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May 4, 2025 47 mins

Welcome back to Pushing the Limits for another insightful episode. Today, we dive into Kaatsu Training with Sandy Nelson, exploring how this blood flow restriction technique boosts bone density, muscle growth, and brain health for older adults and athletes.

Key Points:

  • Research suggests Kaatsu Training helps older adults with osteopenia by improving bone density.

  • It seems likely that Kaatsu Training increases IGF-1 and BDNF, supporting muscle and brain health.

  • The evidence leans toward Kaatsu Training offering neuroprotection, likely via BDNF.

  • Kaatsu Training appears to enhance athlete performance, aiding recovery and strength.

What is Kaatsu Training?

Kaatsu Training, also known as Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training, is a method where special bands partially restrict blood flow to the limbs during exercise. This creates a hypoxic environment in the muscles, promoting growth and strength with lighter loads. It was developed in Japan by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato and is used for both rehabilitation and performance enhancement.

Benefits for Older Adults and Osteopenia

For older adults, Kaatsu Training can help combat osteopenia, a condition with low bone density. Studies suggest it can maintain or increase bone density, reducing fracture risk and supporting mobility, especially for those with joint issues like osteoarthritis. Its low-impact nature makes it suitable, allowing strength gains without excessive joint stress.

Impact on IGF-1, BDNF, and Neuroprotection

Research indicates Kaatsu Training increases Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), vital for muscle and bone health, and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), important for brain health. This likely contributes to neuroprotection, potentially reducing neurodegenerative disease risk by supporting cognitive function.

Benefits for Athletes

For athletes, Kaatsu Training can enhance performance by improving muscle strength and hypertrophy with lighter weights. It can also aid recovery by promoting growth hormones, reducing muscle damage, and allowing more frequent, intense training, benefiting Olympians and professional athletes.

Use code "Nelson" at Kaatsu.com for 10% off to start incorporating this training

Sandy Nelson Bio 

"Never before have I seen a modality that gives such a robust hormonal response and promotes the biochemical factors we need  to stay strong and sharp as we age."

As a KAATSU Certified Coach, Sandy specializes in helping build and maintain your strength and stamina over 50.  She also helps healthcare professionals implement KAATSU within their practices and with their clients.​​​​​​​

 

🎯 Personalised Health Optimisation Consulting with Lisa Tamati

Lisa offers solution focused coaching sessions to help you find the right answers to your challenges.

📌  Topics Lisa can help with: 

Lisa is a Genetics Practitioner, Health Optimisation Coach, High Performance and Mindset Coach.

She is a qualified Ph360 Epigenetics coach and a clinician with The DNA Company and has done years of research into brain rehabilitation, neurodegenerative diseases and biohacking.

She has extensive knowledge on such therapies as hyperbaric oxygen,  intravenous vitamin C, sports performance, functional genomics, Thyroid, Hormones, Cancer and much more. She can assist with all functional medicine testing.

🔬 Testing Options

  • Comprehensive Thyroid testing

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  • Heavy Metals 

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and more 

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