Foundations of Health | Dr Jack Kruse Influence with Dr. Alexis Cowan

Foundations of Health | Dr Jack Kruse Influence with Dr. Alexis Cowan

Dr. Alexis Cowan discusses the importance of light, circadian biology, and metabolism in optimizing performance and health. She emphasizes that athletes are humans first and that many athletes are successful despite doing the wrong things because of their genetic advantages. She highlights the importance of dialing in the basics, such as light exposure, circadian alignment, and grounding, for athletes to optimize their performance. Dr. Cowan also explains how soft tissue injuries can be attributed to tissue dehydration and the role of collagen, light, and mitochondrial function in injury prevention. She discusses the impact of glyphosate, microbiome health, and the gut-skin axis on overall health and performance. The conversation explores the role of fungi in the microbiome and its connection to health and disease. The mycobiome, which is larger than the bacterial side, plays a crucial role in maintaining glycemic balance and preventing microvascular and nerve damage. Fungal overgrowth can lead to long-lasting infections and impair immune function. The conversation also delves into the importance of melanin and its various functions, such as energy production, heavy metal chelation, and protection against hypoxia. The role of minerals, such as magnesium and sodium chloride, is discussed, with an emphasis on obtaining them through seafood and good quality salt. The nuances of technology, particularly red light therapy devices, are explored, including considerations for flicker and EMF exposure.

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Takeaways:

Athletes are humans first and should focus on dialing in the basics, such as light exposure, circadian alignment, and grounding, to optimize their performance.
Soft tissue injuries can be attributed to tissue dehydration, and optimizing hydration is crucial for injury prevention.
Collagen, light, and mitochondrial function play a role in injury prevention and overall health.
Glyphosate and microbiome health impact overall health and performance.
The gut-skin axis and the role of light in the microbiome are areas of ongoing research. The mycobiome, or fungal side of the microbiome, is larger than the bacterial side and plays a crucial role in maintaining glycemic balance and preventing microvascular and nerve damage.
Fungal overgrowth can lead to long-lasting infections and impair immune function.
Melanin has various functions, including energy production, heavy metal chelation, and protection against hypoxia.
Obtaining minerals, such as magnesium and sodium chloride, through seafood and good quality salt is important for optimal health.
When using technology, such as red light therapy devices, it is important to consider factors like flicker and EMF exposure.

Chapters:

00:00
Introduction and Background
04:18
Dialing in the Basics for Athletes
09:52
Preventing Soft Tissue Injuries
19:31
Glyphosate and Microbiome Health
28:30
The Gut-Skin Axis and the Microbiome
32:19
The Role of Fungi in the Microbiome
36:05
The Importance of Melanin in Health
53:17
Obtaining Minerals for Optimal Health
59:53
Considerations for Technology Use