Mastering Cardiovascular Longevity: Glycocalyx & Biohacking for Optimal Heart Health
Jul 27, 2023
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Dr. Michael Twyman discusses the importance of vascular health and uses biohacking and red light therapy for optimal mitochondrial health. The podcast explores the significance of glyco-calix and endothelium health, the role of nitric oxide, and the impact of toxic stress on heart health. It also discusses research studies on the glycocalyx and explores the role of genetics in cardiovascular longevity.
Healthy endothelium and glycocalyx are crucial for vascular health, and focusing on prevention is more effective than treating advanced cardiovascular diseases.
Various tests and biomarkers like urine microalbumin, oxidative stress markers, and lipoprotein assessment can provide insights into vascular health.
Supporting the glyco-calix and nitric oxide production, optimizing circadian biology, and prioritizing the four pillars of health (nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep) are key for maintaining long-term vascular wellness.
Deep dives
The importance of healthy endothelium and glyco-calix
Dr. Twyman highlights the crucial role of healthy endothelium and glyco-calix in vascular health. He emphasizes that focusing on prevention and maintaining a healthy endothelium can be more effective than treating cardiovascular diseases in their advanced stages. The glyco-calix, which lines the blood vessels, acts as a protective gel coating and its impairment can lead to various complications. Dr. Twyman encourages patients to address underlying issues like oxidative stress, inflammation, and dyslipidemia to support the health of the endothelium and glyco-calix.
Evaluating vascular health through testing
Dr. Twyman discusses various tests and biomarkers that can help assess vascular health. He suggests checking urine microalbumin and creatinine levels to determine endothelial dysfunction. Additionally, tests for oxidative stress, such as oxidized LDL or F2-isoprostane levels, and inflammatory markers like high sensitivity CRP can provide insights into vascular health. Assessing lipoproteins, including apolipoprotein B, can help gauge the functionality of cholesterol transportation through the system. Nitric oxide levels, indicated by salivary nitric oxide tests, can also reveal information about endothelial health.
Supporting the glyco-calix and nitric oxide production
Dr. Twyman emphasizes the importance of supporting the glyco-calix and nitric oxide production to optimize vascular health. He mentions the use of supplements like VascoNox, which contains hydrogen sulfide precursors and helps increase nitric oxide levels. Additionally, products like arteriosome with romeon sulfate can support the regeneration of the glyco-calix. Dr. Twyman mentions the significance of removing insults like smoking, dysregulated glucose and insulin, and dyslipidemia to enhance vascular health.
The role of circadian biology
Dr. Twyman underscores the importance of circadian biology in promoting vascular health. He highlights the significance of exposing oneself to natural sunlight in the morning to set the body's internal clock and optimize hormone production. He explains how different wavelengths of light throughout the day affect the body, such as the liberation of nitrates with UVA exposure and vitamin D synthesis with UVB exposure. Dr. Twyman also emphasizes the need to avoid blue light exposure from electronic devices in the evening to maintain healthy circadian rhythms.
Motivating patients to prioritize vascular health
Dr. Twyman motivates patients by leading by example and sharing his personal biohacking and functional medicine journey. He encourages patients to prioritize their endothelial health and glycocalyx function for long-term vascular wellness. Dr. Twyman focuses on educating patients about the importance of the four pillars of health: nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep optimization. He guides patients to find their own motivation and gives them the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about their vascular health.
Vascular health is fundamentally essential to longevity and health span, and that’s why I’m thrilled to be welcoming Dr. Michael Twyman to New Frontiers. Trained as an invasive cardiologist, Dr. Twyman has made the shift to a more preventative approach, moving beyond traditional cath lab results to focus on the health of the 60,000 miles of blood vessels that carry vital blood, oxygen and nutrients to every organ in the body, with hopes of reaching patients before they reach the end stages of disease.
In this episode we’ll look at endothelial glycocalyx dysfunction as the root cause of cardiovascular disease, and dive into the key roles of nitric oxide, circadian biology, and the oral microbiome on cardiovascular health. I know you’ll find this interview to be absolutely fascinating. Have a listen and leave me a comment let me know what you think. ~DrKF
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