Boundless Life

Meet Denise Minger. Wait, no. That's not Denise.  This is Denise. The woman above Denise is a woman from a dietary study who lost 123 pounds in just shy of a year. She's not to be confused with the woman above her, who obliterated 278 pounds in a bit over a year. All on a 90-95% carbohydrate based, high-sugar, high-starch, low-fat diet.

And that's just a peek into the contents of today's podcast. But back to Denise. Denise blogs at RawFoodSOS.com, where she just released the controversial article "IN DEFENSE OF LOW FAT: A CALL FOR SOME EVOLUTION OF THOUGHT."

That particular article is exactly what we're going to be digging into this podcast... ...but Denise is no stranger to BenGreenfieldFitness.com. Last year, I published the article "How To Figure Out What Diet Is Right For You", which contains many anecdotes from Denise's book "Death By Food Pyramid". As a self-described health blogger, Denise typically spends about five hours a day reading and writing about nutrition. In both her writings and lectures she has a reputation for aggressively challenging today's leading voices of conventional wisdom, and is perhaps most famous for her thorough refutation of "The China Study" book. Denise is considered to be a major thorn in the side of both mainstream nutritionists and other health figures who adhere to standard dietary dogma.

During my discussion with Denise, you'll discover: -Why Denise doesn't drink coffee and eats lots of sushi and sashimi...

-How in the process of redeeming fat, we traded one form of oversimplified blame for another...

-What carbosis is, and why you need to be very careful mixing carbohydrates with fats...

-Why our current definition of low fat is very flawed, and the more appropriate definition of what low fat actually is...

-The low fat history you've probably never heard...

-The shocking evidence that sugar and white rice can actually cure diabetes and melt fat off the body...

-How decreasing "healthy" saturated fat and increasing intake of vegetable oils has been shown in baffling research to actually benefit conditions such as multiple sclerosis...

-Why it's a myth that a low-fat, high-carb vegetable diet is what eventually killed researcher Nathan Pritikin....

-Why Denise has changed her mind about some issues she had with the documentary "Forks Over Knives", and why she apologizes to vegans and vegetarians...

-And much more! Do you have questions, comments or feedback about high carb vs. high fat, and Denise's new take on a high carb, low fat diet? Your own thoughts to share? Leave it all BenGreenfieldFitness.com and either Denise or I will reply!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Denise Minger. Wait, no. That's not Denise.  This is Denise. The woman above Denise is a woman from a dietary study who lost 123 pounds in just shy of a year. She's not to be confused with the woman above her, who obliterated 278 pounds in a bit over a year. All on a 90-95% carbohydrate based, high-sugar, high-starch, low-fat diet.

And that's just a peek into the contents of today's podcast. But back to Denise. Denise blogs at RawFoodSOS.com, where she just released the controversial article "IN DEFENSE OF LOW FAT: A CALL FOR SOME EVOLUTION OF THOUGHT."

That particular article is exactly what we're going to be digging into this podcast... ...but Denise is no stranger to BenGreenfieldFitness.com. Last year, I published the article "How To Figure Out What Diet Is Right For You", which contains many anecdotes from Denise's book "Death By Food Pyramid". As a self-described health blogger, Denise typically spends about five hours a day reading and writing about nutrition. In both her writings and lectures she has a reputation for aggressively challenging today's leading voices of conventional wisdom, and is perhaps most famous for her thorough refutation of "The China Study" book. Denise is considered to be a major thorn in the side of both mainstream nutritionists and other health figures who adhere to standard dietary dogma.

During my discussion with Denise, you'll discover: -Why Denise doesn't drink coffee and eats lots of sushi and sashimi...

-How in the process of redeeming fat, we traded one form of oversimplified blame for another...

-What carbosis is, and why you need to be very careful mixing carbohydrates with fats...

-Why our current definition of low fat is very flawed, and the more appropriate definition of what low fat actually is...

-The low fat history you've probably never heard...

-The shocking evidence that sugar and white rice can actually cure diabetes and melt fat off the body...

-How decreasing "healthy" saturated fat and increasing intake of vegetable oils has been shown in baffling research to actually benefit conditions such as multiple sclerosis...

-Why it's a myth that a low-fat, high-carb vegetable diet is what eventually killed researcher Nathan Pritikin....

-Why Denise has changed her mind about some issues she had with the documentary "Forks Over Knives", and why she apologizes to vegans and vegetarians...

-And much more! Do you have questions, comments or feedback about high carb vs. high fat, and Denise's new take on a high carb, low fat diet? Your own thoughts to share? Leave it all BenGreenfieldFitness.com and either Denise or I will reply!

http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/335

Oct 21, 2015 Podcast: Have a podcast question for Ben? Click the tab on the right (or go to SpeakPipe), use the Contact button on the app, call 1-877-209-9439, or use the “Ask Ben” form at the bottom of this page.

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News Flashes:

• Excellent article on what makes you happy. I’m not a big fan of woo-woo but this is worth a quick read.
• Next time your spouse or roommate tells you to turn up the A/C or heat, show them this.
• Curcumin + cold thermogenesis=a fat cell killing death match made in heaven.
• This may explain why one person stays lean on a high carb diet and another person doesn’t.
• Are you “married” to a high fat diet being the only approach to health? Prepare to have your mind blown by Denise Minger.

You can receive these News Flashes (and more) every single day, if you follow Ben on Twitter.com/BenGreenfield, Instagram.com/BenGreenfieldFitness, Facebook.com/BGFitness and Google+.

-----------------------------------------------------

Special Announcements:

Did you miss the weekend podcast episode with Roger Drummer? It was a must-listen - titled "The Zen Of Chinese Adaptogenic Herbs: An Interview With The Inventor Of World’s Most Potent Adaptogens." Click here to listen now or download for later!

This podcast is brought to you by Inquiry, which makes amazing men's clothing that is cool, comfortable and clean. You can use 10% discount code BEN10 at ShopInquiry.com.

This podcast is brought to you by Harrys shaving. Visit Harrys.com and use $5 discount code "ben" on a Winston set, a Truman set, or any other mighty fine shaving equipment, at a fraction of the cost of drugstore razors.

This podcast is brought to you by Onnit. Visit Onnit.com to instantly save 10% on any of their tasty superfoods like nut butter or their Warrior bar, made with real prairie-fed buffalo, cranberries, and a spicy pepper blend.

Now Available - Ben Greenfield’s “REV Yourself Conference” – 25 Packaged Interviews With The World’s Leading Experts In Physical & Mental Performance Enhancement Strategies. In this package, you’ll get to watch and listen as Ben Greenfield sits down with the world’s leading experts in biohacking, physical performance, mental performance, cognitive enhancement, personal productivity, muscle gain, fat loss and more. In a frank, easy-to-understand, fireside chat format, these experts reveal all their most cutting-edge secrets, and your access to the videos and audios also includes helpful notes, summaries and more. From Dr. Mercola to Mark Sisson to Nora Gedgaudas, you can check out the lineup and get access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, forever (no expiration!) once you click here to get lifetime access for $47.

Dec 4-6, 2015: Ben is speaking at the Unbeatable Mind Retreat in Carlsbad, California. This is where SEALFit and Navy SEAL Commander Mark Divine will be assembling the best of the best in everything from performance to cutting-edge mental training to advanced sleep tactics and more. Includes amazing ancestral meals, morning WOD's at SEALFit HQ (the site of the world famous Kokoro camp), Warrior Yoga instruction and workouts, and speakers such as Robb Wolf, Dr. Kirk Parsley, Dominic D'Agostino, and more. Click here to get in now.

Nov 14, 2015: Ben will be competing at the World's Toughest Mudder. If you live near Las Vegas or Henderson, Nevada, be sure to come watch the action!

Nov 17-18, 2016: Ben is speaking at the Biohacker's Summit in Helsinki, Finland. Discover the latest in wearables, internet of things, digital health, and mobile apps to increase performance, be healthier, stay fit, and get more done. Learn about taking food, preparation, cooking, and eating to the next level with the latest science and kitchen chemistry. Even delve into implanted chips, gene therapy, bionic arms, biometric shirts, robotic assistants, and virtual reality. Two days with an amazing crowd and a closing party with upgraded DJs to talk about. Click here to get in now.

Ben Greenfield's New York Times Bestselling book Beyond Training is now available on Audible! After spending over 43 hours in front of a microphone, Ben has finished recording a 100% (fully updated) audio recording of this quintessential guide to performance, recovery, fat loss, digestion, brain, sleep, hormones and more. If you're new to Audible, you can get it now for free by clicking here.

Grab this Official Ben Greenfield Fitness Gear package that comes with a tech shirt, a beanie and a water bottle. And of course, this week's top iTunes review - gets some BG Fitness swag straight from Ben - click here to leave your review for a chance to win some!

-----------------------------------------------------

Listener Q&A:

As compiled, deciphered, edited and sometimes read by Rachel Browne, the NEW Podcast Sidekick.

5 Ways To Burn More Calories After A Cheat Day

Anna says: She wants to know the best way to rebound after a cheat day? How do you get yourself back to operating optimally as quickly as possible?

In my response, I recommend: -CoolFatBurner.com + Curcumin + Bitter Melon Extract -Fasted Exercise + Caffeine -HIIT and/or Weight Training -Low carb -Infrared Sauna & Niacin -Get Fit Guy Detox article Health Effects of Ritalin

James says: He took Ritalin from age 10-23, what can he do to get health back into his liver and other filtration systems that may have been damaged by the long use of that drug?

In my response, I recommend: -Family Guy & Ritalin -Fish oil -Inner Peace -Acetyl-L-carnitine -5-HTP and GABA (e.g. CBD or New Mood) The Best Way To Eat Wild Game

Patrick says: He's a hunter and this year he wants to harvest deer organ meat. Do you have suggestions on specific organs he should retrieve and why they are important, he's already going to save the heart and liver.

In my response, I recommend: -The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Volume 1: Big Game What To Do About Cracking Knees

Judith says: She's recently increased significantly her running mileage from half marathons to ultra marathons, and as a result her knees are starting to crack very loudly, especially when she climbs stairs. What are your suggestions for how to fix this?

In my response, I recommend: -Episode 314 on Why Joints Pop -This new study on joint cavitation

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 21, 2015 Podcast: Have a podcast question for Ben? Click the tab on the right (or go to SpeakPipe), use the Contact button on the app, call 1-877-209-9439, or use the “Ask Ben” form at the bottom of this page.

-----------------------------------------------------

News Flashes:

Excellent article on what makes you happy. I’m not a big fan of woo-woo but this is worth a quick read.

Next time your spouse or roommate tells you to turn up the A/C or heat, show them this.

Curcumin + cold thermogenesis=a fat cell killing death match made in heaven.

This may explain why one person stays lean on a high carb diet and another person doesn’t.

Are you “married” to a high fat diet being the only approach to health? Prepare to have your mind blown by Denise Minger.

You can receive these News Flashes (and more) every single day, if you follow Ben on Twitter.com/BenGreenfield, Instagram.com/BenGreenfieldFitness, Facebook.com/BGFitness and Google+.

-----------------------------------------------------

Special Announcements:

Did you miss the weekend podcast episode with Roger Drummer? It was a must-listen - titled "The Zen Of Chinese Adaptogenic Herbs: An Interview With The Inventor Of World’s Most Potent Adaptogens." Click here to listen now or download for later!

This podcast is brought to you by Inquiry, which makes amazing men's clothing that is cool, comfortable and clean. You can use 10% discount code BEN10 at ShopInquiry.com.

This podcast is brought to you by Harrys shaving. Visit Harrys.com and use $5 discount code "ben" on a Winston set, a Truman set, or any other mighty fine shaving equipment, at a fraction of the cost of drugstore razors.

This podcast is brought to you by Onnit. Visit Onnit.com to instantly save 10% on any of their tasty superfoods like nut butter or their Warrior bar, made with real prairie-fed buffalo, cranberries, and a spicy pepper blend.

Now Available - Ben Greenfield’s “REV Yourself Conference” – 25 Packaged Interviews With The World’s Leading Experts In Physical & Mental Performance Enhancement Strategies. In this package, you’ll get to watch and listen as Ben Greenfield sits down with the world’s leading experts in biohacking, physical performance, mental performance, cognitive enhancement, personal productivity, muscle gain, fat loss and more. In a frank, easy-to-understand, fireside chat format, these experts reveal all their most cutting-edge secrets, and your access to the videos and audios also includes helpful notes, summaries and more. From Dr. Mercola to Mark Sisson to Nora Gedgaudas, you can check out the lineup and get access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, forever (no expiration!) once you click here to get lifetime access for $47.

Dec 4-6, 2015: Ben is speaking at the Unbeatable Mind Retreat in Carlsbad, California. This is where SEALFit and Navy SEAL Commander Mark Divine will be assembling the best of the best in everything from performance to cutting-edge mental training to advanced sleep tactics and more. Includes amazing ancestral meals, morning WOD's at SEALFit HQ (the site of the world famous Kokoro camp), Warrior Yoga instruction and workouts, and speakers such as Robb Wolf, Dr. Kirk Parsley, Dominic D'Agostino, and more. Click here to get in now.

Nov 14, 2015: Ben will be competing at the World's Toughest Mudder. If you live near Las Vegas or Henderson, Nevada, be sure to come watch the action!

Nov 17-18, 2016: Ben is speaking at the Biohacker's Summit in Helsinki, Finland. Discover the latest in wearables, internet of things, digital health, and mobile apps to increase performance, be healthier, stay fit, and get more done. Learn about taking food, preparation, cooking, and eating to the next level with the latest science and kitchen chemistry. Even delve into implanted chips, gene therapy, bionic arms, biometric shirts, robotic assistants, and virtual reality. Two days with an amazing crowd and a closing party with upgraded DJs to talk about. Click here to get in now.

Ben Greenfield's New York Times Bestselling book Beyond Training is now available on Audible! After spending over 43 hours in front of a microphone, Ben has finished recording a 100% (fully updated) audio recording of this quintessential guide to performance, recovery, fat loss, digestion, brain, sleep, hormones and more. If you're new to Audible, you can get it now for free by clicking here.

Grab this Official Ben Greenfield Fitness Gear package that comes with a tech shirt, a beanie and a water bottle. And of course, this week's top iTunes review - gets some BG Fitness swag straight from Ben - click here to leave your review for a chance to win some!

-----------------------------------------------------

Listener Q&A:

As compiled, deciphered, edited and sometimes read by Rachel Browne, the NEW Podcast Sidekick.

5 Ways To Burn More Calories After A Cheat Day

Anna says: She wants to know the best way to rebound after a cheat day? How do you get yourself back to operating optimally as quickly as possible?

In my response, I recommend: -CoolFatBurner.com + Curcumin + Bitter Melon Extract -Fasted Exercise + Caffeine -HIIT and/or Weight Training -Low carb -Infrared Sauna & Niacin -Get Fit Guy Detox article

Health Effects of Ritalin

James says: He took Ritalin from age 10-23, what can he do to get health back into his liver and other filtration systems that may have been damaged by the long use of that drug?

In my response, I recommend: -Family Guy & Ritalin -Fish oil -Inner Peace -Acetyl-L-carnitine -5-HTP and GABA (e.g. CBD or New Mood)

The Best Way To Eat Wild Game

Patrick says: He's a hunter and this year he wants to harvest deer organ meat. Do you have suggestions on specific organs he should retrieve and why they are important, he's already going to save the heart and liver.

In my response, I recommend: -The Complete Guide to Hunting, Butchering, and Cooking Wild Game: Volume 1: Big Game

What To Do About Cracking Knees

Judith says: She's recently increased significantly her running mileage from half marathons to ultra marathons, and as a result her knees are starting to crack very loudly, especially when she climbs stairs. What are your suggestions for how to fix this?

In my response, I recommend: -Episode 314 on Why Joints Pop -This new study on joint cavitation

My guest on today's podcast is Roger Drummer. Roger is kinda like Raiden from Mortal Kombat (pictured above) - you know, the guy that wears the conical, straw Chinese harvester and can generate magical orbs of electricity from his hands. Except, in this case, Roger plays with adaptogenic herbs. He's a Chinese herbal adaptogen formulator, a Certified Nutritionist and NCCAOM Diplomate of Chinese Herbology, holds a U.S. patent for developing a process to grow biologically active, anthocyanin-enriched medicinal mushrooms, and is in my opinion, one of the best-kept secrets in natural medicine and health enhancement. Roger even formulates personalized tonic herbs for thousands of clients, including many notable celebrities (which I ask him about in this podcast episode), and has trained in Shiatsu, Jin Shin Do, Reiki and Kriya Yoga, along with being a former triathlete, runner, cycling enthusiast, husband and father of three girls. I've personally known Roger for over five years, and it's been about three years since I've had him on a podcast (see "Chinese Medicine & Why Sugars Don’t Add Up Right on Food Labels."), so I figured that it was high time I had him back, especially since he just released a sugar-free version of my favorite adaptogenic herb complex: Tian Chi.

So what is an adaptogen? Adaptogens are a unique category of herbs that facilitate your body’s “adaptation” to stress. They help your body maintain, build or fix its own natural healthy processes, even if you’re exposed to a wide range of external and internal stressors. This means, that, for example, adaptogens can help increase cortisol if cortisol is low, or decrease cortisol if cortisol is high. They can also be used for anything from cognitive performance to enhanced endurance at altitude.

Roger is actually the inventor of the exact Chinese adaptogenic blend that holds a special place in my refrigerator: the one I mentioned above called Tian Chi . Here's the label: Tian Chi is a tiny packet that contains an herbal tonic blend of the most renowned adaptogens in the Orient.  Every herb used in TianChi is far more pure and potent than typical old, ineffective and often dangerous or nasty-ingredient laced herbs on the market. Very few products contain 100% whole herb extracts. On average the herbal extracts are at least 10:1 yields, meaning it takes 10 pounds of raw herb to produce 1 pound of pure extract. Most manufacturers start with pure yield and cut them to concentrations of 4:1 or 5:1 by adding filler. This produces a cheaper, but less effective extract. Imagine buying a 5:1 extract that originally was 45:1! In stark contrast, the herbal extracts used in TianChi yield 12:1 or greater, and there is even one herb in TianChi that is a 45:1 yield. In other words, you would have to take 9x as much herb from any other source to equal the potency in TianChi. And you would be getting mostly filler, harmful ingredients, and very few results. All of the herbs in TianChi are Non-GMO, Kosher Certified and non-irradiated. They are extracted in purified water and test free of heavy metals. And the creator uses only wild crafted herbs – herbs found in their natural state, free from pesticides and exposure to pollution. You will feel this stuff instantly, guaranteed. Below is a complete list of the pure and potent herbs you’ll find inside each pack of TianChi, with a guarantee of extreme freshness. -Schizandra – the “Five flavor berry” is known as a beauty enhancing herb, one of the main herbs pictured with Lady Maku the Goddess of Beauty. It helps restores proper water metabolism to the cells, detoxifies the liver and lungs, and is an important herb for building lung energy. It tonifies the reproductive system, builds sexual fluids and moistens the skin. Schizandra has been successfully used in China to treat hepatitis. It contains over 20 lignans that bind to carcinogenic substances and safely removes them from the body. A mild adaptogen and powerful anti-oxidant, schizandra is the Chinese equivalent to milk thistle. -Reishi Mushroom – Reishi is known as the “Mushroom of Immortality,” and “Herb of Good Fortune”. It is the most highly revered herb in China for its ability to brighten the mind and spirit. Historically used for boosting immunity, liver detoxing, blood purifying and building, and is known as a potent stress reliever. -   -Ashwagandha– Ashwagandha is known as Indian ginseng and one of the most famous of all Ayurvedic herbs. It is a premier adaptogen and has a profound effect on regulating the HPA Axis (hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal axis) which is the basis of stress response. Although many herbs have been crowded into this category I still maintain that the “Gang of Four”, ashwagandha, rhodiola, reishi and eleuthero, are truly substances that can effectively regulate stress response.   -Rhodiola – Rhodiola is known as the “Rose of Heaven” and “Plateau Ginseng.” It is one of the premier adaptogens in the entire world and one of my personal favorites. Regarded as life-prolonging and wisdom enhancing, it can reduce stress response, is blood purifying and is said to balance both creative and cognitive functions of the brain. One of the best herbs for blood oxygenation, it is useful for all endurance sports. Used to treat depression and chronic fatigue and protects against radiation. It is a favorite herb for cosmonauts and mountain climbers. Rhodiola is a “Three Treasure” tonic, it builds Jing, Chi and Shen.   -Ecklonia Cava – Ecklonia Cava is a seaweed extract that is the most potent plant based antioxidant known. Because it is partially fat-soluble it crosses the blood brain barrier and is particularly useful in controlling inflammation in the brain. Ecklonia Cava lasts for 12 hours in the body, much more than any other antioxidant.   -Eleuthero – This is the herb that launched all of the studies on adaptogenic herbs. Commonly used as an adaptogen in regulating stress response and strengthening adrenal function. It’s famous as a physical endurance and mental enhancing herb used by cosmonauts for its blood oxygen enriching properties. Eleuthero is a great herb for anyone who’s involved in sports or work that demands strength and endurance. It’s more Chi building than Jing, even though I use it primarily for its effect on the kidney-adrenal energy. Eleuthero is seldom sold as a bulk herb as it’s not very nutrient dense. It takes over 40 lbs of good root to make one pound of powdered extract.   -Epimedium – Fepimediumamous as “goat sex tea”, epimedium is known throughout the world as herbal aphrodisiac. Lost in its reputation is that it’s also a great herb for increasing circulation in the brain and improving general immunity. Epimedium adds a spark of Yang or fire to the adrenals and has been shown to increase fertility. It is a Jing tonic.   -Cistanches – Its Chinese neucommia barkame is “Duzhong” having been named after a doctor who took it and achieved great intellectual success. Eucommia is a premier Jing tonic as it contains a perfect balance of Yin and Yang energy. Its main use is in bone strengthening formulas and can be used for increasing fertility and regulating blood pressure.   -Gotu Kola – Gotu Kola is one of the most important rejuvenating herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. It’s used to help revitalize the brain and nerve cells. Gotu Kola is historically used to increase intelligence, memory, longevity and decrease senility. It has been known to support normal immune function and adrenal energy. It is also a powerful blood purifier and is commonly used in Ayurveda to treat chronic skin diseases. Gotu Kola is commonly used by monks and yogis in the Himalayas as an aid to meditation; similar to how Reishi is used in China by the Taoist monks.   -Albizzia Flower – This flower is known as the herb for “forgetting cares and sorrows” and “collective happiness flower”. It is an ultimate Shen tonic and is often used improving memory, circulation, and has mood elevating properties.   -Astragalus – Astragalus is one of the greatest Chi tonics in all of Chinese Herbology. It’s often used as a ginseng replacement in younger people. Recently it has gain great popularity as an immune building herb. It’s used to help strengthen digestion and lung function, for recovery from illness and as an energy building herb. It is said to build Upright Chi, meaning when the lungs are strong and the breath is deep, it promotes good posture and holds the organs in place. Astragalus is an excellent herb for maintaining the Protective Chi circulating on the surface of the skin helping to ward off seasonal illness. If the cold wind seems to bother your neck it’s often a sign you’re Protective Chi is weak.   -Green Tea – One green tea of the most powerful plant-based antioxidants, green tea builds immunity, increases circulation and is a best known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown it to be valuable for memory enhancement. Most of green tea’s antioxidant polyphenols are from a class called catechins of which EGCG seems to dominate. It has been described as natures most potent anticancer agent.   -Polygonum (Ho Shou Wu) – translates as “Ho’s black hair” one of the main kidney restoratives in Chinese herbology. Legend has it that Ho, an aging lonely hermit living on the edge of town saw a vine intertwined on his walk through the forest. The vines resembled a couple embracing and so he harvested the root, cooked it and consumed the tea. His hair turned back to black from snow white (hence the name) and he actually married and had a son. They both lived to over 100 years old and the herb has since been called Ho’s black hair.   -Lycium (Goji) – LyciGojium is a restorative for the liver and kidneys, popular these days as Goji, and one of the 5 most famous herbs in China. Reputed to be the main food of Li Chen Yuang for the first 125 years of his life (he added some ginseng root for the next half of his life). Li died at a banquet in his honor after consuming a heavy dinner (he was a Taoist hermit who lived on herbs and vegetables) causing a national uproar and disgrace for the public official who hosted the event.   -Other herbs: Anemarrhena, Licorice, Polygala, Clubmoss, Cocoa Bean Extract, Stevia Leaf, Acerola Cherry, and Raspberry.   During my discussion with Roger, you'll discover: -The delicate process via which wildcrafted herbs are actually extracted in China, and exactly how they find their way to the USA... -The important difference between wild and cultivated herbs... -Roger's top herb recommendation for regulating cortisol levels and eliminating adrenal fatigue issues... -The truth about whether resveratrol really does have an anti-aging effect... -How D-Ribose rebuilds your energy stores and ATP levels, and exactly how much you need... -Why so many smart drugs and nootropic compounds use the substance "choline" in their formulations, the form of choline that contains the highest concentrations of actual choline... -Why Roger isn't a fan of using regular stevia mixed with adaptogenic herb extracts, and instead uses a specialized form of stevia root... -The main differences between Tian Chi and Inner Peace...   Resources from this episode: -Tian Chi Chinese Adaptogenic Herb Complex -Inner Peace Chinese Adaptogenic Herb Complex -My previous podcast with Roger "Chinese Medicine & Why Sugars Don’t Add Up Right on Food Labels." -Roger's Herbworks website Do you have questions, comments or feedback for me or Roger about Chinese adaptogenic herbs, Tian Chi, or anything else we discuss in this podcast. Leave your thoughts at BenGreefieldFitness.com and one of us will reply!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest on today's podcast is Roger Drummer. Roger is kinda like Raiden from Mortal Kombat (pictured above) - you know, the guy that wears the conical, straw Chinese harvester and can generate magical orbs of electricity from his hands. Except, in this case, Roger plays with adaptogenic herbs. He's a Chinese herbal adaptogen formulator, a Certified Nutritionist and NCCAOM Diplomate of Chinese Herbology, holds a U.S. patent for developing a process to grow biologically active, anthocyanin-enriched medicinal mushrooms, and is in my opinion, one of the best-kept secrets in natural medicine and health enhancement. Roger even formulates personalized tonic herbs for thousands of clients, including many notable celebrities (which I ask him about in this podcast episode), and has trained in Shiatsu, Jin Shin Do, Reiki and Kriya Yoga, along with being a former triathlete, runner, cycling enthusiast, husband and father of three girls. I've personally known Roger for over five years, and it's been about three years since I've had him on a podcast (see "Chinese Medicine & Why Sugars Don’t Add Up Right on Food Labels."), so I figured that it was high time I had him back, especially since he just released a sugar-free version of my favorite adaptogenic herb complex: Tian Chi.

So what is an adaptogen? Adaptogens are a unique category of herbs that facilitate your body’s “adaptation” to stress. They help your body maintain, build or fix its own natural healthy processes, even if you’re exposed to a wide range of external and internal stressors. This means, that, for example, adaptogens can help increase cortisol if cortisol is low, or decrease cortisol if cortisol is high. They can also be used for anything from cognitive performance to enhanced endurance at altitude.

Roger is actually the inventor of the exact Chinese adaptogenic blend that holds a special place in my refrigerator: the one I mentioned above called Tian Chi . Here's the label: Tian Chi is a tiny packet that contains an herbal tonic blend of the most renowned adaptogens in the Orient.  Every herb used in TianChi is far more pure and potent than typical old, ineffective and often dangerous or nasty-ingredient laced herbs on the market. Very few products contain 100% whole herb extracts. On average the herbal extracts are at least 10:1 yields, meaning it takes 10 pounds of raw herb to produce 1 pound of pure extract. Most manufacturers start with pure yield and cut them to concentrations of 4:1 or 5:1 by adding filler. This produces a cheaper, but less effective extract. Imagine buying a 5:1 extract that originally was 45:1! In stark contrast, the herbal extracts used in TianChi yield 12:1 or greater, and there is even one herb in TianChi that is a 45:1 yield. In other words, you would have to take 9x as much herb from any other source to equal the potency in TianChi. And you would be getting mostly filler, harmful ingredients, and very few results. All of the herbs in TianChi are Non-GMO, Kosher Certified and non-irradiated. They are extracted in purified water and test free of heavy metals. And the creator uses only wild crafted herbs – herbs found in their natural state, free from pesticides and exposure to pollution. You will feel this stuff instantly, guaranteed. Below is a complete list of the pure and potent herbs you’ll find inside each pack of TianChi, with a guarantee of extreme freshness. -Schizandra – the “Five flavor berry” is known as a beauty enhancing herb, one of the main herbs pictured with Lady Maku the Goddess of Beauty. It helps restores proper water metabolism to the cells, detoxifies the liver and lungs, and is an important herb for building lung energy. It tonifies the reproductive system, builds sexual fluids and moistens the skin. Schizandra has been successfully used in China to treat hepatitis. It contains over 20 lignans that bind to carcinogenic substances and safely removes them from the body. A mild adaptogen and powerful anti-oxidant, schizandra is the Chinese equivalent to milk thistle.

-Reishi Mushroom – Reishi is known as the “Mushroom of Immortality,” and “Herb of Good Fortune”. It is the most highly revered herb in China for its ability to brighten the mind and spirit. Historically used for boosting immunity, liver detoxing, blood purifying and building, and is known as a potent stress reliever. -

 

-Ashwagandha– Ashwagandha is known as Indian ginseng and one of the most famous of all Ayurvedic herbs. It is a premier adaptogen and has a profound effect on regulating the HPA Axis (hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal axis) which is the basis of stress response. Although many herbs have been crowded into this category I still maintain that the “Gang of Four”, ashwagandha, rhodiola, reishi and eleuthero, are truly substances that can effectively regulate stress response.

 

-Rhodiola – Rhodiola is known as the “Rose of Heaven” and “Plateau Ginseng.” It is one of the premier adaptogens in the entire world and one of my personal favorites. Regarded as life-prolonging and wisdom enhancing, it can reduce stress response, is blood purifying and is said to balance both creative and cognitive functions of the brain. One of the best herbs for blood oxygenation, it is useful for all endurance sports. Used to treat depression and chronic fatigue and protects against radiation. It is a favorite herb for cosmonauts and mountain climbers. Rhodiola is a “Three Treasure” tonic, it builds Jing, Chi and Shen.

 

-Ecklonia Cava – Ecklonia Cava is a seaweed extract that is the most potent plant based antioxidant known. Because it is partially fat-soluble it crosses the blood brain barrier and is particularly useful in controlling inflammation in the brain. Ecklonia Cava lasts for 12 hours in the body, much more than any other antioxidant.

 

-Eleuthero – This is the herb that launched all of the studies on adaptogenic herbs. Commonly used as an adaptogen in regulating stress response and strengthening adrenal function. It’s famous as a physical endurance and mental enhancing herb used by cosmonauts for its blood oxygen enriching properties. Eleuthero is a great herb for anyone who’s involved in sports or work that demands strength and endurance. It’s more Chi building than Jing, even though I use it primarily for its effect on the kidney-adrenal energy. Eleuthero is seldom sold as a bulk herb as it’s not very nutrient dense. It takes over 40 lbs of good root to make one pound of powdered extract.

 

-Epimedium – Fepimediumamous as “goat sex tea”, epimedium is known throughout the world as herbal aphrodisiac. Lost in its reputation is that it’s also a great herb for increasing circulation in the brain and improving general immunity. Epimedium adds a spark of Yang or fire to the adrenals and has been shown to increase fertility. It is a Jing tonic.

 

-Cistanches – Its Chinese neucommia barkame is “Duzhong” having been named after a doctor who took it and achieved great intellectual success. Eucommia is a premier Jing tonic as it contains a perfect balance of Yin and Yang energy. Its main use is in bone strengthening formulas and can be used for increasing fertility and regulating blood pressure.

 

-Gotu Kola – Gotu Kola is one of the most important rejuvenating herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. It’s used to help revitalize the brain and nerve cells. Gotu Kola is historically used to increase intelligence, memory, longevity and decrease senility. It has been known to support normal immune function and adrenal energy. It is also a powerful blood purifier and is commonly used in Ayurveda to treat chronic skin diseases. Gotu Kola is commonly used by monks and yogis in the Himalayas as an aid to meditation; similar to how Reishi is used in China by the Taoist monks.

 

-Albizzia Flower – This flower is known as the herb for “forgetting cares and sorrows” and “collective happiness flower”. It is an ultimate Shen tonic and is often used improving memory, circulation, and has mood elevating properties.

 

-Astragalus – Astragalus is one of the greatest Chi tonics in all of Chinese Herbology. It’s often used as a ginseng replacement in younger people. Recently it has gain great popularity as an immune building herb. It’s used to help strengthen digestion and lung function, for recovery from illness and as an energy building herb. It is said to build Upright Chi, meaning when the lungs are strong and the breath is deep, it promotes good posture and holds the organs in place. Astragalus is an excellent herb for maintaining the Protective Chi circulating on the surface of the skin helping to ward off seasonal illness. If the cold wind seems to bother your neck it’s often a sign you’re Protective Chi is weak.

 

-Green Tea – One green tea of the most powerful plant-based antioxidants, green tea builds immunity, increases circulation and is a best known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown it to be valuable for memory enhancement. Most of green tea’s antioxidant polyphenols are from a class called catechins of which EGCG seems to dominate. It has been described as natures most potent anticancer agent.

 

-Polygonum (Ho Shou Wu) – translates as “Ho’s black hair” one of the main kidney restoratives in Chinese herbology. Legend has it that Ho, an aging lonely hermit living on the edge of town saw a vine intertwined on his walk through the forest. The vines resembled a couple embracing and so he harvested the root, cooked it and consumed the tea. His hair turned back to black from snow white (hence the name) and he actually married and had a son. They both lived to over 100 years old and the herb has since been called Ho’s black hair.

 

-Lycium (Goji) – LyciGojium is a restorative for the liver and kidneys, popular these days as Goji, and one of the 5 most famous herbs in China. Reputed to be the main food of Li Chen Yuang for the first 125 years of his life (he added some ginseng root for the next half of his life). Li died at a banquet in his honor after consuming a heavy dinner (he was a Taoist hermit who lived on herbs and vegetables) causing a national uproar and disgrace for the public official who hosted the event.

 

-Other herbs: Anemarrhena, Licorice, Polygala, Clubmoss, Cocoa Bean Extract, Stevia Leaf, Acerola Cherry, and Raspberry.

 

During my discussion with Roger, you'll discover: -The delicate process via which wildcrafted herbs are actually extracted in China, and exactly how they find their way to the USA... -The important difference between wild and cultivated herbs... -Roger's top herb recommendation for regulating cortisol levels and eliminating adrenal fatigue issues... -The truth about whether resveratrol really does have an anti-aging effect... -How D-Ribose rebuilds your energy stores and ATP levels, and exactly how much you need... -Why so many smart drugs and nootropic compounds use the substance "choline" in their formulations, the form of choline that contains the highest concentrations of actual choline... -Why Roger isn't a fan of using regular stevia mixed with adaptogenic herb extracts, and instead uses a specialized form of stevia root... -The main differences between Tian Chi and Inner Peace...  

Resources from this episode:

-Tian Chi Chinese Adaptogenic Herb Complex

-Inner Peace Chinese Adaptogenic Herb Complex

-My previous podcast with Roger "Chinese Medicine & Why Sugars Don’t Add Up Right on Food Labels."

-Roger's Herbworks website

Do you have questions, comments or feedback for me or Roger about Chinese adaptogenic herbs, Tian Chi, or anything else we discuss in this podcast. Leave your thoughts at BenGreefieldFitness.com and one of us will reply!

http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/334

Oct 14, 2015 Podcast: Is High-Dose Vitamin C A Scam, The Complete Guide To Hypoxic Training, Best Long Running Tips Ever & More! Have a podcast question for Ben? Click the tab on the right (or go to SpeakPipe), use the Contact button on the app, call 1-877-209-9439, Skype “pacificfit” or use the “Ask Ben” form at the bottom of this page.

-----------------------------------------------------

News Flashes:

You can receive these News Flashes (and more) every single day, if you follow Ben on Twitter.com/BenGreenfield, Instagram.com/BenGreenfieldFitness, Facebook.com/BGFitness and Google+.

• Best. Long. Running. Tips. Ever. 
• When they’re drunk, a third of vegetarians eat meat.
• Bosu ball vs. foam mat for challenging your balance? Bosu ball wins. (I also mention the FluidStance in this part)

-----------------------------------------------------

Special Announcements:

Did you miss the weekend podcast episode with former Dr. Lew Lim? It was a must-listen - titled "How to Use Low Level Light Therapy And Intranasal Light Therapy For Athletic Performance, Cognitive Enhancement & More." Click here to listen now or download for later!

This podcast is brought to you by Harrys shaving. Visit Harrys.com and use $5 discount code "ben" on a Winston set, a Truman set, or any other mighty fine shaving equipment, at a fraction of the cost of drugstore razors.

This podcast is brought to you by Caspers. Get $50 toward any mattress purchase by visiting casper.com/BEN and using Promo code ben.

This podcast is brought to you by Kimera Koffee. Visit KimeraKoffee.com and use code BEN10 to save 10% on any of their tasty, nootropic-infused coffees.

Now Available - Ben Greenfield’s “REV Yourself Conference” – 25 Packaged Interviews With The World’s Leading Experts In Physical & Mental Performance Enhancement Strategies. In this package, you’ll get to watch and listen as Ben Greenfield sits down with the world’s leading experts in biohacking, physical performance, mental performance, cognitive enhancement, personal productivity, muscle gain, fat loss and more. In a frank, easy-to-understand, fireside chat format, these experts reveal all their most cutting-edge secrets, and your access to the videos and audios also includes helpful notes, summaries and more. From Dr. Mercola to Mark Sisson to Nora Gedgaudas, you can check out the lineup and get access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, forever (no expiration!) once you click here to get lifetime access for $47.

Dec 4-6, 2015: Ben is speaking at the Unbeatable Mind Retreat in Carlsbad, California. This is where SEALFit and Navy SEAL Commander Mark Divine will be assembling the best of the best in everything from performance to cutting-edge mental training to advanced sleep tactics and more. Includes amazing ancestral meals, morning WOD's at SEALFit HQ (the site of the world famous Kokoro camp), Warrior Yoga instruction and workouts, and speakers such as Robb Wolf, Dr. Kirk Parsley, Dominic D'Agostino, and more. Click here to get in now.

Nov 14, 2015: Ben will be competing at the World's Toughest Mudder. If you live near Las Vegas or Henderson, Nevada, be sure to come watch the action!

Nov 17-18, 2016: Ben is speaking at the Biohacker's Summit in Helsinki, Finland. Discover the latest in wearables, internet of things, digital health, and mobile apps to increase performance, be healthier, stay fit, and get more done. Learn about taking food, preparation, cooking, and eating to the next level with the latest science and kitchen chemistry. Even delve into implanted chips, gene therapy, bionic arms, biometric shirts, robotic assistants, and virtual reality. Two days with an amazing crowd and a closing party with upgraded DJs to talk about. Click here to get in now.

Ben Greenfield's New York Times Bestselling book Beyond Training is now available on Audible! After spending over 43 hours in front of a microphone, Ben has finished recording a 100% (fully updated) audio recording of this quintessential guide to performance, recovery, fat loss, digestion, brain, sleep, hormones and more. If you're new to Audible, you can get it now for free by clicking here.

Grab this Official Ben Greenfield Fitness Gear package that comes with a tech shirt, a beanie and a water bottle. And of course, this week's top iTunes review - gets some BG Fitness swag straight from Ben - click here to leave your review for a chance to win some!

-----------------------------------------------------

Listener Q&A:

As compiled, deciphered, edited and sometimes read by Rachel Browne, the NEW Podcast Sidekick.

Is High-Dose Vitamin C A Scam?

Meghan says: She was recently listening to Abel James Podcast who was interviewing Dr Andrew Saul who said Vitamin C is the cure-all for everything. What are your thoughts on this? If it is as effective as he says, would it help with injuries?

In my response, I recommend: -This Vitamin C myth podcast -This study on Vitamin C and lifespan Natural Remedies For Cold Hands & Feet

Tyler says: With the change in weather, he realized how cold his hands and feet are getting and how long they take to warm up after being outside. What's your advice for helping to promote distal circulation to the feet and hands?

In my response, I recommend: -Episode #314 on why you get cold hands and feet and what to do about Raynaud's syndrome. -Wim Hof style breathing -Niasafe -Ginkgo Biloba How To Fix A Hunched Back

Ratasha says: What kind of strength training protocol would you give someone with hyperkyphosis. She has a client with a 70 degree curvature to the spine who wants to build strength.

In my response, I recommend: -Taping for kyphosis -Eric Goodman's Core Foundation book The Complete Guide To Hypoxic Training

Alma says: What are the physiological benefits of oxygen restriction and how and why can it improve training performance?

In my response, I recommend: -This recent study on hypoxia. -This study on the elevation training mask. -This study on hypoxia and resistance training. -This study on swimming with breath restriction and running economy. -Sprint training with hypoxia. -Hypoxico. -TrainingMask.com (use 20% discount code GREEN1)

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 14, 2015 Podcast: Is High-Dose Vitamin C A Scam, The Complete Guide To Hypoxic Training, Best Long Running Tips Ever & More! Have a podcast question for Ben? Click the tab on the right (or go to SpeakPipe), use the Contact button on the app, call 1-877-209-9439, Skype “pacificfit” or use the “Ask Ben” form at the bottom of this page.

-----------------------------------------------------

News Flashes:

You can receive these News Flashes (and more) every single day, if you follow Ben on Twitter.com/BenGreenfield, Instagram.com/BenGreenfieldFitness, Facebook.com/BGFitness and Google+.

Best. Long. Running. Tips. Ever. 

When they’re drunk, a third of vegetarians eat meat.

Bosu ball vs. foam mat for challenging your balance? Bosu ball wins. (I also mention the FluidStance in this part)

-----------------------------------------------------

Special Announcements:

Did you miss the weekend podcast episode with former Dr. Lew Lim? It was a must-listen - titled "How to Use Low Level Light Therapy And Intranasal Light Therapy For Athletic Performance, Cognitive Enhancement & More." Click here to listen now or download for later!

This podcast is brought to you by Harrys shaving. Visit Harrys.com and use $5 discount code "ben" on a Winston set, a Truman set, or any other mighty fine shaving equipment, at a fraction of the cost of drugstore razors.

This podcast is brought to you by Caspers. Get $50 toward any mattress purchase by visiting casper.com/BEN and using Promo code ben.

This podcast is brought to you by Kimera Koffee. Visit KimeraKoffee.com and use code BEN10 to save 10% on any of their tasty, nootropic-infused coffees.

Now Available - Ben Greenfield’s “REV Yourself Conference” – 25 Packaged Interviews With The World’s Leading Experts In Physical & Mental Performance Enhancement Strategies. In this package, you’ll get to watch and listen as Ben Greenfield sits down with the world’s leading experts in biohacking, physical performance, mental performance, cognitive enhancement, personal productivity, muscle gain, fat loss and more. In a frank, easy-to-understand, fireside chat format, these experts reveal all their most cutting-edge secrets, and your access to the videos and audios also includes helpful notes, summaries and more. From Dr. Mercola to Mark Sisson to Nora Gedgaudas, you can check out the lineup and get access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, forever (no expiration!) once you click here to get lifetime access for $47.

Dec 4-6, 2015: Ben is speaking at the Unbeatable Mind Retreat in Carlsbad, California. This is where SEALFit and Navy SEAL Commander Mark Divine will be assembling the best of the best in everything from performance to cutting-edge mental training to advanced sleep tactics and more. Includes amazing ancestral meals, morning WOD's at SEALFit HQ (the site of the world famous Kokoro camp), Warrior Yoga instruction and workouts, and speakers such as Robb Wolf, Dr. Kirk Parsley, Dominic D'Agostino, and more. Click here to get in now.

Nov 14, 2015: Ben will be competing at the World's Toughest Mudder. If you live near Las Vegas or Henderson, Nevada, be sure to come watch the action!

Nov 17-18, 2016: Ben is speaking at the Biohacker's Summit in Helsinki, Finland. Discover the latest in wearables, internet of things, digital health, and mobile apps to increase performance, be healthier, stay fit, and get more done. Learn about taking food, preparation, cooking, and eating to the next level with the latest science and kitchen chemistry. Even delve into implanted chips, gene therapy, bionic arms, biometric shirts, robotic assistants, and virtual reality. Two days with an amazing crowd and a closing party with upgraded DJs to talk about. Click here to get in now.

Ben Greenfield's New York Times Bestselling book Beyond Training is now available on Audible! After spending over 43 hours in front of a microphone, Ben has finished recording a 100% (fully updated) audio recording of this quintessential guide to performance, recovery, fat loss, digestion, brain, sleep, hormones and more. If you're new to Audible, you can get it now for free by clicking here.

Grab this Official Ben Greenfield Fitness Gear package that comes with a tech shirt, a beanie and a water bottle. And of course, this week's top iTunes review - gets some BG Fitness swag straight from Ben - click here to leave your review for a chance to win some!

-----------------------------------------------------

Listener Q&A:

As compiled, deciphered, edited and sometimes read by Rachel Browne, the NEW Podcast Sidekick.

Is High-Dose Vitamin C A Scam?

Meghan says: She was recently listening to Abel James Podcast who was interviewing Dr Andrew Saul who said Vitamin C is the cure-all for everything. What are your thoughts on this? If it is as effective as he says, would it help with injuries?

In my response, I recommend: -This Vitamin C myth podcast -This study on Vitamin C and lifespan

Natural Remedies For Cold Hands & Feet

Tyler says: With the change in weather, he realized how cold his hands and feet are getting and how long they take to warm up after being outside. What's your advice for helping to promote distal circulation to the feet and hands?

In my response, I recommend: -Episode #314 on why you get cold hands and feet and what to do about Raynaud's syndrome. -Wim Hof style breathing -Niasafe -Ginkgo Biloba

How To Fix A Hunched Back

Ratasha says: What kind of strength training protocol would you give someone with hyperkyphosis. She has a client with a 70 degree curvature to the spine who wants to build strength.

In my response, I recommend: -Taping for kyphosis -Eric Goodman's Core Foundation book

The Complete Guide To Hypoxic Training

Alma says: What are the physiological benefits of oxygen restriction and how and why can it improve training performance?

In my response, I recommend: -This recent study on hypoxia. -This study on the elevation training mask. -This study on hypoxia and resistance training. -This study on swimming with breath restriction and running economy. -Sprint training with hypoxia. -Hypoxico. -TrainingMask.com (use 20% discount code GREEN1)

Several weeks ago, in the article, The Ultimate Guide To Using Light To Biohack Your Circadian Rhythms, Sleep Better & Beat Jet Lag Forever, I told you about an in-ear light phototherapy device called "The Human Charger", which I've been experimenting with for everything from jet lag to a burst of pre-workout wakefulness.

Then, in the article, Pink Makes You Docile, Orange Makes You Buy Stuff, Red Makes You Mad: How To Use Color Light Therapy For Mood, Cognition, Healing & More, I taught you how to use something called chromotherapy to change your mood, deal with insomnia, or even treat a variety of health issues.

Finally, several days ago (probably because it appears I've lately been obsessed with light biohacks) one of my friends mentioned the word "photomedicine" to me. This word photomedicine was a new term in my vernacular, but when I looked into it, I found that intranasal light therapy, which is literally light stimulation of blood capillaries in the nasal cavity, has been used for the past couple decades as a very non-invasive method to introduce therapeutic light energy into the human body, and there's actually a surprising amount of research on this form of nonionizing radiation on biological systems, including effects on cognitive performance, fighting free radicals, combatting Alzheimer's symptoms and more. So for today's podcast, I hunted down an expert in photomedicine, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), or low level light therapy. His name is Dr. Lew Lim, and Dr. Lim is the co-inventor of a wearable, intranasal light therapy device designed for home-use called the "Vielight". Dr. Lim is a Doctor of Naturopathy, has a Graduate Engineering Diploma, a MBA, and is a Chartered Accountant. He is also certified in Medical Neuroscience, Neurobiology and Human Physiology. He has obtained qualifications from University of California at Berkeley, Duke University, University of Chicago and University of Sheffield, UK and collaborates with Harvard Medical School and Boston University in research relating to the field of photobiomodulation. During our discussion, you'll discover:

-Why any athlete should pay close attention to the emerging field of photomedicine, particularly low level light therapy...

-Why the FDA has approved infrared therapy for everything from eliminating microbes and fungus in the human body to killing cancer cells...

-What happens to your cells (and specifically to your nitric oxide production) when your cells get exposed to low level light therapy...

-How to use intranasal light therapy as a way to "charge up your brain" prior to mentally demanding tasks...

-A biohack that combines red light therapy and infrared light therapy... -Exactly when, how and how long to use low level light therapy and intranasal light therapy for everything from brain stimulation to sleep...

-And much more!

Resources from this episode:

-The HumanCharger (10% discount code is “BENG10HC”)

-Vielight (10% discount code is "GREENFIELD")

-Lew's free, upcoming "World Summit of Integrative Medicine"

-Applications of Intranasal Low Intensity Laser Therapy in Sports Medicine

-Superpulsed Low-Level Laser Therapy Protects Skeletal Muscle of mdx Mice Against Damage, Inflammation and Morphological Changes Delaying Dystrophy Progression

-Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Development of Exercise-Induced Skeletal Muscle Fatigue and Changes in Biochemical Markers Related to Postexercise Recovery

Do you have questions, comments or feedback about Vielight, intranasal light therapy or anything else we discuss on this episode? Leave your thoughts at BenGreenfieldFitness.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several weeks ago, in the article, The Ultimate Guide To Using Light To Biohack Your Circadian Rhythms, Sleep Better & Beat Jet Lag Forever, I told you about an in-ear light phototherapy device called "The Human Charger", which I've been experimenting with for everything from jet lag to a burst of pre-workout wakefulness.

Then, in the article, Pink Makes You Docile, Orange Makes You Buy Stuff, Red Makes You Mad: How To Use Color Light Therapy For Mood, Cognition, Healing & More, I taught you how to use something called chromotherapy to change your mood, deal with insomnia, or even treat a variety of health issues.

Finally, several days ago (probably because it appears I've lately been obsessed with light biohacks) one of my friends mentioned the word "photomedicine" to me. This word photomedicine was a new term in my vernacular, but when I looked into it, I found that intranasal light therapy, which is literally light stimulation of blood capillaries in the nasal cavity, has been used for the past couple decades as a very non-invasive method to introduce therapeutic light energy into the human body, and there's actually a surprising amount of research on this form of nonionizing radiation on biological systems, including effects on cognitive performance, fighting free radicals, combatting Alzheimer's symptoms and more. So for today's podcast, I hunted down an expert in photomedicine, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), or low level light therapy. His name is Dr. Lew Lim, and Dr. Lim is the co-inventor of a wearable, intranasal light therapy device designed for home-use called the "Vielight". Dr. Lim is a Doctor of Naturopathy, has a Graduate Engineering Diploma, a MBA, and is a Chartered Accountant. He is also certified in Medical Neuroscience, Neurobiology and Human Physiology. He has obtained qualifications from University of California at Berkeley, Duke University, University of Chicago and University of Sheffield, UK and collaborates with Harvard Medical School and Boston University in research relating to the field of photobiomodulation. During our discussion, you'll discover:

-Why any athlete should pay close attention to the emerging field of photomedicine, particularly low level light therapy...

-Why the FDA has approved infrared therapy for everything from eliminating microbes and fungus in the human body to killing cancer cells...

-What happens to your cells (and specifically to your nitric oxide production) when your cells get exposed to low level light therapy...

-How to use intranasal light therapy as a way to "charge up your brain" prior to mentally demanding tasks...

-A biohack that combines red light therapy and infrared light therapy... -Exactly when, how and how long to use low level light therapy and intranasal light therapy for everything from brain stimulation to sleep...

-And much more!

Resources from this episode:

-The HumanCharger (10% discount code is “BENG10HC”)

-Vielight (10% discount code is "GREENFIELD")

-Lew's free, upcoming "World Summit of Integrative Medicine"

-Applications of Intranasal Low Intensity Laser Therapy in Sports Medicine

-Superpulsed Low-Level Laser Therapy Protects Skeletal Muscle of mdx Mice Against Damage, Inflammation and Morphological Changes Delaying Dystrophy Progression

-Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Development of Exercise-Induced Skeletal Muscle Fatigue and Changes in Biochemical Markers Related to Postexercise Recovery

Do you have questions, comments or feedback about Vielight, intranasal light therapy or anything else we discuss on this episode? Leave your thoughts at BenGreenfieldFitness.com.