Sovijärvi, OLLI
(Finland)
Title of contribution:
An integral and comprehensive approach on biohacking immunity
Where & when:
An integral and comprehensive approach on biohacking immunity
Systemic approach to health and concrete immunity optimizing means during times of epidemic.
As humans we are part of the whole ecosystem of the planet earth. Based on the hygiene hypothesis and nowadays better known as the old friend hypothesis, our modern way of living has alienated us from the natural environment. This has created a discrepancy between our ecosystem and the immune system due to the lack of adequate exposure to pathogens since childhood.
In the meantime, the world has turned into a giant petri dish for brewing potential pathogens that can wreak havoc on our health, productivity and wellbeing. Epidemics are increasingly common and the likelihood of encountering a potentially life-threatening infectious disease in one’s lifetime is still worth a concern, even if one doesn’t travel to exotic places and always remembers to wash hands before eating.
Luckily, postmodern times bring postmodern responses to epidemics: outbreaks are identified much more quickly, disease agents are identified at record speed, epidemics get contained quickly and treatments are developed faster. Modern technology, medicine and healthcare all have reduced the likelihood of death significantly, open research has accelerated our collective understanding, and improved hygiene has reduced transmission of diseases for the benefit of the survival of our species.
The best way to protect yourself from new pathogens comes through balancing the basic elements of your life: sound sleep, diverse whole-food diet, adequate exercise and movement, proper stress management and recovery, reduced alcohol and cigarette use, positive outlook on life and fixing possible nutritional deficiencies. In times of an epidemic, it is a great excuse to change your lifestyle.
A well-functioning immune system is a reflection of the total state of health of the body. A healthy person is an ecosystem of different life-forms that live in balance with each other and the environment. This is called the holobiont which is essentially a collection of the host (human) and many other species living in and around it (colonies such as the microbiome, fungiome and virome), which together form a discrete well-functioning ecological unit.
In the near future, the potential still remains for a global highly contagious pandemic that can be resistant to existing treatments such as antivirals and antibiotics. This is why preparedness is not just wise but recommended.
In this 90-minute presentation Dr. Olli Sovijärvi (M.D., online certificate on Integral Theory) goes through the basics of the immune system, mechanisms of epidemics, disease prevention from the collective and individual point of view, individual means to a strong immune system and which technological, biological and nutritional biohacks work for the immune system.
AboutOlli Sovijärvi:
Dr. Olli Sovijärvi is one of the pioneers of holistic medicine in Finland. In 2006 he graduated from the University of Helsinki with a Licentiate degree in Medicine. In 2010–2011 Dr. Sovijärvi completed an Integral Theory degree at the John F. Kennedy University. 2013–18 Sovijärvi practiced medicine at a private clinic that specializes in nutrition and holistic health care. At present, Sovijärvi focuses on produces scientific content for preventive healthcare and wellbeing + keynote speaks.
