Foundations of Health | Dr Jack Kruse Influence with Dr. Alexis Cowan Dr. Alexis Cowan discusses the importance of light, circadian biology, and metabolism in optimizing performance and health. She emphasizes that athletes are humans first and that many athletes are successful despite doing the wrong things because of their genetic advantages. She highlights the importance of dialing in the basics, such as light exposure, circadian alignment, and grounding, for athletes to optimize their performance. Dr. Cowan also explains how soft tissue injuries can be attributed to tissue dehydration and the role of collagen, light, and mitochondrial function in injury prevention. She discusses the impact of glyphosate, microbiome health, and the gut-skin axis on overall health and performance. The conversation explores the role of fungi in the microbiome and its connection to health and disease. The mycobiome, which is larger than the bacterial side, plays a crucial role in maintaining glycemic balance and preventing microvascular and nerve damage. Fungal overgrowth can lead to long-lasting infections and impair immune function. The conversation also delves into the importance of melanin and its various functions, such as energy production, heavy metal chelation, and protection against hypoxia. The role of minerals, such as magnesium and sodium chloride, is discussed, with an emphasis on obtaining them through seafood and good quality salt. The nuances of technology, particularly red light therapy devices, are explored, including considerations for flicker and EMF exposure.