The Supplement gathers insights from biohackers, experts, and scientific research to craft straightforward health stacks to add to your daily routines. Please do your own research on top of the following and consult with healthcare professionals before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

The Stack

Welcome to the 1st post of The Supplement. We’re going to drive right in with the first stack, infrared sauna. The elements within this stack are well-known to be associated with an infrared sauna, or a regular sauna for that matter, as a way of enhancing the positive side effects of said sauna and aiding your body in its recovery. There are many examples of this stack being used across the biohacking and sauna space, with a few varieties on the order of each element. Based on these, this stack has been built as follows:

How it works

This stack starts with a dose of activated charcoal before the infrared sauna to give it time to work through your body, where it will soak up certain compounds released by the sauna, bind to them and expel them out of the body. These compounds or toxins, generally include metals, chemicals and pollutants that come from our environment.

There are a few different pathways the body uses to ‘detoxify’ by using an infrared sauna;

1. Sauna increases bloodstream activity which increases the flow of waste to the designated detox sites in the body including the lymph system, kidneys and liver.

2. As a result of the sauna heat, your body will produce sweat as a way to cool off, with it expelling more than just water but metals too.

3. Toxins are stored in the adipose tissues, and there are a few studies that support that red and near-infrared phototherapy selectively targets hypertrophic (unhealthy) adipose tissue and restores its normal function. There isn’t enough evidence to directly link the release of toxins from fat from the direct exposure of an infrared sauna but there are loose links to suggest a potential correlation.

With these different pathways releasing toxins within the body, using something like activated charcoal to bind these elements and remove them, helps avoid additional toxin build-up that could overload the body.

After enjoying your sauna, top up with glutathione, an hour or so later. Glutathione, the master antioxidant, supports your liver in breaking down toxins and regulates oxidative stress that could occur from the inflammatory aftereffects of released toxins. Staggering your glutathione intake ensures that none will be wasted by binding to any lingering activated charcoal.

In short, think of the charcoal grabbing and disposing of anything your infrared sauna releases, and the glutathione arming your body with additional tools to combat the effects of increased toxin exposure.

The Dosage

The dosage is a guideline based on expert opinions and daily recommendations. The brand suggestion is based on the cleanest brands providing the closest dosage available in the UK.

Activated Charcoal

• Background: Activated charcoal can bind to specific molecules, such as toxins or chemicals - this works as charcoal has a negative charge and will bind to anything with a positive one.

• Dosage: 1g (1000mg)

• Form: Capsule

• Brand suggestion: Youth & Earth

• Caveats: Never take activated charcoal with prescription medications or other supplements, as it could bind to them.

Infrared sauna

• Background: Infrared saunas are becoming more available in gyms and spas, slowly offering more accessibility. However, there are now a few options available for at-home therapy, infrared sauna blankets.

• Brand suggestion: Mi High

Glutathione

• Background: Is a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative damage and aids the immune system.

• Dosage: 250mg - 500mg

• Form: Liposomal

• Brand suggestion: Youth & Earth