Biohacking

Blood donation at Edgewater Donor Centre

#8 Blood donation benefits – rejuvenation and longevity

Blood donation benefits go way, way beyond saving the lives of others. Wondering why I’m donating blood? If you guessed it was for selfish motives, you’d be right. Though I do like the idea of helping my fellow citizens – and it’s estimated that each 470ml donation can save up to three lives – I mainly do it because it’s good for my own health and longevity.

By donating blood I’m burning calories, reducing my risk of cancer and protecting myself from liver disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis and other signs of heart disease – plus, the fact of helping others has been shown to increase our happiness and improve our mood.

Selfie of me donating blood, increasingly happy and in a better mood

Donating Down Under

Last week, I finally succeeded in donating blood here in Australia. I’d registered as a donor around three years earlier, but was deemed unsafe because of having visited South Africa, a malarial region, within the previous six months. (Odd thing, that: they happily took and used my blood in Durban!)

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#7 Creatine – for muscle, bone strength, memory and more

What is creatine? Who should take creatine? Why to take it: to improve muscle strength, bone mass, brain health, memory, eyesight and hearing, and to prevent sarcopaenia and frailty. Keep track of muscle and promote anti-frailty with the InBody 570 body composition scanner.

What is creatine?

Creatine is an amino acid found mainly in muscle and brain tissue. Our livers, kidneys and pancreas naturally produce 1-2g of the stuff each day, mostly from eating fish and meat.  In the form we’re likely to buy it, it’s a derivative of three amino acids: L-arginine, glycine and L-methionine. It’s also the most highly researched supplement out there – and you can be sure that it’s not just effective, but extremely safe.

Verne with creatine
Before or after? Maybe somewhere in-between…

According to Healthline.com, creatine grows muscle by causing numerous changes within muscle cells that signal the body to produce new muscle proteins and increase muscle mass. It also helps to maintain existing muscle mass by limiting protein breakdown – another win. And remember, its effect on muscle mass is just one of many benefits.

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#6 Biological Dentistry – for holistic oral health

What is biological dentistry – or holistic dentistry, or integrative dentistry – and why we need it: gut health and the mouth-body connection; the dangers of fluoride and mercury amalgams; root canals and cavitations; ozone dentistry

Have you still got so-called silver fillings? (They’re actually mercury amalgam, and almost certainly poisoning you.) Still using fluoridated toothpaste? – or letting your dentist paint fluoride on your teeth? (Also harming you.) Submitting to dental x-rays at every six-month check-up, while the hygienist makes a dash for cover? (Hello, brain tumours and thyroid cancer.)

Chances are you’ve never heard of biological dentistry, also known as holistic dentistry, or even integrative dentistry. Until recently, I hadn’t either. But I found out more, tracked down a state-of-the-art practitioner locally, and got my oral health back on track. If that’s in any way an option for you, I sincerely suggest you do the same.

Biological dentistry Itero scanner
Me with my iTero dental scan at biological dentistry practice Ozone Dentistry, Karrinyup WA

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#5 The Oūra Ring

Confessions of a biohacker generally include purchases of supplements, books, toys, technology and devices – including ones like the sleep-tracking Oūra ring – that track the success of your biohacking efforts.  Here, I’ll explain what made me do it, admit it’s not the best activity tracker, describe how to order an Oūra ring, how to track your sleep and how to hack your sleep – and, most importantly, how the Oūra ring works and how to make it work for you.

I finally did it! In June 2020, I treated myself to an Oūra ring – “the world’s smartest sleep-tracker”. Paid for with husband Roy’s Singapore credit card, this was a bit of a sneaky transaction, effected one night while R C Titchmarsh himself was watching the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix next door with son Carl.

He’s never delighted when Hamilton wins, and his mood wasn’t improved when he saw the purchase confirmation in his inbox.

Roy annoyed about Oūra ring
Here’s Roy with his annoyed face* – however, I took this at a restaurant in France , August 2017, long before I ordered my Oūra ring

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What is a biohacker? Verne rebounding on a trampoline

#4 What is a biohacker, and why am I one?

What is a biohacker, and why do I call myself one? For me, why I’m a biohacker is to optimise health and wellness, longevity and health-span. In other words, living long and strong! Like to give it a try?

Especially important is health-span – meaning the length of time I’m living a useful, happy and productive life. What’s the point of lingering on to 120 if you can’t dress yourself, scramble your own eggs or recognise your great-grandchildren?

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#1 Why a health blog?

Here’s why I started a health blog – and it all started with my husband Roy’s  weight-loss and body transformation achievement that allowed him to lose 35kg and ditch his blood pressure meds. I also want to talk about wellness, longevity and biohacking – and to share tips on tackling my own issues: atherosclerosis, osteoporosis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

If any of this pushes your buttons – the good kind! – then welcome to the first post of my new blog, Living Long and Strong with Verne and Roy!

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