Regenerative Health with Max Gulhane, MD
21. Dr Jack Kruse: Critical Role of Light in Human Evolution, Health & Chronic Disease
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Light exposure vital for human evolution and health.
- POMC gene pivotal in mammalian survival and metabolism.
- The eye's role in absorbing light for brain function.
- Biochemical importance of light on amino acids and melanin.
- Avoiding UV light leads to various health issues.
- Synthetic melatonin disrupts circadian rhythm and health.
Deep dives
Dr. Jack Cruz's Paradigm-Shifting Insights on Circadian Health and Light
Dr. Max Galhane welcomes Dr. Jack Cruz, a neurosurgeon and pioneer in exploring circadian health and mitochondrial optimization. Dr. Cruz delves into the critical role of light in health, highlighting the concept that light exposure is crucial for achieving optimal health. He discusses the evolutionary history of mammals living underground, emphasizing the importance of melanin and light in mammalian biology. Dr. Cruz challenges traditional views on diet-centric health approaches, advocating for placing light exposure at the center of the health paradigm.
Decentralization of Health and the Role of POMC Pathway in Human Evolution
Dr. Cruz narrates his transition to a decentralized healthcare approach, triggered by a remarkable revelation while studying Robert O. Becker's research on bone regeneration using semiconductor principles. He connects the dots between the POMC pathway, ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, and human brain development postnatally. Revelations about the leptin melanocortin pathway and melanin's role in human evolution underscore the significance of light in sculpting mammalian biology and intelligence post-birth.
Leptin, Melanin, and the Eye: Unveiling Key Biological Mechanisms
The distinct tie between the leptin melanocortin pathway and melanin in the eye unfolds as a pivotal tale of evolutionary significance. Dr. Cruz delves into the intricate neurological pathways involving leptin, melanin, and serotonin, shedding light on their absorption spectra and implications for human biology. Insights into the unique mechanisms operating within the eye elucidate the profound impact of light exposure on hormonal regulation, brain development, and visual function.
Uncovering the Light-Driven Biochemical Symphony in Humans
The journey through biochemical revelations continues as Dr. Cruz uncovers the intricate dance between light, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and melanin within the human body. Attention is drawn to the absorption spectra of key amino acids, illuminating the interplay between light frequencies and biological processes. Discoveries regarding myogenic radiation and the fascinating role of melanin as a semiconductor highlight the spectral symphony orchestrating human health at a fundamental level.
Adverse Effects of UV Light Blocking
Blocking UV light with sunglasses and sunscreen disrupts the body's natural response to light signals, affecting melanin production and signaling pathways. This disruption leads to a range of health issues, including depression, psychiatric disorders, metabolic imbalances, and infertility. By wearing sunglasses and avoiding UV light exposure, individuals are setting the stage for various diseases.
Misguided Use of Synthetic Melatonin
Taking synthetic melatonin disrupts the body's circadian rhythm, uncoupling the natural light-dark cycles that govern biochemical processes. Melatonin supplementation interferes with the body's endogenous melatonin production, leading to metabolic problems, fertility issues, and increased risk of neurodegenerative conditions. Rather than addressing sleep issues, synthetic melatonin further exacerbates underlying health imbalances.
Centralized Approach to UV Light and Skin Cancer
The centralized medical dogma linking UV light exposure to skin cancer is misguided. Avoiding UV light with sunscreen and sunglasses disrupts melanin production and absorption, increasing the risk of skin cancer and melanoma. Proper UV light exposure, as mammals are designed to receive, is essential for maintaining a healthy balance of light signaling and preventing skin cancer.
Hypothyroidism and Melanoma Prognosis
Individuals with hypothyroidism have a worse prognosis when diagnosed with melanoma due to the impact of blocking phenylalanine and tyrosine conversion for thyroid hormone production. Sunscreen blocking tyrosinase enzyme inhibiting the process that forms T3 and T4 disrupts the overall melanin production and signaling pathway, exacerbating melanoma severity. Hypothyroidism and sunscreen use contribute to autoimmune conditions and immune system dysregulation, worsening melanoma outcomes.
The Impact of Light and Pomcy on Health
Understanding the importance of light and the Pomcy gene in influencing health is crucial. Exposing oneself to natural light and ensuring proper melanin production can have significant effects on various physiological processes, including hormone regulation and skin health. The relationship between light exposure, genetics, and overall well-being highlights the intricate connection between external environmental factors and internal biological mechanisms.
The Role of Nutrition in Light and Pomcy Regulation
Nutrition plays a key role in modulating the effects of light and Pomcy gene activity. Consuming a diet rich in proteins and fats, akin to the dietary habits of certain indigenous populations like the Sherpas, can positively influence metabolic processes and overall health. The interplay between nutrition, light exposure, and genetic factors underscores the need for a holistic approach to health that considers the synergy of these elements.
Challenges to Traditional Medical Paradigms
Dr. Cruz's insights challenge traditional medical paradigms by emphasizing the central role of light in regulating biological functions. By questioning established beliefs around genetics, nutrition, and disease management, he encourages a shift towards understanding the biophysical foundations of health. Reevaluating the current medical frameworks to include the impact of light and Pomcy gene activation may offer novel perspectives on addressing complex health issues and improving patient outcomes.
Dr Jack Kruse joins me in an epic three-hour interview to weave the story of human evolution fundamentally tied to light. He describes our transition from furry ground dwelling mammals to upright walking primates, the critical role of the POMC gene, melanin and function of mitochondria as producers of endogenous light, as well as the distortion of the light environment as the key underlying driver of modern chronic disease.
Dr Jack Kruse is a neurosurgeon, biophysicist, health optimisation researcher and founding father of the circadian health / mitochondrial medicine movement. This is the first in a series of interviews with Dr Kruse that will also cover water and magnetism, two further installments in a trilogy that strongly challenges the centrality of diet as the chief determinant of optimal health. Stay tuned for further episodes.
*This is not a podcast for beginners, and if you want the cliff notes I’d suggest watching Dr Max’s summary takes and the closing thoughts. Some explicit language in this interview – Dr Jack is extremely passionate!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Dr Max's intro
00:05:11 Dr Kruse’s backstory
00:10:22 Differences between centralized and decentralized medicine
00:12:32 Incongruence in Darwin’s theories of evolution
00:13:27 Evolution of mammals from ground dwelling creatures
00:17:57 The POMC gene and its cleavage products allowed mammals to survive the dinosaur extinction event
00:28:12 POMC, the leptin melanocortin pathway and human metabolism
00:34:37 POMC and autoimmunity
00:38:42 To understand the effect of light on biology, we need to understand physics
00:41:15 UV light from the sun is critical to stimulating POMC
00:46:42 Robert O. Becker’s research on bioelectrics and cellular DC electric current
00:50:22 POMC, melanin and biological semi-conductors
00:59:52 Dr Max’s summary of the first hour
01:05:05 What is leptin and its function?
01:12:28 All mammalian cells generate UV light in the mitochondria and use it to signal
01:19:27 The biological function of melanin
01:26:19 Dr Max’s summary of the function of leptin
01:30:05 Reversing vitiligo, grey hair & melanin loss with sun & UV light
01:36:43 Melanoma develops in absence of full spectrum (red/infrared) sunlight
01:39:38 Dr Max’s summary of the first 1.5 hours
01:41:22 What are mitochondria?
01:47:29 Competing theories on the factors that influenced development of human brain
01:49:27 History of biological semi-conductors and importance of DHA in the SN2 position
01:56:36 Photoreceptors, neuropsin and mental health conditions
02:08:00 Incongruent light signals between eye and skin creates disease
02:12:47 The harms of taking exogenous melatonin
02:17:52 Why blocking UV light causes melanoma
02:24:32 Rebuttals to ‘light causes all diseases’ point of view
02:38:42 Understanding light is critical to understanding the root causes of patients diseases
02:54:03 Dr Kruse’s take on premature male pattern balding and refractory error aka ‘soyjak meme’
02:59:49 Why we see low serum Vitamin D in overweight or obese people
03:04:49 Dr Jack’s closing thoughts
03:08:02 Three actionable steps for the listener
FURTHER READING
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