Diets have been around for a long time. Every decade has it’s own fad diets that have become so popular and, yet, lose relevance. While most of these diets work, especially to help people lose weight, they aren’t for everyone. One person’s results would vary from another, even if they’re eating the exact same meals and portions every day.
Nowadays, people are talking about biohacking, a term that refers to strategies that optimize overall health. Biohacking involves “hacking” the body to achieve the desired result. It sounds high-tech, but it’s not as complicated as it sounds. In fact, you likely have already been doing biohacking techniques in your everyday life.
But, in this article, we’ll talk about biohacking, and how it can boost weight loss.
The Science Behind Biohacking
Biohacking is not just some trendy term that is being used for weight loss. It is rooted in scientific principles that have been proven to work through studies and research.
One of the most popular ways people are biohacking their way to losing weight is by using standing desks. Many companies are now providing standing desks as an option for employees who want to burn more calories during their workday. The same can be done at home by using a table or simply propping your laptop up higher.
According to one study, using a standing desk burns 88 calories per hour. In addition, it can also reduce your risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and premature death.
Another biohack that trended a few years ago is adding a stick of butter to your morning coffee. Called the “bulletproof coffee,” this “hack” promised to give you energy and reduce your hunger. You can still find a lot of people online who swear by this method.
Nutrigenomics is another term that has been getting some attention within the nutrition and fitness community. It refers to the use of foods that change the expression of our genetic code. For example, foods that contain antioxidants can help protect your body against free radicals and reduce the effects of aging.
So, how can you biohack your way into weight loss? Here are a few tips.
Consume Nutrients that Boosts Metabolism
There are certain types of nutrients found in food that can help you lose weight. Fiber, for example, is essential for health because it aids in the smooth functioning of your digestive system. In addition, it helps you feel full faster and for longer periods of time. This ensures that you won’t be snacking between meals or overeating at your next meal.
Vitamin D is also known to improve metabolic activity. As such, it can help your body to burn fat and carbohydrates more efficiently.
There are also companies that offer lipotropic vitamin injection which promises to boost metabolism and aid in fat burning. It can be administered as an IV (intravenous) booster or injected into the body by a trained professional. Different clinics have different formulas, but it usually contains B12, choline, and methionine among others.
Optimize Sleep
Sleep is essential to weight management. Science has proven that those who don’t get enough sleep experience an increase in the hormone ghrelin which signals hunger to the brain. In addition, they may also eat more as a result of sleeplessness. There have been studies that showed a connection between lack of sleep and weight gain.
So, those who want to lose weight should make sure that they’re getting enough sleep, at least seven hours of uninterrupted shuteye according to experts.
Rewilding
Rewilding aims to encourage people to go out and spend more time in nature. It is based on the premise that we’ve become too disconnected from nature and its benefits.
For example, spending time in natural areas can help lower blood pressure while boosting immune system functions at the same time. It also increases mental acuity while reducing stress levels .
In addition, the idea involves an overall overhaul of lifestyle. Rewilding encourages people to eat less processed foods and drink better quality water – just like our ancestors – in addition to sitting under the sun and doing various activities outdoors. It’s like paleo but as an entire lifestyle.
Biohacking in general is a way to manipulate your environment and lifestyle in order to achieve specific health outcomes. While it has the potential to improve public health, experts have a warning: don’t push yourself to the extreme or make technological enhancements to your body. You will respond better to small, incremental changes over long periods rather than abrupt lifestyle switches.