Male Enhancement Training Explained with AJ “Big AL” Alfaro!

Conrad Rodriguez of MasculineHealthSolutions interviews AJ “Big Al” Alfaro for a discussion on on male enhancement including success stories, health and more!

 

Please click below to access the podcast:

 

#95 – Male Enhancement Training Explained with AJ “Big AL” Alfaro!

 

Check out MasculineHealthSolutions’ previous interview with AJ: Penis Enlargement Deep Dive with the legendary AJ “Big AL” Alfaro

A Nutrition PhD’s Advice & Tips For Optimizing Longevity

Yes, You Have Control Over Your Healthspan: A Nutrition PhD’s Advice For Optimizing Longevity

mbg Vice President of Scientific Affairs By Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN

This article is a repost which originally appeared on mbghealth

Edited for content. The opinions expressed in this article may not reflect the opinions of this site’s editors, staff or members.

Our Takeaways:

· Healthspan refers to the period of life where someone has good health.

· Healthspan is heavily influenced by diet.

· Supplements can also be used to increase healthspan.

Once upon a time, I had a pretty awkward and comical date in Santa Monica. I was new-ish to Los Angeles and decided to try out a dating site that was famous for its robust matching algorithms. However, on this particular evening on Pico Boulevard, their matching science was, well, not so robust.

I probably should have known something was awry when the handsome maitre d’ wished me “good luck” in a distinct, you’re-gonna-need-it kind of tone before taking me to the table where my date was already seated.

In lieu of a warm salutation, my date stood up, scanned me from toes to head (yes, in that particular order), and proclaimed with some audible disappointment, “You’re taller than your dating app profile said.” I replied, “It’s nice to meet you too” like any gracious Southern lady would, and proceeded to sit my tall self down. (I’m actually a not-so-tall 5-feet-6-inches, but as my dating profile clearly stated, “I like to wear heels,” so you know…do the math.)

The rest of that date could inspire a Saturday Night Live skit, but allow me to cut to the nutrition-relevant chase (since this article is about nutrition principles for a long and healthy life—I promise).

A nutrition Ph.D.’s long-range nutrition philosophy.

After asking my date the obligatory question about what he did for work, I kept the convo flowing by sharing that I was a dietitian and nutrition research scientist. As with lots of strangers, my occupation immediately inspired my date to share his personal foraging and dietary practices with no prompting at all.

Specifically, he shared that since he works best in the wee hours of the morning, he eats supper at around 2 a.m. Rotating between three particular fast food joints, he picks up the food earlier in the day and refrigerates it to enjoy later (you know, at 2 a.m.). To be clear, he does not work a night-shift job. He then went on to say with adamance that he did not like or consume fruits, vegetables, fish, or most “healthy stuff.” Why? His rationale: “Life is too short. I’ll worry about eating healthy later.”

While the daily video gaming and other hobbies he mentioned were never going to fit with my interests and use of time, his eating habits specifically were sounding alarm bells in my dietitian head. Given his nutrient-depleted diet, it took me everything not to convert our date into an emergency nutrition counseling session that at least covered vitamin C, omega-3s, and fiber for everyone’s sake. (OK, I’m 80% joking).

You see, our nutrition philosophies and game plans for the long term were categorically opposed. I threw a bright yellow mental penalty flag down on the dating field and called it quits (in my mind of course—after all, I needed to finish my salmon and vegetables first!).

And while a date might just be a date, its future potential certainly plays a role in deciding whether to prolong said dating journey. The longevity of our hypothetical relationship was doomed for a variety of dating site algorithm failures, but like any research-minded Ph.D. nutritionist might ruminate (OK, maybe just me): This man’s lack of actual longevity potential flashed before my eyes as his shocking nutrient-lacking lifestyle was revealed.

It was like he had zero dollars in his nutrition 401(k) account, and I’m sorry, but that just doesn’t add up to a lengthy partnership.

Healthspan is not fixed (it’s malleable!).

Whether you’re looking for a good nutrition life match or simply cooking dinner for yourself, do we actually know what constitutes longevity food? And do we have the luxury to worry about eating healthy later, as my date suggested? The science is quite clear on that: Nope. At least not if the goal of living on this earth is thriving (instead of just surviving).

Regardless of your life stage, now is always the time to prioritize nutrition and other healthy lifestyle practices (i.e., restful sleep, physical activity, healthy body composition, smoking cessation, moderate or scant alcohol consumption, etc.). But is starting earlier best? Absolutely.

And as it turns out, we even know that certain patterns of macronutrients, micronutrients, and phytonutrients (i.e., plant bioactives) and their timing of consumption are tied to longer healthspan.

It’s so important to note that healthspan is malleable! Like the ultimate alley-oop basketball move: Your genes might be the setup, but nutrition is definitely the follow-through. Suboptimal nutrition can be a weak-sauce layup that barely makes it into the net, while a nutrient-dense lifestyle is like a fabulously confident dunk with some impressive hang time.

Smart nutrition: the ultimate power play for longevity.

Beyond the obvious role of taking in enough nutrients every day (i.e., get serious about nutritional sufficiency, whether that means a truly comprehensive multi, effective vitamin D3 supplement, filling your omega-3 gap, or more), our body is nutrient-responsive.

That’s because nutrients are fabulously multifunctional. Aside from being delicious, nutrition has the ability to positively affect so many physiological pathways and outcomes. Here are just a few that come to mind:

‧ boots-on-the-ground antioxidant fighting power against oxidative stress via an array of antioxidant vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients from plants (fruits, vegetables, herbs, and more)

‧ anti-inflammatory marine omega-3s for resolution of inflammatory pathways

‧ prebiotic fibers and probiotic microbes for robust gut health

‧ 24/7 cellular cleanup and rejuvenation activities like detoxification and autophagy (think glutathione, milk thistle, CoQ10, etc.)

‧ adaptogens and nootropics for mental resilience and cognitive performance

‧ normocaloric intake of plant-centric carbs, proteins, and fats within a defined intermittent fasting window (e.g., 12 hours each day) for healthy body composition and cardiometabolic health

‧ intricate interplay of food and nutritional bioactives with your genes and DNA via precision nutrition solutions (e.g., for MTHFR gene variants) and epigenetic mechanisms

Smart nutrition is like a strategic biohacking strategy you tap into daily to thrive for the long haul. A recent, comprehensive research review examined this fascinating area of longevity nutrition, so you’ll want to check out the highlights and key nutritional pillars that represent a literal investment in your future.

Longevity nutrition is core to mbg philosophy, too.

Of course, if you’ve read mindbodygreen content for any period of time, you’ll probably know the pragmatic power of nutrition for health and longevity. This is not just something we cover in a journalistic sense. Longevity nutrition is actually core to the mindbodygreen philosophy, our portfolio of products, and the way we live.

In fact, the suite of premium products in mbg’s longevity & vitality collection were created with your healthspan in mind. By taking longevity support to the next level, these bioavailable nutrients, botanicals, and bioactives transform your daily regimen for healthy aging.*

From the 30 trillion cells that make up the human body, to how we look and feel—the fact is the amounts, types, and timing of nutrients and phytonutrients we choose to consume are absolutely pivotal to our health today and tomorrow. Nutrition isn’t sitting on the sidelines. It’s a versatile quarterback calling the plays.

Whether that “play” is to keep your brain sharp as a tack, maintain strong muscles and bones, promote insulin sensitivity and blood glucose balance, elevate gut microbial abundance and diversity, bolster your resilience to stressors, ensure your immune defenses are game for inevitable challenges that will come, or nurture collagen production—ultimately, these are all longevity plays, individually and collectively. They all rely on smart nutrition rooted in science.

The takeaway.

Some matches simply aren’t meant to be. But thankfully, unlike dating sites and the unpredictable nature of some human relationships, the “algorithm” underlying longevity is less cryptic, and healthful nutrition is paramount.

 

Basic Supplements, Problems With measuring, and Adding Reps: Ask The Experts

Basic Supplements, Problems With measuring, and Adding Reps: Ask The Experts

Big Al, of MaleEnhancementCoach.com, answers questions about basic supplements, problems with measuring and adding reps.

If you have questions you’d like answered in an Ask the Experts article, please PM Big Al

Q. I would like to ask your opinion on sunflower lecithin.

It can increase cum? Also any supporting supplements need to go with it?

Al: Sunflower based lecithin should work well. Go for the granules over the capsules as it’s better economically. Take 1 tbsp each day until you achieve a good consistency- then you can maintain on 3-4 tbsp per week.

Make sure you’re well hydrated to maximize the effect.

Also make sure that you’re getting in adequate levels of zinc. If you take a daily zinc tab, take it with protein of some sort.

If you’re following a healthy diet then the above would be sufficient for maintaining optimal function.

Q. I have a problem. When I want to get an erection for my workouts or sex there’s no challenge but when I want to measure my penis doesn’t get a full hard up because I get nervous.

What can I do to fix this?

Al: Learning to relax by using Emotional Visualizations will help you to train your mind to encourage the desired emotional backdrop for your measures.

You might consider “surprise” measuring when it’s time. To do this, make sure you have your measuring implements available within easy reach. When you’re training or otherwise involved in activities where you have a maximum erection- stoop- then immediately measure before you have a chance to think much. This should allow you to bypass any associated anxiety.

An alternative is to measure BPFSL (Bone Pressed Flaccid Stretched Length). This measure is usually within 1/2 inch +/- BPEL (Bone Pressed Erect Length), and is considered a good predictor of immediate future length gains.

Q. What’s a good rate of increase for reps on my exercises?

Al: The amount of reps you add for an exercise with depend on a couple of factors: the amount of reps you’re currently performing and the exercise itself.

For most movements, you’ll start off at a relatively low rep count. For example, the Squeeze: 5 reps as per the Jelq Free Routine instructions. From there, you’d add 1 rep per session. You can keep this pace up until you hit the 20 rep mark, and from there you may begin to add 2 reps per session. This is because the rate of increase reflects a proportion of the whole.

Some exercises like jelqs and Side to Side stretches lend themselves to somewhat greater increases per session due to their ease of adaptability, but you’ll need to use indicators like how you feel after a session as well as your EQ to ensure you’re not adding too much (or too little).

*                *                *

Do you want Al to answer your questions?  Please check out MaleEnhancementCoach.com

Best tips for biohacking your skin this winter

How to biohack your skin for winter

Fend off the dreaded seasonal flakiness!

Cassandra Green

This article is a repost which originally appeared on Body+Soul

Edited for content. The opinions expressed in this article may not reflect the opinions of this site’s editors, staff or members.

Our Takeaways:

· What happens on the inside of your body can express itself via your skin.

· Vitamin D is necessary for good skin health. Controlled sun exposure and dietary Vitamin D can help to develop and maintain good skin health.

· If you suffer from regular itching or rashes, medical advice may be needed.

Get the jump on dryness this winter with a few simple routine changes that will replenish your body, inside and out.

Biohacking is a do-it-yourself approach to biology that’s designed to optimise your body for better health and wellbeing outcomes. While it might sound a little intense, biohacking often begins with a simple blood test to ascertain if, and in what ways, the body may be deficient.

From there, a health professional can recommend a course of action – via supplementation or complementary therapies – to bring the body back into balance.

The high-tech technique relates to our internal health – gut, liver, kidneys – but can also apply to the body’s largest organ: the skin. Adjustments may need to change seasonally as our bodies live in a state of flux based on our environment, and given how harsh winter can be, now is a good time to make some well-informed tweaks.

In fact, recent research commissioned by skincare brand Cetaphil found that eight million Australians feel they look older simply because winter has rolled around. The main complaints were dullness, dehydration, dry flaky skin, cracking skin and looking paler. Dr Yalda Jamali, a specialist in facial aesthetics and cosmetic dermatology, says taking stock of your skincare routine and wellbeing as the mercury plummets can help to see you through the season.

Hack it from the inside

Top up your vitamin D

“I always advise getting regular blood tests at your GP to check for deficiencies,” Jamali tells Body+Soul, adding that she doesn’t like to prescribe supplements unless there’s a deficiency. “However, the one supplement that I do recommend is vitamin D. Our bodies produce vitamin D when sunlight (specifically UVB rays) hits our skin, and in winter, we usually get less sun exposure.” She says this essential nutrient can also be sourced naturally through the winter sun (being sun safe, of course), and from your diet (through eggs, liver, fatty fish and beef).

Overhaul your sleep routine

“Studies have shown that chronic poor sleep quality is associated with increased signs of intrinsic ageing and poor skin barrier function,” says Jamali. “Good- quality sleep will allow your skin to recover more efficiently from UV-induced damage. I also recommend using a silk pillow, which helps to prevent sleep lines forming, and also keeps your skin better hydrated as they don’t absorb as much moisture as cotton pillow cases.”

Don’t skimp on self-care

“If you’re feeling run-down or struggling with your [overall sense of] wellbeing, this can have a knock-on effect on your sleep, diet, exercise, relationships and all of your activities of daily living,” explains Dr Deshan Sebaratnam, a dermatologist and senior lecturer at the University of Sydney. “All of these things can contribute to skin disease,” he tells Body+Soul.

“Sometimes, when other facets of your life become difficult, you might not have the bandwidth for self-care activities [such as] taking your medications or attending medical appointments.” So don’t skimp on your self-care this winter, and be sure to speak to someone if you’re struggling. Tech can also assist with the winter blues, including sun lamps, which are designed to mimic the rhythm of the summer sun, to regulate melatonin and release serotonin.

Hack it from the outside

Boost your barrier

Dermatologist Dr Leona Yip says barrier and protective products are essential in winter to trap and lock in moisture.

In the shower

Winter is a good time to re-think your showering habits. Jamali suggests a few simple changes, such as not showering in extremely hot water, and not excessively drying your skin afterwards but instead aiming for gentle taps with your towel.

She suggests opting for calming and pH-balanced cleansers and avoiding overuse of products with acids such as AHAs or BHAs. If you suffer from dry skin already, use emollient substitutes for your shower wash.

On the hair

Sydney hairstylist Anthony Nader, owner of online retailer SSS Hair, says adding a mask onto dry hair before you shampoo will mean it “can absorb 100 per cent into your hair scales”. This method will fill up the porous scales with the goodness of your pre-wash mask, rather than plain water from the shower.

“Oil is a beautiful treatment for those of you with highly thirsty hair that needs loving to go from complete dullness to high-voltage, megawatt shine,” he tells Body+Soul. “The cooler months are the time to take more care of your hair as it needs that extra volume and shine to protect against the elements.”

In the clinic

Winter, Jamali says, can also be the perfect time for salon procedures such as microneedling, chemical peels, laser treatments and radiofrequency as UV radiation needs to be kept to a minimum following treatment. The same goes for retinols.

“Topical retinoids can make you photosensitive, so I always advise starting them in the winter when we’re less exposed to UV radiation,” she adds.

When it’s more than just dry skin

Dr Yalda Jamali, an expert in facial aesthetics and cosmetic dermatology, explains what to look for and when to seek medical advice for skin issues

It’s common to suffer from dry skin during winter. However, if you feel that your skin is developing rashes, is bumpy and rough in texture, or is excessively itchy or red, seek medical advice. Even if you have dry skin but it’s not settling with increased emollient use, seek advice. Using the wrong products on your skin or excessive itching can lead to long-term implications such as scarring.

Dermatitis is a broad term used to describe a group of itchy inflammatory conditions. It can be pretty confusing as many conditions fall under this term. For example, eczema is a type of dermatitis (atopic dermatitis); however, not all dermatitis cases are eczema. It’s difficult to give broad advice on how to manage different kinds of dermatitis during winter, but if you’re suffering from flare-ups, the simple rule is to avoid triggers, keep the skin well moisturised and seek medical advice.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by very well-defined red and scaly plaques. Winter can flare up psoriasis, and my advice is to keep skin well moisturised; this will help the redness and itching. You can’t overdo emollients and ointments. The more you apply, the more hydration is locked into the skin to ease the symptoms.

 

 

 

 

What is NAD+ and what are the benefits of NAD supplements and NAD+

NAD+: is this new wonder supplement the secret to looking and feeling younger for longer?

May 23rd 2022 / Ingeborg Van Lotringen

This article is a repost which originally appeared on GET THE GLOSS

Edited for content. The opinions expressed in this article may not reflect the opinions of this site’s editors, staff or members.

Our Takeaways:

· NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a naturally occurring cellular component.

· NAD+ is responsible for cellular repair as well as energy.

· Exercise and fasting can raise levels of NAD+ in the body.

MOVE OVER COLLAGEN THERE’S A NEW SUPPLEMENT WITH A GROWING FAN BASE PROMISING TO HOLD BACK THE YEARS. IS NAD MORE THAN A FAD? WE ASKED DOCTORS TO WEIGH IN 

Vitamin A, collagen powders, CBD… Not a month goes by when we hear about a new ‘wonder’ ingredient that is going to blitz our ailments and hold back the years. The latest contender is NAD+ (pronounced ‘N.A.D. plus’). Already crowding the shelves of health food stores in the US, where preventative medicine and supplements are an even bigger ‘thing’ than here (and a sign of what’s heading our way!), the energy-generating co-enzyme – a compound naturally found in the body – is beginning to make waves in the UK too.

The claim is that it may improve our health and, by extension, our skin, in a myriad of ways, from giving us more energy to reducing cravings to protecting against cell damage, and much more. It’s even touted as the ultimate anti-ageing pill for its ability to keep youthful energy levels topped up, with fans including biohacker Davinia Taylor. “It helps me get rid of brain fog and actually gives me a feeling of confidence. For me, it peps up my mood and changes my mental clarity, making me feel as if I’m 20,” she told us recently.

In the US, where it’s one of the fastest-growing and buzziest supplements, people have long stopped asking what is NAD+?. “They only want to know what the best supplement is,” says molecular biologist and UK supplement entrepreneur Dr Nichola Conlon. So will it prove to be the game-changer everyone’s looking for, putting a spring in our step, making us feel and look younger or even live longer?

The doctors we spoke to were open-minded. Cosmetic physician Dr David Jack, who has his own range of supplements says: “I’ve seen numerous studies in recent years showing benefits of NAD supplementation in modulating inflammation, metabolic decline and cellular and DNA repair,” he says. “Although the evidence is in its early stages, given the low chance of side-effects it may be a very useful supplement for patients either suffering from neurodegenerative conditions or as part of an anti-ageing supplement routine”.

Let’s investigate further…

What is NAD used for?

NAD+ (sometimes called NADH or NAD) stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a natural chemical found in every single cell in the body. Think of it like a battery. It plays a major role in generating cellular energy, as well as in the maintenance and repair of our cells, including our DNA. It’s thought to be involved in more than 500 different reactions that keep cells in good health. No biggie, then.

How does NAD+ work to help fight ageing?

If we have high levels of NAD+, it means we have lots of cellular energy – our cells function optimally and we feel more energetic and alert. It also means the body can repair itself quicker, which helps keep our organs, including our skin, in pristine working order. But just like collagen, our levels of NAD+ decline with age. It’s thought they halve every 20 years, from the day we’re born. With age, the body becomes less able to generate it, plus older and naturally more damaged cells use up NAD+ stores at a higher rate. A downward spiral of NAD+ correlates with the onset of many of the complaints associated with ageing including wrinkles, memory loss, heart problems, dementia, Parkinson’s, vision loss, and more. NAD+ decline is seen as one of the nine main hallmarks of ageing, according to Conlon.

How to increase NAD+ levels

You cannot stop the decline of your body’s ability to produce NAD+, but you can slow down the rate at which the body uses it up. Basically, the healthier you are and the less damage your cells sustain from things like disease, stress, unhealthy lifestyle choices and an unhealthy environment, the more NAD+ you have available for keeping your organs in ‘homeostasis’, i.e. strong, healthy and ‘young’ for their age. So: a good old healthy lifestyle with lots of stress management is, as per usual, the best way to keep this important powerhouse ticking over. Conlon adds that research has shown that the well-known positive benefits of exercise and fasting are down to the fact that they ignite the body’s production of NAD+. “They create an energy stress in the body, which responds by increasing NAD+ to switch on cellular maintenance and repair in order to overcome this temporary strain,” she says. “HIIT and resistance training have been found to be the most effective.”

But in the States, and increasingly over here, supplementing NAD+ is thought to be a way of off-setting its natural decline as well. “Multiple studies have demonstrated that NAD+ boosting strategies have benefits at cellular, animal and human level,” says Conlon. One study suggests that one of the ways NAD+ supplementation can do this is by activating the protection and stabilisation of telomeres, which helps prevent cell death and therefore the risk of long-term diseases setting in. Ultimately, says Conlon, “while I would stop short of saying NAD+ boosters help you live longer, it is clear they improve healthspan, which is the proportion of your life you spend in good health.”

But there is a caveat. There have been thousands of papers written on NAD+ supplementation in animals, and about 20 human studies, says Conlon. But at present, there is no conclusive, long-term proof that it can reverse or delay ageing, and it is important to keep in mind that we are talking about a nutritional supplement here, not medication. That doesn’t stop people from leaping on the chance to try it, of course, preferring to take their chances in the pursuit of a longer, healthier life.

NAD+ benefits

With most of the evidence circumstantial, anecdotal, or based on animal studies, below are some of the things that NAD+ supplementation may be good for. It is prescribed in America (and increasingly, here) by functional medicine practitioners and nutritionists to aid in the recovery of these, but again, not as medication.

NAD to improve sports performance

Due to its energy-boosting abilities (many users report an increase in energy, resilience and recovery) and positive impact on muscle function, NAD+ is popular with athletes and sports performance coaches, says Paul Leadon, co-founder of UK supplement company Hinnao Technology. It is also used (in the US at least) to help treat chronic fatigue syndrome. “I know people use it to support mitochondria (the batteries of cells) so it’s good for those with fatigue,” explains nutritional therapist Daniel O’Shaughnessy.

NAD for sleep issues, hangovers and long Covid

In one study, it was shown NAD+ seems to re-set our internal ‘body clock’. So NAD+ supplementation is sometimes used by people who want to treat jet lag and insomnia. And because it fortifies cells’ defence systems, it is used by some as a hangover cure to help protect the liver from the damage alcohol does. As O’Shaughnessy comments: “it’s used in addiction to support the withdrawal from alcohol and some drugs. It’s also being researched for long-Covid support.”

NAD+ and skin ageing

The world of aesthetics and ‘tweakments’ is keeping a beady eye on NAD as well. No wonder, as high levels of cellular energy mean that the body can more effectively prevent and clear up signs of skin ageing such as brown spots and fine lines. “Not only that, but the basic principle of ‘tweakments’ is that a level of controlled damage is inflicted on the skin, which then sets off a repairing, collagen-boosting mechanism in the skin,” says Conlon. “However, if the body is low on cellular energy, it has trouble performing this tissue repair and it won’t generate much additional collagen, leading to disappointing or even negative results. Boosting NAD+ reserves is thought to shore up this collagen supply and can therefore be the essential missing ‘prep’ step in skin rejuvenation procedures.”

NAD and symptoms of menopause

The booming menopause market is also ready to pounce. “We are super interested in the implications for menopause relief, and are chasing scientific data for this,” says Dr Conlon. “Menopause causes a huge increase in cellular ageing in a short space of time, turning off the energy and repair mechanisms that you so desperately need right at this time of life.” She says the company has lots of anecdotal feedback on NAD+ supplementation having a major impact on how women feel when they take it to offset menopausal symptoms.

“NAD+ is good at mopping up DNA damage and oxidative stress,” says O’Shaughnessy. “Supplementing it may also support memory and cognition.” That means it could help with the dreaded ‘brain fog’.

NAD and fatigue

Cosmetic physician Dr Sophie Shotter says that in her experience NAD+ works to treat tiredness, especially hormonally-related fatigue. “I definitely notice the difference when I supplement; for starters, I don’t get that mid-afternoon energy slump.”

NAD and preventing cravings

Apart from the aforementioned protective effect on the liver and delivering much-needed energy when you’ve been burning the candle at both ends NAD+ can, according to Dr Conlon, “help suppress the cravings that plague addicts of all kinds.” The theory is that this is because having enough NAD+ in your system stops the body ‘running on empty’ from substance abuse. As a result, it craves fewer ‘fresh hits’ of more stimulants.

Biohacker and author Davinia Taylor, a recovering alcoholic, recently told us that she noticed that effect after having a NAD+ IV drip. “It gets rid of any cravings. Think sugar, shopping…. I didn’t even fancy the chips I was trying to treat myself with,” she said. “It shuts down the body’s addictive mechanism and its need for a dopamine rush. It makes me feel not high, not buzzy, not wired like you would from Red Bull – but chipper. It’s like an alternative to hair of the dog that’s actually good for you, and an antidote to the fact that hangovers get worse with age. It’s an awake, clean energy that helps you deal with any stress better; that’s one of the things we get worse at as we get older, and when our hormones are on their way out. This is the ultimate energy shortcut that works for me.”

NAD supplements: what is the best way to take NAD+?

NAD IV drips

Taylor gets her drips from GP Dr Enayat of London biohacking health clinic Hum2n, who offers a ‘substance detox programme’ of five IV drips in one week, starting at £2795, and a three-drip anti-ageing protocol from £1295.
Beware, though: apart from the substantial financial investment, having these drips is also an investment in time, as they typically take three hours to infuse. Unless you take the ‘speedy’ half-hour option which, according to people we’ve spoken to has an unpleasant side effect of feeling temporary stomach and brain pressure as the active works its way into your system.

The payoff, says Leadon, who’s had NAD+ IV drips himself, is a sustained high and clarity of mind. “Drips are great to prepare for a major event or to aid recovery,” he says. “But my preference is always to supplement in a way that’s as close as possible to what the body does naturally. So a little-and-regular approach in the shape of daily oral supplementation is, in my opinion, the best way forward for sustained overall age prevention and support.” He considers the liposomal NAD+ supplement he’s about to launch, will be the next best thing (of course) to an IV drip.

NAD+ liposomal drops

Getting NAD+ into your cells is tricky. “NAD+ is a very large molecule that cannot just penetrate the skin or the mucus membranes in the mouth [ie taken under the tongue] to enter the bloodstream,” says Leadon. “And taken as a capsule, it won’t survive the gut intact.” To get around the issue, Leadon has created a nano-sized version of NAD+ and stabilised it in a ‘liposomal’ delivery system (protected in microscopic lipid bubbles). It’s been shown to go straight into the bloodstream when you place some drops of it under the tongue. “NAD+ is also very sensitive to heat damage so the drops may have to be kept in the fridge,” he says. Currently, the company is in the process of doing third party testing to back up its claims.

Supplements that help the body make NAD+

According to Conlon, getting NAD+ into the bloodstream doesn’t mean it actually gets into the body’s cells. “Right now, there’s very little proof that it can, apart from some indication that it can permeate some neuronal [brain and nervous system] cells. The exact same, by the way, goes for NAD+ IV drips,” she says.

This is why most NAD+ supplements provide not NAD+, but NAD+ precursors (since you ask – nicotinamide riboside or niagen tryptophan, or nicotinamide mononucleotide – NMN). Unlike the whole NAD+ molecule, these are readily absorbed into the system, and the body then converts them into NAD+.

But as far as Conlon is concerned, this is not enough. “Every cell in your body is like a small factory that needs power to function,” she says. “But with age, these ‘cell factories’ sustain major damage, which means the fuel you supply them with leaches away.” For her, it means that a good NAD+ supplement needs to provide a blend of nutrients that help repair and maintain your cells, alongside the fuel for making NAD+. Her Nuchido Time+ supplement is an example of this and has just been subjected to a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study to prove its claims. “We’ve tested the blood of human volunteers and we’ve seen an increase in NAD+ of 242 per cent in 16 days, on the basis of taking six capsules a day,” she says.

Can you take NAD when pregnant?

NAD+ is vital for normal organ development in babies but the advice is to, out of caution, hold off on taking NAD+ supplements in pregnancy. An Australian 2020 study on animals concluded that supplementing with precursor NMN improved the quality of ovarian cells in adult mammals but it’s not known what effect it had on their unborn young.

Are there any side effects of taking NAD+?

From the research so far (which has been done mostly on animals, with a few human studies), very few contra-indications have been flagged for taking supplements with NAD+ precursors, they seem to be very safe ingredients. In the human studies, 1000-2000mg of nicotinamide riboside (one popular precursor) a day had no harmful effects – and most supplements contain 250-300mg a day. However long-term effects in humans are still relatively unknown.

The verdict: is NAD+ the next big thing?

She would say so of course, but Conlon believes it is. “Whether it was Covid that inspired it or not, consumers in the UK have really embraced the idea of long-term preventative healthcare much more than they did before, and they’re looking for solutions that really hold water,” she says. “We’ve seen the popularity of collagen supplements, but the proof is dicey and few people are prepared to take the amount of collagen supplementation required to really see a difference.”

“While the research is growing, the possibilities are far-reaching because cellular energy is at the heart of longevity,” says Dr Conlon. For her, NAD+ supplementation is a way to stay mentally sharp and physically active for as long as possible throughout what are set to be longer lives than ever before.

Dr Sophie Shotter believes in NAD+ supplementation as well: “ I do recommend NAD supplements to patients, often those struggling with hormone-related energy levels,” she says. “But it’s important to note that we cannot supplement NAD directly,” she says. “I opt for NAD+ precursors, but I believe it’s also important to support our cellular ability to produce NAD+ as it decreases with age.”

Dr Shotter supplements patients as well as herself through IV drips with NADH “not a precursor but the ‘reduced’ version of NAD+; it easily converts into NAD+” she explains. She’s also a fan of the Nuchido Time+ supplement. “The fact that it has additional ingredients designed to boost both the cells’ ability to produce as well as recycle NAD+ is a real bonus,” she says. “With consistent use, I believe [supplements] can be very beneficial.”

But despite his strong interest in biohacking, this is one hack that nutritional therapist O’Shaughnessy isn’t getting behind just yet. He feels it’s expensive and certainly not a magic bullet. “NAD+ therapy should just be used as a tool,” he says. “If you’re suffering from fatigue, then it’s vital you consider the functional elements. These include being over-stressed, tackling vitamin and mineral deficiencies (particular in vegan diets which are often lacking iron, vitamin B12 and protein), digestive imbalances, sleep hygiene, food sensitivities, toxin overload, and more.” Taking NAD+ supplements, he says “will be a drop in the ocean if there are all sorts of imbalances in the body. The priority should be on addressing these.”

If you want to invest in an energy supplement, “a vitamin B complex is a cheap all-rounder,” he says. “Common sense says that we should function with optimal energy without the need for NAD+.” Try Healthspan High Strength Vitamin B Complex, £8.99.

Will studies prove him right or wrong? IS NAD+ a fad or the key to helping us age better? We’ll have to wait and see.

 

 

 

How the rich and famous are biohacking their homes

A pool and gym just don’t cut it any more. How about your very own cryotherapy chamber or red-light therapy bed? Helen Kirwan-Taylor investigates the new ‘biohacking’ home technology promising to supercharge your health

By Helen Kirwan-Taylor
16 May 2022

This article is a repost which originally appeared on TATLER

Edited for content. The opinions expressed in this article may not reflect the opinions of this site’s editors, staff or members.

Our Takeaways:

· The use of infra-red light treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are considered stables of biohacking.

· While not absolutely necessary, some biohacking tools and practices can be very expensive.

· While expensive treatments are available, they do not replace foundational aspects of nutrition and natural living.

If you don’t sleep in a hyperbaric oxygen pod, like Justin Bieber, or at the very least on an infrared mattress, then what’s wrong with you? Do you have self-esteem issues? These days, you need to get with the biohacking programme. Just look around wealthy London: the diggers are in, basements are being excavated, and oxygen chambers and flotation tanks are being speedily installed. Behold the new temples to the pursuit of youth.

Biohacking, if you didn’t know, is the practice of interfering with your own biology in an attempt to improve it. Staples include infra-red light treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which delivers pure, pressurised oxygen to the body. Amazing claims are made for both. But what’s really astounding is the size of this elite, luxury market: the consultancy firm McKinsey predicts that over the next decade biohacking could become a trillion-dollar industry.

Already almost every aspect of it has been nano-hacked. For example, there’s no longer any need to fast now that you can have ProLon meals (which trick the body into autophagy, or cell-cleansing) delivered to your door. Or you could just pop two longevity spermidine supplement pills (a favourite of the Vivamayr clinic) and achieve the same effect. Similarly, if ice baths sound like too much hard work, you can always clamber into your own thermal shock chamber (try it out first at Ice Health Cryotherapy in Kensington – unlike most cryotherapy chambers, it doesn’t require full immersion and can therefore be used while you listen to music). And rather than follow a restrictive keto diet to burn fat and increase mental clarity, you can simply knock back some deltaG – at £59.99 for a 59ml mouthful, the most expensive keto drink on earth. Created by Oxford professor Kieran Clarke and available to buy from Wellgevity, it’s like drinking a high-octane body fuel and a sip or two will allow you to glide through the most difficult presentation.

But no doubt your wellness consultant will tell you that. Enter Julie Cichocki. The founder of the ‘wellness curator’ Kloodos, Cichocki is a one-woman hacking machine who can provide you with what is currently only available to celebrities or athletes. I happen to ring her as she is on her way to Southampton to create a complete biohack unit in the house of a self- made tycoon and, for a taster, she sends me to Repose on High Street Kensington to try out the number- one contraption on the market: the £60,000 Mitogen photobiomodulation (red-light therapy) bed. Its light goes so deep, says Cichocki, that it triggers the production of the magical, all-singing, all-dancing source of youth – a cell-energising molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

For ultimate relaxation, Cichocki continues, ‘the bed allows you to surrender and move into critical beta mode’ – and it is often the first piece of kit she will put into the houses of her high-net-worth clients. Most likely, this will be followed by a whole-body cryo-chamber (£125,000), a hyperbaric oxygen chamber (£75,000), a dry float tank (£27,000) and an infra- red sauna (£6,000), plus an ice bath and plunge pool.

‘It’s not unusual for clients to spend upwards of £150,000,’ says Cichocki. And why not? Biohacking promises great things, from cell renewal to disease prevention; it’s no wonder every Hollywood star, Silicon Valley magnate and premier athlete is kit-ting out their home gyms with the latest that technology can provide.

The ‘gateway’ hack is infrared light – supplied in panel form by Bryan Gohl of Red Light Rising, whose ‘Armoury’ model costs around £12,000 and is about the same size as a door. (The actor Tom Hopper swears by it and has bought two for his personal use, in ‘The Advantage XL’ size.) Its applications go way beyond enhancing performance and energy. ‘Some people claim it helps their eye- sight,’ says Gohl. ‘Others, that it eases their menopause symptoms. And we know it really helps with muscle pain and joint stiffness.’ Other pluses? It acts like a giant seasonal affective disorder (SAD) corrective light; it doesn’t stop you from being able to scroll through Instagram while you use it, as the infrared beds do; and many, myself included, have found it useful in combatting long-Covid symptoms.

Then there’s hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a fashionable hack at the moment because, apart from helping to speed up recovery from operations or illnesses, it can also help brush away the mental cobwebs. City types in particular are addicted to its ‘natural high’ nd can be found in droves at The Wellness Lab in Knightsbridge after the markets close. (A bonus of the spaceship-like chambers is that they double as divans.) And don’t forget intravenous infusions such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) – the ultimate anti-ageing chemical, endorsed by celebrities including the actress Davinia Taylor – which is available at Hum2n in Chelsea.

 

A Collection of Some of Our Best Thread Links and Resources

Here’s a list of some shortcuts to our favorite TheBioHacker forum threads:

 

A description on how to navigate the forum as well as what to expect- and what’s expected from you:
READ THIS BEFORE YOU POST!!!!! Maximize Your Success Here.

 

A great link database for setting up your journal and seeing other members’ progress:
MUST READ Sticky Threads – Progress Forum

 

Setting the right emotional backdrop for obtaining maximum results from male enhancement training:
The training mindset

 

This is important if you’re considering male enhancement training but suffer from anxiety or depression:
Please Read First

 

A list of contributing experts to TheBioHacker:
MEET THE EXPERTS

 

A database on links and resources for contending with the various causes of erectile dysfunction:
MUST READ Sticky Threads – Erectile Dysfunction Forum

 

A detailed account of a medical doctor’s experience with dealing with “hard flaccid”:
A Doctor with Hard Flaccid – Updates and Advice

 

An excellent instructional for non-medical measures for contending with pelvic floor problems and poor Erection Quality (EQ):
The HANS Protocol

Penises are shrinking because of pollution, warns environmental scientist

It may sound like a joke, but this research shows the full extent of how much we are damaging reproductive health.

By Marthe de Ferrer • Updated: 13/12/2021

This article is a repost which originally appeared on euronews.green

Edited for content. The opinions expressed in this article may not reflect the opinions of this site’s editors, staff or members.

Our Takeaways:

· Pollution is proving to causing penis shrinkage and decreasing fertility worldwide.

· Some scientists believe the trend of infertility and smaller penises will qualify humans as becoming an endangered species.

· Phthalates which are now found in the environment are disrupting endocrine systems.

Pollution is causing human penises to shrink, according to one scientist.

A leading epidemiologist and environmental expert has published a book that examines the link between industrial chemicals and penile length.

Dr Shanna Swan’s book, Count Down, argues that our modern world is altering humans’ reproductive development and threatening the future of our species.

The book outlines how pollution is leading to higher rates of erectile dysfunction, fertility decline, and growing numbers of babies born with small penises. Though the headline fact about shrinkage may sound like a laughing matter, the research paints a bleak portrait of humanity’s longevity and ability to survive.

“In some parts of the world, the average twenty-something today is less fertile than her grandmother was at 35,” Dr Swan writes, dubbing the situation a “global existential crisis” in the book.

“Chemicals in our environment and unhealthy lifestyle practices in our modern world are disrupting our hormonal balance, causing various degrees of reproductive havoc.”

According to the book, humans meet three of the five possible criteria used to define whether or not a species is endangered. “Only one needs to be met,” writes Dr Swan, “the current state of affairs for humans meets at least three.”

How is pollution causing problems with fertility?

According to Dr Swan’s research, this disruption is caused by phthalates, chemicals used in plastic manufacturing, which can impact how the hormone endocrine is produced.

This group of chemicals is used to help increase the flexibility of a substance. They can be found in toys, food packaging, detergents, cosmetics, and many more products. But Dr Swan believes that these substances are radically harming human development.

“Babies are now entering the world already contaminated with chemicals because of the substances they absorb in the womb,” she says. Much of Dr Swan’s recent work has focused on the effects of phthalates, initially looking at phthalate syndrome in rats.

In 2000, however, there was a breakthrough in the field, and it became possible to measure low doses of phthalates in humans.

Since then Dr Swan has authored papers on how these chemicals can pass between parents and their offspring, the impact on female sexual desire, and – most recently – on penile length.

One of her most famous studies examined the intersection between sperm count and pollution in 2017, in ground-breaking research which looked at men’s fertility over the last four decades. After studying 185 studies involving almost 45,000 healthy men, Dr Swan and her team concluded that sperm counts among men in Western countries had dropped by 59 per cent between 1973 and 2011.

But there is some good news. Since the creation of the European Environment Agency, European citizens are exposed to 41 per cent less particulate pollution than we were two decades ago. It’s believed that these regulations have gifted Europeans an extra nine months of life expectancy, on average.

“A demand for change from citizens and subsequent strong policies have helped to clear the air in parts of Europe before, and can continue to do so to ensure that high pollution today does not need to be tomorrow’s fate,” says Michael Greenstone, director of the Energy Politics Institute at the University of Chicago.

So if pollution reduction measures can be properly implemented, there is still hope for the future and humanity’s fertility.

 

How to Bench Press to Build Strength vs. Building Muscle

How You Bench Press Should Depend on Your Goals. Here’s How to Choose Your Approach.

Whether you’re trying to sculpt your pecs or push as many plates as possible, your form matters.

By Brett Williams, NASM May 19, 2022

This article is a repost which originally appeared on Men’sHealth

Edited for content. The opinions expressed in this article may not reflect the opinions of this site’s editors, staff or members.

Our Takeaways:

· The barbell bench press is one of the three staple powerlifting exercises.

· There are two main styles of bench pressing: bodybuilder and powerlifter style.

· A combination of both styles will give you both chest size and strength

You probably bench press every week as part of your workout routine (and maybe even multiple times a week). The exercise is a workout staple because of its reputation for being a surefire method for building big chest muscle. Barbell bench press is also one of the big three exercises powerlifters base their entire existence around, with the goal of piling ever more plates onto the bar for the highest total weight they can manage.

But those two aspects of the bench press mean that there are different ways to approach the lift, both in terms of training philosophy and technique, in order to accomplish the goal at hand—and if you want to make the most out of your time and effort under the barbell, Men’s Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. says you should make sure you’re targeting one or the other.

First, it’s important to understand the difference between the two approaches. Think of them as the bodybuilder style (to build muscle) and powerlifter style (to push the most amount of weight possible).

Bodybuilder-Style Bench Press

●Engage your core

●Maintain a slight arch in the thoracic spine

The point is maximizing time under tension, making your chest work as much as possible.

Powerlifter-Style Bench Press

●Arch the back as much as possible, keeping your butt on the pad

The point of this position is that it helps to change the angle of the bar to a decline and shortens the distance the bar needs to travel, making it easier to move heavier loads.

How to Choose the Right Bench Press for You

Now comes the question: What is most important for you? What are your goals in the weight room?

If you’re looking to build big muscles but you don’t care as much about your gym stats, go with the bodybuilder-style bench press. You’ll get plenty of chest stimulation (and eventually, you might find you prefer swapping the barbell for other options that allow you to home in on the muscles to accentuate growth and shape). This is going to be the best option for most people.

Brute strength might be your end goal, and that’s okay too. There are few more satisfying feats than adding a new plate to the bar and crushing a rep. Go with the powerlifter-style bench press, and focus on progressively adding more weight to your PR max by training smart with a program that allows you to scale up safely.