Melatonin Tips For Production and Preservation

Melatonin is a hormone that is well established as a significant antioxidant, as well as an important hormone for healthy and restorative sleep.  It has also been increasingly implicated to have anti-aging and obesity benefits as well as mitochondrial function.  Suffice to say that healthy melatonin function is important to our health at any age, but particularly as we pass 50.  But where does it come from and how can we maximise it?

Production

To produce melatonin you need the raw building blocks.  This is the amino acid tryptophan.  It’s found in things like turkey, milk, nuts, and tuna.  Just eating the food with the tryptophan is not enough necessarily.  The following chart will help to explain.

melatonin production chart
From The Visual Textbook Of Nutritional Medicine by Dr. Igor Tabrizian

You can see down the left side of the chart that you have a list of nutrients.  Things like magnesium, zinc and iron.  You need these nutrients to convert the tryptophan into melatonin.  If they are deficient in your diet, you will have issues in converting the tryptophan to melatonin.

As a result, you will therefore not have enough melatonin for optimal function.  When you look at the literature it’s clear there are a lot of people with magnesium, zinc and iron deficiencies.

Toxic Metals

The next aspect to consider is across the top of the chart.  The toxic metals like mercury, aluminium and, in excess, copper.  What the toxic metals do is “block” the good nutrient from working.  This means that you could have the zinc present in the body in adequate amounts but if you have mercury present it will stop the zinc from functioning.

It gets worse.

Toxic metals have differing strengths of antagonism.  For example one mercury will block up to 1000 zinc.  That’s pretty strong antagonism.  Copper can block up to 6 zinc.  If you have high copper, mercury and aluminium, which is somewhat common, you will not be able to use your zinc.  As a result you will not be able to convert your tryptophan into melatonin and you will then have melatonin deficiency.

The pineal gland gets most of the recognition for producing melatonin.  This is not really accurate.

Red Light Therapy

A lessor known source of melatonin production is from exposure to red light and near infrared light which is known as photobiomodulation.  The paper titled Aging of lymphoid organs: Can photobiomodulation reverse age-associated thymic involution via stimulation of extrapineal melatonin synthesis and bone marrow stem cells? states that “a review of the literature suggests that not only retinal, but also whole body and intranasal irradiation with red light leads to a notable increase in serum melatonin levels in humans.”

Red light and near infrared light increases melatoinin production independent of the pineal gland.

This is important.

Traditionally, before electricity, we  only had candle light and fire after sunset.  We also witnessed every sunset.  The point being we were exposed to much higher levels of red light and this in turn would help to raise or maintain our melatonin level.  Think back to how well you slept on your last camping trip and you will know what I mean.

If you are wondering how to do this at home you can either use red LED lamps to light up your home or you can mimic sunset and fire at the same time with a near infrared sauna which is our personal favourite.

So far, we’ve looked at production.

  • You need to get tryptophan.
  • We need to have the right nutrients to convert it.
  • There can’t be toxic metals blocking the conversion.
  • You need to have adequate red light exposure.

Preservation

Now you need to keep your levels naturally high and not accidentally deplete them.

The main thing to be aware of here is blue light exposure.  This is the sort of light you get from overhead lights, TV’s, laptops, computers, tablets and mobile phones.  The light decimates our melatonin.  This is quite well documented and yet it amazes me that more people don’t pay attention.   Here is one quick example in the literature.  “Melatonin suppressions after 1-h and 2-h exposures to tablets viewed with the blue light were significantly greater than zero.”  Have a google search to confirm for yourself how important this is.

One solution is to turn you devices off.

A bit harsh…..yes, but very successful.

If this isn’t possible then consider using a pair of blue-light blocking glasses.  These filter out the blue light and only allow in the red which then does not interfere with your natural melatonin production.

Another home based thing you can do to help maximise your melatonin levels is to get a hair mineral analysis.  This test will assess your levels of nutrients and toxic metals in the tissues.  If you identify issues then you can address them.  It’s always best to work on root causes of problems and not go chasing our tails around.

Finally you can monitor your sleep.  You can use watch based apps or for best results consider a OURA ring.  If you can assess your deep and REM sleep you can then look for patterns that have interrupted your sleep and look to correct them.  For example, if I don’t wear my red light blocking glasses I notice a decrease in my deep sleep.  Another example is if I eat a meal too late I don’t sleep well.

Melatonin production and preservation is a critical piece to our overall health management.  Even more so as we pass 50.  Hopefully these tips and pointers will help you get a deeper and more refreshing sleep and help you to restore your energy.

Yours in Health,
Dr. Todd Lizon, (Chiropractor)
B.P.H.E., D.C.

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The Full Spectrum Sauna Low Energy Boost

a man with low energy

Eliminate Low Energy With A Simple Bio-Hack

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me? I feel so tired. I’m not even sure I can get out of bed. I just don’t seem to have any energy—not even for my family.”

As we pass 50, low energy and vitality can become a significant issue.  The good news is that there are bio-hacks you can do to increase your energy.  The more energy you have, the better you will heal, feel, and want to do things.

If you are still reading, I don’t need to convince you of the magnitude of the issue.

What can we do?

balance or bunout

First, you need to rule out serious problems. Consult with your doctor.  There can be issues such as thyroid health, or iron levels that may need to be properly assessed and managed.  Once these are ruled out, we can look at ways to hack our energy systems and boost our low energy.

Most low energy problems are the result of impaired energy pathways within the body.  To be blunt, these pathways are usually disturbed from our all too often poor choice of lifestyle and environment.

The good news is they can be easy to fix.  The bad news is we usually can’t or won’t actually fix them!  Change your diet.  Stop smoking and drinking. Get more sleep etc.

If this sounds like you this is where bio-hacks can benefit you.

In our experience the single most impactful bio-hack that can change your life regarding energy production is the use of a near infrared sauna.  This is also known as a full spectrum sauna.

There are two mechanisms at work with full spectrum saunas.

1. Photobiomodulation
2. Heat.

Photobiomodulation (PBM)is also known as red light therapy or LLLT and is the application of red and near infrared light to the body.

INCREASED ATP

When you apply near infrared light (photobiomodulation) to the body the most significant finding is that you increase the production of ATP within the mitochondria.  Mitochondria are in virtually every cell of your body.  An enzyme in your mitochondria absorbs this light and it increases the production of ATP.  The increased production of ATP is where you get your increased energy from. The ATP is equivalent to the battery of the cell.  The more charge you have, the more energy you get, and low energy becomes a thing of the past.

MELATONIN

Photobiomodulation has also been shown to increase melatonin production.  Melatonin is your primary sleep hormone and is essential to a good night sleep.  When you expose yourself to the red light therapy and near infrared light you increase your melatonin.  When you get a good nights sleep you will have more energy to take on the day.  Never underestimate the value of a solid night’s sleep when it comes to low energy.

THYROID

Studies have shown that photobiomodulation can restore normal thyroid function.  The application of the near infrared was able to get approximately 50% of the study group that had Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis OFF of medication completely.  With almost all they were able to dramatically reduce their medication.  Of note, once you stop the therapy the situation can reverse back to where it was. This implies we need this regular exposure to near infrared light to maintain our energy pathways and perhaps we are light deficient in a similar way to how most of us don’t get enough Vitamin D from sunlight.  A near infrared sauna is a fantastic way to get enough daily light and help you move from low energy to a more vital and energetic state.

STRESS

In the research article titled “Recovery from sauna bathing favorably modulates cardiac autonomic nervous system” it is made abundantly clear that the heat from a single sauna session can reduce stress.  They found a significant reduction in stress as measured by one of the gold standards when assessing this, heart rate variability.  Talk about sauna benefits….a single session can reduce stress, scientifically, by about 50%.  Less stress equals more energy.

CARDIOVASCULAR

There are multiple studies that show that both photobiomodulation AND the heat of the sauna tremendously helps the function of the cardiovascular system.  The heat and the photobiomodulation both work independently, and in different ways, but the combination of the two supercharges you to a more robust and healthy cardiovascular system.  When your heart functions better you will have the energy boost you are looking for.

EXERCISE ALTERNATIVE

The sauna can mimic many of the benefits of exercise.  It raises your heart rate, cardiac output, core temperature, sweating etc.  The research paper Sauna use as a lifestyle practice to extend healthspan shows that sauna use can be “an alternative to aerobic exercise for people who are unable to engage in physical activity due to chronic disease or physical limitations.”  I don’t think anyone would disagree that exercise will increase your energy over the long term.

DEPRESSION

In the same paper it states “elevated biomarkers of inflammation are commonly observed in individuals who have depression.”  Sauna use has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and it may be because of the reduction in inflammation.

Interestingly, the use of photobiomodulation has also been significantly been noted to reduce depression as well as many other brain dysfunctions.

Using a near infrared sauna or full spectrum sauna will bring all the sauna benefits together in one place.  The benefits to the brain are significant and when you aren’t depressed you will have more energy and motivation.

LUNG FUNCTION

Finally, we look at lung function. The better your lung function the better your oxygenation and the more energy you will have.  Again, this is a system that benefits from both the heat and the photobiomodulation.

The sauna effects are related to “decreases in oxidative stress and inflammation associated with hyperthermia or via direct effects on lung tissue.”

Photobiomodulation has also been shown to reduce oxidative stress as stated in Photobiomodulation Therapy Decreases Oxidative Stress in the Lung Tissue after Formaldehyde Exposure: Role of Oxidant/Antioxidant Enzymes.  There are also many other studies looking at chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the improvements it can have.

LOW ENERGY SUMMARY

In summary, it is clear from the research that if you are looking to fix your low energy problem both photobiomodulation and heat therapy from a near infrared or full spectrum sauna are a fantastic bio-hack.

A portable near infrared sauna provides both therapies at the same time.

At NIR sauna our units are versatile in that they can be used in almost any space and any place.  If you are looking to increase your energy levels, as well as address many other aspects of your health, we strongly suggest you consider having one of these in your home.

Being over 50 does not mean we need to struggle with low energy.  Address your lifestyle and environment and look to use proven bio-hacks to help you get your youthful vitality back and enjoy all life has to give.

Yours in Health,

Dr Todd Lizon (Chiropractor)
B.P.H.E., D.C.

 

 

Prostate Cancer, Saunas and Sunlight

prostate cancer

Natural Prostate Health

As a male over 50 I need to be concerned, or at least aware, of my prostate function.  When you consider the facts, it really is a no-brainer.  According to the Cancer Council “it is estimated that 18,110 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Australia in 2021. One in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85.”  Let’s look at some novel research and some common sense applications of this knowledge that might help reduce the chances of us developing prostate cancer.

In a 2019 study titled Sun Exposure: Beyond The Risks they state “in the last few years, several connections between solar exposure and prevention and/or treatment of several diseases have been discussed, with studies suggesting that regular solar exposure may be beneficial for conditions such as …… prostate.”

Sunlight Therapy

Initially the benefits were thought to come from the UV light and its corresponding increase in Vitamin D.  This might not be the entire picture.

In a 2016 article titled Regular Sun Exposure Benefits Health they found when looking at diseases like prostate cancer that “it became evident that immunomodulation, the formation of nitric oxide, melatonin, serotonin, and the effect of (sun)light on circadian clocks, are involved as well.  So it’s not all about Vitamin D.

What you might not know is that the regular use of saunas provides you with most of these very processes.

Now let’s look at infrared saunas and it’s influence on these processes. In particular we’ll look at near infrared full spectrum saunas.

using a near infrared sauna

Nitric Oxide

Infrared saunas and regular Finnish saunas are well established to increase circulation of nitric oxide (NO).  In this article, PDE5 inhibitors in the treatment of LUTS(lower urinary tract symptoms),  they state that NO “affect LUTS by decreasing smooth muscle cell proliferation in the prostate, and relaxing smooth muscles in the prostate and in the bladder neck.  It is very likely that NO is playing a large role with our prostate health.  The heat of the sauna may be a very convenient and productive way to ensure this pathway is optimised.

Incomplete Emptying

An interesting finding in  “sauna bathing and lower urinary tract symptoms – the heat is on?” was that the ‘feeling of incomplete emptying’, was less common in frequent sauna bathers. This particular symptom is well known to men with prostate issues.  This is an observation though, and the study goes on to say that sauna bathing does not affect LUTS development.  There are weaknesses in the design of the study though and more studies should be done to look a bit deeper.

Inflammation

All types of sauna will have a significant affect on inflammation in the body.  If you decrease inflammation systemically good things happen. Laukkanen found in 2018 that saunas had a substantial affect by decreasing inflammation when saunas are used regularly.

Let’s shift now to near infrared saunas, and the unique EXTRA sauna benefits they bring to help with prostate health.

Near Infrared Sauna

These will provide all the benefits mentioned so far from far infrared saunas and traditional saunas.  They have the added benefit of a healthy dose of red and near infrared light.  This is called photobiomodulation.  If you don’t know what this is google it along with a health condition you are interested in such as Alzheimer’s, and be prepared to be amazed.

portable near infrared sauna

The impact of the photobiomodulation will help with your prostate health in several ways.

Increased Energy

Photobiomodulation works by increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in your cells.  This is energy your body uses to do things. When you have more energy available to you more healing, repair and other good things can occur in your prostate cells.

NO

It also has a significant impact in raising nitric oxide and the benefits of that have already been explained when it comes to prostate health.  Regular saunas will boost your NO but near infrared saunas will boost it even more.

Melatonin

The use of this red light therapy and near infrared light has been shown to boost melatonin independently of the pineal gland.  Above we established that melatonin was playing a factor in prostate health and here we have a good way to ensure high levels of this important hormone. As an added bonus your sleep will improve.

Here’s an added bonus.  Did you know that melatonin is the precursor to serotonin?  It is, and serotonin was one of the other factors that has been shown to be involved with prostate health.  More things are linked in the human body than we tend to believe and most things don’t exist in isolation.

Circadian Clock

Finally, when you use your near infrared sauna you are getting the red light therapy and near infrared light that you are designed to get from natural sunrise and sunsets.  Our eyes need this light to help set our circadian clocks, and our circadian clocks have been shown to be involved in prostate health as well.  A sauna in the evening or morning can have many far reaching benefits.

Summary

We know that prostate health is complicated and that there is no single therapy for the prevention of prostate cancer or other problems.

However, we do know that regular solar exposure appears to be beneficial for conditions such as prostate health. We also know when looking at prostate cancer that the formation of nitric oxide, melatonin, serotonin, and the effect of sunlight on circadian clocks, are involved as well.  All of these things are provided by sunlight in one form or the other. And by near infrared saunas.

We also aren’t saying if you use  your near infrared sauna regularly that you won’t develop prostate cancer.

You’ll want to address toxins, diet and ensure you do have optimal Vitamin D levels from sunlight or a high quality Vitamin D supplement.  And it goes without saying you will need to seek and listen to medical advice.

What we are saying is that the use of a near infrared sauna has huge potential benefits for our prostate health.  I prefer to look at it from the perspective that I will do my regular saunas because of the overall sauna benefits. Health, relaxation and stress management benefits to mention a few, and then IF it helps my prostate great!

If you have any questions on near infrared saunas feel free to reach out to us

Yours in Health,

Dr Todd Lizon (Chiropractor)
B.P.H.E., D.C.

 

Metabolism and Fish Oil

metabolism and fish oil

Fish oil has been shown to have numerous health benefits, and one of its most important functions is its ability to help, somewhat surprisingly, with metabolism. Metabolism is the process by which our bodies convert food into energy that can be used by our cells. As most of us know, a healthy metabolism is critical for maintaining overall health and well-being, including the treatment and prevention of metabolic dysfunction.

Our metabolism can be measured by our metabolic rate. This is the rate at which our body uses energy (i.e., calories) to perform its various functions. The takeaway point is that the higher your metabolic rate is the better, and the more calories you will burn.

Exercise and Fish Oil

Now the interesting stuff. Research has shown that regular exercise and consuming fatty acids (FAs) from fish or fish oil can independently improve both cardiovascular and metabolic health. This alone is great news for us tired and older adults. If we exercise our metabolism improves, and if we consume fish oil it will also improve.

Another study went one step further though and looked at combining exercise and fish oil supplementation.(1) This study titled found that the combination of the two interventions was more powerful than either by itself. So be sure to get that exercise in along with your consumption of a high quality fish oil

Enzymes and Fish Oil

Another way that fish oil helps with metabolism is by increasing the activity of enzymes involved in the breakdown of fats. This means that our bodies are better able to use stored fat as a source of energy, rather than relying solely on glucose (sugar). This is particularly important for people who are trying to lose weight or improve metabolic dysfunction, as it can help to reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass.1

Insulin Sensitivity and Fish Oil

Finally, fish oil has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, which is important for regulating blood sugar levels.(2) When we eat carbohydrates, our bodies convert them into glucose, which is then used by our cells for energy. Insulin is a hormone that helps to regulate glucose levels in the bloodstream. It  signals our cells to take up glucose and use it for energy. When our bodies become resistant to insulin, glucose levels can rise. This leads to a range of health problems, including type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunction.

By improving insulin sensitivity, fish oil can help to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of insulin resistance. This can have a range of positive effects on overall health, including reducing inflammation, improving cardiovascular health, and promoting weight loss.

Overall, fish oil is an important nutrient that can play a key role in supporting healthy metabolism. By improving insulin sensitivity, increasing the breakdown of fats, and promoting the production of metabolism-regulating hormones, fish oil can help to support overall health and well-being. If you’re looking to support your metabolism, consider adding a high-quality fish oil supplement to your daily routine.

  1. Hill AM, Buckley JD, Murphy KJ, Howe PR. Combining fish-oil supplements with regular aerobic exercise improves body composition and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 May;85(5):1267-74. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/85.5.1267. PMID: 17490962.
  2. Abbott KA, Burrows TL, Acharya S, Thota RN, Garg ML. DHA-enriched fish oil reduces insulin resistance in overweight and obese adults. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2020 Aug;159:102154. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2020.102154. Epub 2020 Jun 13. PMID: 32563863.
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GHK Boosts Brain Health

Brain Health

How much do you know about brain health?  More specifically, do you know how a tiny peptide called GHK could be the difference between a healthy brain and body and an unhealthy one? The research is starting to consolidate on GHK and it’s good news.  GHK has “multiple biological actions, all of which, according to our current knowledge, appear to be health positive.”  Here is the current evidence that shows how GHK and GHK-Cu may be positively impacting on your brain health.

GHK-Cu

But first,  you need to understand the basics of the field of epigenetics.

 EPIGENTICS

Epigenetics is the study of how cells control gene activity without changing the DNA sequence. The easiest way to understand it is that your genes stay the same, but the epigenetic changes are modifications that determine whether a gene is turned on or off.

The next thing to understand is that genes can be overactive and underactive.  If a gene is underactive you want to upregulate it, and if it’s overactive you will want to downregulate it.

Now, consider this.  According to the research Pickart et al reports “the number of human genes stimulated or suppressed by GHK with a change greater than or equal to 50% is 31.2%.  GHK induced a significant change in the gene expression, UP or DOWN of 50% in 31.8% of the human genes.

In other words, almost 32% of your genes are impacted, significantly, by this one peptide GHK!  If you don’t have healthy GHK levels you can be negatively impacting 32% of your genes and in turn health.  Sadly, the levels of GHK in a 60 year old is just a fraction of what it is in 20 year olds.

NEURONS

If we look first at the effect on neurons (nerve cells) they found that “408 genes go up and 230 go down.” This was from the study titled Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data.  So a good number of genes are either upregulated or downregulated in a positive direction.

The below chart shows the top 10 genes upregulated by GHK and the top 10 downregulated.  Notice the percent change.  It’s over 1000% for the top two.

genes affected by GHK

They state that “GHK has a significant effect on neurons, but we don’t know exactly what this means.  With time, we will be able to analyze the huge amount of data.”

ANXIETY AND PAIN

We also know that the peptide has “potent anti-pain, anti-anxiety and anti-aggression actions” which are primarily brain regulated.  In the chart below you can see the genes identified that help to reduce pain.

pain genes affected by GHK

COHERENCE

A different study titled Non-Invasive Scanning and Subtle Energy Testing Lab Effect of LifeWave X39 Patches on Brain as Seen with P3 Brain Mapping: Preliminary Results found different results when they looked at the brain.

First a little bit of background on the X39 patch.  It’s a non-transdermal skin patch that is worn for 12 hours per day.  When studied it “showed a significant increase in the GHK-Cu concentration present in the blood as a result of wearing the LifeWave X39 patch for 1 week in individuals age 40 to 80.”

Lifewave X39 patch

Getting back to the brain mapping study they found that “according to their coherence maps, the majority of participants started with an over active brain and their brain calmed down significantly after 3 weeks of wearing the X39 patch.

STROKE

Have a look at this study titled Glycine-Histidine-Lysine (GHK) Alleviates Neuronal Apoptosis Due to Intracerebral Hemorrhage via the miR-339-5p/VEGFA Pathway.  Fancy talk but here is what you need to know.

“GHK enhances wound healing, exerts neuroprotective effects against neurodegenerative disease, and improves tissue regeneration. This study examined whether GHK can alleviate injury due to intracerebral hemorrhage (stroke).”

They found that “GHK-induced downregulation of miR-339-5p (a gene), and that the miR-339-5p/VEGFA axis plays a role in preventing neuronal apoptosis”

In simple speak, the GHK downregulated a gene, or genes, and this prevented nerve death following a stroke. They concluded that “these findings indicate that GHK may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for stroke.”

ANTI-AGING

One final CRITICAL point to note is that the levels of GHK average “200ng/ml at age 20 but decline to an average of 80ng/ml by age 60.

As we age and need it for brain health, the levels decrease.

However, the following discovery is interesting and very promising.

“Because GHK is absorbed at a high efficiency across the blood brain barrier in to the brains of rodents and nonhuman primates …… testing the effects on the peptide on neurological function is warranted”  A study on aging mice found “evidence of decreased inflammation….. suggesting that in addition to an anti-inflammatory effect, GHK may be triggering an epigentic pathway in the amelioration of cognitive impairment in aging mice.”

SUMMARY

It is very likely that there are multiple pathways and genes that are being up and down regulated when it comes to our brain health.

Studies have shown that some age-related changes in gene expression are not permanent and can be reversed.  For example we know that as little as 30 minutes of exercise per day can reset mitochondrial DNA to a gene expression more like that of a younger person.

When you put all the information together it’s clear that this peptide can have significant impacts on our brain and overall health.

It’s a safe, inexpensive, and extensively studied peptide that has a huge upside in the brain and many other tissues.

Considering one of the proposed pathways to increase GHK is via photobiomodulation this would make sense as there is a large volume of evidence that shows that photobiomodulation helps with the aging brain in humans.

Lifestyle Integration provides natural solutions for stress and lifestyle-based health issues for men over 50. Raising your GHK levels with the X39 patch and/or with photobiomodulation has been shown to be effective, easy and a go to bio-hack as we age.

Yours in Health,
Dr. Todd Lizon B.P.H.E., D.C.

Dr Todd Lizon

A renowned educator, Dr. Todd Lizon (B.P.H.E., D.C.)  is the founder of Lifestyle Integration.  By embracing modern technology and research we bring you the tools and products to help you reshape the assumption you might have on how we lose and rebuild health as we age.

We care deeply about your metabolic health here at Lifestyle Integration.

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our free eBook on how to manage metabolic dysfunction
The SPEED Trap: How To Reverse Metabolic Dysfunction

 

Sunlight Deficiency and Heart Disease

sunlight deficiency

Heart disease, in all its forms, is a very common problem. It’s the leading cause of death in Australia and most countries around the world. Another very common related problem is sunlight deficiency and yet few have even heard of this. There are at least two reasons that low levels of exposure to sunshine are contributing to heart disease and I’ll explain both and what we can do about it. It’s not as crazy as it first sounds.

VITAMIN D

No surprise here. Studies have shown that heart disease is more prevalent in northern countries compared to southern countries (northern hemisphere). This is thought to be due, in part, to lower levels of sunlight exposure which can lead to vitamin D deficiency.

North of 40° and south of 40° latitude there is no available ultraviolet light during wintertime and people in these locations must “rely on food sources and supplementation to maintain serum vitamin D at a sufficient level”.1 Even if you are outside these ranges, it is still very common to not get enough sunshine for various reasons such as adiposity, clothing habits, cloud cover, pollution, skin pigmentation and genetic factors.

When you dig into the research the evidence strongly suggests that “chronic and often decades-long vitamin D deficiency….. are important in the pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, myocardial hypertrophy, diastolic heart failure, and the metabolic syndrome”.2
The condensed version is when you have sunlight deficiency you don’t produce enough Vitamin D, and this in turn contributes to higher rates of cardiovascular disease.

PHOTOBIOMODULATION

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive therapy that involves the use of red and near infrared light, typically in the form of lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs), to stimulate cellular function and promote healing in the body.

We naturally get this from the sun. Red and near infrared are the dominant wavelengths (as compared to UV light) at sunrise and sunset. So, if we are outside for sunrise and sunset, we get the photobiomodulation dose we are designed to get. When was the last sunrise you witnessed? Our ancestors did and it’s not likely a coincidence that heart disease rates have been rising in modern times.
With respect to cardiovascular diseases, the therapeutic benefits of PBM therapy include “ischemia-perfusion injury, myocardial infarction, hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, and aortic aneurysm formation”3 This is quite a lengthy list of heart benefits from red and near infrared light.
The condensed version here is the same as Vitamin D in that when you apply PBM there is less heart disease.

ACTION STEPS

When we accept that a lack of sunshine is having a negative impact on our heart health we can take steps to rectify it. There are three things you can do.

  1. Spend time in the sun. Healthy time. Too much UV light in your attempt to get Vitamin D is clearly linked to skin cancer. Witness the sunrise and sunset when you can.
  2. Vitamin D supplementation. A high-quality Vitamin D supplement will ensure you have healthy levels in your tissues.
  3. Use a photobiomodulation device. There are all kinds of panels and devices available to use. Here are several examples.

CONCLUSION

Sunlight deficiency is a more significant issue than most are aware of. Our ancestors spent time in the sun. When we don’t spend enough time outside we risk being low in Vitamin D and we don’t get the full photobiomodulation dose. The combination of these two deficiencies contributes to cardiovascular disease. More research needs to be conducted to fully determine the extent of the problem. In the meantime, the solutions outlined are easily available and easy to implement.

  1. Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2007 Jul 19;357(3):266-81. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra070553. PMID: 17634462.
  2. Wallis DE, Penckofer S, Sizemore GW. The “sunshine deficit” and cardiovascular disease. Circulation. 2008 Sep 30;118(14):1476-85. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.713339. Erratum in: Circulation. 2009 Jun 2;119(21):e550. PMID: 18824654.
  3. Syed SB, Ahmet I, Chakir K, Morrell CH, Arany PR, Lakatta EG. Photobiomodulation therapy mitigates cardiovascular aging and improves survival. Lasers Surg Med. 2023 Mar;55(3):278-293. doi: 10.1002/lsm.23644. Epub 2023 Feb 23. PMID: 36821717; PMCID: PMC10084725.
We care deeply about your metabolic health here at Lifestyle Integration.

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our free eBook on how to manage metabolic dysfunction
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TheraBulb 300W Bulb Near Infrared Sauna Upgrade

TheraBulb 300W lamp

The TheraBulb 300W Bulb Has Arrived!

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of the NEW TheraBulb 300W incandescent lamp to the Lifestyle Integration group.

These higher wattage bulbs will provide more heat and options in the near infrared sauna than the 250W bulb which they are replacing.

To celebrate the arrival of this infrared sauna Australia upgrade we thought it appropriate to review some of the many benefits of TheraBulb incandescent near infrared bulbs.

TheraBulb 300W lamp

MORE HEAT

With more wattage you get more heat and power.  When it comes to an infrared sauna the more heat and power the better!

BETTER SAUNA

Speaking of saunas you have more options.  Our portable near infrared sauna has four lamps. You get to select if you want one, two, three or all of the TheraBulb lamps on at once.  This means you can choose the full effect of an incredible 1200W of heat or, if that’s too hot, you can turn one off and relax with a more comfortable 900W.

portable near infrared sauna

PLUG AND GO

A common question we get regarding our infrared sauna, which is also known as a full spectrum sauna is if you need any special wiring?  You do not.  With all TheraBulb incandescent lamps you simply plug them into a normal household socket.  No need for any expensive electrical modifications.  Plug and go!

PHOTOBIOMODULATION

To me the secret weapon of the Therabulb is the lab verified photobiomodulation benefits.  The bulbs are coated to ensure you are getting as much of the therapeutic mitochondrial stimulation band wavelengths as possible.  This ensures steady application of the healing near infrared and red light therapy.

mitochondrial stimulation band

THIRD PARTY TESTED

This is perhaps the most important factor in our decision to use TheraBulb in our portable near infrared saunas.  I think most of us now understand from a marketing perspective anyone can make a claim about something.  Not everyone can back it up with independent certified lab testing.  This is exactly what TheraBulb has done.  They use the same lab as the US military.

SAFETY COMPLIANT

TheraBulb bulbs are RoHS certified. This means that they are free of substances covered in the European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC. These substances include lead, mercury, and Teflon.  TheraBulb bulbs also bear the CE mark, meaning that they meet the safety standards for their product category.

ZERO EMF

TheraBulb incandescent bulbs emit virtually no EMF by design. When submitted to an independent lab for testing, the following result was provided by the lab: “Due to the fact that these are incandescent bulb (sic), the EMF values are extremely low and at or below the resolution of the measurement equipment.”  TheraBulb’s LED bulb has been tested and its EMF emissions were recorded at .03mT.

THE COMPANY

I’ve worked with TheraBulb for many years and can say that they are a group of people that truly care about what they do and the products they produce.  They back their product and will go the extra mile to ensure you get what you are paying for.

If you are looking to reap the many sauna benefits that a near infrared sauna can offer such as hyperthermia therapy, photobiomodulation and red light therapy the TheraBulb 300W bulb delivers.  In Australia you can order them here.  300W TheraBulb

For orders outside Australia here is the link to TheraBulb

UPDATE! A quick video we put together showcasing the TheraBulb

Want to know more about photobiomodulation, redlight therapy and sauna therapy?  Have a look at our blog or learning centre and have a think about joining our newsletter below.  Once every two weeks we will email what is new and exciting in these fields and more.

Yours in Health,

Dr Todd Lizon (Chiropractor)
B.P.H.E., D.C.

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The SPEED Trap: How To Reverse Metabolic Dysfunction

High Copper Natural Detoxification via GHK Peptide

High copper detoxification

Copper overload, or high copper levels in the human body is a pervasive, under diagnosed and significantly damaging problem.  I have been looking at this metal in patients with hair mineral analysis since 2010 and in all this time I’ve only seen a few with copper deficiency.  However, I’ve seen hundreds with elevated copper. The challenge has been in how to effectively detoxify this excessive toxic copper.  Recently, a new way has been discovered that shows tremendous promise to help in this battle.

If you are already familiar with high copper issues feel free to skip down to the GHK heading for the new information.

High Copper

Copper is distributed in the body the following ways. Bones (44%), muscles (25%), liver (10%), brain (6%), blood (6%), kidneys (3%), heart (2%) and lungs (1%).  It’s easy to see with such a wide distribution, how a person with excessive levels would struggle with multiple symptoms.

copper pipe

These symptoms tend to fall into the following categories.

  • Hormone imbalance
  • Joint pains
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Anxiety/depression
  • Cancer

Current methods of treatment and detoxification include the following.

Detoxification is suggested with near infrared saunas, coffee enemas, and potentially a few other strategies such as binders, spirulina and occasionally medical chelation.  Caution should be taken with medical chelation as it can be very rough on already fatigued and burnt out bodies and energy crashes can occur post treatment.

Antagonists are minerals or vitamins that cancel or work against other minerals.  When used strategically they can assist with copper overload.  Copper antagonists that can effectively be used include zinc, molybdenum, Vitamin C, B6 and more.

Exposure reduction is also critical.  This includes IUD’s, vegetarian diets, tap water, some swimming pools, and anything that is high in estrogens or xenoestrogens.

There are more treatments, but you get the idea.

Hidden Copper

In my experience it has proven to be difficult to get rid of all the overt copper as well as what is called the hidden copper.

Hidden copper is the amount that is stored deep in the body’s tissues and organs.  It won’t show up on any test other than a direct biopsy.  We usually only get to see this copper slowly over time as we detoxify AND monitor it regularly every 6 months with a hair analysis test.

GHK-Cu

GHK-Cu

The human copper-binding peptide GHK-Cu is a small, naturally occurring tri-peptide present in human plasma that also can be released from tissues in case of an injury.  Loren Pickart writes in Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data that “most authors would attribute effects of GHK to its ability to bind copper (II) ions. It was proposed that because of the GHK’s small size and its ability to bind copper, it can play a crucial part in copper metabolism.”

There is more to the story with up and down gene regulation (a LOT more as the article reviews)but the copper binding is the part to pay attention to here.

A 2020 study in fish called Expression and Purification of Recombinant GHK Tripeptides Are Able to Protect against Acute Cardiotoxicity from Exposure to Waterborne-Copper in Zebrafish suggests a significant role for GHK-Cu in copper detoxification.

Zebrafish were used as they have a similar homology to humans. The simplified version of the study is that they exposed the fish to water that was high in copper.  The control group had NO GHK and the experimental group was given GHK.  So, some fish had GHK and some fish didn’t when they were exposed to toxic copper laced water.

The study found that “a GHK peptide could rescue cardiotoxicity induced by copper.”  They concluded that the study “now paves the way for further testing of GHK tripeptide as a potent agent for detoxification or cardio-protection in rodents and other preclinical vertebrate animal tests.”

Now the disclaimers.  This was a single animal study into the potential detoxification effect of GHK on excessive copper levels.  It doesn’t mean that the same effect will occur in humans.

With that said, let’s look at how we can increase our GHK.

How To Increase GHK

The X-39 patch by LifeWave is the easiest proven way to increase GHK.  You can get a powder and inject it or use it in other ways but the powder is very degradable and light sensitive and not practical to use.  The patch is simple.  You simply put it on in the morning and take if off at night.

Lifewave X39 patch

Here are two studies that show increases in GHK when you use the Lifewave X39 patch.

Changes in Tripeptides Produced By the LifeWave X39 Patch
Double-Blind Testing of the Lifewave X39 Patch to Determine GHK-Cu Production Levels.

Now The Interesting Part

Can we safely recommend the use of GHK to detoxify copper?  No.

Can we safely recommend the use of GHK to reap all of the well-established health and anti-aging benefits you can read about here?  Yes.

If you have high copper overload, I know how difficult it can be.  The brain fog and the anxiety can be crippling.  The fatigue and the aches can be overwhelming.  It can seem like there is no effective safe treatment and you are stuck in a constant revolving circle of frustration.

As a result, I would suggest that the use of GHK peptide to address the genes, epigenetics and other established health benefits make it worthwhile trialing for these things alone.  Then, if, you start to notice copper detoxification  we can consider this a wonderful bonus.

To further this point, we know that “in human plasma, the level of GHK is typically 200ng/ml at the age of 20, but it declines to 80ng/ml by the age of 60” So if you are older then you will be needing to increase your GHK from a purely anti-aging perspective.

Pickart states “GHK is safe and very inexpensive. Its safety record and its ability to reverse gene expression back to health warrant its use as a dietary supplement to support health and vitality of skin, hair and the entire body.”

The other point I would re-iterate is that if you have high copper or copper symptoms you should undergo a hair analysis about every 6 months to help track the progress as well as determine if you would benefit from some of the antagonist minerals mentioned earlier.

Lifestyle Integration

Lifestyle Integration has been working with high copper overload patients since 2010.  We manufacture and sell near infrared saunas (also known as full spectrum saunas), provide hair analysis tests as well as consult regarding supplement needs and provide the LifeForce X39 patch.

We welcome all comments and questions.  Shoot us an email at info@lifestyleintegration.com.au or put a question in the comments.

Alternatively please consider signing up for our newsletter to join our growing tribe and get regular updates, discounts and benefits.

Yours in Health,

Dr Todd Lizon (Chiropractor)
B.P.H.E., D.C.

The Hashimoto Thyroiditis Natural Cure

Thyroid System

If you knew about a still being researched therapy that could cure your chronic degenerative condition with no side effects likely, would you do it?  This is the question you need to ask yourself if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

If you have this form of hypothyroid problem, you know that Hashimoto’s is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid.  You would also know that the only known therapy is hormone replacement where you take levothyroxine for the rest of your life.  This is pretty harsh, and you still aren’t addressing the root cause of the problem. There is another option.

The “magic pill” that I am referring to is photobiomodulation (PBM).  This branch of light therapy works by applying red and near infrared light to the cells where it is absorbed in the mitochondria.  The result of this process is an increase in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and a decrease in inflammation.  ATP is the energy your cells use.  Of course, we are going to be healthier when we have more energy for healing and repairing and with less inflammation in the body.

This is not new science and has been known of and researched since the late 1960’s.  Just google photobiomodulation and any health condition you can think of and see what comes up.  You might be surprised.

The Study

A few human studies have been done that looked at the effect photobiomodulation has on the thyroid and the most recent was in 2020.  It is titled Impact of Photobiomodulation on T3/T4 Ratio and Quality of Life in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  In this study they applied the near infrared light (850nm) directly to the thyroid twice daily for a total of 3 days.  They don’t state the spacing of the treatment.  They evaluated the thyroid for function before the testing and at the three-month mark.  For all the parameters and measurement units you can look at the article.

The important stuff is the following.

  • T3 levels increased significantly  (84.7 to 130.4)
  • T3/4 ratio increased significantly  (0.009 to 0.013)
  • Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO Ab) decreased (705.9 to 193.8)
  • Medication significantly decreased.  28.5% STOPPED taking it. (419.2 to 208.8)

Wow.

Home Therapy

Oh, I forgot to add that because photobiomodulation is a natural form of therapy (think condensed sunlight) it has virtually no side effects.  Almost none. In fact, if you take too much it just stops working. This is called the biphasic dose response.  Too little light no real positive benefit. Too much and no real positive benefit.

So, at the risk of sounding redundant, if you knew about a still being researched therapy that could cure your chronic degenerative condition with no side effects likely, would you do it? 

Hand-held LED lamp

There are simple hand held units you can purchase such as this that are not overly expensive and should help.  No guarantees of course but what have you got to lose?

Hair Analysis Is An Ideal Test To Measure Your Stress Level

stress management

Five ways to measure your stress level with a hair analysis

A hair mineral analysis (HMA) is a screening test that measures the levels of twenty-one minerals and toxic metals present in a sample of hair.  When it comes to stress assessment and then guiding the process to recovery this test is crucial.  To really understand why this test is so critical to the process we need to go a little deeper into understanding how stress affects us.

FACT #1:

Physical, emotional, and chemical stresses are the negative driving factors of chronic degenerative disease.

FACT #2:

If you can measure or see a change in your body, then your chemistry has changed from normal to abnormal.

The chemistry changes we are going to look at and measure are magnesium, zinc, sodium and iron.

hair analysis sample

 

Magnesium

Magnesium is lost through the sweat and urine and this is increased by alcohol and coffee. Most importantly when you are under stress, you stress hormones like cortisol and adrenalin deplete magnesium.

Zinc

Zinc is another heavy hitter when it comes to stress management.  A hair mineral analysis is one of the better ways to assess this notoriously difficult to measure mineral.  It helps with stress in several synergistic ways. Prolonged stress is well established factor that depletes zinc levels in the body. It has also been demonstrated that zinc deficiency increases plasma cortisol and some pro-inflammatory markers.

Sodium

Sodium is known as the great solvent.  A general example is adding salt to your swimming pool to try and avoid calcium from precipitating.  It keeps calcium in solution.  When sodium is low on a hair analysis you will often see calcium levels in the tissue being very high.  Conversely,  when under the acute stage of stress we see high levels of Na in the tissue and low levels of calcium (and magnesium).  High sodium is a very clear indicator of acute stress.

Iron and Selenium

In this study plasma zinc, iron, copper, and selenium and selected blood proteins were measured in 66 men during a 5 day period of sustained physical and psychological stress called Hell Week.  Here are the relevant results.

Iron decreased by 44%
Selenium by 12%
Zinc by 33%

 

When you perform a hair analysis test you take the 3cm of hair closest to the scalp.  This represents three months of stress. Each cm is representative of one month of growth.  This is good news for assessing chronic stress as we need an average over TIME.  A blood test tells you what is happening now.  A hair mineral test shows you what is happening over time.

Both are valuable. They are just telling you different things and this is why a blood test will often be normal but a hair analysis will show you the bigger picture.

We have been using hair analysis testing for over 10 years.  A test can be purchased at Lifestyle Integration and it is all done online. No in person meetings are required so no matter where you live you can benefit from this unique form of assessment.

Want to know more or have some questions?  Reach out!

Yours in Health,

Dr Todd Lizon (Chiropractor)
B.P.H.E., D.C.

References

Córdova A, Navas FJ. Effect of training on zinc metabolism: changes in serum and sweat zinc concentrations in sportsmen. Ann Nutr Metab. 1998;42(5):274-82.

Chen WQ, Cheng YY, Zhao XL, Li ST, Hou Y, Hong Y. Effects of zinc on the induction of metallothionein isoforms in hippocampus in stress rats. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2006;231(9):1564-8.

Singh A, Smoak BL, Patterson KY, LeMay LG, Veillon C, Deuster PA. Biochemical indices of selected trace minerals in men: effect of stress. Am J Clin Nutr. 1991 Jan;53(1):126-31. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/53.1.126. PMID: 1984337.