From sunlight to ice baths and meditation, five tips to biohack your way to wellness
SMARTWATCHES, apps and fitness trackers have changed the way we monitor our wellbeing.
But did you know you can actually hack your way to better health?
Biohacking is all about understanding your biology so you can live your healthiest life.
These hacks — or shortcuts — include fasting, ice baths, meditation and light exposure to impact your hormones and optimise your brain power, physical performance and weight.
TV star Davinia Taylor, 46, has used it to improve her health, which also led to a weight loss of more than 3st.
She has now shared her research in bestselling books, amassed a million Instagram followers and has created her own biohacking company called Willpowders.
Davinia told Sun on Sunday Health: “Biohacking doesn’t have to cost you anything — but it could help you live longer.
“It is simply going back to basics. I have spent years looking into it, having all kinds of bizarre tests done on my body, trying out different things, and working out what is right for me.
“It has helped me mentally and physically — the weight loss has been an added benefit.
“But you don’t need to go bonkers, just a few lifestyle hacks can really help.”
Here are Davinia’s top five tips for beginners.
READ THE LABEL
You need to know the chemicals, the additives and the E numbers you are eating.
My biggest bugbears are sugar and oils such as vegetable oil and rapeseed.
Sneaky food companies use 200 different names for sugar including dextrose, fructose, maltodextrin and lactose.
And vegetable oil is horrible stuff that can also be used in household cleaning.
We know you can’t squeeze a carrot to get oil out of it.
Basically we change our diets back to what our great-great grandmothers ate — stick to natural, unprocessed food and ditch the oils for things such as butter, which have more nutrients.
GET OUTSIDE
First thing in the morning get yourself outside and get the sun on your face.
If you are somewhere sunny you only need three minutes but if it is overcast aim for 20.
The sunlight enters the retina in your eye and lands on your skin, which tells your internal body clock that it’s time to release cortisol and start actioning the day.
And this also means that 12 hours later your body will naturally start to release sleep hormone melatonin.
INTERMITTENT FASTING
This has so many benefits, from weight loss and hormone balance to regulating blood sugar, giving you energy and increasing your memory.
Start with an eating window of 12 hours. Slowly reduce to a six to eight-hour window, and fasting for 16-18 hours.
When I fast I usually will not eat until around 2pm. First thing in the morning, I’ll have a glass of water with a pinch of salt and some lemon to rehydrate myself.
Then I will have a large black coffee with some MCT oil.
This is a supplement made from a certain type of oil which gives energy and fills you up but doesn’t break my fast.
NOOTROPICS
This may sound fancy but nootropics are just ingredients that support your brain health.
If the brain is healthy then the chances are your body will be too. They include caffeine which can help with your memory, and the compound L-theanine which is found in green tea and supports sleep and relaxation.
COLLAGEN
This is one of the most nutrient- dense ways you can spike your food. It is packed with amino acids that your body craves, it heals the guts, reduces bloating and improves skin, hair, and nails.
You can put it in your food — and that of your kids — in powder form without affecting taste.
‘New way of life for me’
AFTER a consultation with Davinia, business owner and mum of two Lynsey McGregor, from Southport, Merseyside, started following her advice.
Lynsey said: “I’ve tried many diets but always failed then struggled to get back to it.
“But because I’ve been thinking about both mine and my family’s health, my mindset has now changed.
“For the past month I have been having keto powder and MCT oil in my coffee in the morning and managing to fast until 1pm, which has somehow left me feeling much more alert and energetic.
“My skin is better and I am sleeping better too and although I don’t weigh myself, I know I’ve lost weight because I can get back into jeans that I haven’t worn for years.
“Looking at labels has been a huge thing for me as well.
“I don’t give my daughters cereal or mass produced bread full of additives now. And I am cutting out all sunflower and rapeseed oils.
“I feel good knowing that I am looking after my health more than I have in years and now when I fall off the wagon and have a glass of wine (or three!) I don’t feel so bad about it.
“This is a new way of life for me. It is basic stuff – but it has worked.”