December 12, 2020

Drs. Matt Dawson and Mike Mallin are multi-time repeat podcast guests on my show and the lead physicians at Wild Health, a genomics-based personalized medicine clinic with locations and physicians all across the United States. I first interviewed these guys in the episode “How To Use Precision Medicine To Enhance Athletic Performance, Defy Aging, Balance Hormones, Fix The Heart & Much More.,” then again in “Why Your DNA Is Worthless (& What You Need To Focus On Instead),” and finally, a few months ago, in the episode “Biohacking Your Brain With Precision Medicine, Genomics, Psychedelics, Advanced Nutritional Strategies & Much More!.”

In this episode, they're back to reveal a brand new, impressively comprehensive biomarkers test that they've had a team of MDs, PhDs, data scientists, and software developers working on for over a year. It takes into account genetics, the epigenome, microbiome, environment, and more, and they call it “Wild Health Clarity.”

Dr. Dawson is a precision medicine physician in Lexington, KY, co-host of the Wild Health Podcast, and has been obsessed with performance optimization for as long as he can remember. He received scholarships to play two sports in college even with “minimal talent” because of his voracious reading and implementation of any fitness or nutritional techniques that would give him an edge. Dr. Dawson continued that obsession in medical school, and as a physician, he has won national awards for education, innovation, and leadership. He has lectured in over 20 countries and trained thousands of other physicians through live lectures, online education, two textbooks, and an educational app. Dr. Dawson combines his training in genomics and functional medicine to give personalized, precise medical guidance. His obsession with performance optimization has morphed from, initially athletic, to now mental performance and longevity.

Whether you're a professional athlete or a grandparent optimizing your mental clarity and mobility to keep up with your grandkids, Dr. Dawson is passionate about helping you perform at your absolute peak.

Dr. Mallin is a physician in Bend, OR who is obsessed with health performance and precision medicine and is co-founder of the Wild Health Podcast. He completed medical school in South Carolina and trained in emergency medicine in Salt Lake City, UT. There, he competed in several ultramarathons and found his love for the mountains and performance. Mike currently practices in Bend, OR and Lexington, KY in his precision medicine clinics. He is also co-founder of the Ultrasound Podcast, an educational podcast that has taught thousands of physicians all over the world how to use ultrasound.

**I reference a video portion of this episode in the audio. However, that video file is not available for the episode. Sorry for any confusion. However, below is my Health Report Summary and a PDF of my entire Personalized Health Report to help you follow along.

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Health Report Summary

Personalized Health Report

During this discussion, you'll discover:

-How Matt and Mike's report is different from all the other reports out there…09:45

• Obsessed with precision medicine
• Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) give incomplete genetic info
• Multi-omics (blood biomarkers, microbiome data) are difficult to quantify thoroughly
• One single report to optimize health and maximize healthspan

-How the report is utilized—from doctor to patient…14:30

• Overall assessment (tree of life)
• Begin with an overall objective score (91 out of 100)
• Get the number, then discuss how to raise the score (contextually discussed with patient)
• Epigenetic age: 43
• Chronic disease risk calculator
• Longevity genes

-Sleep and circadian genetics…18:25

• The only thing in Ben's report that could be improved was sleep
• Oura Ring data is used as a reference
  • Wearables don't pick-up everything; do not factor in afternoon naps
• Deep, REM, total amount of sleep were slightly lacking
• An afternoon nap or meditation session may help alleviate sleep issues
• How do you feel when you wake up; do you use an alarm to wake up
• Certain gene SNPs affect circadian rhythm
• Examine multiple SNPs simultaneously
• Resting heart rate elevation during first half of the night indicates eating too late
• Subjective feedback from the patient about food intake and sleep (data from the Oura ring) is important

-Diet and nutrition…27:00

• Begin with macronutrients: carbs, fat, saturated fat, protein; proceed to micronutrients and methylation
• Carb intolerance score is primarily from genetics
• Gives an idea of what the body is best for converting into energy
• Higher LDL increases risk of cardiovascular disease (but take data into context)
• The report isn't meant to stand on its own; it's a reference point to practice precision medicine
• Begin with general recommendations to account for conflicts in the report due to multiple labs giving data
• Recommendations are editable by the physician

-Methylation…40:35

• Homocysteine level: 6.8 (<7 suggests adequate methylation)
• Choline risk score: 63%
• Folate risk score: 17%
• TMAO score: 29
• Ben's highest risk associated with choline
• Higher levels of liver enzymes (relic of intense training from years past)
• Experiment with variables to take out the guesswork
• Ultrasound to rule out NAFLD
• The Best Way To Test How Healthy Your Heart Is: Ben Greenfield Undergoes A Complete Advanced Cardiac Evaluation & Reports The Surprising Results! with Dr. Ram Dandillaya.

-Vitamins and micronutrients…46:20

• Ben's zinc levels are lower (genetic predisposition for it)
• Black Ant powder
• Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
• Foods to increase collagen such as sardines and bone broth (use code GREENFIELD to save 15%)
• Get nutrients from real food

-Balancing gut reactions vs. genetic pathways to superfoods…49:45

• What do you like? What have you tried in the past
• Very few set in stone guidelines; lots of room for experimentation
• Know how to pursue a particular diet like the carnivore diet
• Other things to contextualize like SIBO or microbiome problems

-Exercise and recovery…52:10

• Most important factors: genetics and preferences
• DNAfit test
• Plan is for a beginner looking for where to start; make recommendations on existing plans for established athletes
• Plans for powerlifters, runners, cyclists
• Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) tends to be high in active individuals eating a high fat, low carb diet
• DUTCH test

-Neural behavioral…1:00:15

• FAAH gene determines how you use CBD
• BDNF: take lion's mane, use sauna
• Tips and tricks to “hack” neurological function

-Microbiome…1:01:55

• Viome test results added to the Wild Health results (use code GREENFIELD to save 5%)
• Diversity is high; inflammation is low (ideal scenario)
• Berberine can help with proteobacteria
• Onegevity
• Probiotics are difficult to change gut bacteria
• Lifestyle and diet are important

-Cardiovascular disease…1:06:40

• Two risk scores:
  • MESA – 10 year cardiovascular disease risk: 1.4%
  • Genetic cardiovascular risk score

-Longevity…1:10:05

• DHEA is one of the best biomarkers of aging
• Proceed with caution when it comes to prescriptions and medications
• Medication should be delayed to see if individual markers get better without medication
• Telomere lengths; data is shaky
• Ben's epigenetic age: 43
• Biological vs. chronological age; rate of aging=1.2

-How to take the Wild Health Clarity report…1:14:20

-And much more!

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

Resources from this episode:

– Wild Health:

• Wild Health (for patients): use code BEN to save 10%.
• Wild Health Fellowship (for fellows): use code BEN to save 10%.
• Wild Health Summit: To attend the course with Ben as one of the speakers, use code BEN to save 10%.
• Podcasts with Drs. Matt Dawson and Mike Mallin:
  • Biohacking Your Brain With Precision Medicine, Genomics, Psychedelics, Advanced Nutritional Strategies & Much More!
  • Why Your DNA Is Worthless (& What You Need To Focus On Instead).
  • How To Use Precision Medicine To Enhance Athletic Performance, Defy Aging, Balance Hormones, Fix The Heart & Much More.
• The Wild Health Clarity Report
• Wild Health Podcast
• Ultrasound Podcast

– Food & Supplements:

• Black Ant Powder
• Sardines
• Bone Broth (use code GREENFIELD to save 15%)
• Element Health CBD
• Berberine
• Foursigmatic Lion's Mane
• Seed Probiotics

– Other resources:

• The Best Way To Test How Healthy Your Heart Is: Ben Greenfield Undergoes A Complete Advanced Cardiac Evaluation & Reports The Surprising Results! with Dr. Ram Dandillaya.
• Oura Ring
• Clearlight Sauna
• DNAfit
• DUTCH Test
• Viome (use code GREENFIELD to save 5%)
• Onegevity
• Multi-omics
• Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

Episode sponsors:

–Kion Colostrum: With winter in full swing and the gut-busting holidays approaching, it's a great time to start taking colostrum as insurance. You can save 10% off your first order when you use my link.

–Organifi Gold: A new take on an ancient secret: Pain-soothing herbs, incredible antioxidants, and phytonutrients all in one delicious, soothing “Golden Milk” nighttime tea! Receive a 20% discount on your entire order when you use discount code BENG20.

–Paleovalley Beef Sticks: 100% grass-fed AND grass-finished. Keto friendly and higher levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Receive a 15% discount on your order when you use my link.

–Thrive Market: Organic brands you love, for less. Your favorite organic food and products. Fast and free shipping to your doorstep. Receive a gift card worth up to $20 when you begin a new membership.

Do you have questions, thoughts, or feedback for Matt Dawson, Mike Mallin, or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!