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[@BryanJohnson] "Top 1% Biomarkers" – Critiquing Browney's INTENSE Health Testing

· 5 min read
[@BryanJohnson] Summarizer
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@BryanJohnson - ""Top 1% Biomarkers" – Critiquing Browney's INTENSE Health Testing"

Link: https://youtu.be/sLO1aAyeV80

Short Summary​

Action Item/Takeaway:

Prioritize understanding and measuring your body's key health metrics like body composition (DEXA scan), skin health (mole mapping, UV protection), heart health (biological age), electrolyte balance (sweat test), and V2 max, to inform health and wellness decisions.

Executive Summary:

Brian Johnson reviews Brownie's video on measuring various health metrics, highlighting the value of using data to inform health decisions. Key measurements include body composition with DEXA scans, mole mapping for skin health, and V2 max for longevity prediction. He emphasizes the importance of baseline testing and proactive health management.

Key Quotes​

Okay, here are four quotes from the transcript that I found particularly insightful or interesting:

  1. "We really struggle in saying I don't know." (Referring to subjective reporting of biomarkers.) This highlights the human tendency to provide an answer, even when uncertain, which can skew self-assessments of health.

  2. "When you eat bad foods, it shows up in your skin. When you don't sleep well, it shows up in your skin. You can't hide it." (Regarding skin health as an indicator of overall well-being). This emphasizes the skin as a reflection of internal health and lifestyle choices.

  3. "Most people have never heard their heartbeat. So, I like that they're educating people and giving them an emotional bridge to health, which otherwise it's just very cold in traditional medical practice." (About internalizing what is happening inside their body.) This emphasizes the importance of personal connection and emotional understanding of one's body, which can be lacking in standard medical settings.

  4. "The grip strength, I should mention, is actually one of the best longevity markers predicting all cause mortality. a really good marker for someone to be aware of as you're evaluating where you're at in your particular age and your risk of all cause mortality." This highlights the unexpected significance of grip strength as a predictor of overall health and lifespan.

Detailed Summary​

Here's a detailed summary of the video transcript, focusing on the key topics, arguments, and information discussed, excluding advertisements:

  • Video Overview: Brian Johnson reviews a video by Brownie (a health and wellness YouTuber with over 10 million subscribers) where Brownie undergoes various tests to measure different aspects of his body.
  • Brownie's Health Claim: Brownie claims to be healthy due to his lifestyle (no smoking/drinking, healthy eating, daily exercise) but wants to quantify his health.
  • Height Measurement: Brownie discovers his height measured by laser is 178 cm, which he seems to accept as accurate after initially thinking he was taller.
  • 3D Body Scan: Brownie undergoes a 3D body scan that measures various body circumferences. Johnson recommends a DEXA scan as a gold standard for accurate body composition analysis (body fat, muscle mass, bone density)
  • DEXA Scan Importance: Johnson emphasizes the importance of DEXA scans for understanding bone mineral density, which is often overlooked but crucial for overall health.
  • Skin Cancer Screening: Brownie uses a body scanner with 2000 2D/3D photos and thermal cameras to map moles and look for inflammation. Johnson stresses the importance of skin health, linking it to diet and sleep, and advocates for sun protection (sunscreen or morning/late day exposure).
  • Mole Count: The scan reveals Brownie has 557 moles, which Johnson finds to be a valuable data point.
  • Blood Draw: Brownie's blood is drawn. Johnson shares his philosophy on blood draws, emphasizing the importance of setting expectations with the phlebotomist to minimize anxiety and pain.
  • Heart Sound Visualization: Brownie is able to hear and visualize his heartbeat, which Johnson praises as an educational and emotional bridge to understanding internal health.
  • Heart Age: Brownie learns about biological age and the possibility of having a heart younger or older than his chronological age.
  • Sweat Test: Brownie undergoes a sweat test to measure sodium loss. Johnson shares his experience using a sauna and his electrolyte balance. Johnson suggests using a Gatorade patch as a simple way to do the test.
  • Sleep Data: A brief discussion on the importance of sleep and getting good sleep data.
  • Eye Pressure Test: Brownie has his eye pressure tested. Johnson explains he had extensive eye measurements due to internal jugular vein stenosis and recommends getting a baseline eye pressure measurement.
  • Grip Strength Test: Brownie's grip strength is tested. Johnson points out that grip strength is a good longevity marker and predictor of all-cause mortality and Brownie scored very well.
  • Mid-Thigh Pull Test: Brownie performs a mid-thigh pull (isometric deadlift) to measure lower body strength. Johnson warns against doing this exercise without warming up due to injury risk. Brownie scored well.
  • Asymmetry: The scans reveal a slight muscle imbalance in Brownie's legs. Johnson notes that such asymmetries can lead to gait and posture problems, highlighting the value of DEXA scans.
  • Altitude Training: Brownie undergoes altitude simulation tests (sea level vs. 2700m) during ramp tests to evaluate his body's response to high altitude.
  • Lactate Threshold Testing: The altitude testing also measure Brownie's lactate levels to determine his aerobic (LT1) and anaerobic (LT2) thresholds. Johnson praises this as valuable for optimizing training.
  • VO2 Max Test: Brownie undergoes a VO2 max test to measure his cardiorespiratory fitness and he scored around 55. Johnson emphasizes the brutal nature of VO2 max testing and it's a strong predictor of longevity.
  • Overall Assessment: Johnson concludes that Brownie's video is a good entry point for understanding how to measure and improve health and wellness, giving it a 10/10 rating. He praises Brownie's overall health profile and efforts to educate others.