Dave Asprey interview, 1/2/20: Ageing Boils Down To The Mitochondria, Keto, Sleep

aging
reverse-aging
bulletproof-keto
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mitochondria
#1

I thoroughly enjoyed this interview, which goes into some of Dave’s personal family culture/background, plus lots of philosophical angles as well as new science he cites in his new book Super Human.

Asprey is the founder of the Bulletproof Diet biohacker version of keto (which is heavy on the veg, with meat-based proteins, regular collagen, resetting gut bacteria etc ) - and he himself lost over 100 pounds and resolved many health issues. Interviewer Tom Bilyeu is the cofounder of Quest Nutrition and he suffered from anxiety for many years - he lost over 70 pounds through not very well formulated dietary approaches which began his exploration of nutritional healing and biohacking.

Topics covered:

Facing death, reincarnation/east-west views [[1:14]
Dave explains that the key is not time or money, but energy [[6:41]
The first step to living to 180 is to not die [[8:10]
Aging is death by a thousand cuts so the key is to take less cuts [[11:07]
Aging boils down to the mitochondria [[11:43]
Some tactics to optimize your mitochondria incl sufficiency testing [[14:49]
Dave’s methods of fasting [[17:05]
Activated charcoal during fasting & detox [[21:00]]
Cryotherapy, cold showers and cold exposure [[22:10]
What is cardiolipin? [[24:00]
Dietary and weight loss mistakes [[26:13]
The Vegan Trap - and the utility of sometimes using a vegan diet for detox/cleanse - the efficacy of just 4-6 oz of protein/daily for most folks, but more for weightlifters and ppl 60+ [[29:23]
On not overdoing protein consumption [[31:07]
On the destruction of industrial agriculture vs. permaculture [[33:00]
Warnings about excess protein vs. nose-to-tail eating - Dave does not advocate a carnivore diet but suggests trying it for a brief time [[34:36]
Lion’s Mane mushroom extracts for REM sleep enhancement, Raw honeyMCT/Collagen before bed, Raising the head of your bed 6 inches for many health benefits [[39:00]
Red light LED therapy exposure + ketosis for hormonal rejuvenation [[41:00]]
Better sleep as the single most important change people need to make [[44:56]

(Bunny) #2

I thought this (below) was really fascinating, they are talking about the stearic acid causing “mitochondrial fusion” because of that steak we just ate…lol

I bet it’s a co-factor (aminoisobutyric acid or the end product of vitamin B-6 {pyrimidine} which regulates PUFA’s) in the same process (mitochondrial fusion) that oxidizes carbohydrates or glucose.

That explains (thermogenin effect of meat sweats) why some carnivores lose weight so quick.

”…We show here that C18:0 ingestion rapidly and robustly causes mitochondrial fusion in people within 3 h after ingestion. C18:0 intake also causes a drop in circulating long-chain acylcarnitines, suggesting increased fatty acid beta-oxidation in vivo. …” …More

I had posted this in another post but it was to fascinating to just be a tiny footnote.

That is mind blowing!

References:

[1] The mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) generates heat by causing proton leak across the mitochondrial inner membrane that requires fatty acid (FA). The mechanism by which UCP1 uses FA to conduct proton remains unsolved, and it is also unclear whether a direct physical interaction between UCP1 and FA exists. …” …More

[2] Structure–effect relation of C18 long-chain fatty acids in the reduction of body weight in rats

[3] Effects of genetic background on thermoregulation and fatty acid induced uncoupling of mitochondria in UCP1-deficient mice

[4] “…Mitochondrial fission and fusion play critical roles in maintaining functional mitochondria when cells experience metabolic or environmental stresses. Fusion helps mitigate stress by mixing the contents of partially damaged mitochondria as a form of complementation. Fission is needed to create new mitochondria, but it also contributes to quality control by enabling the removal of damaged mitochondria and can facilitate apoptosis during high levels of cellular stress. Disruptions in these processes affect normal development, and they have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s. …”…More

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[5] Mitochondrial fission is associated with UCP1 activity in human brite/beige adipocytes

[6] TGR5 signalling promotes mitochondrial fission and beige remodelling of white adipose tissue

(Kristen Ann) #3

Hey Bunny,
Could you explain why you think this in layman’s terms? My doctors at Mayo think that my symptoms are most likely the result of a mitochondrial disease (not autoimmune), so I’ve been reading about mitochondrial fusion. It’s much more complicated than the research I’ve done in the past regarding the immune system and inflammation lol.

I also read somewhere that nitric oxide supplements may be used to help treat mitochondrial diseases and I’m struggling to understand the connection there. Any thoughts?

(Bunny) #4

I’m wondering if you ever had a CRP (C-reactive protein) test including the fasting one (hs-CRP)?

  • hs-CRP above 3.0 = High Risk
  • hs-CRP between 1.0-3.0 = Average Risk
  • hw-CRP below 1.0 = Low Risk[6]

That may tell you something, somewhere is infected or causing a problem if not then it could be a genotype?

References:

[1] Chronic, Subtle, Systemic Inflammation: One possible sneaky cause of puzzling chronic pain

[2] Genome Analyses of 200,000 Individuals Identify 58 Loci for Chronic Inflammation and Highlight Pathways that Link Inflammation and Complex Disorders

[3] The Clinical Significance and Potential Role of C-Reactive Protein in Chronic Inflammatory and Neurodegenerative Diseases

[4] What does it mean if you have a high C-reactive protein?

[5] “…CRP is a marker of overall inflammation in your body. CRP is measured via a blood test. The lower your CRP, the better. CRP is a rough tool and certainly not the end-all for diagnosing inflammation, although it was found to be more accurate than using cholesterol levels in predicting heart disease. …” …More

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F6D1C359-F0B6-4539-9624-0F4173DE6608.jpeg1200×1553 223 KB

[6] C-Reactive Protein: A Marker of Inflammation (a ketogenic website)

[7] Your Nitric Oxide Genes, Blood Pressure, and Asthma | Chris Masterjohn Lite #41

(Erin Macfarland ) #5

Awesome info as always @atomicspacebunny!! :heart:

#6

Mind blowing indeed! :boom:

And the ancients had additional ways of working with these energies - internal practices like breathing techniques, energy-healing/chigong, energy flowing/tai chi, vipassana yoga… as well as fasting + praying/intentioning with the land.

We are in relationship with universes upon universes both outside of us and inside of us, cosmologically and cellularly ~ :sunrise_over_mountains::night_with_stars::stars::rainbow:

Human potential in both mind, body, and spirit is so vast. And the dominant culture/empire doesn’t want us to know it apparently (judging by the profits made on the mass drugging of children & adults, the dietary public health disaster, and other social statistics like skyrocketing suicides among teenage girls and veterans among many other things :sob: )

#7

Speaking of Nitric Oxide production (waaaaay preferable to me than supplements, am always looking for natural source facilitation whenever possible), I recently learned that much of our NO is produced by the bacteria located in mouth and throat - so it is not advisable to gargle with mouthwash more than once a day. I was doing it twice a day (with a full spectrum essential oil blend and water) on behalf of preserving my jaw… but now am reducing that to once a day, on behalf of rejuvenating Nitric Oxide. Know anything about that bacterial angle?

#8

Saw admin Brenda say that in another thread - and it dovetails with what Asprey is saying about IF and limiting protein for a variety of benefits.

#9

I always like a little Dave Asprey, but he fails to see the irony of his carnivore experiment - you can’t really say you tried carnivore the carnivore way with a little broccoli and a whole lot of supplements. :wink:

#10

Well, I think he referred to it past tense as another experiment outside of regulation Bulletproof (he’s done a bunch before and after formulating it), etc. But I see your point if that wasn’t the case. :blush:

(Bunny) #11

There is one other compound in nature that also helps stimulates nitric oxide production besides zinc and arginine and that is grape seed extract or pine bark extracts and other similar species of tree and plants that contain the bioflavonoids, oligomeric proanthocyanidins (cranberries), polyphenols, pycnogenols etc. which does a lot things to improve health especially the microbiota in the gut, mouth and lungs, these compounds also affect the surface area of any bacteria like infections so they cannot stick around. The best thing it does is assist in nitric oxide production which vasodilates micro blood vessels like spider veins and varicose veins, it strengthens the little micro blood vessels to push out constricted blood that gets trapped at the ends. But it is also said to kill micro blood vessels going to cancer cells because of its anti-oxidant properties, not sure how true that is as I no longer have the books that described these compounds better than any source on the internet.

Footnotes:

[1] Pathways and regulation of bacterial arginine metabolism and perspectives for obtaining arginine overproducing strains

[2] L-citrulline is a dispensable amino acid, meaning your body can make all it needs. When L-arginine is converted to nitric oxide, L-citrulline is produced as a byproduct. L-citrulline can then be recycled back to L-arginine and used to increase your body’s natural production of nitric oxide. In fact, L-citrulline increases levels of L-arginine in your body more than supplementing with L-arginine itself does. This is because a large percentage of L-arginine is broken down before reaching your bloodstream (35Trusted Source). …” …More

[3] “…Special bacteria in the mouth convert nitrate to nitric oxide. In fact, humans cannot produce nitric oxide from nitrate without these bacteria (41Trusted Source). Research has shown that mouthwash kills the oral bacteria needed to produce nitric oxide for up to 12 hours (42Trusted Source, 43Trusted Source). This leads to a decrease in nitric oxide production and, in some instances, an increase in blood pressure (44Trusted Source, 45Trusted Source). The detrimental effects of mouthwash on nitric oxide production may even contribute to the development of diabetes, which is characterized by malfunctions in insulin production or action. …” …More

[4] “…PYC antagonizes the vasoconstriction caused by epinephrine and norepinephrine by increasing the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Dilation of the small blood vessels has been observed in patients …” …More

[5] Pycnogenol, an extract of bark from the French maritime pine, Pinus pinaster Ait., consists of a concentrate … Antioxidants, such as bioflavonoids, enhance endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase expression …” …More

[6] “…Pycnogenol increases production of nitric oxide, which may be impaired in certain disease states, such as diabetes, by stimulating endothelial nitric oxide synthetase, and the nitric oxide produced relaxes constricted blood vessels. …” …More

(Keto Koala 🐨) #12

My Mum is doing a vipashna silence retreat next month. She’s been before. She said it was amazing and healing.

#13

Thank you so much!!! :bouquet:

Well, I hope I’ve not completely gargled away that good bacteria… I expect the body has its ways to repopulate too. No way to know my levels of things until I’m able to do functional medicine testing again…

Since antioxidants, such as bioflavonoids, enhance endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase expression and subsequent NO release from endothelial cells - I’m assessing my intake levels, and seems good overall.

I get the zinc and arginine from dairy & eggs - along with red meat a time or two per week.

Am getting proanthocyadinins from red wine several times per week, and an apple per week - and in the warmer months lots of blueberries in smoothies.

I take at least a gram of dry Ginger a day and often also fresh Ginger in cooking, so there’s some regular good antioxidants.

And have been enjoying fresh Meyer lemon peel from my garden and have a huge batch of lemons marinating in the sun for indian lemon pickles to last the rest of the year. :sun_with_face:

And for special condiments with certain meals - allulose-sweetened orange peels.

I recently started supplementing with sodium ascorbate 500mg/day for extra C related to collagen synthesis support as I realized my few wolfberries with my mug of collagen were probably not enough C, plus just general C boosting seems wise for me right now.

Good to know about the pine bark and grape seed extracts as options if needed :sparkles::sparkles::sparkles:

#14

How very wonderful!

I love it myself - my first vipassana course was the hardest thing and best thing I ever did for myself (SN Goenka lineage, non-sectarian, many retreat centers in the west nowadays). Highly recommend as a powerful way to boost one’s self-compassion and compassion flow capacities!

The real benefit of the retreat courses is experienced in one’s daily ongoing life practice of course. And the humble & amazing Burmese teacher Dipa Ma (who passed in the 1980s, in Calcutta) taught that by maintaining awareness of ordinary sensations in the course of the day’s mundane activities (hanging laundry, sitting on a chair, walking, feeding a child) housebound women of the older traditional east could reach the first stage of enlightenment far away from the retreat center :sparkling_heart:

Hope you can experience a course one of these days! In the meantime, ask your mom to teach you anapana breathing if your interested, it’s a lovely simple technique that helps so much with gathering the agitated mind into the body and remembering one’s supremely chill buddha self :crown:

(Keto Koala 🐨) #15

Oh wow, my Mum would love you. Yes I do plan to go one day. She too said it was very hard but an amazing experience. A few years ago, I was all set to go and live at a buddest retreat and work for my bed, food and daily teachings. It didn’t end up happening because I moved down south for work. :pensive:. My Mum actually wants to go live in one. She had totally embraced Buddhism and through meditation, has learnt how to separate her ego mind from her soul. She can feel her consciousness within her body. I used to meditate ALL the time and would reach higher vibrations. Must get back onto it. Xxx

#16

:blush: Yes, feeling consciousness within the body and being connected to the support of the universe is our birthright!

Though I’m not into organized patriarchal religions of any kind including Buddhism, the actual teachings of Guatama Buddha from India are a practical mysticism I love. Interestingly, the original yoga asana/posture of ancient India was cross-legged seated position (in Patanjali’s Sutras) because it’s such a simple yet powerful support for self-cultivation! Of course, one can also formally practice using a chair - I had to do that for one course when I was dealing with an injury, and it was still epic.

I also really love how the non-sectarian vipassana courses at the center I’ve gone to in the US are attended & staffed by people of diverse cultures and faiths, a refreshing kind of community experience in and of itself. Xxx