Unlocking the Power of Epigenetics in Health and Performance

In the realm of health and wellness, understanding the role of genetics and lifestyle choices is crucial. Recent discussions have highlighted that while your DNA accounts for about 20% of your health outcomes, a whopping 80% is influenced by what you do, including your diet, sleep, and stress levels. This brings us to the fascinating field of epigenetics, which studies how lifestyle factors can turn our genes on or off.

Introducing Dr. Matt Dawson

In today's podcast, we have Dr. Matt Dawson, a physician, entrepreneur, and competitive endurance athlete. He shares insights from his recent adventure of ascending Mount Kilimanjaro, where he not only trained rigorously but also utilized artificial intelligence to optimize his performance. His journey is a testament to the power of combining science with physical activity.

The AI Coaching Experience

Dr. Dawson created an AI coach to manage his training data, including his lactate threshold and VO2 max. This innovative approach helped him avoid injuries and overtraining while enabling him to keep track of his caloric intake and macronutrients during the ascent. He emphasizes that understanding the science behind nutrition and exercise can lead to better performance outcomes.

The Evolution of Epigenetic Testing

Moving on to the realm of epigenetic testing, Dr. Dawson explained the shift from traditional genetic testing to epigenetic testing, which provides a more comprehensive view of health. While traditional tests can tell us about our genetic makeup, epigenetic tests assess how our environment and lifestyle choices affect gene expression.

True Diagnostics: A Game Changer

Dr. Dawson discusses his transition from Wild Health to True Diagnostics, where he now focuses on epigenetic testing. The True Age and True Health tests are designed to analyze biomarkers and help individuals understand their biological age, pace of aging, and overall health status. These tests utilize a vast data set to provide predictive analytics that can guide lifestyle choices.

Understanding Biological Age

Biological age is a measure that reflects how well your body is functioning compared to your chronological age. Dr. Dawson highlights that biological age is a more relevant indicator of health and longevity than simply counting years. The True Age test is based on algorithms developed by Harvard, Duke, and Yale, which assess various biomarkers to predict mortality risk.

Key Biomarkers and Health Recommendations

Each individual's report contains a plethora of biomarkers, with recommendations tailored to improve health outcomes. For instance, if a user shows elevated levels of neurogranin, which is linked to cognition and memory, the report may suggest interventions such as L-theanine, magnesium, and ashwagandha to mitigate potential cognitive decline.

Key Takeaways

DNA accounts for 20% of health outcomes; lifestyle factors contribute the remaining 80%.
Epigenetics studies gene expression influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors.
Dr. Dawson used AI to optimize his training for a successful ascent of Kilimanjaro.
True Diagnostics offers advanced epigenetic testing to understand biological age and health markers.
Biological age is a better predictor of health outcomes than chronological age.
Personalized health recommendations are provided based on individual biomarker profiles.

Conclusion

As the field of epigenetics continues to evolve, the ability to understand and manipulate our health outcomes through lifestyle choices becomes increasingly accessible. With advancements in testing technologies like those offered by True Diagnostics, individuals can better manage their health and potentially extend their longevity. Dr. Dawson's insights bring to light the importance of integrating science with practical applications in health and wellness.

For more information and to explore your own epigenetic testing options, visit Ben Greenfield Life.