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?

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.