behavioural, biological, lifestyle and environmental data plus your genetic data can be a powerful combination and can be used to make improvements in your fitness, health and wellbeing. This is where FitnessGenes comes into play! We use a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental data to quantify and personalise how you should eat and exercise to optimise your health and fitness results.
DEXA SCAN
The DEXA (dual- energy X ray absorptiometry) scan provides one of the most highly accurate measurements of body composition available, measuring fat and lean mass distribution throughout the entire body. In simple terms, it is capable of detailing overall, as well as regional, fat mass, lean mass and bone mass.
A very alternative Christmas list I'm sure you will agree......let me know of any unusual Christmas presents you are hoping for this year.
Wishing Everyone a Happy Healthy Festive season.
Contact me: Lifestyle360@outlook.com