Redefining Human Potential with Dr. Daniel Stickler

We’ve taken the complexity of the human system and try to make it complicated, which really doesn’t work when you’re looking at wellness, health optimization and really moving the body to a greater potential. So what we decided to do is instead of trying to shift or change the paradigm, we need to create a whole new paradigm. We call it human potential medicine but it’s essentially a systems based precision approach to health optimization.

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About the Guest: Dr. Daniel Stickler

Dr. Stickler is the visionary pioneer behind the human potential medicine movement, a shift away from the disease model to limitless peak performance in all aspects of life. Dr. Stickler is a physician to high-performing entrepreneurs who want to optimize their performance. He is also an author, speaker, blogger, and host of the Ironman Executive podcast.

Dr. Stickler is an expert in the use of genetics and epigenetics in clinical practice and trains healthcare clinicians from all over the world in the interpretation of genomic data for optimizing human potential. Dr. Stickler works with each client to develop personalized human potential optimization plans based on genetics, quality of life factors,  and the seven foundational aspects of health. Dr. Stickler also serves as the Medical Director of Neurohacker Collective.

Using Epigenetics to Optimize Performance

Epigenetics is the study of the changes in organisms caused by modifications in gene expression rather than changes to the underlying genetic code. Our introduction to epigenetics provides a basic overview of epigenetics, epigenetic mechanisms, and lifestyle modifications leading to epigenetic change.

The process of individualized health starts with a genetics test. The test provides a blueprint for lifestyle modifications leading to epigenetic change.

Epigenetics is a science with 10,000+ peer-reviewed scientific studies released per year.

Lifestyle Modifications Leading to Epigenetic Change:

Your genetics are not your destiny.

Through lifestyle modifications, you can change the expression of your genes.

A few examples of lifestyle modification leading to epigenetic change:

• Intake of Omega 3 fatty acids leads to a change in expression of several hundred genes
• Chronic exercise changes the expression of almost 7,000 genes
• Meditation decreases inflammation through a downregulation of pro-inflammatory genes.

Key Highlights from this Episode with Dr. Daniel Stickler:

• What is Human Potential Medicine?
• Why is epigenetics the systems approach to health?
• The anti-vegetarian gene: ABCG8 and ABCG5 and how plant sterols may lead to disease states
• What does Dr. Stickler think of the DIETFITS study and low-carb vs. low-fat?
• Epigenetics and Red Queen Theory
• An introduction to transhumanism

Epigenetics and Additional Research Mentioned:

• The associations of cholesterol metabolism and plasma plant sterols with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality
• Plasma sitosterol elevations are associated with an increased incidence of coronary events in men: Results of a nested case-control analysis of the Prospective Cardiovascular Munster (PROCAM) study
• DIETFITS Study (Diet Intervention Examining the Factors Interacting With Treatment Success) on low-carb versus low-fat.
• The A TO Z Weight Loss Study: A Randomized Trial - Dr. Christopher Gardner

Products Mentioned:

• Garmin Fenix 5
• Qualia by Neurohacker Collective - use code BOOMER for a 10% discount
• Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise
• Ishmael: A Novel

The Final Three Questions:

Dr. Daniel Stickler What is the number one tool or technology Dr. Stickler uses to become more superhuman?

• Garmin Fenix 5x

What is Dr. Dan's best advice for boosting cognition?

• Qualia
• Good meditation practice
• Consistent, high quality, sleep
• Good nutrition practice
• Good supplementation practice
• Optimizing your health through a systems approach

What is the best book Dr. Dan has read on Peak Performance?

• Peak by Eamon Dolan
• Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

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