Player LeBron James invests $1.5 million each year to prolong his youth with cryotherapy, red light and high-pressure chambers.
LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player, currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball club in the American Professional Basketball League (NBA). Nicknamed “King James”, he is widely recognized as one of the greatest athletes in sports history. LeBron is often compared to Michael Jordan in debates about who is the greatest basketball player of all time.
About to turn 40, LeBron James admits he is more concerned about his health than ever. Previously, sports journalist Bill Simmons shared that male athletes spend 1.5 million USD annually to maintain the best physical condition.
The NBA champion spends hours every day doing “biohacking” (extending his youth). Methods include cold therapy, red light therapy, hyperbaric chambers, taking naps at a fixed time frame and choosing a high-carbohydrate, low-sugar diet.
According to Dave Asprey, known as the “father of biohacking”, LeBron places great emphasis on recovery. This is key for those who want to live long and function at full capacity.
Cold therapy plays an important role in LeBron’s health care regimen. In 2020, he shared a photo of a cryotherapy chamber at his home that cost more than $90,000, with the status line “Consistency is key.”
Nearly a decade ago, international media recorded images of LeBron entering a chamber that dropped from -110 degrees Celsius to -150 degrees Celsius in three minutes. According to the support specialist, hypothermia tricks the brain into thinking the body is freezing. The brain activates a reaction in the blood, creating anti-inflammatory proteins, thereby restoring the body and increasing longevity.
Chronic inflammation is when the immune system remains active long after the wound has healed or the threat of disease has passed. This process can lead to organ and tissue wear and tear, leading to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease and some types of cancer.
Besides reducing inflammation, cold therapy can also trigger endorphins that create a feeling of euphoria, boost metabolism and energy, reducing 500 to 800 calories per treatment.
LeBron alternates between cold therapy and hot baths, which tighten and dilate blood vessels, reduce inflammation and remove waste from muscles.
“Cold therapy has been part of my longevity strategy for many years. Taking ice baths or using cold therapy sends powerful signals to the body, to eliminate weak cells and grow new cells.” healthier, have better recovery ability,” Dr. Asprey said.
Red light therapy is also an important part of the player’s biohacking process. Low wavelengths of red light help repair cells, reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
“Red light activates an enzyme called cytochrome oxidase in cells, causing mitochondria to produce more ATP and generate more energy. From there, cells function well, reducing inflammation – the main cause of aging.” chemistry”, Dr. Asprey explained.
At age 37, LeBron James can still play every position in the Los Angeles Lakers squad and is the second best scorer in the NBA, after Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers. Image: ESPN
Besides the cold chamber, LeBron also has a habit of using it high pressure chamber. The chamber is 32 inches in diameter, with a run time of 90 minutes. Pure oxygen is pumped into the pressurized space to increase blood flow and circulation, while reducing swelling, pain and toxins.
Studies show that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can increase circulating stem cells in the body. These are cells that are responsible for tissue repair, keeping tissue youthful. The hyperbaric chamber used by LeBron retails for $23,000.
Sleep is another important element of LeBron’s anti-aging practice. The male athlete makes sure to sleep 8 to 9 hours every night and naps for two or three hours every day.
“It’s the best way for your body to recover 100% physically and mentally. Some days, you wake up and feel like your productivity isn’t perfect, and sleep is the reason.” , LeBron said in a 2018 episode of “The Tim Ferriss Show” podcast.
LeBron finds it easier to sleep when the room is completely dark, the temperature is between 20 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius. He does not watch TV or use his phone before going to bed, he only listens to the sound of rain playing on a specialized application.
LeBron complied low sugar, high carbohydrate diet. During each NBA season, he tries to be “as clean as possible”.
LeBron avoids sugary drinks, artificial sweeteners, and fried foods. He eats gluten-free pancakes with berries for breakfast, arugula salad with chicken for lunch and chicken parmesan with rocket salad for dinner.
“I eliminated sugar, but increased carbohydrates, because during matches, I burn a lot of calories and energy. Carbohydrates are an effective way to compensate,” he said.
Reducing added sugar intake helps prolong life, Dr. Asprey said. Continuously elevated blood sugar can cause aging and chronic disease. According to him, the best diet is to focus on high-quality animal protein (the goal is at least 2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day).