September 12, 2020

Q&A 417: Dry Vs Infrared Saunas, The Best Blood Tests For Biohackers, Early Cancer Detection, How To Fix Brain Fog & Much More | Ben Greenfield Fitness

A newly created blood test is able to detect cancer four years prior to the onset of any symptoms
Order of priorities for biohacker testing: self-quantification device, comprehensive blood panel, genetic testing, and stool testing
Brain fog is usually the result of inflammation of the nervous system which ultimately affects the limbic system
There are benefits to both dry and infrared saunas but infrared saunas allow you to mix modalities for a range of benefits

Been Greenfield answers listener questions about sauna, blood testing for biohackers, the latest in cancer research, and how to manage brain fog.

Host: Ben Greenfield (@bengreenfieldfitness)

A newly created blood test can diagnose cancer four years prior to the onset of symptoms
The test had remarkable accuracy in early detection
In a study out of China, over 1.6 million blood samples were collected from the stomach, esophagus, colon, and lung
The test isolated DNA from blood sample then measured DNA methylation
Full study: Non-Invasive early detection of cancer four years before conventional diagnosis using a blood test

Recommended book: Metabolic Approach to Cancer by Nasha Winters
Blood panels for monitoring and early detection: sedimentation rate, ESR, HSCRP, LDH, insulin, insulin-like growth factor, hemoglobin A1C, vitamin D
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a composite of different enzymes in the body has been increasingly touted as a standard cancer biomarker

Daily self-quantification: heart rate variability (HRV), daily step count (shoot for more than 10,000 steps), sleep cycle tracking – all can be measured with whoop or oura ring
Genetic testing: use a website like StrateGene and identify “dirty” genes that may be affecting energy and sleep levels
GI testing: use GI Effects Comprehensive Profile to learn about maldigestion, inflammation, metabolite imbalances, infection, etc.
Comprehensive blood panel: use a company like Wellness FX to test mercury, iron, thyroid uptake, hormones, blood count, metabolic panel, etc.
NutrEval allows you to dig in deeper to omegas, amino acid profile, selenium, copper, zinc, and other micronutrients that don’t appear on a basic blood panel
Deeper hormone testing: DUTCH test takes deep dive into hormones via urinary tests
Later tests: full microbiome panel, longevity tests (such as telomere length)
Order of priorities: self-quantification device, comprehensive blood panel, StrateGene, GI Effects Comprehensive Profile – then if you have money left, add NutrEval panel and DUTCH test – icing on the cake is the full microbiome analysis and telomere testing

Symptoms of brain fog: confusion, inability to sustain focus, inability to memorize or concentrate, low energy
Hidden causes of brain fog: inflammation of the nervous system that affects the limbic system, which is the control center for mood, appetite, emotions, etc.
Lectins and/or oxalates are major triggers for inflammation
Recommended books for diet information and sensitivity: The Plant Paradox by Steven Gundry and Grain Brain by David Perlmutter
How to treat: fix inflammation and explore genetic testing and biohacker testing and heavy metal testing if it’s unresolved through diet and lifestyle
Wellue O2 ring can measure oxygen saturation while sleeping and throughout the day which can be related to sleep apnea and useful in unresolved brain fog
Identify the source of brain fog before loading up supplements
Action plan: measure sleep, manage stress and anxiety, avoid sugar, avoid alcohol

With infrared saunas, you miss out on the benefits of a steam component you get with Finnish/traditional/dry saunas
Ben Greenfield uses an infrared sauna but has thought about adding dry barrel sauna
The temperature for traditional saunas will get much hotter than infrared saunas
You can add a fan to an infrared sauna to continuously push the heat down
Skin warming creams like Prototype 8 can also make up for lower temperatures
Most studies that have been done on heart health and health benefits have been done in traditional saunas
Non-sauna option: Higher Dose heat blanket
Ben Greenfield personally recommends infrared saunas because you can stack modalities for additional benefit