#101

There are several studies showing that red/NIR light at the right frequency and dose can increase ATP production in cells. There are even plausible theories as to how it would do so. I know because I’ve read several of those studies. As far as PEMF goes, although PEMF is not something I’ve researched so I wouldn’t rule it out.I have never heard of it increasing ATP production and I strongly doubt it does so.

#102

Well, the study a posted above says it does so if you read that you’ve heard of it. I’m not saying it’s a strong study. It’s just something I quickly found to make a point in that post. But, it is indeed very easy to find studies that support it.

#103

Anything that improves mitochondria is likely to improve the ATP/ADP gradient response which is what we are looking for.

I am using RIR and PEMF. I know PEMF has some effects because there were associated macro effects which I think were good and implied some mitochondrial improvements. I am not as certain with RIR, but I stick with the programme because of the research and it seems to work. It is much the same as wandering around in the sun and I was in the sun in the summer a bit and that also seemed to work. Much that it is hard to tell and involves studying hair follicles with a USB macro camera.

#104

RIR? I’m not sure what that is. Red/Infrared? As in red light therapy?

#105

Yes Red and Infra Red (roughly 650 850nm) Don’t hold me to the numbers.

#106

I have 2 Platinum red/nir lights and the OMI PEMF mat. I too go down deep searches but I have to say, I’m delighted in PEMF more than my red light. I need a knee replacement and let it go a little too long. I’ve tried everything for the pain to avoid surgery (not pills tho) and got the mat hoping something good could come from it but didn’t have much faith. It has exceeded my expectations. My pain was an 7/8 now it’s pretty consistently a 4. The only thing I added was PEMF. I still have months before I get surgery…

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#107

I’ve had a Cool Fat Burner sitting in a closet for a couple of years…

Full suit ~$160.00.

Just pulled it out as part of my plan to reduce systemic inflammation.

1 Like
#108

Let us know what you learn/experience!

#109

Some thoughts on using cold exposure via Perplexity.ai

Cold exposure vs exercise - metabolic effects

Evidence suggests that cold exposure can have some similar metabolic effects as exercise, but the relationship is complex and depends on various factors:

Similarities in Metabolic Effects

  • Cold exposure can increase metabolic heat production and energy expenditure, similar to the effects of exercise partly due to the body’s efforts to maintain core temperature through mechanisms like shivering.
  • Both cold exposure and exercise can increase blood lactate levels, though the reasons are not fully clear. Reduced muscle and core temperatures may play a role.
  • Cold exposure, like exercise, can increase glycogen utilization in active muscles, especially during low-intensity activities.

Differences in Metabolic Effects

  • The metabolic response depends heavily on the intensity of exercise and the severity/duration of cold exposure. Mild cold may increase metabolism, but severe cold can actually reduce maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max)
  • Factors like an individual’s body composition, fitness level, and acclimation to cold can modify the metabolic response.
  • The mechanisms by which cold and exercise affect metabolism are not identical. For example, increased cardiac output during exercise is not necessarily seen with cold exposure alone.
  • Cold exposure can have additional effects on the body, like increased risk of respiratory issues, that are not directly related to metabolism

In summary, while cold exposure and exercise can both increase metabolic rate and alter substrate utilization, the specific mechanisms and overall metabolic effects are not identical and depend on numerous interacting factors. The metabolic response to cold is not a perfect proxy for the effects of exercise.

Cold exposure vs inflammation

Evidence suggests that cold exposure can help reduce inflammation in the body, though the mechanisms and effects are complex:

Key Findings:

  • Cold therapy, such as ice baths or cold water immersion, can help reduce chronic inflammation by constricting blood vessels, reducing swelling, and boosting the immune system.
  • The combination of cold exposure training and breathing exercises appears to be particularly effective at attenuating the inflammatory response, likely by increasing epinephrine levels.
  • The magnitude of the anti-inflammatory effects can vary depending on factors like baseline epinephrine levels, the duration of cold exposure, and individual differences between men and women.

Mechanisms of Action:

  • Cold exposure triggers physiological changes like increased metabolic heat production and activation of brown fat, which can help counter inflammation.
  • Breathing exercises and cold exposure may stimulate the release of stress hormones like epinephrine, which can have anti-inflammatory effects by promoting the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10.
  • The combination of cold exposure and breathing exercises appears to have a synergistic effect, with cold training enhancing the immunomodulatory benefits of the breathing exercises.

In summary, the available evidence indicates that cold exposure, especially when combined with breathing exercises, can be an effective natural method for reducing chronic inflammation in the body. …

Cold exposure activating brown fat and reducing white adipose tissue

Evidence suggests that activating brown fat through cold exposure can help reduce white fat (also known as white adipose tissue) in the body:

Key Findings:

  • Cold exposure and the subsequent activation of brown fat can help burn calories and reduce white fat stores in the body.
  • The process of “browning” white fat cells, where they take on more mitochondria and become more metabolically active like brown fat, can also contribute to reduced white fat levels.
  • Exposure to mild cold temperatures around 19°C (66°F) for as little as 2 hours per day has been shown to be effective at activating brown fat and promoting white fat reduction.
  • The metabolic benefits of activated brown fat, including increased energy expenditure and improved glucose/lipid metabolism, can help counter the accumulation of unhealthy white fat.

Mechanisms of Action:

  • Brown fat is highly metabolically active and can burn calories to generate heat through a process called non-shivering thermogenesis.
  • Activating brown fat causes it to draw on white fat stores for fuel, leading to a reduction in overall white fat levels.
  • The “browning” of white fat cells increases their mitochondrial content and thermogenic capacity, allowing them to also contribute to white fat reduction.
  • Improved insulin sensitivity and glucose/lipid metabolism from brown fat activation can help prevent the accumulation of unhealthy white fat deposits.

In summary, the available evidence strongly indicates that activating brown fat through mild cold exposure can be an effective way to reduce white fat stores in the body. This provides a natural, non-invasive approach to managing excess white fat and potentially reducing the health risks associated with obesity and metabolic disorders.

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#110

I got around to using the Cool Fat Burner (vest and gut buster) about four weeks ago.
I started at:

  • Male
  • 199 lbs
  • 21% body fat
  • 4.2 visceral fat (a Withings scale index)
  • 5’ 9.5"
  • 72 years old this past June
  • Mesomorph

I’ve worked up to using the Cool Fat Burner for 2 hours using 1 normal and 1 T shirt (against getting cryo burns).

During this time I wear a wool hat, socks, and fingerless gloves (this works similarly to cold that putting a cold water soaked towel over your does in a sauna).

I get to shivering. Not intensely, but enough to know and apparently enough to trigger the benefits.

I sit at my desk and work while I wear it. No problem. Although I’ve gotten some questions during video conference calls.

I use the suit 5 days per week and do intensive training the other two days, currently comprised of:

  • Katalyst EMS sessions (20 min),
  • Timed static contractions (5 exercises x 90 sec each)
  • Ski machine with the Katalyst suit running a constant pulse (10 min)

5 days per week I get in 5,000-6,000 steps.
5 days per week I get in 10,000- 14,000 steps.

I’ve kept to a strict keto diet + prebiotics (potato starch, psyllium seed husk, and inulin) and I have pushed protein to 180-200 grams per day usually over 4 feedings.

Toughest part of this experiment >>> Eating that much protein.

This morning 2 hours after hydrating 1.5 liters I came out at:

  • 196 lbs
  • 16% body fat
  • 4.0 visceral fat

So, I’ve dropped 5 percentage point of body fat and only 2 lbs. Which means (if my calculations make sense) that I’ve gained muscle during this month.

I estimate that the cold suit at this intensity gives me a 500-600 calorie deficit per session. 500-600 x 5 = 2500 - 3000 per week.

Another note: I’ve done a few VO2 max estimators and they come out to VO2 max = 42 mL/kg/min, which puts me the 90th percentile for my age. I don’t do the kind of medium level long aerobic training Attia and others recommend. Maybe I can add some.

Using the cold suit the day after an intense workout melts away stiffness and muscle pain.
I look forward to it.

Also, living in NYC with mid 90s temperatures these days, the cold suit lowers my body temperature for a few hours after I remove it.

A couple of evening our air conditioning couldn’t bring the temperature below 80 degrees.
I wore the suit for 90 minutes while reading and watching a movie.
Slept like a baby - cool and comfortable.

I hear Art De Vany speculated that cold = exercise.

Maybe not exactly, but it seems to help.

I’ll try to check in a month from now.

Hard to judge inflammation levels. Any at home measures available?

I do have some thought that taking Rapamycin just makes all of this work better.

4 Likes
Gut check - best approach
#111

I started a PEMF related experiment this past Monday night.

Background

I’ve tracked my sleep (previously via Fitbit and currently an Oura Ring) for nearly 5 years.
Curiously, the amount of deep sleep I regularly get has steadily declined, often into the singe minutes and (until this experiment) not more the 25-30 minutes over the past 3-4 years.

REM sleep varies.
I wake up frequently.

Lots of possible reasons for this .
Not least that my wife has night terrors, but injuries, work demands, and who knows what else affect all of this.

I have improved my overall sleep a bit by consuming 2 to 4 tablespoons of resistant starch each day,
length of sleep and undisturbed sleep the most changed from it.

Resistant starch seems to produce incredibly vivid dreams, so it makes sleeping more fun.

Conjecture

PEMF could enhance sleep by beneficially affecting the gut microbiome and/or the vagal nerve. I drew my initial parameters from suggestions on the Micro Pulse users’ forum.

Note - while some on the forum have experimented with PEMF for sleep Bob Dennis has focused his devices and their use for pain relief and healing.

Equipment - Micro Pulse A9 with a 2x2 coil

Parameters

  • Coils placed on my lower abdomen - 2x2 coil just below my navel.
  • Lowest power setting.
  • Timing - 15 minutes in bed while reading before turning out the lights.

Results

The only apparent difference in my sleep → length of deep sleep over the past 3 nights:

  • Night 1: 108 minutes
  • Night 2: 87 minutes
  • Night 3: 58 minutes

Curious that the amount of deep sleep declines over the 3 nights, but still early in the experiment.
All three nights gave me the longest deep sleep I’ve had since I began tracking.

1 Like
#112

Nice. I am interested to hear of your PEMF experiment. I never did buy one of the Micro Pulse devices but remain interested. I would be interested in whether you can feel a difference in how rested you are after getting more deep sleep (of course, the Oura rings can’t really tell what stage of sleep you are in but I do believe increased Oura “deep sleep” is better).

FYI, I quit wearing my Oura ring recently and now I feel more rested. Weird but true.

#113

Night 4: 70 minutes deep sleep

1 Like