Biohacking In Complex Chronic Disease – Helping Or Harming?
- Jun 28, 2024
- 5 min read
Written by Dr. Aislynn Hunt,Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Aislynn Hunt is a second-generation naturopathic doctor with expertise in treating autoimmune disorders and complex chronic disease. She is the founder of Autoimmunity Empowered and Autoimmunity Transformed, online programs designed to educate people about their autoimmunity and uncover the root cause of their inflammation.
We’ve probably all heard of the term biohacking tossed around online by people in the health and wellness industry but what actually is biohacking? Biohacking is the act of improving your physiological functioning by making changes to your diet and lifestyle. It encompasses a wide spectrum of health practices, including intermittent fasting, genomics, nootropics and wearable technology. Unsurprisingly, people loved the idea of being able to improve their health, performance and well-being on their own, which caused biohacking to explode in popularity. People of all ages started tracking their sleep quality with Aura rings, incorporating cold plunging into their daily schedule and made the switch to bulletproof coffee. As a naturopathic doctor, I truly love seeing people make positive lifestyle changes and take charge of their own health.
However, DIYing your own health can be harmful in certain circumstances. If you have a complex chronic illness, biohacking can have unintended negative effects on your health. As with many health recommendations, biohacking is not a one size fits all solution. The other concern with biohacking is that these wellness tips can replace medical care. In the past, when people experienced issues like fatigue, brain fog, or inflammation, they'd visit their doctor for a workup. Nowadays, many turn to the internet, where wellness influencers offer various biohacking tips claiming to solve these problems overnight. Unfortunately, this often means skipping the thorough evaluation and diagnosis that a doctor can provide, leaving potentially serious underlying issues undetected. It's not that biohacking itself or wellness influencers are to blame—it's more about the disproportionate trust placed in these methods. Just because someone’s fatigue was improved by cold plunging doesn't mean it's universally beneficial. It's essential to do your own research on these practices before diving headfirst (literally and metaphorically) and consult your healthcare professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, and supplement regime. Some biohacking tips involve the use of many different supplements. While correcting nutrient deficiencies can be beneficial, it's crucial to follow a physician's recommended dosage and monitor relevant blood markers. Vitamin D is an example of a supplement that people shouldn’t be taking without monitoring blood levels because it's fat-soluble and thus can accumulate in your body. Consulting a physician before purchasing supplements also ensures that you’re not wasting your money on products that aren’t effective or aren’t indicated.
Let’s talk about specific biohacking practices you should avoid if you have a complex chronic illness or that warrant a consultation with a physician prior to beginning.
1. Intermittent fasting
Many people swear by intermittent fasting as the one thing that changed their life by improving their energy, decreasing brain fog and improving their metabolism. However, if you have adrenal dysregulation, intermittent fasting is one of the worst things you could do. Your body is asking for regular nourishment with adequate protein and healthy fats but you are further stressing your adrenal glands with intermittent fasting. Mood disorders are another situation in which intermittent fasting will likely make things worse. Intermittent fasting can lead to hypoglycemia, which can worsen conditions like premenstrual dysphoric disorder and anxiety. Saunas are contraindicated for people with circulation problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
2. Contrast hydrotherapy
The practice of submersing your body in alternating cold and hot water has many valuable benefits, including improved circulation, improved immune system function, and reduced pain. However, it can promote the spread of infection and local malignancies, it may worsen acute inflammation and it can cause damage to soft tissues in patients that have impaired pain or temperature sensation.
3. Intravenous therapy
IV therapy involves the combination of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are delivered straight into one’s bloodstream, bypassing the gut and thereby allowing for higher doses than oral supplementation. This is highly beneficial in patients that have impaired gastrointestinal absorption such as those with celiac disease, ulcerative colitis or resection of the small intestine. The formulae can be adjusted to treat a wide variety of concerns including migraines, viral infections, chronic candidiasis, liver disease, PMS and to improve sport performance. However, it’s important to note that IV therapy is contraindicated in people with heart failure, extremely high blood pressure, and those in end-stage renal failure.
4. Herbal medicine
Using herbal teas, tinctures and capsules can be a powerful way to address a variety of health concerns but as we’ve discussed, consulting with a healthcare professional prior to using herbal blends is very important. There is the notion that herbs cannot cause harm like pharmaceuticals do, which is wildly inaccurate. Herbs can have powerful modulating effects on various organ systems and if used appropriately, can address concerns like autoimmunity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, infertility and anxiety. However, there are some herbs that are considered toxic and should only be used in small doses, while there are other herbs that will have negative effects in people with specific conditions. For example, Siberian ginseng and echinacea are immune stimulating herbs that can be beneficial in those recovering from an upper respiratory tract infection but this stimulating effect can trigger a flare in patients with autoimmunity.
So what are some biohacking practices that would be helpful in those with complex chronic disease? Keeping it simple is key here. Stress management techniques that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, such as meditation, diaphragmatic breathing exercises, and regular time spent in nature, can effectively reduce chronic inflammation, prevent adrenal dysregulation due to elevated cortisol, and enhance mental wellbeing. A whole foods diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains provides essential nourishment for optimal bodily function, while avoiding inflammatory foods like sugar, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, dairy, wheat, processed meats, and vegetable oils. Moving your body daily in whatever capacity or form that you enjoy is important for moving the lymphatic system, reducing stress levels, and reducing cardiovascular risk. Establishing good sleep hygiene practices can significantly improve sleep quality and duration. This includes minimizing screen time and stressful situations before bed, creating a “wind-down” routine to help calm your mind in the hour before you go to bed, and sleeping in a cool quiet and dark room.
My takeaway message as a complex chronic disease-focused ND is this: biohacking can have a multitude of health benefits if used appropriately but always be wary if someone online is promising a “cure” from these practices. Use critical thinking and do your own research to see if something is appropriate for you. If you feel unsure, consult a healthcare professional – naturopathic doctors are highly trained in lifestyle counselling, nutritional counselling, herbal medicine and intravenous therapy. Start small when making changes to your lifestyle and diet. If your health is being negatively impacted or you feel worse with a biohacking practice, stop immediately and consult a healthcare professional. Reaching optimal health doesn’t have to be complicated – if you want a guide for your wellness journey I would be honoured to help. Book a complimentary discovery call via the link in my profile.
Note: the information discussed in this article is not medical advice. Please always consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet or supplement regime.
Dr. Aislynn Hunt,Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Aislynn Hunt is a second-generation naturopathic doctor with expertise in treating autoimmune disorders and complex chronic disease. She was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder at the age of 20 and through the experience of frustration, isolation and hopelessness that is conventional autoimmunity healthcare, she realized her path. She made it her goal to support patients on their journey to optimal wellness with a compassionate, evidence-based and empowerment-focused approach. Dr. Hunt's mission is to help female entrepreneurs address their autoimmune disorder so that fatigue and frequent flares aren't holding them back from doing the things they love and making the world a better place.
