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Micronutrients for Health & Longevity | Dr. Rhonda Patrick

Episode 70 May 2, 2022 2h 46m 10 insights
My guest is Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D. She earned her doctoral degree in biomedical science from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and has become one of the leading public health educators on the brain and general health, aging, cancer, and nutrition. We discuss the four major categories of micronutrients that regulate cellular and organ stress and antioxidants, inflammation, hormone regulation, immune system, and longevity. Dr. Patrick provides actionable protocols for obtaining key micronutrients from food and/or supplement-based sources. Additionally, Dr. Patrick outlines protocols for deliberate cold and deliberate heat exposure to benefit metabolism, cardiorespiratory fitness, mental health, and lifespan.  For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
Actionable Insights

1. Optimize Omega-3 Intake

Aim for 2-4 grams of EPA per day, primarily from high-quality triglyceride fish oil supplements, or marine sources like sardines and salmon. Store fish oil in the refrigerator to prevent oxidation and consider measuring your Omega-3 Index (red blood cell levels) to track long-term status, re-testing after 120 days.

2. Ensure Vitamin D Sufficiency

Get your 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels tested and supplement with Vitamin D3 (e.g., 1000-5000 IU daily) to reach and maintain levels between 40-60 nanograms per milliliter. Additionally, expose a substantial amount of skin to sunlight for 20-30 minutes, three times a week, to naturally produce this steroid hormone.

3. Increase Magnesium Consumption

Boost your intake of dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and chard, as magnesium is central to chlorophyll. Supplement with magnesium (e.g., 130-135 mg daily), choosing forms like malate for general use or threonate/bisglycinate for sleep support, to aid ATP production, DNA repair, and vitamin D metabolism.

4. Regular Sauna Use for Longevity

Utilize a sauna 4-7 times per week for at least 20 minutes at 174°F (79°C) or higher, ideally with 10-20% humidity, to significantly reduce the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular mortality. This heat stress mimics moderate aerobic exercise, activates heat shock proteins, and promotes heavy metal excretion.

5. Practice Deliberate Cold Exposure

Immerse yourself in cold water (e.g., 49°F/9.4°C) for at least 20 seconds, ideally up to the neck, to increase norepinephrine and dopamine, improving mood, focus, and reducing anxiety. This practice also stimulates non-shivering thermogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis, leading to ‘browning of fat’ and improved cold tolerance.

6. Incorporate Sulforaphane & Moringa

Consume broccoli sprouts (rich in sulforaphane) or add 1 gram of ground mustard seed powder to cooked broccoli to boost sulforaphane levels. Alternatively, supplement with moringa powder (e.g., 1 heaping tablespoon daily), as both activate the NRF2 pathway, enhancing detoxification and glutathione production.

7. Diversify Exercise Regimen

Include high-intensity interval training (HIIT), such as 10-minute Tabata sessions on a stationary cycle three times a week, to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis. Also, incorporate regular long runs for mental clarity, problem-solving, and creativity, and ensure adequate strength training for muscle mass maintenance as you age.

8. Use Hot Baths for Heat Stress

If a sauna is not accessible, take a hot bath at around 104°F (40°C) for 20 minutes, immersed from the shoulders down. This can robustly activate heat shock proteins and increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), mimicking some benefits of sauna use.

9. Enhance Learning with Moderate Stress

Leverage semi-stressful environments, such as a sauna, to aid in the learning and retention of information. The release of adrenaline and norepinephrine during moderate stress creates an optimal state for memory formation.

10. Mindful Hot-to-Cold Transitions

When transitioning from hot (sauna/jacuzzi) to cold (plunge/pool) exposure, wait a few minutes in between to allow your body to adjust. This helps prevent rapid blood pressure changes and associated symptoms like vertigo or lightheadedness.