Flykitt: Jet Lag Savior or Scam?

Conquering Jet Lag: A Deep Dive into FlyKitt’s Approach

Jet lag, the bane of many travelers, can turn a dream vacation or crucial business trip into a groggy, unproductive ordeal. But what if there was a way to significantly reduce, or even eliminate, its impact? One program, called FlyKitt, aims to do just that, using a combination of supplements, blue light-blocking glasses, and a personalized app.

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The Genesis of FlyKitt

FlyKitt was conceived by Andrew Herr, who leveraged his expertise in health physics, immunology, and national security. He spent seven years working with the military, including Navy SEALs and fighter pilots, focusing on optimizing performance, especially concerning sleep and circadian rhythms – critical factors for troops constantly on the move. Simultaneously, he consulted with civilian clients grappling with severe jet lag.

One particularly memorable case involved a business executive who regularly flew from the East Coast to Korea to finalize deals. The executive consistently arrived in Korea exhausted, facing immediate high-stakes dinners and early morning negotiations. He felt that his opponents were using his jet lag as a strategic advantage. This prompted Herr to apply his knowledge of how pressure changes during diving and flying affect the body, combining it with existing science regarding light therapy, meal timing, and supplements.

His initial solution was a rudimentary, yet effective, plan: a customized Word document outlining sleep schedules, meal timings, and outdoor exposure recommendations, accompanied by a box of supplements. The results were immediate. The executive reported improved sleep quality upon arrival, marking the beginning of FlyKitt’s development.

Understanding Jet Lag: More Than Just Tiredness

To fully appreciate FlyKitt’s approach, it’s crucial to understand the complexities of jet lag. Dr. Jaime Zeitzer, a Stanford University professor specializing in circadian rhythms, explains that jet lag has two components. First, there’s the biological disruption caused by traveling across time zones, where the external environment clashes with the body’s internal clock. Second, there are situational factors, such as reduced oxygen levels during flights, irregular eating schedules, and stress, which amplify the effects of jet lag.

The key to mitigating jet lag lies in understanding the circadian clock, which isn’t a single entity but a network of clocks. The primary clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), resides in the brain’s hypothalamus. This SCN synchronizes other clocks located in various organs, including the liver, skin, immune cells, lungs, and heart. Think of the SCN as the conductor of an orchestra, ensuring all internal clocks work in harmony.

Light exposure plays a vital role in synchronizing these clocks. Dr. Zeitzer notes that individuals with certain types of blindness, or those who have had their eyes removed, essentially experience permanent jet lag, shifting about one time zone per week due to the lack of light cues.

FlyKitt’s emphasis on carefully managing light exposure and timed food intake is rooted in this understanding. Adjusting food intake strategically can influence the gut clock faster than the central clock, providing benefits such as nutrient-rich foods that reduce inflammation and prevent sleep disruption.

How FlyKitt Works: A Personalized Approach

The FlyKitt system centers around a personalized program developed through their app. Users input their flight details and typical sleep patterns, and the app generates a schedule for the days surrounding the flight, focusing on the travel days themselves.

The program addresses three key areas:

• Managing Inflammation: Flying can trigger inflammation in the body. FlyKitt aims to combat this through supplements and dietary recommendations.
• Strategic Sleep and Meal Timing: The program provides specific guidance on when to sleep and eat, optimizing these activities to align with the destination’s time zone.
• Light Exposure: The app advises on when to use the included blue light-blocking glasses and when to seek out light exposure to reset the internal clock.

Throughout the flight, the app sends notifications regarding meal timing (emphasizing high-protein, low-carb options while avoiding caffeine and alcohol), supplement intake (vitamins C and omega-3 fatty acids for their anti-inflammatory properties), and the use of blue light-blocking glasses.

The app also tracks the alignment between the user’s internal clock and the destination’s time zone, offering tips and progress updates.

A key component is the “circadian reset,” a mixture of sugar and methylated vitamin B taken an hour before landing. This concoction suppresses melatonin levels and provides an insulin boost, aiding in the synchronization of circadian clocks throughout the body.

The ultimate goal is to facilitate a smooth transition to the destination’s time zone, ensuring a full night’s sleep upon arrival and minimizing the effects of jet lag from the very first day.

Real-World Results and Considerations

While individual results may vary, many users report experiencing significant reductions in jet lag symptoms when using FlyKitt. The structured approach encourages healthier eating habits and promotes better self-care during travel.

FlyKitt is particularly well-suited for long-haul trips spanning multiple time zones. A version tailored for domestic travel with smaller time differences is also in development.

While the supplements included in FlyKitt are available for individual purchase, the personalized program and app integration offer a comprehensive, user-friendly approach to managing jet lag. The company reports a 93% success rate across various demographics and offers a money-back guarantee for those who don’t experience positive results.