The Empowering Neurologist Podcast: Recent Episodes
David Perlmutter MD
The Empowering Neurologist is an interview series with some of the most exciting thought leaders in the field of health and wellness.
🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱 Thank you to our sponsors:EVY - https://www.optoceutics.com/perlmutter and the code perlmutter26 will be auto-applied to your order to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free). 3x4 Genetics - https://3x4genetics.com/DrPerlmutterfor a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.====Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com. ====We dig into why 94% of US adults have some metabolic dysfunction, how the body can enter a full stress response with no psychological trigger, why GABA supplements work for some people and not others, and what that reveals about gut health. 00:00 - Introduction00:06 - The Sympathetic Spiral of Doom01:04 - Brain Defenders: A New Way to Think About Brain Health03:25 - Welcoming Dr. Scott Sherr04:42 - Why Stress Has a Metabolic Component Most People Overlook06:00 - 94% of Adults Have Metabolic Dysfunction07:00 - Mitochondria 101: Why Some Cells Have Thousands and One Has None07:58 - Insulin Resistance08:50 - Toxins, Infections, and Other Roads to Metabolic Breakdown09:28 - How Mitochondrial Stress Triggers a Stress Hormone Spiral10:47 - The Cell Danger Response13:49 - Brain Defenders: How Mitochondrial Dysfunction Polarizes Microglia15:22 - Stress Without a Stressor: How Metabolism Alone Can Trigger Fight-or-Flight16:01 - Straws on the Camel's Back: Situational vs. Metabolic Stress17:01 - GABA, the Brain's Brake Pedal, and Why Oral GABA Doesn't Work18:20 - 40 Hz Light Therapy and Cognitive Decline21:00 - GABA vs. Glutamate: The Balance Behind 80% of Brain Signaling22:17 - The Depression-Serotonin Myth and the Real Role of GABA23:04 - Why GABA Supplements Stop Working Once You Heal Your Gut24:18 - Kava, CBD, and the Amanita Mushroom Compound That Calms the Brain25:06 - How to Know You're in Sympathetic Overdrive Without a Wearable26:16 - 70,000 vs. 120,000 Thoughts a Day: The Stress Math27:33 - Recovery Is the Real Marker of Resilience28:05 - Heart Rate Variability Explained29:22 - Why Going From the Gym Straight to a Cold Plunge Backfires30:07 - How to Actually Use Your HRV Data (Trends, Not Absolutes)31:21 - 3X4 Genetics: Your DNA Isn't a Verdict33:16 - Why Dr. Perlmutter Quit Drinking Wine34:13 - The Apollo Device and Its Impact on HRV35:20 - Blue Light, Melatonin, and the Sleep Routine That Actually Moves the Needle35:46 - Turn Off the News: How Constant Stimulation Feeds the Sympathetic Spiral39:22 - Interleukin 6, AMP Kinase, and the Inflammatory Signals You Actually Need39:29 - Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Mitochondrial Biogenesis42:00 - Why Timing and Sequencing Matter More Than "More Is Better" With HBOT43:08 - The Aviv Clinic Research on Oxygen Delta and Blood Vessel Growth44:01 - Methylene Blue: The Redox Cycler That Boosts Energy Without the Crash45:14 - Why Liquid Supplements Fall Short and What to Use Instead46:20 - The Problem With Relying on Coffee for Energy47:00 - Methylene Blue as a Historic Antimicrobial: From Malaria to WWII48:09 - Glyphosate, Rotenone, and the Environmental Toxins Destroying Complex One49:14 - The Gut-Brain Connection and Sympathetic Activation50:09 - The Gut-Brain Connection and the "Soft Kiss" Typo Story53:08 - Why Sitting Down to Eat Actually Matters53:52 - Healing the Gut First: The Fastest Path to Calming the Brain54:37 - Psychedelics as a Tool to Break the Sympathetic Spiral57:06 - Mitochondrial Medicine as the Common Denominator58:14 - Closing Thoughts ___________________________Instagram: / davidperlmutter Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/ Subscribe to our channel: / @davidperlmuttermd
🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter's newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱====Dr. Perlmutter's groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.What if everything you've been told about Alzheimer's, that it's caused by sticky plaque building up in your brain, is missing the real story? In this episode, Dr. David Perlmutter makes the case that the true driver of neurodegeneration isn't plaque at all. It's your own brain's immune cells turning against you.For decades the field blamed beta-amyloid protein for Alzheimer's. Perlmutter walks through a mechanism reshaping the science: the dysregulation of microglia, the immune cells that can either protect your brain or actively destroy it depending on how you live.We dig into the chilling Parkinson's case where contaminated heroin froze patients like statues and revealed immune cells still attacking the brain decades later, why the same self-perpetuating inflammation shows up in CTE, long COVID, and PTSD, how your gut and blood sugar flip these cells into attack mode, the 14 metabolic risk factors that could prevent up to half of dementia cases, and the MIT-pioneered 40 Hz light and sound therapy that slowed cognitive decline and stabilized brain volume in human trials.00:00 - Introduction00:22 - The Plaque Theory and Why It's Incomplete00:32 - Meet the Microglia: Your Brain's Immune System00:57 - Supportive vs. Threatening: The M1/M2 Switch01:43 - Why This Underlies Nearly Every Neurodegenerative Disease02:35 - The Frozen Patients: A Parkinson's Mystery at Stanford03:06 - Contaminated Heroin and the MPTP Discovery04:09 - How a Mitochondrial Toxin Destroys Dopamine Cells05:46 - Microglia Still Attacking Decades Later06:27 - The Self-Perpetuating Inflammatory Cycle07:21 - The Same Pattern in CTE, Long COVID, and PTSD08:08 - Paraquat, Pesticides, and Parkinson's Risk10:45 - What Flips Your Cells Into Attack Mode11:57 - Leaky Gut, the Microbiome, and Your Brain13:59 - Imaging Threatening Cells in Living People15:44 - Immunometabolism: Why Brain Cells Change Function18:05 - 14 Risk Factors That Could Prevent Half of Dementia18:41 - The Breakthrough: Reprogramming Your Microglia21:19 - Don't Wait for Symptoms: Intervene Early22:56 - The Toolkit: Diet, Exercise, Fasting, Sleep, and More25:26 - 40 Hz Gamma Frequency: MIT's Pioneering Technology26:20 - Light Flicker Studies and Beta-Amyloid Reduction27:38 - Human Trials: Slowing Cognitive Decline30:28 - Stabilizing Brain Volume on MRI31:10 - Conclusion: You Are the Architect of Your BrainDr. David Perlmutter, MD is a board-certified neurologist and Fellow of the American College of Nutrition whose work sits at the intersection of neurology, nutrition, and preventive medicine. He received his M.D. from the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed his neurology residency there before entering private practice in Naples, Florida. He serves as Director of Neuroscience Research at Bryan Therapeutics and sits on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. A six-time New York Times bestselling author published in more than 30 languages, his books include the #1 bestseller Grain Brain, Brain Maker, The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan, Brain Wash, and Drop Acid. His next book, Brain Defenders: Harness the Power of Your Immune Cells to Protect Your Brain for Life (Avery / Penguin), focuses on microglia and is scheduled for publication in August 2026.___________________________Instagram: / davidperlmutterWebsite: https://www.drperlmutter.com/Subscribe to our channel:/ @davidperlmuttermd
🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱 Thank you to our sponsors:EVY - https://www.optoceutics.com/perlmutter and the code perlmutter26 will be auto-applied to your order to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free). 3x4 Genetics - https://3x4genetics.com/DrPerlmutterfor a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations. ====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com. ====What if the gene you've been told to fear isn't actually a verdict on your future, and the disease you're racing to treat has already been silently progressing for two to three decades before anyone notices? In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Fellows joins me to challenge how we think about Alzheimer's risk, diagnosis, and treatment, making the case that early detection and lifestyle intervention matter more than the medications most people pin their hope on.
Dr. Jonathan Fellows is a neurologist with more than 25 years of clinical experience and serves as the Director of the Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorder Center at the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders, part of Corewell Health in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the largest private practice neurology group in the state. 00:00 - Introduction00:39 - Brain Defenders: A New Way to Think About Brain Health02:59 - Welcoming Dr. Jonathan Fellows03:51 - Why Neurology School Doesn't Teach Prevention05:27 - Inside the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders07:44 - Starting the Conversation When a Family Gets the Alzheimer's Diagnosis08:00 - Apraxia and the Real Warning Signs of Cognitive Decline09:00 - Why Amyloid Alone Doesn't Equal an Alzheimer's Diagnosis09:55 - The Centiloid Score: Measuring Amyloid in the Brain11:21 - Blood-Based Biomarkers and the Rise of P-tau 21713:19 - Elevated P-tau 217 at 40: A Wake-Up Call You Can't Ignore13:32 - Habits in Your 30s and 40s vs. Disease in Your 60s and 70s16:53 - 40 Hz Light Therapy and Cognitive Decline18:53 - Why Not Every Amyloid-Positive Patient Should Get Anti-Amyloid Drugs21:00 - Alzheimer's Drug Therapy Today vs. Where MS Treatment Stood in the 90s23:59 - Why Early and Presymptomatic Detection Matters25:21 - Will Anti-Amyloid Drugs Be Pushed to Presymptomatic Patients?25:39 - What We Know for a Fact About Lifestyle and Disease Progression26:27 - A Real Patient Case: When to Say No to Anti-Amyloid Drugs28:30 - APOE Explained: The Gene That Changes Your Alzheimer's Risk31:49 - 3X4 Genetics: Your DNA Isn't a Verdict33:47 - How Exercise Can Offset APOE4 Risk34:10 - APOE4 Is Not Deterministic — and Saying Otherwise Is Malpractice34:51 - Down Syndrome, Presenilin, and the Truly Deterministic Cases35:42 - ARIA Risk and Why Europe Restricts Anti-Amyloid Drugs for APOE4 Carriers38:00 - Where Anti-Amyloid Drugs Still Fit in Treatment39:14 - Current Clinical Trials at the Michigan Institute39:49 - Programmable Microglia: The Brain's Immune System Explained41:01 - Good Twin, Bad Twin: How Microglia Switch From Protector to Threat42:09 - Beta-Amyloid as an Antimicrobial Defender? Rethinking the Enemy Narrative42:49 - Insulin Resistance and the Brain-Metabolism Connection43:41 - The Diabetes Epidemic Hiding in Plain Sight43:58 - The Rainbow Lunchbox: A Preschooler Who Got It Wrong and Right44:49 - Why a Third of Americans Are Pre-Diabetic and Don't Know It46:30 - Closing Thoughts ___________________________Instagram: / davidperlmutter Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/ Subscribe to our channel: / @davidperlmuttermd
🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱
Thank you to our sponsors:
EVY - https://www.optoceutics.com/perlmutter
and the code perlmutter26 will be auto-applied to your order to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free).
3x4 Genetics - https://3x4genetics.com/DrPerlmutter
for a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.
====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
What if Parkinson's isn't the genetic lottery we've been told it is, but a largely man-made disease driven by what we breathe, eat, and walk through every day? In this episode, Dr. Ray Dorsey returns to the podcast for his third conversation, this time to make the case that Parkinson's, ALS, Alzheimer's, and the rising tide of brain diseases sweeping the modern world are not inevitable inheritances but environmental consequences we have the power to change. Dr. Ray Dorsey is the Director of the Center for the Brain and the Environment at the Atria Health and Research Institute, where the mission is to identify the root causes of brain diseases from autism to Alzheimer's so they can be prevented. He is the co-author of Ending Parkinson's Disease and author of the new New York Times bestseller The Parkinson's Plan, which lays out a new path to preventing and treating one of the world's fastest growing diseases.
00:00 - Introduction: The Smoking Gun of Modern Brain Disease
00:42 - A New Way to Think About Brain Health: Brain Defenders
03:03 - Why Parkinson's Is Pretty Much Preventable
03:21 - Welcoming Dr. Ray Dorsey
04:36 - The Big Thesis: Parkinson's Is a Man-Made Disease
05:24 - What Defines a Man-Made Disease
05:59 - From 6 Cases in 1817 to 11.8 Million Today
06:53 - The Lung Cancer Parallel
07:22 - The PD GENEration Study: 87% Have No Genetic Cause
08:35 - Why Rising Cases Prove It's Environmental
09:55 - TCE and Perc: The Dry Cleaning Chemicals Linked to Parkinson's
11:08 - Glyphosate, Paraquat, and Mitochondrial Damage
15:13 - Practical Steps to Lower Your Exposure
16:58 - Sponsor: 40 Hz Light Therapy with EVY Light
18:58 - The South Dakota Cluster: Living Next to Cornfields
20:25 - Paraquat: Banned in 70 Countries, Still Used in the US
22:54 - Chlorpyrifos and the IQ Drop in Children
25:38 - The Audacity: Why 1 in 31 Kids Have Autism
26:10 - Pesticides in Breast Milk and Across the Placenta
30:00 - Misfolded Proteins and Loss of Smell as Early Warning
32:25 - Air Pollution: The Hidden Driver of Neurodegeneration
33:46 - The $50 Billion Economic Burden of Brain Disease
35:00 - Dr. Langston's MPTP Discovery: The First Environmental Cause
37:00 - Microglia, Mitochondria, and the Inflammation Cascade
40:30 - The Diabetes-Parkinson's Connection
42:00 - The Parkinson's 25: Practical Steps in the Book
47:30 - Carl's Story: Parkinson's at Age 17 from a Golf Course
50:00 - Why Golf Courses Could Spray Less
51:30 - Secondhand Exposure: You Don't Have to Apply It
53:00 - Soccer Players, ALS, and Heading the Ball
55:50 - Michael J. Fox, CTE, and the Multiple-Hit Hypothesis
57:30 - Resources: Environmental Working Group and Non-Toxic Neighborhoods
1:00:30 - The Mission of Neurology: Asking Why
1:01:30 - The Rising Tide of Brain Disease
1:03:30 - The Lancet Report on Modifiable Risk Factors
1:04:43 - Closing Thoughts
___________________________
Instagram: / davidperlmutter
Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/
Subscribe to our channel:
/ @davidperlmuttermd
🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱
Thank you to our sponsors:
EVY - https://www.optoceutics.com/perlmutter
and the code perlmutter26 will be auto-applied to your order to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free).
3x4 Genetics - https://3x4genetics.com/DrPerlmutter
for a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.
====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
What if the future of medicine isn't a smarter doctor, but a thinking partner that can hold your entire biology in mind at once? In this episode, Dr. Don Brown joins me to make the case that AI in medicine isn't a replacement for the clinician. It's an ally capable of seeing patterns no human brain could hold together on its own.
Dr. Don Brown is a physician, computer scientist, and serial entrepreneur whose last software company sold for $1.4 billion in 2016. He returned to graduate school in his mid-50s to study biotechnology at Johns Hopkins, founded Lifeomic in 2017, and now leads Bioscope, a platform that uses AI to integrate a patient's entire biological picture into one dynamic view of health.
We dig into why fragmented medicine fails at prevention, how Bioscope ingests the whole genome, microbiome, epigenome, and medical records into a single synoptic view, the real case where AI flagged arsenic toxicity in a patient misdiagnosed with restless leg syndrome, and what it looks like when AI personas begin guiding patients through their own protocols in real time.
00:00 - Introduction
00:53 - A New Way to Think About Brain Health: Brain Defenders
03:18 - Welcoming Dr. Don Brown
06:46 - From Physics to MD to Software Entrepreneur
09:01 - Back to Grad School at Johns Hopkins
10:35 - The Lifeomic Years: Cancer Care in the Cloud
12:34 - The Spark Behind Bioscope
15:27 - Building the Ultra-Secure Health Data Repository
16:26 - 40 Hz Light Therapy and Cognitive Decline
18:26 - The Epigenome: Why Your Genes Aren't Your Destiny
19:32 - Decoding the Microbiome and Mitochondrial Genetics
22:25 - What AI Actually Does With Your Health Data
23:39 - The Synoptic View: Borrowing From Aviation
26:36 - The 15 Dimensions of Health
29:23 - Why the Patient History Still Matters
30:23 - Inside the Bioscope Interface
31:38 - A Real Case: AI Catches Arsenic Toxicity
33:13 - Personalized Brain Health: 3X4 Genetics
35:10 - The Driverless Car Moment for Medicine
37:07 - Marketing to Concierge Physicians
40:33 - How Patient Data Gets Into the System
42:30 - Image Analysis and Specialized AI Partners
45:33 - The Biggest Misconception Patients Have About AI
47:14 - Meet Lumina: The Physician's AI Persona
48:00 - Cairo and the Future of AI Health Coaching
50:13 - Different AI Personas for Patients and Physicians
51:39 - Why Concierge Doctors Are Mobbing the Booth
55:00 - Closing Thoughts
___________________________
Instagram: / davidperlmutter
Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/
Subscribe to our channel:
/ @davidperlmuttermd
🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱Thank you to our sponsors:EVY - Go to https://www.optoceutics.com/perlmutter to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free). 3x4 Genetics - https://3x4genetics.com/DrPerlmutterfor a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.====Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.====What if your anxiety, brain fog, and burnout aren't mental health problems, but metabolic ones?In this episode, Dr. Robin Berzin joins Dr. David Perlmutter to make the case that the brain and body are not separate systems, and that treating them as if they are is costing millions of people their health.====00:00 - Introduction00:46 - Brain Defenders: A New Framework for Brain Health03:00 - Welcoming Dr. Robin Berzin05:23 - Why Smart, Motivated People Still Feel Terrible08:37 - From Columbia Med to Founding Parsley Health12:15 - The Problem With 15-Minute Appointments and Stacks of Prescriptions14:37 - What Is Functional Medicine, Actually?17:07 - Precision Medicine: Treating the N of One19:45 - How AI Is Changing the Doctor's Ability to Connect the Dots22:41 - State Change: Shifting Your Mind Through Your Body25:35 - Why Anxiety and Depression Start in the Body27:09 - 40 Hz Light Therapy and Cognitive Decline29:43 - Exercise, Sugar, and Nutrient Deficiencies as Mental Health Levers32:30 - SSRIs as a Tow Truck, Not a Destination34:16 - Psychedelics and Trauma: Tools in the Toolkit36:01 - Metabolic Flexibility and Why Losing It Wrecks Your Hormones38:04 - Sleep, Wearables, and the One Night That Breaks Your Metabolism40:37 - Continuous Glucose Monitors as a Mirror for Your Choices42:19 - 3X4 Genetics: Your DNA Is a Roadmap, Not a Verdict44:37 - Alzheimer's as Type 3 Diabetes: The Metabolic Brain Connection46:21 - The Lab Work Your Doctor Isn't Ordering49:22 - Fasting Insulin, Heavy Metals, and the Tests That Actually Matter51:14 - What's Next: AI, Wearables, and the Future of Functional Medicine53:56 - If You Feel Stuck: Own Your Biological Data55:34 - Closing Thoughts====Dr. Robin Berzin, MD is a functional medicine physician and health tech entrepreneur leading the push to bring root-cause, precision medicine into mainstream healthcare. She earned her MD at Columbia, completed internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai, and trained in functional medicine under the field's top practitioners. Before medicine, she produced the Oprah and Friends Dr. Oz Radio Show, and she later worked in health tech during med school, sharpening her understanding of how digital platforms could expand access to personalized care.Today, she is founder and CEO of Parsley Health, the only national functional and longevity medicine clinic in the U.S., delivering virtual care across all 50 states plus physical clinics in NYC and LA. Under her leadership, Parsley has grown to nearly 30 clinicians and 40 health coaches and nurses, treated over 50,000 patients, and built a team-based, insurance-accessible model that puts functional medicine within reach beyond the wealthy. She also sits on the medical advisory board of Whoop.She is the author of State Change, which challenges the divide between mental and metabolic health and offers a practical framework for transforming mood, energy, and cognition through the body. Her work is widely featured across major health and wellness media, and she is recognized as a defining voice in the future of preventive, personalized medicine.====Instagram: / davidperlmutterWebsite: https://www.drperlmutter.com/Subscribe to our channel:/ @davidperlmuttermd
🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱
====
Thank you to our sponsors:
EVY - Go to https://www.optoceutics.com/perlmutter to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free).
3x4 Genetics - https://3x4genetics.com/DrPerlmutter
for a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.
====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.====
What if AI isn't on a path to become a better human — but a fundamentally different kind of mind altogether? In this episode, Tom Griffiths joins me to challenge how we think about intelligence itself — and to make a compelling case that AI systems are best understood not as smarter or dumber than humans, but as "alien organisms" solving problems in ways our brains never could.
Tom Griffiths is a cognitive scientist, the Henry R. Luce Professor of Psychology and Computer Science at Princeton University, and head of Princeton's AI Lab. He is the co-author of the international bestseller Algorithms to Live By and author of the new book The Laws of Thought — an ambitious survey of three centuries of attempts to capture human thinking in mathematics.
We dig into the three mathematical frameworks scientists use to model thought, why a human toddler can learn language from a fraction of the data a large language model requires, what "resource rationality" reveals about mental health and decision-making, and what we stand to lose — and gain — as we increasingly outsource our thinking to machines.
====
00:00 - Introduction
00:46 - A New Way to Think About Brain Health: Brain Defenders
05:27 - Welcoming Cognitive Scientist Tom Griffiths
06:04 - The Great Mystery: Can Math Explain How We Think?
08:23 - Three Threads of Cognitive Science: Rules, Networks, Probability
10:17 - Why AI Needs 10,000x More Data Than a Child
12:27 - Intuition Decoded: How Neural Networks Mirror Implicit Learning
15:03 - The Creativity Gap: Why AI Can't Think Outside the Box
18:06 - 40 Hz Light Therapy and Cognitive Decline
20:07 - Inductive Bias: The Evolutionary Head Start of the Human Brain
22:41 - Mental Health Through Three Levels of Analysis
25:25 - Resource Rationality: Why Humans Aren't Actually Irrational
29:33 - Free Will Through the Lens of the Laws of Thought
31:35 - Rethinking Education With Cognitive Science
34:33 - Evolutionary Mismatch: The Mind Meets Modern Technology
37:23 - AI as Alien Intelligence: A New Mental Model
38:04 - Personalized Brain Health: 3X4 Genetics
39:55 - Uncertainty: The Hidden Engine of Human Cognition
43:34 - Bayesian Inference: The Math of "Best Guessing"
44:37 - The Biggest Misconceptions About Intelligence
47:14 - Algorithms to Live By: Optimizing Daily Decisions
49:22 - Five Years From Now: The AI Forecast
51:33 - The Calculator Effect: What Happens When We Outsource Thinking
53:56 - Metacognition: Becoming the Manager of AI
55:34 - Closing Thoughts
====
Instagram: / davidperlmutter
Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/
Subscribe to our channel:
/ @davidperlmuttermd
🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱
Thank you to our sponsors:
EVY - https://www.optoceutics.com/perlmutter
and the code perlmutter26 will be auto-applied to your order to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free).
3x4 Genetics - https://3x4genetics.com/DrPerlmutter
for a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.
====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
Why is psychiatry the only medical specialty that doesn't look at the organ it treats? In this episode, Dr. Daniel Amen joins me to challenge how mental health is diagnosed and treated — and to make a compelling case that "depression" is as vague a diagnosis as "chest pain."
Dr. Amen is a double-board-certified psychiatrist, 18-time New York Times bestselling author, and founder of Amen Clinics, where his team has performed nearly 300,000 SPECT brain scans — the largest functional brain imaging database in the world.
We dig into what these scans actually reveal: hidden traumatic brain injuries patients never reported, the inflammatory aftermath of COVID, why SSRIs work for some and fail for others, and why the brain you have today is not the brain you're stuck with.
====
00:00 - Introduction
01:42 - Psychiatry's Missing Link: The Organ of Treatment
03:22 - The Divergence of Neurology and Psychiatry
05:18 - Beyond Symptoms: Patterns of Brain Health
08:34 - Machine Learning and Autism Insights
10:45 - The Role of the Cerebellum in Thought Coordination
12:46 - The Impact of Undiagnosed Traumatic Brain Injury
14:58 - Reversing Damage: NFL Brain Study Results
16:26 - What SPECT Imaging Reveals About Metabolic Activity
17:38 - COVID-19 and Infectious Causes of Psychiatric Issues
22:11 - Neuroplasticity: Growing a Healthier Brain at Any Age
25:54 - New Technologies: 40 Hz Light and Sound Stimulation
28:27 - Metabolic Health: How Weight Affects Brain Volume
30:25 - Chronic Stress and the Overactive Limbic Brain
31:38 - Predicting Suicide Risk Through Imaging
33:41 - Volunteering and the Default Mode Network
35:01 - Concerns Over Psilocybin and Marijuana Scans
40:12 - Chronic Pain: Breaking the "Doom Loop"
43:12 - Lightning Round: Daily Habits for a Better Brain
====
Daniel G. Amen, MD is a double board-certified psychiatrist, clinical neuroscientist, and brain imaging specialist whose pioneering clinical use of SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) has built the world's largest functional brain imaging database, with nearly 300,000 scans on patients from 155 countries. A graduate of Southern California College (now Vanguard University), Dr. Amen earned his medical degree from Oral Roberts University School of Medicine. His training includes a general psychiatric residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. Currently, Dr. Amen serves as founder and CEO of Amen Clinics, with eleven locations across the United States, and is the founder of BrainMD and Amen University.
He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a multiple-time New York Times bestselling author whose books have been translated into 50 languages, and the lead researcher on the world's largest brain imaging and rehabilitation study on professional football players. His work has been published in Molecular Psychiatry, Translational Psychiatry, PLOS One, and the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences.
___________________________
Instagram: / davidperlmutter
Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/
Subscribe to our channel:
/ @davidperlmuttermd
🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱
Thank you to our sponsors:
EVY - https://www.optoceutics.com/perlmutter
and the code perlmutter26 will be auto-applied to your order to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free).
3x4 Genetics - https://3x4genetics.com/DrPerlmutter
for a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.
====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
Loneliness is no longer a private struggle, it’s a public-health issue that we’ve discussed quite a bit in my recent books. Research increasingly links social isolation to cognitive decline, depression, cardiovascular disease, and shortened lifespan. Yet despite these findings, we rarely explore how to build and sustain meaningful connection in a modern world designed for distraction.
That’s why I invited Barnet Bain to join me on The Empowering Neurologist podcast.
Barnet is a filmmaker, author, and educator whose work bridges psychology, spirituality, and lived human experience. You may recognize his work from films such as What Dreams May Come or Milton’s Secret, but his newest contribution may be his most relevant yet.
His book, How to Be a Friend (In an Unfriendly World), is not about social performance or personality traits. It’s about safety, presence, listening, and emotional responsibility, qualities that directly influence nervous-system regulation and mental health.
What makes this work especially important is that it reframes friendship as a skill set rather than a personality trait. Bain shows how fear, shame, unresolved trauma, and cultural conditioning quietly erode our relationships, and how conscious awareness can restore them.
From a neurological perspective, this matters deeply. The brain is a social organ. Connection shapes stress responses, inflammation, cognition, and emotional regulation. Friendship isn’t a luxury, it’s foundational.
This conversation isn’t about having more friends. It’s about being a better one. To others. And to yourself. In a world that feels increasingly fast, cold, and fragmented, this is a conversation worth having.
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00:00 Intro
02:58 Why Friendship Matters for Health and Resilience
06:24 From Columbia to the Practice of Presence
10:41 Friendship as Non-Transactional Love
14:20 The Childhood Stories That Shape the Self
21:39 Ad: Optoceutics
23:39 Projection, Parenting, and Conditional Love
30:08 Friendship as a Crucible for Self-Awareness
35:42 Why Connection Feels Harder in Modern Life
39:03 Safety, Self-Knowledge, and the Ground of Friendship
41:34 Ad: 3X4 Genetics
44:34 Boundaries, Values, and the Meaning of Honor
49:16 Friendship, Self-Forgiveness, and Inner Change
56:25 Presence as the Greatest Gift
58:34 Why Feeling Is Harder Than Doing
====
Barnet Bain is a Canadian filmmaker, author, and educator. His film credits include “Milton’s Secret” (director, writer), Oscar winner “What Dreams May Come” (producer), Emmy Award nominee for Outstanding TV Movie “Homeless to Harvard” (executive producer), “The Celestine Prophecy” (writer, producer), and “Jesus,” translated into more than 2,245 languages and often cited as the most widely seen film in history by The New York Times.
___________________________
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====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
On this episode of The Empowering Neurologist, I spend time with Dr. Trisha Pasricha, gastroenterologist and author of the provocative and important new book, You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong. Yes, the title makes you smile, but the science inside should make all of us pay attention.
Dr. Pasricha is part of a new generation of neurogastroenterologists exploring one of the most fascinating frontiers in medicine: the deep, bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut. Raised as the daughter of renowned gastroenterologist Dr. Pankaj “Jay” Pasricha and trained at Johns Hopkins, she brings both personal insight and rigorous science to a topic that too often lives in the shadows.
What makes this book so important is that it dismantles myths we’ve carried since childhood. For example, at one point in the book she describes how students taking an oral exam nearly doubled their intestinal permeability, simply from psychological stress. That single experiment powerfully illustrates how the brain can alter gut biology in real time.
And in another unforgettable section, she shares her early research showing that when subjects lied, their stomach’s electrical rhythm shifted into chaos, an arrhythmic pattern detectable on electrogastrogram. The stomach as a lie detector! That’s not just fascinating, it underscores how emotionally and neurologically integrated our digestive system truly is.
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00:00 Intro
03:05 Why We Need to Talk About Pooping
07:17 The Stigma Around Bowel Symptoms
09:31 Why Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Is Rising
12:11 Should Screening Start Earlier?
14:59 Colonoscopy vs. Stool and Blood Tests
18:34 Ad: Optoceutics
20:35 Why Colonoscopy Still Matters Most
31:00 What “Leaky Gut” Really Means
34:42 What Worsens Intestinal Permeability
36:10 Ad: 3X4 Genetics
38:09 Gut Permeability, Inflammation, and Brain Disease
48:45 Could Fecal Transplants Help Parkinson’s?
56:52 The Different Causes of Constipation
1:02:23 The Myth of One Bowel Movement a Day
1:05:42 Final Takeaways on Gut and Brain Health
=====
Trisha Pasricha, MD, MPH is an instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the “Ask A Doctor” columnist for The Washington Post where she translates complex medical topics into must-read insights—with a touch of humor—for millions each week. A graduate of Harvard College, Dr. Pasricha earned her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her training includes an internal medicine residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and gastroenterology and motility fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital. Currently, Dr. Pasricha serves as director of the Institute for Gut-Brain Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, leading an NIH-funded research laboratory at the forefront of gut-brain science. Her work has been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA Network Open, and Nature Reviews.
___________________________
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====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
00:00 Intro
01:06 The Promise of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
05:16 Why Psychedelics Faced Decades of Pushback
09:40 Psychedelic Therapy Requires Guidance
11:27 The Failure of the “Pill Fixes Everything” Model
15:31 Risks of Unregulated Psychedelic Retreats
24:20 Psychedelics Within Integrative Medicine
25:30 Ad: Optoceutics
27:31 What “Integration” Really Means
30:08 Why Psychiatry Still Resists Psychedelics
38:52 Why Lifestyle Still Matters After Therapy
41:45 Psychedelics and Addiction Treatment
50:50 Microdosing vs Full Therapeutic Doses
53:52 Ad: 3X4 Genetics
57:28 The Rise of Ketamine Clinics
1:00:54 Ibogaine: Risks, Duration, and Safety
1:04:50 Final Thoughts on Psychedelic Responsibility
====
Will Van Derveer, MD is a psychiatrist and author of Psychedelic Therapy: Restore Your Mental Health and Reclaim Your Life which will be published by ShambhalaPublications in the Spring of 2026.
He is co-founder of Integrative Psychiatry Institute, which has provided comprehensive training for 2500 mental health professionals in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy several thousand professionals in other continuing education programs.
He is medical director of Integrative Psychiatry Center of Boulder, CO, providingintegrative psychiatry for a broad range of conditions and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD.
In addition to his clinical practice and teaching, he has staffed clinical trials sponsoredby MAPS, investigating MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD.
Dr. Van Derveer is co-host of the Higher Practice Podcast, where he explores what it takes to achieve optimal mental health.
___________________________
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmutter/
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Thank you to our sponsors:
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for a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.
====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
00:00 Intro
04:49 Andrew Koutnik’s Story Obesity Type 1 Diabetes and Metabolism
09:44 Ketogenic Diets and Type 1 Diabetes
20:15 Sponsor Break - Optoceutics
21:28 Why This Goes Far Beyond Type 1 Diabetes
26:59 Why Low Carb Diabetes Care Was Abandoned
31:49 Ketosis vs Diabetic Ketoacidosis
35:10 Sponsor Break - Fresh Pressed Olive Oil
37:04 How to Measure Ketone Levels
39:13 Are Breath Ketone Tests Reliable
40:15 What Beta Hydroxybutyrate Actually Does
42:39 Exogenous Ketones and High Altitude Performance
45:49 Sponsor Break - 3X4 Genetics
48:33 MCT Oil and Ketone Production
52:52 The Carb Loading Myth in Sports Performance
1:00:06 Metabolic Flexibility and Keto Adaptation
1:03:17 Rethinking Hypoglycemia in Keto Adapted Athletes
1:07:19 How Carbohydrates Shut Down Fat Burning
1:09:58 Body Fat vs Glycogen as Fuel
1:14:34 What This Means for Endurance Athletes
1:16:17 Fat Metabolism as a Survival Mechanism
1:18:09 The New USDA Dietary Guidelines
1:20:46 Ultra Processed Food and Alzheimer’s Risk
1:22:40 Final Thoughts on Metabolic Flexibility
====
Dr. Andrew Koutnik is a research scientist focused on how nutrition, metabolism, and lifestyle can optimize human health, performance, and resilience. Living with type 1 diabetes for over 17 years, his work bridges personal experience with cutting-edge science across chronic disease and extreme environments.
He earned his PhD in Medical Sciences from the University of South Florida and has led research funded by organizations including NASA, the Department of Defense, and the NIH, contributing to over 100 scientific publications and presentations. His work spans exercise physiology, cardiometabolic health, and therapeutic nutrition.
At Florida State University, Dr. Koutnik studies dietary strategies for diabetes, obesity, and performance under metabolic stress, collaborating with leading institutions worldwide. His mission is to advance evidence-based approaches that empower individuals to improve metabolic health and performance.
___________________________
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for a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.
====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you know that one of the central themes we return to on The Empowering Neurologist is this: your brain is far more adaptable, resilient, and improvable than conventional wisdom ever allowed us to believe.
This week, I’m thrilled to share a conversation with someone who has spent more than three decades proving exactly that. Dr. Majid Fotuhi, neurologist, neuroscientist, Harvard- and Johns Hopkins-trained physician, and now author of the new book The Invincible Brain, has dedicated his career to helping people reclaim their cognitive potential. His message aligns powerfully with the philosophy behind my upcoming book, Brain Defenders: that the trajectory of your brain is not predetermined, and that meaningful change is possible at any age.
In our interview, we explore the groundbreaking ideas that shaped The Invincible Brain. Dr. Fotuhi lays out why intelligence is not fixed, how memory can be strengthened through surprisingly simple practices, and why Alzheimer’s disease is not the single, linear condition we once imagined, but rather a complex “soup” of abnormalities with multiple entry points for intervention.
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00:00 Intro
01:44 Choices influencing brain trajectory and resilience
04:25 Redefining intelligence beyond IQ
08:20 Synergy of memory and habit change
13:09 Challenging genetic determinism with epigenetics
18:00 Ad Break: Optoceutics
20:23 Alzheimer's as a metabolic and inflammatory soup
29:45 Ad Break: Fresh Pressed Olive Oil
38:04 Exercise and metabolism in brain health
43:45 Ad Break: 3x4 Genetics
49:38 Brain training and five pillars of brain health
54:55 Mindset as key to becoming a superager
====
Dr. Majid Fotuhi earned his PhD in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University in 1992 and his Medical Degree from Harvard Medical School in 1997. Currently, he serves as an adjunct professor at the Mind/Brain Institute at Johns Hopkins University, while also teaching at George Washington University and Harvard Medical School. With 37 years of experience in teaching, clinical practice, and neuroscience research, Dr. Fotuhi has pioneered a multidisciplinary approach to enhancing brain vitality and cognitive performance at any age.
His groundbreaking “Brain Fitness Program” combines a comprehensive baseline “Brain Portfolio” assessment with 12 bi-weekly brain training sessions. This program targets lifestyle optimization and cognitive stimulation to improve memory, focus, and overall brain health. Dr. Fotuhi’s program has delivered measurable success for patients dealing with memory loss due to aging, concussions, and ADHD, as documented in several peer-reviewed journals.
___________________________
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and the code perlmutter26 will be auto-applied to your order to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free).
Fresh Pressed Olive Oil - https://www.getfresh389.com
For a complimentary bottle of one of the greatest olive oils I've ever discovered.
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for a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.
====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
On this episode of The Empowering Neurologist, I’m joined by Dr. Sarah Marzi, a neuroscientist at King’s College London and a principal investigator at the UK Dementia Research Institute, whose work is transforming how we understand neurodegenerative disease risk.
Dr. Marzi’s research focuses on gene regulation in the human brain, particularly within microglia, the immune cells that orchestrate inflammation, synaptic pruning, and repair. Her studies show that genetic risk for diseases like Alzheimer’s is concentrated not in protein-coding genes, but in regulatory regions of the genome, epigenetic switches that control immune behavior in the brain.
This conversation with Dr. Marzi is not just about disease. It’s about agency. Understanding epigenetics helps explain how lifestyle, environment, and immune balance can influence brain destiny. It’s science that empowers prevention, resilience, and hope.
====
00:00 Intro
03:12 Epigenetics and Neurodegenerative Disease
04:49 Why Alzheimer’s Is Not a Single Gene Disorder
09:18 Protein Aggregation and Brain Cleanup Failure
10:55 Microglia vs Neurons in Alzheimer’s
19:04 Blood Brain Barrier and Inflammatory Signaling
20:39 ApoE Genetics Explained
23:37 Human Microglia Transplanted Into Mouse Brain
30:02 Vitamin D Receptor and Protective Gene Programs
38:18 Environmental Toxins and Parkinson’s
44:59 C1q Activation and Synapse Loss
49:33 Why Substantia Nigra Is Uniquely Vulnerable
51:39 Paraquat, Mitochondria and Converging Toxic Pathways
53:00 Epigenetic Memory of Toxic Exposure
54:09 Histones and Gene Regulation in Alzheimer’s
57:41 Oligodendrocytes as a Hidden Player
59:32 Why Single Target Drugs May Fail
01:02:10 Detecting Disease Through Blood and Machine Learning
01:04:41 Can Lifestyle Modify Epigenetics
====
Dr Sarah Marzi is a Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience at King’s College London and a Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute. Her work focuses on how our genes and environment change cellular processes in the brain and can predispose us to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and motor neuron disease.
An expert in epigenetics – the chemical switches that turn genes on and off – Dr Marzi uses cuttingedge genomic techniques on human brain tissue as well as cell and animal models. Her team combines these experiments with advanced statistics, bioinformatics and AI to map the earliest molecular changes that make brain cells vulnerable to disease, particularly in immune cells of the brain called microglia. This work aims to reveal how both genetic variants and environmental exposures, including pesticides, contribute to disease risk and to uncover new avenues for therapy.
___________________________
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and the code perlmutter26 will be auto-applied to your order to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free).
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For a complimentary bottle of one of the greatest olive oils I've ever discovered.
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for a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.
====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
On this episode of The Empowering Neurologist, I sit down with one of the most influential voices in modern nutrition and women’s health, Rachel Swanson, MS, RD, LDN. Her new book, Trying! A Science-Based Plan to Optimize Your Fertility, is poised to reshape how we think about fertility, moving it out of the narrow confines of hormone-focused conversations and into the broader landscape of systems biology, metabolism, environmental exposure, and cellular health.
Swanson’s work begins with a powerful premise: fertility is not a mystery, and it’s certainly not something women should feel powerless about. Instead, she argues, fertility is a measurable, improvable expression of whole-body health. And her book provides the first integrated blueprint to understand and support that health.
The conversation starts with the microbiome, which Swanson calls the “mission control headquarters” of fertility. Who knew that our gut bacteria were playing an important role in determining fertility? Drawing from her book, she describes how the gut, vaginal, and even oral microbiomes create the biochemical environment that influences hormone balance, inflammation, implantation, egg quality, and partner sperm health.
What makes this book, and this podcast episode, so compelling and empowering is Rachel’s rare combination of scientific precision and heartfelt dedication to women’s autonomy. She refuses to oversimplify fertility into quick fixes or fad-driven advice. Instead, she offers deeply practical strategies rooted in peer-reviewed research and years of high-level clinical practice.
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00:00 Intro - Rachel Swanson04:38 Fertility as Whole-Body Health11:37 Metabolic Health Comes Too Late18:48 Ad - EVY21:17 The Microbiome as a Foundation of Health27:28 PCOS Is a Metabolic Disease, Not Just Hormonal35:15 Ad - Fresh Pressed Olive Oil37:07 Menstrual Products and the Vaginal Microbiome40:41 Inflammation and Metabolism Drive Fertility49:06 Ad - 3x4 Genetics50:26 Personalized Fertility Over One-Size-Fits-All56:16 Closing Thoughts
====
Rachel Swanson, MS, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian and one of America’s most sought-after nutritionists, known for optimizing human performance through science-backed, personalized care. Her clients include celebrities, professional athletes, and Fortune 500 executives who trust her expertise in concierge medicine and private practice.
Rachel is a highly principled, intellectually rigorous, and passionately empowering expert, whose communication and sentiment are consistently driven by a profound conviction in her book's unique, holistic framework as the transformative solution to outdated and fragmented fertility advice, reflecting a deep commitment to women's health and autonomy.
___________________________
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmutter/
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Thank you to our sponsors:
EVY - https://www.optoceutics.com/perlmutter
and the code perlmutter26 will be auto-applied to your order to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free).
Fresh Pressed Olive Oil - https://www.getfresh389.com
For a complimentary bottle of one of the greatest olive oils I've ever discovered.
3x4 Genetics - http://3x4genetics.com/DrPerlmutter
for a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations.
====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
Gene therapy is no longer a distant promise, it is rapidly becoming one of the most disruptive technologies in medicine. And few figures embody the urgency, controversy, and pioneering spirit of this field more than Elizabeth Parrish, CEO of BioViva and widely recognized as the world's first self- engineered "GMO human."
In this episode of The Empowering Neurologist, we dive deep into her bold vision to treat aging not as an inevitable decline, but as a disease that can be targeted, modified, and potentially reversed. Again, treating aging as a disease.
Her journey into genetics began with a simple but profound realization: the diseases that kill most of us, including Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and overall frailty, are rooted in the biology of aging itself. Instead of waiting for late-stage decline, she argues that medicine should intervene upstream, correcting the genomic and cellular faults that accumulate over time. This perspective led her to take an extraordinary step: undergoing experimental gene therapy on herself in 2015, outside traditional regulatory frameworks.
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0:00 Intro
3:16 Treating Aging as a Disease
12:16 Launching a Radical Biotech Company
15:49 Why Telomere Length Mattered Most
18:51 Fear at the Edge of Experimentation
24:19 Ad: Optoceutics
26:08 Alpha-Klotho, The Longevity Gene
30:02 Why Alzheimer’s Still Has No Cure
32:21 Mitochondria at the Center of Brain Health
36:04 Ad: Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club
39:04 Keeping PGC-1 Alpha Switched On
42:43 Tracking Telomere Length Year After Year
47:11 Ad: 3x4 Genetics
48:37 Myokines and Whole-Body Health
51:48 Glutathione Deficiency and Neurodegeneration
1:00:20 Closing Thoughts
====
Elizabeth (Liz) Parrish, MBA, is the Founder and CEO of BioViva Sciences USA Inc., a pioneering biotechnology company committed to extending healthy human lifespan through advanced gene therapies. Under her leadership, BioViva is developing next-generation combinatorial gene treatments powered by its proprietary CMV delivery platform, positioning the company at the forefront of therapeutic innovation.
An accomplished entrepreneur, author, and visionary thinker, Liz is one of the leading global voices behind the Best Choice Medicine (BCM) initiative—a regulatory framework aimed at accelerating access to genetic therapies worldwide. She is deeply involved in international scientific education and has delivered keynote talks at major conferences and institutions, including WIRED, TEDx, and numerous other high-profile venues.
https://www.instagram.com/lizlparrish/?hl=en
https://bioviva-science.com/
___________________________
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Fresh Pressed Olive Oil - https://www.getfresh389.com For a complimentary bottle of one of the greatest olive oils I've ever discovered.
====
Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health - reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com.
====
In this week’s episode of The Empowering Neurologist, I sit down with registered dietitian, personalized-nutrition pioneer, and longtime friend, Ashley Koff, RD, to explore what may be one of the most misunderstood areas in all of health: weight, metabolism, and the pursuit of sustainable well-being. As the founder of The Better Nutrition Program, Nutrition Course Director at UC Irvine’s Integrative Health Institute, and faculty member at IFNA, Ashley brings a depth of clinical and practical insight that few can match.
Her new book, Your Best Shot, tackles one of the most talked-about questions of our time: Is the GLP-1 shot your best shot—or not? But this is far from a book about medications. Instead, Ashley reframes the entire conversation around personalization, body-ecosystem thinking, and the liberating shift from perfectionism to her signature philosophy: better, not perfect.
In our conversation, Ashley explains why most people aren’t struggling with a lack of knowledge, but rather an overwhelming flood of it, something she calls “INFObesity.” She discusses the Switch Framework she developed to help individuals identify the key metabolic levers that matter most for them, and she shares compelling patient stories that demonstrate how real transformation happens when we align nutrition and lifestyle choices with our unique biology.
What emerges is a far more hopeful, empowering narrative about weight-health, one that acknowledges the complexity of modern life while giving us practical tools to navigate it.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated or confused by the conflicting messages around diet, GLP-1 medications, metabolism, or weight-loss strategies, this episode is an essential listen. It offers clarity, compassion, and a science-based path toward truly optimal health.
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0:00 Intro
3:39 Misinformation in the world of weight loss
8:28 Calories in vs calories out
12:52 The importance of satiety related hormones
18:10 The experiment of GLP-1
24:49 Ad: Optoceutics
26:37 GLP-1 agonist drugs and the brain
37:16 Ad: Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club
40:27 GLP-1 and mental health
50:02 Disconnect between food policy and obesity solutions
55:09 Conclusion
====
Ashley Koff, RD is the founder of The Better Nutrition Program (BNP), the Nutrition Course Director for UC Irvine’s Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute's Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship, and a faculty member at the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy (IFNA), where she teaches “An Integrative and Functional Nutrition Approach to Obesity and Weight Management.”
She is also the author of the upcoming book, Your Best Shot (Harper One, January 6, 2026). A practitioner for over 25 years, Koff is leading a transformative movement in personalized nutrition, turning “better, not perfect” choices into practical, sustainable strategies that deliver real health outcomes.
Through patient stories and personal experience, she shows that optimal health is not just possible—it’s essential to living your fullest life. Koff has been recognized as one of CNN’s Top 100 Health Makers, featured in InStyle as “Hollywood’s Leading Dietitian,” and has been selected as Westin’s Global Nutrition Ambassador.
🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱
Today on The Empowering Neurologist podcast we are going to explore PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder, a pervasive issue that can be profoundly debilitating. PTSD is experienced by about 6% of the US population at some point in their lifetime and at any given time approximately 5% of American adults are living with this disorder. Certainly, we see high risk and veterans with PTSD affecting about 11 to 20% of veterans who served in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Vietnam veterans experience a lifetime prevalence somewhere in the neighborhood of 30%. PTSD symptoms usually begin within three months of a traumatic event, but can actually surface many years later making the diagnosis and the relationship to a traumatic event challenging. In about 1/3 of cases, PTSD becomes chronic and can last for years or even decades.
We know that there are significant comorbidities associated with PTSD, including other mental health conditions like depression or anxiety disorder, substance use disorders, and even cognitive decline.
While cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT, and pharmaceutical intervention are the “go to” treatments for this problem, hyperbaric oxygen therapy presents us with a new and emerging therapy now receiving global recognition. We will review research on this podcast demonstrating the profound effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen in treating PTSD, research that makes it clear that this is one of the most powerful interventions ever developed for treating this challenging disorder.
We will visit the Aviv Clinic in Central Florida, and spend time with Dr. Mohammad Elamir.
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0:00 Intro
4:55 Why Hyperbaric Works for PTSD Patients
8:44 Evaluating patients with PTSD
12:30 How the Protocol Was Chosen & Implemented
16:40 Potential Side Effects
18:00 Youngest People Treated with This
19:32 Combining Therapy Modalities for PTSD
20:14 Other Conditions that Can Be Helped By This
22:04 Amazing Results From These Studies
24:06 Using this with Our Military
26:00 Getting to the Root Problems
26:48 Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries
28:54 Why This Isn’t More Widely Being Offered
29:49 The Right Formula for This
32:55 Get Involved Today
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Dr. Mohammed Elamir, or “Dr. Mo”to his patients, has been part of the Aviv Clinics team in The Villages since the clinic opened in 2020. As lead physician, he oversees the medical treatment for all clients in the Aviv Medical Program, collaborating with other members of Aviv’s clinical team to provide truly comprehensive care. As a presenter, his seminars often sell out, thanks in part to his ability to translate complex scientific concepts and data into easily-relatable language.
Prior to joining Aviv Clinics, Dr. Elamir practiced internal medicine at the MM Jersey Breathing Center while also owning a medical spa in New Jersey. He completed his internal medicine internship and residency at RWJ-Barnabas: Jersey City Medical Center where he was chief resident and a member of the ethics committee. Dr. Mo has a passion for helping others who are pursuing a career in medicine and continues to mentor pre-med and medical school students.
Dr. Elamir became involved with Aviv Clinics after his late father suffered a stroke, which sparked Dr. Mo’s interest in novel approaches to healing the brain. He is the father of two children, including a son with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dr. Elamir considers it his life’s mission to help progress his son’s development and better understand the causes and treatment of ASD.
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In this compelling episode of The Empowering Neurologist, I sit down with Dr. Ray Dorsey, a leading voice in the world of neurology and author of the important new book, The Parkinson’s Plan. Dr. Dorsey is a passionate advocate for changing how we view and address Parkinson’s disease. His message is bold—and urgently needed: Parkinson’s is not simply a disease of aging or bad luck. It is, in his words, “a man-made disease,” driven by preventable environmental exposures.
Dr. Dorsey’s work shines a much-needed spotlight on the role of toxins in triggering Parkinson’s. In his new book, he lays out a comprehensive framework for understanding and reversing the rising tide of Parkinson’s cases, which have more than doubled in recent decades. He argues that this surge is no coincidence—it correlates with increased exposure to industrial chemicals, pesticides, and air pollutants that interfere with the brain’s delicate dopamine system.
One of the most striking recent contributions from Dr. Dorsey’s research is a JAMA-published study linking Parkinson’s risk to proximity to golf courses—locations that are frequently treated with high volumes of chemical herbicides and pesticides. The study found a significantly increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in individuals living near these manicured greens. This adds to a growing body of evidence that toxic environmental exposures play a key role in the development of this neurodegenerative condition.
In our conversation, Dr. Dorsey discusses how Parkinson’s (once a rare disease) has become the world’s fastest-growing brain disorder, and why its rise can’t be explained by aging populations alone. He shares practical strategies for individuals and families looking to reduce their toxic burden and offers hope for a new paradigm. One in which we actively prevent, treat, and ultimately aim to eliminate Parkinson’s.
Try Lichen Air, an air filter carefully constructed to remove the maximum amount of PM 2.5 and smaller air pollutants possible:
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0:00 Intro
2:40 Living Near to a Golf course Raises Parkinson’s Risk
4:58 How Pollutants Lead to Parkinson’s
7:12 Danger of Dry cleaning Chemicals
11:45 Parkinson’s is not just about Genetics
14:15 Why aren't these chemicals illegal?
17:07 Toxicity of Weed Killer
21:00 Chemicals that Damage Mitochondria
26:39 Why Diabetes Increases Parkinson’s Risk
29:38Air Pollution & WildFires
34:04 The Air Purifier We Recommend
34:49 Dealing with Indoor Air Pollution
37:02 Wash All Produce (Even Organic)
38:12 Best Diet for Parkinson’s Prevention
41:26 Safe Practices for Farming & Dry Cleaning
45:23 Benefits of Exercise
48:01 Public Figures Who Faced Parkinson's Disease
49:58 Why Men are More Likely to Get It
51:21 An Empowering Message for Us
54:27 Conclusion
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Dr. Ray Dorsey is the director of the Center for the Brain & the Environment at the Atria Health and Research Institute. The center’s mission is to identify the root causes of brain diseases from autism to Alzheimer’s so that we can prevent them. With his colleagues, he wrote Ending Parkinson’s Disease and the forthcoming The Parkinson’s Plan, which details a new path to preventing and treating this terrible disease.
Ray previously directed the Center for Health + Technology at the University of Rochester, chaired the international Huntington Study Group, led the movement disorders division at Johns Hopkins, and consulted for McKinsey & Company.
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I’m thrilled to announce this exciting podcast episode featuring an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Mai Nguyen, CEO and Co-founder of OptoCeutics. Dr. Nguyen is a pioneering force in the field of neurotechnology, and in this episode, we unpack her revolutionary work using non-invasive light stimulation to enhance brain function and potentially prevent neurodegenerative disease.
At the center of our conversation is the EVY, a 40 Hertz light stimulation device developed by OptoCeutics under Dr. Nguyen’s leadership. This device is designed to target and enhance gamma oscillations in the brain—a specific frequency range of neural activity (around 40 Hz) that is critically involved in memory, attention, and perception. In recent years, scientific studies have linked disruptions in gamma oscillations with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. By restoring these rhythms, the EVY device aims to provide a non-pharmacological, non-invasive way to support brain health.
During our podcast, Dr. Nguyen explains how EVY works: the device emits flickering light at a precise 40 Hz frequency, which is thought to entrain brain activity to resonate at that same frequency. This gentle stimulation may help reduce amyloid-beta accumulation, improve neural connectivity, and promote immune system engagement in the brain—mechanisms that could slow or even reverse aspects of cognitive decline.
What sets Dr. Nguyen apart is not just her scientific brilliance, but her deep commitment to translating research into real-world solutions. She leads OptoCeutics with a clear mission: to bring accessible, evidence-based neurotechnology into homes and clinics, empowering people to take charge of their cognitive well-being. Her approach is both deeply human and rigorously scientific, blending innovation with empathy.
As you’ll hear in the interview, Dr. Nguyen's work exemplifies the exciting convergence of biology, technology, and therapeutic application.
This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the future of brain health, the science of neuroplasticity, and the promise of light-based therapies. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, caregiver, or simply curious about how to support your brain as you age, Dr. Nguyen’s insights will leave you informed, inspired, and hopeful.
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0:00 Intro
2:46 How Dr. Mai Started Studying it
5:16 How Light Enhances Gamma Oscillation
7:22 Promise of These Studies
8:51 How the EVY Device Works
11:20 Early Clinical Results + Potential Side Effects
13:53 Application of this technology
16:36 Why Mainstream is Late to Adopt This
22:04 Impact of Auditory Stimulation
23:38 The Future of This Research
25:25 Get Involved Today
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Dr. Nguyen is a trailblazer in neurotechnology, pioneering advancements in non-invasive brain stimulation technology for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia. As CEO and Co-founder of OptoCeutics, Dr. Nguyen leads the charge in bridging the gap between neuroscience and therapeutic innovation, offering new hope to millions affected by cognitive decline.
Under Dr. Nguyen’s leadership, Optoceutics has become a frontrunner in brain stimulation technology and a recognized authority in non-invasive neuromodulation. Her unique approach combines rigorous scientific methodology with groundbreaking therapeutic solutions.
This vision is shaped by her academic excellence, including a PhD in Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley with a specialization in Neuroendocrinology, and her extensive training in management, technology innovation, and entrepreneurship.
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In our modern world, we are surrounded by a staggering number of invisible threats. These chemicals and pollutants can silently undermine our immune systems, increase our risk for chronic illness, and sabotage our health at the cellular level. That’s why I’m especially excited to welcome Dr. Aly Cohen to this episode of The Empowering Neurologist. This conversation is not only eye-opening, it’s empowering and filled with practical, actionable steps that each of us can take starting today.
In our conversation Dr. Cohen takes us through the science and the soul of her mission. We explore what inspired her to write Detoxify, a journey that began at the intersection of clinical frustration and personal awakening. Over the years, she began noticing that many of her patients with autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and neurological complaints shared a common thread: consistent exposure to environmental toxins. This wasn't just about vague “bad stuff.”Dr. Cohen has zeroed in on a specific category of chemicals she terms “Immune-disrupting chemicals (IDCs).” These are substances that directly interfere with the immune system's ability to regulate and repair.
Dr. Cohen doesn’t stop at theory… she gets specific - with personal care products to avoid, water purification tips every household should know, and simple DIY recipes for safer cleaning and skincare. Her “Detoxify Food Pyramid” reimagines what a clean, immune-supportive diet looks like in a world of processed foods and contaminated agriculture.
We also touch on how environmental toxins can act as potent triggers for autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis - diseases Dr. Cohen treats in her clinical practice almost every day.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer scale of modern toxicity, this episode offers a clear and hopeful path forward. Dr. Cohen emphasizes that detoxifying your life doesn’t mean doing everything at once. It’s about starting small. Things like switching to a glass water bottle, choosing fragrance-free detergents, and reading ingredient labels can lead to profound health benefits.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
02:15 Welcoming Dr. Amy Cohen & Her Inspiration for Her Book
05:45 Water & How Contamination Dysregulates Our Immune System
10:44 Recommendations for Filtration and Purification
13:13 Quality of Bottled Water Is Sub Par & Likely Tap Water
18:03 Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Contaminants Found In Our Water
21:47 Sparking Change with The Four A's: Assess, Avoid Or Swap, Add, Allow
27:39 How Did These Chemicals Enter Our Food & Water Supply?
34:10 How Do Genetics Determine Your Ability To Detoxify?
37:50 Air Quality, Pollution, and The Impact On Our Bodies
43:49 Navigating How To Improve The Air You Breath
47:41 Detoxifying The Body From Air Pollution
51:18 Hidden Threats In Your Personal Care Products & How To Avoid Them
1:04:19 Conclusion
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Dr. Aly Cohen is a board-certified physician practicing in rheumatology and integrative medicine, as well as an environmental health expert in Princeton, New Jersey. Her new book, DETOXIFY: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them, available now for preorder, connects the dots between everyday chemicals and the epidemic rise in immune disorders and autoimmune disease...and what we CAN all do about it! You can follow her health and wellness tips and recommendations on Facebook at The Smart Human, Twitter, and Instagram: @thesmarthuman, and TikTok.
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The ketogenic diet has become a household term, often associated with rapid weight loss and an effective means of shedding stubborn fat. However, as my guest on this episode of The Empowering Neurologist, Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, will explain, there is so much more to the ketogenic lifestyle than simply dropping a few pounds. We’re diving deep into the science of metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and how our lifestyle choices impact long-term health, particularly brain health.
While many people adopt a ketogenic diet for its well-documented benefits in weight management, its effects on metabolism reach far beyond simple fat burning. Nutritional ketosis helps the body transition from relying primarily on carbohydrates for energy to efficiently burning fat and producing ketones, an alternative fuel source for the brain and muscles.
As Dr. D’Agostino will discuss, one of the most crucial aspects of metabolic health is insulin sensitivity. When insulin function is compromised, the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels, leading to increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even cognitive decline. By keeping insulin sensitivity in check through dietary choices, fasting, and exercise, we can enhance our metabolic health and lower the risk of chronic disease.
The brain is an energy-intensive organ, and its function is directly influenced by our metabolic state. Research has shown that ketones provide a more efficient and neuroprotective fuel source for the brain compared to glucose. This is particularly relevant for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and even traumatic brain injury.
By making intentional choices about what we eat, how we move, and how we recover, we can take control of our metabolic health and improve our longevity.
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00:00 Introduction
02:21 How Dr. D’Agostino Went From Seizure Research To Nutrition Science
03:31 From Drug Failures To The Medical Power Of Ketosis
05:15 What Ketones Really Are And Why They’re A Metabolic Game-Changer
09:37 Why Ketogenic Therapy Is Now In 400+ Clinical Trials Worldwide
12:21 GLP-1 Drugs, Weight Loss, And Keto: What They Do To Your Metabolism
15:10 Inside A Ketogenic Body: Fat Burning, Fuel Switching, And More
17:25 How Lowering Insulin Turns On Fat Burning And Ketone Production
20:03 Why Ketones Keep The Brain Stable And Cravings Under Control
23:54 The Right Amount Of Protein For Muscle, Aging, And Staying In Ketosis
27:03 Do You Actually Need Fiber? The Carnivore Diet And Gut Health
30:00 How Ketosis Reduces Inflammation And Repairs The Gut Barrier
34:31 Genomics of Ketonics: Beta-Hydroxybutyrate’s Epigenetic Power
45:38 Allulose: The Sweetener That Lowers Blood Sugar And Boosts GLP-1
52:03 Why MCT Oil Might Be The Most Underrated Keto Hack Available
54:30 Conclusion
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Dominic D’Agostino, Ph.D., is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology. He teaches medical neuroscience, medical physiology, nutrition and neuropharmacology. He is also a Senior Visiting Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) to assist with their efforts towards optimizing the safety, health and resilience of the warfighter and astronaut. His primary research focuses on developing and testing nutritional and metabolic-based therapies for a variety of disease states and advancing the use of metabolic-based therapies into human clinical applications.
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Cancer remains a formidable global challenge, with nearly one in six deaths worldwide attributed to the disease. Over 60% of patients undergoing conventional treatments experience severe side effects, highlighting the need for complementary therapies that enhance efficacy and reduce harm.
Dr. Valter Longo, a leading figure in aging and nutritional science, has introduced a groundbreaking approach known as the fasting mimicking diet (FMD). Through years of research, Dr. Longo has shown that cycles of controlled fasting can trigger cellular regeneration, reduce inflammation, and improve metabolic health.
His work has reshaped our understanding of nutrition’s role in health and disease, providing a scientific basis for fasting as a tool to support standard cancer therapies. The fasting mimicking diet offers a promising adjunct to traditional treatments. By strategically reducing calorie intake, FMD protects healthy cells and makes cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy and radiation.
This dual effect boosts the effectiveness of treatment while mitigating debilitating side effects. Dr. Longo’s new book, Fasting Cancer, the subject of our podcast, explores the science behind fasting and its potential to transform cancer care. He shares practical guidelines, compelling case studies, and robust research that illustrate how FMD can be integrated with standard therapies for better outcomes.
Listeners of The Empowering Neurologist were captivated by Dr. Longo’s ability to translate complex science into actionable advice in his previous appearance, and this episode is no exception. His work continues to inspire both patients and healthcare professionals to explore innovative, science-driven approaches in the fight against cancer.
As research unfolds, the fasting mimicking diet stands as a testament to the power of nutritional science in modern medicine. Embracing this strategy, patients and clinicians alike are witnessing a promising future in cancer care.
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00:00 Introduction
02:10 The Cancer Nutrition Scientist Changing Everything
04:36 How Cancer Cells Hack Aging And Stay Immortal
06:00 The Hidden Danger Of Cancer Cell Survival After Chemo
07:30 Why Young People Are Getting More Cancer Than Ever
10:48 Are We Eating Too Much Protein For Longevity
13:22 A Diet That Weakens Cancer But Shields Healthy Cells
17:55 What Is The Fasting Mimicking Diet And Why It Works
21:40 The Critical Timing That Makes Chemo More Effective
23:00 How Starving Cancer Creates A Predictable Weak Spot
27:30 The Multi-Angle Attack That Slows Glioblastoma
29:15 Could This Diet Delay Or Reverse Alzheimer’s
32:50 Clinical Trials Show This Diet Reverses Diabetes
36:30 How Fasting Triggers Organ Regeneration In Humans
41:05 The Shocking Risks Behind Popular Weight Loss Drugs
57:14 Conclusion
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Valter Longo is the director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He studies basic and clinical research on nutrition, aging, and disease, with a focus on cancer, autoimmunity, Alzheimer’s, and cardiometabolic illness. Dr. Longo has received multiple awards including the 2010 Nathan Shock Lecture Award from the National Institute on Aging, the 2013 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award, and the 2016 Glenn Award for Research in the Biological Mechanisms of Aging. In 2018, Time named him one of the 50 most influential people in health care, and in 2021 Science magazine called him a pioneer in nutrition and cancer. He is the author of Fasting Cancer and The Longevity Diet.
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Welcome back to The Empowering Neurologist! In this episode we have a truly fascinating conversation lined up with none other than Dr. Steven Gundry, a world-renowned heart surgeon-turned-functional medicine expert, whose work has transformed the way we understand diet, disease, and longevity.
Dr. Gundry is no stranger to challenging conventional medical wisdom. In his latest book, The Gut-Brain Paradox: Improve Your Mood, Clear Brain Fog, and Reverse Disease by Healing Your Microbiome (HarperCollins; April 15, 2025), he flips the script on the traditional gut-brain connection. His research reveals a startling truth: your microbiome is not just influencing your brain—it’s controlling it.
For years, we’ve heard that the brain sends signals to the gut. But Dr. Gundry shows that it’s actually the other way around: the microbes in our gut are shaping our thoughts, emotions, and even personality. From food cravings to mental health struggles, from cognitive decline to addiction—these tiny gut-dwelling organisms are the real puppet masters. And when our gut falls out of balance, neurological dysfunction follows.
In this episode, we’ll explore:
✅ How gut bacteria influence cravings, mood, and even personality
✅ The surprising link between gut inflammation and drug tolerance
✅ Why a leaky gut can lead to brain fog, neurodegeneration, and mental health issues
✅ How to reclaim control of your mind by healing your microbiome
Dr. Gundry lays out a powerful, science-backed plan to restore gut health and optimize brain function, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. If you’ve ever struggled with brain fog, anxiety, depression, or unexplained neurological symptoms, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to this eye-opening conversation and discover how fixing your gut provides an important step to unlocking your brain’s full potential.
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00:00 Introduction
03:00 Why a Heart Surgeon Wrote a Book on the Brain
06:18 The Forgotten Hero Who Was Beaten to Death for Washing His Hands
09:08 A Parkinson’s Case Reversed by Healing the Gut?
13:28 Gluten Cross-Contamination and a Son’s Cutting Board: A Shocking Relapse
19:16 Gut Leaks, Brain Barriers, and Immune Sabotage: The Mechanism Explained
23:15 The Alzheimer’s Barrier Theory: Why Beta-Amyloid Might Be the Brain’s Defense System
26:20 Can Depression Be Healed Through the Gut?
30:27 Are Bacteria Controlling Your Addictions and Cravings?
34:02 The Scariest Mind-Control Parasite You’ve Never Heard Of
38:41 Eat This, Not That: How to Hack Your Gut for Better Brain Health
41:23 Neu5Gc and How it Impacts Our Brains
48:03 Are Polyphenols the Brain’s Secret Weapon?
56:38 Dead Bacteria, Live Benefits: Why Your Probiotic Doesn’t Need to Survive
01:05:05 Conclusion and Thank you
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Steven R. Gundry, MD, is the director of the International Heart and Lung Institute in Palm Springs, California, and the founder and director of the Center for Restorative Medicine in Palm Springs and Santa Barbara. After a distinguished surgical career as a professor and chairman of cardiothoracic surgery at Loma Linda University, Dr. Gundry changed his focus to curing modern diseases via dietary changes. He has written more than three hundred articles published in peer-reviewed journals on using diet and supplements to eliminate heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and multiple other diseases. He is the host of the top ranked nutrition podcast The Dr. Gundry Podcast and founder of Gundry MD, a wellness brand. Dr. Gundry lives with his wife, Penny, and their dogs in Palm Springs and Montecito, California.
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We hear so much these days about various “biohacking” techniques that are purported to be helpful for us in terms of improving our health and even extending our lifespan. But I think it's really important that we unpack some of these ideas and get a good understanding as to what they involve and what we can expect if we were to engage them. We're going to explore a variety of hot topics like exosome therapy, peptide therapy, cryotherapy hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and other innovative techniques. But most importantly we will explore how our simple, day-to-day lifestyle choices impact our health in terms of preserving our resistance to disease, and possibly even extending our lives.
Our guest is Dr. Darshan Shah, a powerful influencer in the area of health-span improvement.
Let me tell you a little bit more about Dr. Shah.Darshan Shah, MD, is a health and wellness specialist, board-certified surgeon, published author, entrepreneur, and founder of Next Health, the world's first and largest Health Optimization and Longevity clinic. As a Longevity Medicine specialist, he has advised thousands of patients on how to optimize their well-being and extend their healthspan and lifespan. Dr. Shah began his career at an accelerated MD program and earned his medical degree at the age of 21, becoming one of the youngest doctors in the United States. He continued his training at the Mayo Clinic, one of the most prestigious medical institutes in the country. Dr. Shah’s belief in continual education and self-improvement has earned him alumni status at Harvard Business School, Singularity University, and other prestigious institutions. His passion is speaking on the topics of longevity and health, having done over 100+ speaking engagements and appearances.
0:00 Intro
2:52 How Dr. Darshan Shah Began Studying Longevity
9:14 The Next Health Clinic: Cutting-Edge Longevity Science
12:11 The Biggest Health Mistake People Don't Realize
14:47 Evaluating Biomarkers & Their Clinical Importance
20:52 Key Biomarkers to Monitor Inflammation & Uric Acid
23:43 Why Uric Acid Matters
25:32 Clarifying the Confusion Surrounding Cholesterol
29:20 Hormone Levels as a Key Marker of Health (TRT)
35:22 Cutting Edge Science: Peptide Therapy
41:54 The Success of These Treatments
43:05 Science of Exosome Therapy
44:55 NAD & Stimulating the Mitochondria
46:41 Effectiveness of Cryotherapy
48:19 How Mainstream Physicians View this Approach
50:37 Cognitive Decline
52:09 His #1 Health Practice for Longevity
53:40 Conclusion
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Dr. Darshan Shah is a health optimization expert, board-certified surgeon, and founder of Next Health, the world’s first Health Optimization and Longevity clinic. A graduate of an accelerated MD program, he earned his medical degree at 21 and trained at the Mayo Clinic. With over 20,000 surgeries performed and multiple ventures in the wellness space, Dr. Shah now focuses on helping people extend their healthspan through cutting-edge science and personalized care. He’s also a sought-after speaker and lifelong learner with credentials from Harvard Business School and Singularity University.
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The idea that we can live however we want and then rely on a magic treatment for cognitive issues is unrealistic and dangerous. The reality is that our daily choices profoundly impact our brain’s future, and once cognitive decline begins, there is no clear-cut pharmaceutical solution.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Dale Bredesen, whose book The Ageless Brain is an incredible resource for protecting brain health. He has pioneered a comprehensive approach to preventing and even reversing cognitive decline. This book offers a powerful blueprint not only for sharpening your mind but also for building resilience against neurodegenerative diseases.
In The Ageless Brain, Dr. Bredesen distills decades of research into actionable steps. He explores key lifestyle factors—nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress management, and supplementation—that influence cognitive performance and long-term brain resilience. What’s exciting is his proactive, personalized approach. Rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, Dr. Bredesen shows us how to build a brain that resists aging from the start.
Today, we’ll unpack some of the most impactful strategies from his book, discuss major breakthroughs in neuroscience, and explore how we can all take charge of our cognitive health. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to maintain lifelong clarity and vitality, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
Dale Bredesen, MD, is an internationally recognized neurologist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases. He is the Senior Director of Precision Brain Health at Pacific Neuroscience Institute® and the Chief Scientific Officer at Apollo Health.
Guided by his belief that Alzheimer’s is not just preventable but reversible, Dr. Bredesen’s groundbreaking research has helped explain the biological mechanisms behind memory loss. His decades of study have led to new treatment approaches, including the ReCODE Protocol™—also known as the Bredesen Protocol—a strategy designed to prevent, slow, and even reverse cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction to Guest
2:48 Phase 3 Trial Upcoming
10:11 Alzheimer’s: Different Triggers, Different Outcomes
13:11 Could Brushing Your Teeth Save Your Brain? (Oral Microbiome & Alzheimer’s
18:45 The 3 Major Players in Brain Health
22:24 How to Make Sure You Never Get Dementia
22:33 Blood Markers for Alzheimer’s: What Your Tests Reveal
28:10 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s: The Hidden Connection
34:18 The #1 Contributor to Cognitive Decline: Insulin Resistance
39:54 How to Match Your Brainspan to Your Lifespan
40:31 Top Supplements for Brain Health
43:15 The Power of Nitric Oxide for Your Brain
48:07 Leaky Gut & Cognitive Decline
54:15 Metformin & Brain Longevity
57:31 Why Do More Men Than Women Get Parkinson’s
1:05:24 ADHD & Alzheimer’s: The Fruit Fly Discovery ("Alzflymers")
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Dale Bredesen, M.D., is an expert in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. He is a graduate of Caltech and received his MD from Duke University Medical Center. His career includes serving as Chief Resident in Neurology at UCSF, working as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, and holding faculty positions at UCSF, UCLA, and UC San Diego. He was the director of the Program on Aging at the Burnham Institute and the founding President and CEO of the Buck Institute. His work has led to a new therapeutic approach for treating Alzheimer’s. He is the author of The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline.
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Yes, we need stress in our lives! Staying in our comfort zone may be doing us more harm than good. That’s probably surprising to hear from me having spoken about the importance of reducing stress over the years. But, nonetheless, a level of stress that is not overly damaging, and that may actually have positive benefits.
Today we are going to learn much more about that will be looking at the book, The Stress Paradox with Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist. We're going to learn about the"Stress dilemma" that we face, how stress enhances, cellular resilience, how our life compares to the lives of our ancestors in terms of the physical stresses that we endure. We will explore how stressing ourselves in relation to the times that we eat, our physical exercise, and even explore how sleep or lack of sleep, may affect us in negative and even perhaps positive ways. All in all, we"re learning these days how we want to do our best to leverage the value of being out of our comfort zone but also recognizing our
boundaries.
00:00 Introduction
02:00 Welcoming Sharon and Introducing The Stress Paradox
06:33 Sleep is Critical
07:12 Good Stress (HIIT) vs. Bad Stress (Financial Hardship)
09:50 Hormetic Stress? Current Environment vs. Ancestors' Stress Levels
13:20 Stress Responses Stored in Phytochemicals and our Evolutionary Relationship with Plants
19:01 10,000 DNA Injuries Any Given Day, 7 Per Minute
22:03 The Biggest Factor Related to Longevity
26:01 Relationship with Decreased Risk of Alzheimer’s & The Role of Myokines
30:17 Microglia Cells Can Share Mitochondria (Before & After)
35:13 Heat Exposure Mimics the Benefits of Exercise
38:01 Key Strategies for Longevity and Vitality
45:32 Personalized Health Strategies for Optimal Performance
50:25: The Cortisol Spike and Why It is Necessary
58:20 Why You Need Non-negotiables In Your Physiology
50:20 Conclusion
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Sharon Horesh Bergquist, MD, is an award-winning physician, innovative healthcare leader, and visionary researcher renowned for spearheading a science-based approach to applying lifestyle as medicine. She has helped lead numerous clinical trials, including the Emory Healthy Aging Study and the NIH funded Emory Healthy Brain Study. Dr. Bergquist is widely published in peer-reviewed journals and has contributed to over 200 news
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We all want to live a stress-free life. But as it turns out, this may not necessarily be in our best interest having a low level of stress of various types turns out to be good for our physiology and can even help us recover from illness. When stress is implemented in this way, it is termed, other words, the upside of low-grade stress. That stress can be exercise, immersion ourselves in cold or hot temperatures, time restricted eating, or even various forms of light exposure all of which we will explore on my podcast today, which is an interview with my good friend, Jeff Krasno. His new book, Good Stress, that he wrote along with his wife Schuyler Grant
He is the CEO and founder of Commune Media, a masterclass platform for well-being that features renowned authors and teachers. He hosts the Commune podcast, which has over 520 episodes and generates more than 750,000 monthly downloads, featuring interviews with luminaries such as Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Matthew McConaughey, and Gabor Maté. Additionally, Jeff writes a weekly "Commusing" essay exploring well-being, spirituality, and culture, distributed to an email list of over one million subscribers.
Prior to founding Commune Media, Jeff co-created Wanderlust, a global series of wellness events that have significantly contributed to popularizing yoga practices and principles in the U.S. and beyond. In 2016, Oprah Winfrey selected him as part of the SuperSoul100, recognizing him as one of the nation's leading entrepreneurs.
Jeff's latest book, "Good Stress: The Health Benefits of Doing Hard Things," co-authored with his wife, Schuyler Grant, is set to be released on March 25, 2025. I've had the opportunity to read the galley and it's a terrific book that will open a lot of doors for each and every one of you in terms of regaining your health.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection with Jeff Regarding the Los Angeles Wildfires
8:51 Introducing Jeff’s Book, Good Stress: The Health Benefits of Doing Hard Things
13:42 The Personal and Societal Costs of Poor Health
18:27 Jeff’s Background and Personal Approach to Wellness
22:54 Homeostasis as the Foundation of Health
25:42 Rethinking "Normal"—The Flaws of the Bell Curve Perspective
29:24 Evolutionary Perspectives on Health and Adaptation
34:55 Thermoregulation as a Pathway to Homeostatic Flexibility
38:15 Hypoxia and Its Role in Physiological Adaptation
47:04 The Therapeutic Potential of Thermal Shock
49:51 The Concept of Good Stress and the Evolutionary Mismatch of Modern Lifestyles
55:01 Optimal Timing and Approaches for Cold Plunging
1:00:46 Jeff’s Personal Biohacking Journey
1:07:08 Exploring the Benefits of Light Therapy and the Revival of Raw Milk Consumption
====
Jeff Krasno is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, a masterclass platform for personal and societal well-being and co-creator of Wanderlust, a global series of wellness events. He hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of luminaries from Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson to Matthew McConaughey and Gabor Maté. His latest venture expands Jeff’s personal story and protocols into a book, Good Stress: The Benefits of Doing Hard Things (Hay House, March 2025). The book dives deeper into the concepts from the course, distilling insights from over 400 podcast conversations Jeff has conducted, along with his personal experiences applying these ideas to transform his own health. It explores deliberate, self-imposed behaviors that promote social, psychological, and physical well-being, offering both a philosophical exploration of true wellness and practical steps to achieve it.
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We all know that exercise is good for the body and specifically, very good for the brain. In fact, exercise is the most important inroad to better brain health, better brain function, protecting the brain against decline, and even with respect to mood issues like depression.
But it's reasonable to ask how in fact does this work? How is it that exercising muscles does good things for the brain?
On today's episode of the Empowering Neurologist we spent time with Dr. Austin Perlmutter. He takes us on a deep dive exploring the exact connection between muscle and its endocrine function in terms of creating various chemicals that are so helpful for better brain health. It's a great discussion that looks at things like how much exercise is appropriate, what type of exercise is best, how much protein we should be consuming, and what other supplements will augment the benefits of exercise in terms of better brain health. I think you will really enjoy this episode. I know I sure did, after all, getting to spend time with my son is always special!
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00:00:00 Introduction & Welcoming Dr. Austin
00:01:56 The Relationship of Muscle Health, Mental Health, and Brain Health
00:09:15 The Power of Exercise to Improve Cognition vs Pharmaceuticals & The Muscle as an Endocrine Organ
00:16:36 The Molecules Produced by Muscles: Myokines
00:20:10 Myokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Health
00:26:43 Sarcopenia and The Risk of Dementia
00:31:50 Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor, Neuroplasticity & Weight Training
00:39:40 Animal versus Plant Protein to Build Healthy Muscle
00:46:26 Cycling Anabolic and Catabolic States
00:51:31 Why Women Are 2x More Likely to Develop Alzheimer's and What Supplementation Is Necessary to Compliment Building Muscle
01:05:40 Conclusion and Wrap Up
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Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, researcher, educator, podcaster and entrepreneur. His mission is to help people get their brains unstuck for better mental and cognitive health. Dr. Perlmutter’s work on how environment and diet influences brain health has been featured on PBS, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, NPR, Fox, CBS and other top media outlets. He has co-produced and hosted some of the world’s largest online brain health events including Alzheimer’s, the Science of Prevention and the Better Brain Blueprint. He is the Managing Director of Big Bold Health, where he led a pioneering study exploring plant nutrient effects on human aging. He is the CEO of Lichen Air, which provides science-backed indoor air solutions for better brain health and longevity. He is also a research consultant to the Helfgott Research Institute, where he studies the epigenetic, metabolic, microbiome and immune effects of ayahuasca.
Website: https://www.austinperlmutter.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@draustinperlmutter
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Lichen AIr: https://lichenair.com/
Dr. Austin Perlmutter's Muscle-Brain eGuide: https://www.austinperlmutter.com/muscleguide
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🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱Over the last several decades, it’s been interesting to watch the progression of ideas for treating Alzheimer’s change from focusing on brain chemistry to targeting the accumulation of proteins in the brain associated with the disease. Recently, there’s been exciting interest in studying how the brain’s electrical circuits and rhythms change in Alzheimer’s and other brain degenerative disorders.The human brain operates in rhythms, with gamma frequencies playing a critical role in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and learning. In neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, these gamma oscillations are disrupted, contributing to the accumulation of harmful proteins such as amyloid-beta and tau. Cognito Therapeutics has developed a pioneering approach using non-invasive light and sound stimulation to restore these rhythms and trigger natural mechanisms for clearing these toxic proteins.In preclinical and early clinical trials, this method has demonstrated remarkable potential. By stimulating gamma oscillations, the therapy has shown the ability to reduce inflammation, enhance synaptic function, and activate microglia—immune cells responsible for clearing debris and maintaining brain health. For families battling cognitive decline, these results offer hope for improving quality of life and potentially slowing disease progression. Cognito’s research focuses on safety, accessibility, and scalability. Unlike pharmaceutical interventions, this approach avoids invasive procedures or systemic side effects, making it an attractive alternative or complementary treatment for Alzheimer’s.As the company advances its clinical trials, the implications extend far beyond Alzheimer’s. Cognito’s technology could pave the way for treatments for neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, MS, and traumatic brain injury.On our podcast today, we are joined by Christian Howell, CEO of Cognito Therapeutics. Howell is committed to advancing the understanding of brain health and delivering groundbreaking therapeutic solutions to improve patient outcomes. Under his leadership, Cognito Therapeutics has made significant strides in the development of gamma-frequency neuromodulation technologies, leveraging light and sound stimulation to address the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders. Howell is a strong advocate for translating cutting-edge research into real-world applications and has spearheaded the company’s efforts to validate its therapies through rigorous scientific studies and clinical trials.Howell holds advanced degrees in neuroscience and bioengineering and has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between scientific discovery and patient care. His work reflects a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by cognitive decline and to shaping the future of brain health through innovation and collaboration.====00:00 Introduction00:59 Optogenetic Light & SoundTherapy 11:28 Innovations in Light and Sound Therapy at 40Hz Interval; Generating Neuroplasticity17:48 Rethinking Alzheimer’s Treatment and Gamma Wave Stimulation’s Impact on Proteins20:43 Overview of Cognito Therapeutics at Home Device25:30 Usage for Therapeutic, Preventative, and Performance Enhancement. 28:37 Disease States: Dysregulation of Microglia; Long Covid, Chemo Brain, Sepsis 30:45: Breakthrough Designation from FDA For the Device38:07 FDA Approval, Distribution, and Insurance Approval; Economic Burdens of Alzheimer’s 44:30 Closing Insights on Revolutionary Therapies====Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmutter/Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/Subscribe to our channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRl_UAXxbHyOOjklnA0dxQ/?sub_confirmation=1
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After decades of stagnation, the field of psychiatry is undergoing a transformative shift.
For 75 years, mental health issues were largely viewed as “chemical imbalances” best treated with medications. While these medications have helped many, their efficacy is often limited, and they come with common side effects like fatigue, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction.
Enter metabolic psychiatry—a groundbreaking new approach that reimagines mental health challenges as issues rooted in brain metabolism. This fresh perspective is revolutionizing how we perceive and address mental health conditions, offering powerful, practical, and safe solutions that are accessible to everyone.
The most exciting discovery of our time? Robust mental health is deeply connected to robust metabolic health—and achieving metabolic health starts with a brain-friendly diet.
For those struggling with mental health, understanding how dietary changes can provide benefits that no medication can is critical. However, the key lies in making the right changes—ones that go beyond conventional dietary advice.
By integrating cutting-edge research on brain metabolism with evidence-based insights on brain-nourishing foods, we can unlock a powerful formula for optimal mental well-being. This exciting synergy is the focus of our podcast, and today, we’re thrilled to feature an expert in this field: Dr. Georgia Ede, MD, author of Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind.
In this episode, Dr. Ede shares her insights on the revolutionary potential of metabolic psychiatry and the role of diet in mental health. Together, we’ll explore how rethinking the way we nourish our brains can lead to profound changes in how we think, feel, and live.
Join us for a deep dive into the intersection of nutrition and psychiatry and discover how small, actionable dietary changes can unlock a brighter, healthier future for your mind.
====
0:05 Introduction
4:15 Welcoming Dr. Ede
5:01 Dr. Ede's Backstory And Experimenting with Her Own Diet
10:46 Shifting Beliefs From Standard Psychiatric Medicine
15:22 SSRI's And Their Efficacy
20:13 Standard American Diet And Widespread Mental Health Crisis
26:21 Inflammation And Its Affect On Mental Health
30:18 Insulin Resistance, The Brain, and Impact on Mental Health
34:49 The Pushback Georgie Has Received W
39:28 Metabolism, Mitochondrial Function Relation To Mental Health Issues
44:36 Using A Ketogenic Diet To Manage Mental Health
52:55 Personalized Medicine Through A Diet That Works For Your Body
1:01:20 Thank you to Dr. Georgia and Conclusion
====
Dr. Georgia Ede is an internationally recognized expert in nutritional and metabolic psychiatry. Her
twenty-five years of clinical experience include twelve years at Smith College and Harvard
University, where she was the first psychiatrist to offer students nutrition-based approaches to
mental health conditions.
Dr. Ede co-authored the first inpatient study of the ketogenic diet for serious mental illness, developed the first medically accredited course in ketogenic diets for mental health, and is a recipient of the Baszucki Brain Research Fund’s Metabolic Mind Award. Her bestselling new book Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind was recommended by the New York Times Book Review as among the three best mental health books of 2024.
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Tune in to The Empowering Neurologist Podcast for an Inspiring Conversation with Dr. Jill Carnahan, Author of Unexpected
I’ve just finished recording a very moving interview with Dr. Jill Carnahan—Functional Medicine expert, speaker, and author. This was an unforgettable conversation about her new book, Unexpected. Dr. Carnahan’s story is one of resilience, empathy, and transformation, and her insights have changed countless lives through her compassionate approach to health.
Dr. Carnahan’s journey to becoming a functional medicine leader is anything but conventional. Early in her career, she faced serious health challenges that nearly ended her life and forever transformed her approach to patient care. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at just 25, Dr. Carnahan was forced to confront the fear, uncertainty, and upheaval that accompany life-altering illness. During her treatment, she developed a deeper understanding of what her patients were experiencing, not only physically but also emotionally. Just as she was beginning to regain her health, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a severe autoimmune disorder that impacted her life for years.
These back-to-back health crises became defining moments for Dr. Carnahan. They pushed her to pursue holistic healing modalities, ultimately shifting her career path toward Functional Medicine. Through her own journey of recovery, she developed a unique perspective on health that goes beyond treating symptoms, instead focusing on addressing the root causes of illness and the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.
In our time together Dr. Carnahan discusses:
☑️ The pivotal moments in her life that led her to Functional Medicine and reshaped her philosophy on health
☑️ How emotional resilience and compassion are critical components of healing
☑️ Practical strategies to detoxify, restore gut health, and promote holistic recovery
☑️ Insights into managing autoimmunity and chronic illness in a way that prioritizes the whole person
☑️ The role of mindset and self-compassion in transforming personal health challenges into opportunities for growth
My hope is that you will find our conversation to be an inspiring and enlightening experience. Her warmth, empathy, and expertise make her a true pioneer in Functional Medicine and a source of hope for anyone on their own health journey.
====
00:11 Intro
01:09 Introduction to Dr. Jill
04:30 Dr. Jill’s Cancer Diagnosis
09:16 How She Learned To Trust Herself: Blending Intuition with Logic
11:54 The Illusion of Certainty & Embracing Fear
14:53 Returning to Medical School Post Chemo
20:12 Where Jill’s Cancer May Have Originated
24:24 The Diet That Helped Dr. Jill’s Crohn’s, Colitis, SIBO and SIFO Flare Ups
34:51 Dr. Jill’s Journey Into Functional Medicine as a Doctor
39:45 Dr, Perlmutter Shares His Patient’s Gluten-Free Experience
41:11 Using The Human Genome in Functional & Integrative Medicine
50:00 How Personal Agency Impacts The Healing Process
51:50 Upstream From The Microbiome Is The Soil & Outro
====
Dr. Jill Carnahan is Your Functional Medicine Expert® dually board certified in Family Medicine for 10 years and in Integrative Holistic Medicine. She is the founder and Medical Director of Flatiron Functional Medicine, a widely sought-after practice with a broad range of clinical services including functional medical consulting, chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage.
Be sure to follow her @drjillcarnahan on Instagram.
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What makes a good brain go bad? And if we can answer that question, how do we fix it? Of all the things that we consider that are important for brain cell function, the activity of the mitochondria is primary. And, what do mitochondria need to function at their best? The answer is not a supplement. It's not other forms of nutrients, it is oxygen. And as it turns out, enhancing, the oxygen availability for mitochondria is a powerful therapeutic tool across a wide variety of neurological issues. Mitochondrial dysfunction is central to things like dementia, autism, stroke, head injury, and even long COVID.
Hyperbaric oxygen is a clearly the most leading edge therapy that targets mitochondrial function and improves blood supply to the brain. This is a technique in which individuals are placed in a chamber, the atmospheric pressure is increased, and they breathe oxygen in varying concentrations through a facemask.
Today we are going to visit the Aviv Clinic in central Florida as I am joined by Amir Hadanny, MD, PhD, Aviv’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research. Dr. Hadanny has done and continues to do incredible research using hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an interventional tool to treat a variety of issues, including those mentioned above. The results, that are published in preview journals, are outstanding. Clearly hyperbaric oxygen therapy, when provided with a regimented protocol as we see at the Aviv Clinic, is giving people, a second chance.
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00:00 Intro
00:01:28 The Evolution of Hyperbaric Medicine Research
00:03:00 Clinical Applications: PTSD and Long COVID
00:05:30 Inside the Aviv Clinics Experience
00:09:22 Long COVID Study: Research Design and Findings
00:33:40 Cognitive and Physical Benefits in Healthy Aging
00:37:28 PTSD Breakthrough Study and Government Adoption
00:43:47 Future of Hyperbaric Medicine
00:45:50 Closing Remarks and Future Prospects
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Amir Hadanny, MD, PhD is a neurosurgeon and researcher at Aviv Clinics, specializing in the use of hyperbaric medicine to optimize brain and body performance. He also serves as Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research at Aviv Scientific. Dr. Hadanny completed his MD at Tel Aviv University, his PhD in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology focused on machine learning from Bar Ilan University, and his neurosurgery training at Galilee Medical Center in Israel. He completed a Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery fellowship at Albany Medical Center and a Harvard Research Fellowship in the Brain Modulation Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital. Through his work at Aviv Clinics and Aviv Scientific, Dr. Hadanny has published more than 60 scientific studies on the use of a unique hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol for neurorehabilitation and recovery in different brain pathologies and its effect on the biology of aging.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-15565-0
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38360929/#:~:text=The%20results%20indicate%20HBOT%20can,after%20the%20last%20HBOT%20session.
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We are certainly all aware of the health consequences associated with consumption of ultra processed foods. And this discussion always moves to the role of the sugars and refined carbohydrates in these foods in terms of threatening our metabolic health - and rightfully so.
But there’s another threat associated with these and other foods that is equally important. And that’s the type of oils they contain. In this episode of The Empowering Neurologist, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Cate Shanahan, a groundbreaking physician and the author of the eye-opening book Dark Calories. Dr. Shanahan dives deep into a topic that is often overlooked in conversations about nutrition: the dangers of seed oils and their pervasive presence in our diets.
In Dark Calories, Dr. Shanahan reveals how seed oils—despite being marketed as healthy alternatives—can have detrimental effects on our brain and overall health. We explore the science behind these oils, explaining how they can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and toxicity, and how these mechanisms threaten our health. By bringing awareness to the hidden dangers of these ubiquitous ingredients, Dr. Shanahan encourages us to reconsider what we think we know about healthy eating.
What makes this episode truly valuable is not just the scientific insights Dr. Shanahan shares but also the wealth of actionable material she provides. Throughout our conversation, we discuss practical steps listeners can take to reduce seed oil consumption and make healthier food choices. From understanding food labels to selecting healthier cooking fats, Dr. Shanahan equips us with the tools we need to nourish our bodies and brains effectively.
She emphasizes the importance of whole, nutrient-dense foods, urging us to prioritize traditional fats over industrial seed oils that can contribute to chronic inflammation and cognitive decline. Whether you’re a health enthusiast or simply looking to improve your diet, this episode is packed with invaluable tips, like what to order when you go out to eat, that you can implement immediately.
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00:00 Introduction to Cate + the Dangers of Seed Oils
03:18 The 'Hateful Eight' Oils Explained
06:20 Origins of Vegetable Oils in the Food Supply
10:47 Toxicity of Refined Oils
15:03 Health Risks of Heated Oils
18:01 Medical Industry Conflicts
32:12 Strategies for Avoiding Harmful Oils
37:03 Comparison of Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fats
40:35 Impact of Toxic Oils on Chronic Diseases
53:00 Summary and Closing Out
====
Cate Shanahan, MD, has shaped the best parts of today’s food and health landscapes. Her books and other publications have taught a generation of health influencers what an ideal human diet looks like and the damaging effects of a collection of 8 common seed oils (“The Hateful 8”), informing the full spectrum of nutrition leaders, including keto, carnivore, functional medicine and more. Her science backed diet advice has inspired food entrepreneurs to make billions, including bone broth, live-culture ferments, and seed-oil-free business empires like the Primal Kitchen and Bulletproof brands. As a family physician, she has personally worked 1:1 with thousands of patients to improve energy metabolism and reduce fatigue, cellular inflammation, and organ dysfunction. Through her works and influence, she has helped millions escape the vicious cycle of sickness and drug dependence.
Dr. Cate’s Monthly Newsletter signup: https://drcate.com/newsletter-signup/
About Dr. Cate’s Books https://drcate.com/which-drcate-book-should-i-buy/
LinkedIn: @DrCateShanahan
X: @DrCateShanahan
Instagram: @DrCateShanahan
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What can we do to improve our brains? This is clearly a topic that is central to our messaging. And we have focused on a variety of levers to pull, including exercise, sleep, dietary changes, nature, connection, etc. But we've now learned about a powerful input that has proven incredibly effective in improving brain function, especially in a variety pathological situations like cognitive decline, anorexia, depression, and even autism. This innovative approach has been called olfactory enrichment. And basically, this involves stimulating the brain with various types of scents.
Perhaps the top researcher on the planet exploring this subject and creating innovative ways for us to take advantage of olfactory enrichment is Dr. Michael Leon.He received his PhD from the University of Chicago and joined the professoriate at the young age of 24. He is currently Professor emeritus in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at the University of California Irvine.
He has received the Research Scientist Development Award from the National Institute for Mental Health for his work on the neurobiology of early learning, the D.G. Marquis Award from the American Psychological Association for developing an effective treatment for children with autism, and the Healthcare Technology Acceleration Award from the California HealthCare Foundation for his work on body weight normalization. In a recent analysis from the Stanford University, he was ranked among the top 2% of scientists in the world.
On the podcast we review this empowering science in detail and I am certain you will be you captivated by the therapeutic potential of this intervention.Also, we’ll explore the device Dr. Leon has created so that everyone can take advantage of these exciting developments.
====
0:00 Intro
2:48 Researching Olfactory Enrichment
7:25 Impact of Olfaction on Disease
13:47 Relationship Between Inflammation & Sense of Smell
16:27 Study of Olfactory & Memory Loss
19:41 Losing Sense of Smell In Covid
24:01 Relationship of Taste to Olfaction
26:04 Impact on Depression
27:26 Difference Between this and Aromatherapy
31:59 Treating Anorexia with This
33:11 How This Works on a Subconscious Level
34:50 Memory Air Device
36:25 Conclusion
====
Michael Leon received his PhD from the University of Chicago and joined the professoriate at the age of 24. He is currently Professor emeritus (recalled) in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at the University of California Irvine. He also is a member of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, as well as the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders at UCI. He has received multiple awards for teaching undergraduates, including the Professor of the Year Award as the best teacher on the UCI campus. He has received the Research Scientist Development Award from the National Institute for Mental Health for his work on the neurobiology of early learning, the D.G. Marquis Award from the American Psychological Association for developing an effective treatment for children with autism, and the Healthcare Technology Acceleration Award, from the California HealthCare Foundation, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for his work on body weight control. In a recent analysis from the Stanford University School of Medicine, he was ranked among the top 2% of scientists in the world for the impact of his research. He is a partner in Science Lab 3 and the Mando Group.
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Our lifestyle choices are fundamental as it relates to the health of our brains. Who knew? Well one person who knows this information and has done an amazing job getting this out to public awareness is Louisa Nicola, neurophysiologist, human performance coach and founder of Neuro Athletics, a human performance coaching firm that supports the highest performing athletes and executives in the world. This organization bring science-based solutions to elite performers who want to perform at their highest level.
Luisa graduated from the university of Sydney medical school and specializes in Neurophysiology. She is currently completing her PhD and has recently published fascinating report on the benefits of resistance exercises as it relates to Alzheimer's disease.
The podcast that you were about to watch extremely empowering. What you will find in Louisa’s messaging is a heartfelt devotion to empowerment for all who will listen that truly, our brain’s destiny is something we can control. I'm very grateful that she joined us on the podcast today.
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0:00 Intro
2:37 How Louisa Got Started
5:00 Exercise’s Impact on Brain Health
11:37 Aerobics vs Strength Training
14:56 Wearable Devices to Track Exercise
19:53 What Happens in the Brain During Exercise
25:11 Importance of Restorative Sleep
30:42 Best Type of Diet for the Brain
33:09 Phd: Resistance Training & Alzheimer’s
36:28 Conclusion
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Neurophysiologist and human performance coach, Louisa Nicola is the founder and head performance advisor of Neuro Athletics - a human performance coaching firm that boasts the highest performing athletes and executives in the world. Neuro Athletics brings science based solutions to elite performers who want to perform at their peak. Louisa graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School and specialises in neurophysiology.
https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_/
https://apple.co/3H02jPa
https://neuroathletics.substack.com/subscribe
https://www.neuroathletics.com.au/
___________________________
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Around 60 million people around the world have dementia. 300 million have depression, and billions of people are experiencing brain problems due to chronic stress. These conditions are partially preventable, but most people don’t know the steps to take to decrease their risk and protect their brains. It turns out that the place where our brains are at the highest risk for being damaged is actually in our homes, and that we have an incredible amount of control over what happens here. But sadly, most of us are being unintentionally exposed to things in our houses that are poisoning our brain health. In this episode, we’re going deep into the science that examines those factors in our environments that are damaging our brains. We connect with an expert in environmental and lifestyle medicine, Dr. Austin Perlmutter. We’re going to explore exactly what we are exposing ourselves to, in our homes, cars and offices, that threaten to worsen our cognitive and mental health. And, importantly, Dr. Perlmutter will reveal simple steps we can employ, today, to reduce this threat.
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0:00 Intro
3:06 How our environment threatens our brain
8:18 Health Begins in the Kitchen
12:10 Air Pollution in the Kitchen
18:13 Pollution in our World Today
23:23 Hidden Sources of Pollution: Vacuums & Incense
28:34 Effectiveness of N95 Masks
31:00 We Can’t Overlook This
35:00 Air Fresheners & Perfumes
39:13 Indoor Filtration & Ventilation
46:40 Other Pollutants to Watch Out For
49:25 Conclusion
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Here's more about our guest, and yes, my son:
Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, published researcher and international educator. His mission is to help people improve their health by targeting the biological basis of “stuckness” in our brains and bodies. His writings, presentations, podcasts, and online educational programs explore how environmental factors influence our cognitive and mental state and have reached millions. Dr. Perlmutter has been featured on PBS, Rolling Stone, MedPage today, Newsweek, Medical News Today, NPR and a wide range of other media outlets. He is a co-producer of the Alzheimer’s, the Science of Prevention series, and host of the Better Brain Blueprint series. Dr. Perlmutter currently serves as the managing director at Big Bold Health, a food-as-medicine company focused on helping people rejuvenate health through better immune function, where he is running a first-of-its kind study exploring the effects of plant nutrients on human aging through epigenetic modulation.
___________________________
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Researchers around the world are looking at the role of a mechanism, inflammation, in what makes a good brain go bad, and specifically in diseases like Alzheimer’s. Dr. Jack Auty is a Tasmanian researcher who is focused on this process and is exploring a variety of inroads to inflammation, including, zinc deficiency, as well as the possible role of our ever-increasing exposure to microplastics in amplifying this mechanism.
Dr. Auty has a very expansive social media exposure, bringing this information to the public awareness. He’s a very interesting researcher on a number of levels, including fieldwork looking at animals exposed to microplastics as well as translational research from the lab to humans again focused on inflammation and its damaging role throughout the body, and specifically the brain.
Currently, Dr. Auty is a lecturer in the Medical Sciences division in the School of Medicine at the University of Tasmania. He, in addition, serves as a collaborator with an organization called the Adrift Lab, and we will learn more about their mission on our podcast as well.
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0:00 Intro
3:16 Studying the Mechanism of Inflammation
13:12 Optimizing Our Microglia
16:46 Polygenic Influences on Alzheimer’s
21:16 Accumulation of Microplastics
34:35 Avoiding Microplastics
36:53 Zinc’s Impact on Alzheimer’s
43:20 Removing the Blame From Lifestyle Choices
52:00 The Adrift Lab: Studying Microplastics
57:23 Conclusion
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Jack completed a Bachelor of Science in anatomy with a neuroscience focus at the southernmost university in the world – the University of Otago. During his degree Jack took several botany papers and fell in love with the subject, so Jack continued studies at Otago with a post graduate diploma in botany followed by a Ph.D. which combined botany and neuroscience by investigating the effects of marijuana-like synthetic cannabinoids on inflammation in the ischemic brain, combining botany and neuroscience.
After completing his Ph.D., Jack continued his research at the University of Otago with projects on hydrogen sulphide as an inflammatory signaling molecule and kamikaze neutrophils that release their DNA contents onto bacteria. He then moved to the University of Manchester, where he primarily investigated the role of the inflammasome in Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline. Jack was fortunate to have inspiring, supportive, and scientifically proficient supervisors and collaborators in Dr. Catherine Lawrence and Prof. David Brough, under whose guidance he was able to make significant contributions to the field of inflammation research.
Currently, Jack is a lecturer in Medical Sciences at the University of Tasmania, where he investigates inflammation. He is focused on establishing the inflammatory properties of environmental microplastics and identifying the cellular mechanisms that mediate microplastic-induced inflammation. Additionally, he aims to understand how peripheral and central inflammatory responses contribute to Alzheimer's disease.
https://jackauty.com
___________________________
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In this episode of The Empowering Neurologist Podcast, we had the profound pleasure of reconnecting with my longtime friend and now filmmaker, Max Lugavere, the creative force behind the deeply moving documentary Little Empty Boxes. Max, who is as articulate as he is passionate, took us through the deeply personal journey that led to the making of his film—a narrative woven from love, loss, and the quest for understanding dementia.
The genesis of Little Empty Boxes is as poignant as it is inspiring. Max shared the moment his life changed during what was meant to be a serene summer vacation: his mother, Kathy, was unable to recall the current year, a lapse that signaled the onset of her cognitive decline. This incident wasn't just a fleeting moment of forgetfulness; it was the beginning of a challenging journey through the landscape of dementia, a condition affecting over 55 million people worldwide.
Moved by his mother's struggle, Max returned to New York City, transitioning from a concerned son to a determined researcher, diving deep into the complexities of dementia. The film follows his exploration of innovative approaches beyond conventional medication, aiming to slow the progression of his mother's illness.
Max described Little Empty Boxes as a project that "crept in, claws out." It wasn’t a film he planned, but one that emerged from necessity. His mother's worsening condition was harrowing to witness, but it birthed a purpose that transcended personal pain. Max emphasized that the film isn’t centered on definitive medical answers or miraculous recoveries. Instead, it presents a raw, messy, and intimately personal look into the life of a dementia patient and the daily realities of their caretakers.
One of the most touching moments in our conversation was Max’s reflection on the film as a tribute to his mother and a love letter to the science of dementia prevention. He hopes that by sharing his mother's story, the film will not only shine a light on ways to delay or prevent this devastating condition but also encourage viewers to cherish every memory. "It's about making the most of what remains, together," Max remarked, highlighting the film’s focus on the human elements of love, memory, and resilience.
Our discussion with Max was more than just an interview; it was an exploration of the emotional and scientific facets of dementia through the lens of a devoted son's experience. For anyone who has witnessed the impacts of dementia firsthand, or for those interested in the intersections of film and real-world issues, Little Empty Boxes offers a compelling narrative that is both educational and deeply moving.
Watch Little Empty Boxes here: https://littleemptyboxes.com/
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0:00 Intro
3:49 The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
8:09 How Medicine Failed Max’s Mom
12:07 How Fraudulent Research Clouded Our Knowledge
18:14 Making “Little Empty Boxes”
26:06 Bringing the Prevention Conversation to the Masses
35:50 Conclusion
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Max Lugavere is a health and science journalist, filmmaker, and bestselling author. He is the author of the Genius trilogy of books, including the New York Times bestseller Genius Foods and the Wall Street Journal bestseller Genius Kitchen. He hosts The Genius Life podcast, one of the top health and wellness podcasts in the U.S, and has an audience of over 1.5 million followers across social media.
___________________________
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Alzheimer’s disease can be reversed. Need I state that again? That is the subject of our podcast featuring an interview with Dr. Heather Sandison. Dr. Sandison is a renowned naturopathic doctor and a leading expert in neurodegenerative diseases. She has dedicated her career to understanding and reversing cognitive decline, with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease.
In this episode, we will be discussing her groundbreaking new book, Reversing Alzheimer's. This transformative work offers a comprehensive approach to preventing and reversing Alzheimer’s disease through personalized medicine, lifestyle changes, and cutting-edge therapies. Dr. Sandison’s insights provide hope and practical strategies for those affected by this devastating condition.
Tune in as we explore the innovative methods outlined in her book, the latest research in brain health, and how you can take proactive steps to maintain cognitive function. Whether you’re a caregiver, a healthcare professional, or someone concerned about your brain health, this episode is packed with invaluable information and inspiration.
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0:00 Intro
2:49 Promising Alzheimer’s Breakthrough
7:57 Where We’re Getting it Wrong with Alzheimer’s Prevention
11:00 Solving the Complex Problem of Alzheimer’s
13:33 How Infections & Covid 19 Plays a Role
18:34 A Different View of Beta Amyloid
22:10 Studying the Treatment Plan
26:50 Contrast Oxygen Therapy
33:21 Praise for Dale Bredesen’s Work
35:15 Conclusion
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Dr. Heather Sandison, a distinguished naturopathic doctor, has devoted her career to providing compassionate care and innovative solutions to those affected by dementia. Renowned for her pioneering work, Dr. Sandison has integrated groundbreaking, holistic, and multimodal interventions, seamlessly creating clinical, residential, research, and educational platforms. Her relentless dedication has not only transformed the lives of patients and caregivers she has also set new standards in the field of dementia care. She is the author of Reversing Alzheimer's: The New Toolkit to Improve Cognition and Protect Brain Health, out with HarperCollins June 11th, 2024.
Learn more about brain health by signing up for our mailing list at:
drheathersandison.com
___________________________
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There’s certainly a lot of interest these days in the idea of having a “total body MRI scan.” And with good reason. This turns out to be a highly sensitive study as it relates to detecting a variety of issues, even including early cancers.
I wanted to learn more about this technique so I traveled to Vancouver, Canada to meet with Dr. Raj Attariwala, developer of the Prenuvo Scan, a popular total body MRI here in America and the scan that I myself underwent.
In this interview we explore the need and utility of total body MRI, its limitations, what the future will likely bring in this area of imaging, as well as Dr. Attariwala’s more recent research dealing with metabolic imaging of the brain.
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0:00 Intro
2:46 How & Why MRIs Work
7:37 Effectiveness for Early Detection
13:13 Cost/ Benefit Ratio of MRI
16:49 The Future of MRI & Metabolic Signature
21:27 Brain Health & Body Mass: Findings From Total Body MRI
27:20 Pushbacks on this Protocol
31:27 Total Body vs Regional MRI
34:00 Who Can't Have an MRI
36:00 Standardization in Interpretation of Scans
45:32 Success Stories
47:25 Detecting Colon Cancer
48:29 Best Protocol for Cancer Detection
51:53 Conclusion
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Dr Rajpaul Attariwala, M.D., PhD, FRCPC
Nuclear Medicine Radiologist & Biomedical Engineer
Dr Attariwala holds a doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) prior to becoming a double board-certified radiologist and nuclear medicine physician certified in both Canada and USA. He received his formal training at UBC, along with specialized training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (New York), UCLA, and USC. He is the creator of the Prenuvo scan and report which were developed at his MRI facility, AIM Medical Imaging in Vancouver Canada. His passion is to create and advance technology to help patients understand how their body changes in both health and disease. Currently he is working to develop and implement critical tools to promote healthspan in Medicine 3.0 with leading scientists and physicians from around the world.
___________________________
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In this installment in The Empowering Neurologist Podcast we are thrilled to have a very special guest, and longtime friend, Dr. Casey Means, co-author of the groundbreaking book, Good Energy.
Good Energy is not just a book; it's a movement. It invites us to reconsider our day-to-day choices and their profound impact on our body's energy systems. Dr. Means, a Stanford-trained physician, has beautifully woven her medical expertise with cutting-edge research to craft a guide that’s indispensable for anyone looking to enhance their physical and mental well-being through sustainable energy management.
In this episode, Dr. Means shares insights into how our everyday habits—what we eat, how we sleep, and even how we think—can significantly influence our metabolic processes, mental clarity, and overall vitality. The book delves into the concept of mitochondrial health, a topic we frequently explore, explaining how these tiny powerhouses in our cells are not just biological entities, but pivotal in shaping our health destiny by influencing all manner of our physiology.
Our conversation covers key themes from the book, including:
The Role of Diet in Energy Production: How can the right foods transform your health by optimizing energy production at a cellular level?
Mindfulness and Mental Energy: Exploring the link between mental practices like mindfulness and physical energy levels.
Innovative Health Tracking: Dr. Means is a proponent of leveraging technology (like the continuous glucose monitor) to monitor health markers. We discuss how modern tools can help personalize our health strategies for better energy.
Listeners will come away with practical advice on integrating the principles of Good Energy into their lives.
This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in stepping up their energy game, enhancing cognitive function, and ultimately taking charge of their health in a holistic and informed manner.
If you want to try Levels today click this link for 2 months free on an annual membership: levels.link/perlmutter
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0:00 Intro
3:27 Where We’re Missing the Mark on Health
8:56 Correlation of Movement and Alzheimer’s
11:34 Learn How to Trust Yourself
18:04 Linking Metabolism & Health: How Levels Health Began
27:18 How to Interpret Levels Data to Optimize Your Wellbeing
31:34 American Children’s Health Crisis
35:56 Take Your Health Back
41:16 How This Information is Helping People
53:03 Conclusion
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Casey Means, MD is the co-founder of Levels, a health technology company with the mission of reversing the world’s metabolic health crisis. She received her BA with honors and MD from Stanford, was President of her Stanford class, and has served on Stanford faculty. She trained in Head & Neck Surgery at Oregon Health and Science University before leaving traditional medicine to devote her life to tackling the root cause of why Americans are sick. She has been featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Women’s Health, and more.
Calley Means is the co-founder of Truemed - a company that enables Americans to purchase healthy food and exercise tax-free. He is an advocate/whistleblower about the corruption of the food and pharma industries and need to change incentives - and appeared on over 100 major media outlets to advocate for change. Calley is a graduate of Stanford and Harvard Business School.
Make sure to tune in and join us for this enlightening conversation. Your journey towards better health and Good Energy starts here! This episode will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make a profound impact on your health.
___________________________
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Without question, a pivotal player in our health is the adequate and balanced functioning of the immune system. No matter what disease state you can consider, the immune system is playing an important role.
We now recognize that our metabolic health is hugely influential in determining the functionality of our immune system. As such, we know that our lifestyles influence metabolic health and therefore, with this understanding, we can influence immune function by paying attention to these decisions we make each day that are so influential as it relates to human metabolism.
On today's program, we are going to explore the concept of immune modulation and the relationship between immunity and metabolic health. We are also going to take a deep dive into new some very exciting discoveries as it relates to ancient foods that powerfully influence immune function including Himalayan tartary buckwheat, a modern day superfood that’s getting a lot of attention.
There couldn't be anyone better to walk us through this exciting new science than my longtime friend, Dr. Jeffrey Bland.
This is a fascinating and thought provoking interview. To further explore this science, visit Big Bold Health: https://bigboldhealth.com/the-science
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0:00 Intro
4:25 The Immune System Connects Everything
13:27 Soil Health & Agricultural Toxins
19:01 Looking at the True Quality of Our Food
22:33 Discovering Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat
28:38 Polyphenols & Benefits of HTB
33:38 Longevity & Blue Zones
37:43 Forming a Super Superfood: Sprouting HTB
39:49 The True Interconnected Nature of the Body & Immune System
54:07 The Mystery of Ancient Medicine & Nature’s Intelligence
1:00:01 Taking a Closer Look at Functions
1:02:03 Conclusion
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Jeff Bland, PhD is the founder of Big Bold Health, a company on a mission to transform the way people think about one of nature’s greatest innovations — the immune system. Through Big Bold Health, Jeff is advocating for the power of Immuno-Rejuvenation to enhance immunity at a global level, often through the rediscovery of ancient food crops and superfoods. To get there, Jeff is building a network of small farms and suppliers throughout the US that take a clear stance on regenerative agriculture, environmental stewardship, and planetary health.
Jeff’s career in health spans more than 40 years. A nutritional biochemist by training, he began in academia as a university professor. Jeff then spent three decades in the natural products industry, working alongside other pioneers.
A lifelong educator, Jeff has traveled the world many times over in his role as the “father of functional medicine.” In 1991, he and his wife, Susan, founded The Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2012, Jeff founded another educational nonprofit called the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute. Jeff is the author of The Disease Delusion: Conquering the Causes of Chronic Illness for a Healthier, Longer, and Happier Life, as well as countless additional books and research papers.
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As many of you are aware, much of our information that we present deals with problems of the brain and spinal cord. These have been described as being parts of the central nervous system. However, there is another part of the nervous system called the peripheral nervous system that is basically made up of the peripheral nerves.
Peripheral neuropathy is a term that describes an abnormality with peripheral nerves. This can cause loss of sensation, pain, or even loss of autonomic function. Here in America some 20 million people suffer from peripheral neuropathy. In fact more than half of the people with diabetes will develop prayerful neuropathy at some point in their lifetimes. We are at increased risk for peripheral neuropathy not only as a consequence of diabetes but also as we age. Pray for neuropathy can be caused by chemotherapy and fully 1/4 of all peripheral neuropathy patients do not have an identifiable cost.
There aren't really any FDA approved treatments to actually treat purple neuropathy in terms of the underlying cause of the nerve damage. While we do have drugs that treat, pain for example, again we need to find a way of treating the fire, not just focusing on the smoke. Having said that, there is an exciting new development in this field using drugs that are already available and are called muscarinic antagonists. Basically, they block the transmission of acetylcholine.
In today's podcast, we are going to explore deeply, the mechanisms whereby this approach, using these muscarinic antagonists seems to be incredibly effective in growing new nerve fibers as well as increasing metabolism in the nerve itself leading to improvement ultimately in the manifestation of peripheral neuropathy.
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0:00 Intro
5:35 The Scope of the Problem
8:09 Diabetic Neuropathy
11:49 Neuropathy Following Chemotherapy
14:21 Viral Infections: HIV Treatment & Covid
16:56 Why Mitochondria are Essential in This
19:44 Pharmaceutical Study of Neuropathy
24:57 Aldose reductase inhibitor
29:31 Why This Approach is Different
37:44 How Antimuscarinics Work
48:10 Metrics for Getting FDA Approval
58:42 Funding the Research
1:01:53 Conclusion
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Nigel A. Calcutt, Ph.D. ook both his B.Sc. in Zoology and Ph.D. Physiology and Pharmacology at Nottingham University, England. Dr. Calcutt first began studying nerve damage caused by diabetes as an undergraduate, with a largely unsuccessful but nevertheless entertaining and informative attempt to generate diabetic chickens in the laboratory of the esteemed ornithologist Professor David Tomlinson. Undeterred by the pitiful paucity of pre-diabetic poultry, he has continued to investigate mechanisms of diabetic neuropathy and neuropathic pain throughout his academic career, with a particular interest in translational studies. Dr. Calcutt is also a co-founder of the biotechnology company WinSanTor Inc. and the non-profit organization Diabetes Research Connection.Paul Fernyhough PhD received his PhD in biochemistry from the department of Biochemistry at University of Sheffield. He then carried out postdoctoral research at Colorado State University, Kings College London and as a Wellcome Trust Postdoctoral Fellow at St Bartholomew’s Medical College. Dr. Fernyhough’s research interest is in the cell biology underlying neurodegenerative disorders of the peripheral nervous system with a focus on the impact of diabetes. A biotech start-up, WinSanTor Inc, has been established and is directing phase 2 clinical trials in diabetic neuropathy and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. ___________________________Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmutter/Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/Subscribe to our channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRl_UAXxbHyOOjklnA0dxQ/?sub_confirmation=1
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In a groundbreaking development, an international team of researchers has unveiled a remarkable advancement in the fight against progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Their study, led by scientists from the University of Cambridge, the University of Milan Bicocca, and Hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza in Italy, demonstrates the safety, tolerance, and long-lasting effectiveness of injecting a specific type of stem cell directly into the brains of patients living with progressive MS. This breakthrough paves the way for the development of advanced cell therapy treatments for this debilitating disease that affects over 2 million people worldwide.
Multiple sclerosis is a complex autoimmune disease that targets the central nervous system, leading to severe disruption in the transmission of nerve signals. While there are treatments available to alleviate some of the symptoms and reduce the frequency of relapses, many patients still progress into a secondary phase of the disease, which steadily worsens over time, causing severe disability. This secondary progressive phase has long been a significant challenge in the treatment of MS.
In progressive forms of MS, a type of immune cell known as macrophages, specifically microglial cells, plays a crucial role in attacking and damaging the central nervous system. This relentless assault leads to chronic inflammation and extensive nerve cell damage. Recent advances in stem cell therapies have raised hope that they could help mitigate this damage by replacing damaged cells with healthy ones.
Before the current study, the University of Cambridge team had already demonstrated in mouse models that reprogrammed skin cells into brain stem cells, transplanted into the central nervous system, could reduce inflammation and potentially aid in repairing MS-related damage.
This groundbreaking study marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of effective treatments for secondary progressive MS. Although the study is relatively small and may have confounding effects from immunosuppressant drugs, its safety and long-lasting effects over the 12-month trial period have paved the way for further clinical trials. The research team's cautious optimism fuels hope for the development of cell therapy as a potential solution for this debilitating condition. This exciting progress holds the promise of a brighter future for the millions of people living with progressive MS, offering renewed hope for a more effective treatment approach.
Our interview today is with the lead researcher involved in this study at the University of Cambridge, Stefano Pluchino, MD, PhD.
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0:00 Intro
2:46 Why Stem Cell Therapy Works
5:10 Studying Stem Cells on the Brain
9:15 MS Patients Studied in This Trial
13:43 What the Results Mean for the Public
17:40 The Specifics of the Study
26:18 Rigorous Testing that Sets this Trail Apart
28:25 Findings: Feasibility, Safety, and Biomarkers
34:32 Looking at the Results over 12 months
40:11 Correlation of Metabolic Health and MS
44:55 What Exosomes Reveal About Disease
49:01 Senolytic Therapy & Neurodegenerative Diseases
53:36 Conclusion
====
Stefano Pluchino received his MD and PhD degrees at the University of Siena, Italy,
and additional training at Cambridge University, UK. He is currently Professor of
Regenerative Neuroimmunology (2021) and Honorary Consultant in Neurology, within
the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at Cambridge University.
Twitter: @Pluchinolab
Research: https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/fulltext/S1934-5909(23)00393-4
___________________________
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In this episode of The Empowering Neurologist, we're diving into two topics that are gaining significant attention in the worlds of men's health and weight loss: the importance of testosterone replacement therapy and the emerging role of GLP-1 agonists in weight loss as well as in diabetes treatment. Joining us is an esteemed expert in this field, Dr. Tracy Gapin, a renowned urologist and men's health specialist.
Why is this topic so crucial? Testosterone, often hailed as the cornerstone of male vitality, plays a central role in various aspects of men's health. It's not just about physical strength or libido; testosterone impacts mood, energy levels, bone density, muscle mass, cognitive function, and overall well-being. However, as men age, testosterone levels naturally decline, leading to a condition known as hypogonadism or low testosterone. This decline can have profound effects on a man's health and quality of life.
Dr. Gapin, with his extensive experience and research in the field, sheds light on how testosterone replacement therapy can be a game-changer for men experiencing the effects of low testosterone. He delves into the nuances of identifying candidates for this therapy, the benefits, and the misconceptions surrounding it. His insights are particularly valuable in a time when discussions about men's hormonal health are often overshadowed or misunderstood. Further, as he explains, age-matched testosterone levels in men have plummeted over the past several decades, and we discuss why.
In addition, Dr. Gapin takes us through the exciting world of GLP-1 agonists, a class of drugs initially developed for diabetes management but now having a major impact in the weight loss arena. Obesity is a mounting concern globally, and its impact on men's health is undeniable. With cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and a host of other conditions linked to obesity, finding effective weight management solutions is paramount. Dr. Gapin explains how GLP-1 agonists work, their benefits, their potential risks, and their role in revolutionizing weight loss treatments.
This episode is not just for those directly experiencing these issues but also for anyone interested in the broader conversation about men's health. Whether you're a healthcare professional, someone exploring options for personal health improvement, or simply curious about the latest in medical advancements, Dr. Gapin's insights offer valuable knowledge and perspective.
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0:00 Intro
3:04 The Issues of Low Testosterone
7:07 Why Testosterone Levels are Falling
10:00 What Indicates Low Testosterone
15:00 The Holistic Approach to This
17:28 Why Testosterone Replacement Therapy May Be Essential
19:53 Addressing Potential Risks
28:20 How TRT Works & What to Expect
35:49 Looking at Estrogen and Progesterone
37:23 LDL Medication and Low Testosterone
39:55 Addressing Thyroid Functionality
40:56 Honest Thoughts on Ozempic
50:28 Conclusion
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Tracy Gapin, MD, is a board-certified urologist, men’s health and performance expert. and founder of the Gapin Institute, a global leader in high performance medicine. He has over 20 years of experience focused on providing executives, entrepreneurs and athletes a personalized path to optimizing their health so they can have exceptional energy, laser-focused mind and a better body.
Text HEALTH to 26786 to receive an electronic copy of the High Performance Health Handbook for Men
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Hello everyone. I am delighted to let you all know about this episode of The Empowering Neurologist. We discuss fundamentally important new book, The Autoimmune Cure, by one of my dearest friends on the planet, New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Sara Gottfried.
In this interview, Dr. Gottfried enlightens us as to what is really underlying the vast array of autoimmune conditions. Yes, we do get into the weeds, but the information she provides is not just fascinating, but fully empowering as well. Prepare to be enlightened as she sheds light on how trauma can intricately rewire our bodies, ultimately becoming the catalyst for autoimmune diseases. With a prevalence that's skyrocketing globally, autoimmune conditions affect millions, yet the root cause often remains elusive.
Conventional medicine's approach often falls short in effectively diagnosing and treating autoimmune disorders. Many individuals grapple with baffling symptoms ranging from fatigue to brain fog, from aches and pains to anxiety, unaware that their immune system is the culprit behind their distress. Drawing from her wealth of experience in precision medicine, Dr. Gottfried has uncovered a compelling correlation between autoimmune disease and a history of trauma, a revelation that's shaping the future of autoimmune care.
But here's the exciting and empowering part—there's hope. Dr. Gottfried's revolutionary program outlined in he Autoimmune Cure offers a beacon of hope for those navigating the treacherous waters of autoimmune ailments. By addressing the root cause head-on and providing a comprehensive roadmap to reset the immune system, this program empowers individuals to reclaim their health and vitality.
So, join us as we embark on a transformative journey towards autoimmune liberation. Whether you're grappling with autoimmune symptoms yourself or seeking to deepen your understanding of immune health, this podcast episode promises to be a beacon of insight and inspiration.
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0:00 Intro
2:15 We’re Looking at Autoimmune Wrong
8:04 Using Psychedelics for Healing Trauma
12:58 Long Covid’s Impact on the Body
16:11 Thyroid Disruption
19:03 The Microbiome’s Impact on Immune Function
24:55 Symptoms Checklist & MS
30:26 Why Women have a Higher Risk
37:19 Praise for Dr. Gottfried’s World
44:29 Conclusion
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Sara Szal Gottfried MD is a physician, researcher, author, and educator. She graduated from Harvard Medical School and MIT, and completed residency at UCSF, but is more likely to prescribe a CGM and personalized nutrition plan than the latest pharmaceutical. Dr. Gottfried is a global keynote speaker and the author of four New York Times bestselling books about hormones, nutrition, and health. Her latest book is called THE AUTOIMMUNE CURE (March 2024). She is Clinical Assistant Professor in Dept. of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University, and Director of Precision Medicine at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health. She takes care of executives and professional athletes. Her focus is at the interface of mental and physical health, N-of-1 trial design, personalized molecular profiling, use of wearables, and how to leverage these tools to improve health outcomes. Learn more at SaraGottfriedMD.com
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With so much discussion these days centered on metabolic health and issues like overweight, obesity, diabetes, and the downstream consequences of these health challenges, I think it's important to spend some time looking at what may be one of the pivotal causes of metabolic disturbances, the consumption of fructose sugar.
As such, I reached out to Dr. Richard Johnson, a world’s authority on the role of fructose in human metabolism, to share with us his latest thoughts not only related to fructose, but also including the various types of sweeteners that are available and have become very popular.
This discussion will take us into the world of GLP-1, a receptor that is stimulated by drugs like Ozempic. And no doubt, that is an area of discussion that is interesting for so many people.
We begin our discussion however with Dr. Johnson describing his recent trip to Dubai where he attended the COP 28 climate conference which, interestingly, includes his insights related to the threats posed by climate change on human metabolism.
Let me tell you a little bit more about Dr. Richard Johnson.He was formerly the chief of the Renal Division and Hypertension at the University of Colorado for nine years. He’s a physician, trained in internal medicine, infectious disease, and nephrology. Dr. Johnson is a widely cited NIH-funded scientist who has lectured in over 40 countries and has authored three books, The Sugar Fix, The Fat Switch, and the new Nature Wants Us to Be Fat. Rick has a special interest in the role of sugar and especially fructose and its byproduct uric acid in driving metabolic and kidney disorders. And most recently he has been exploring the biological properties of a unique sugar, allulose, a topic we discuss in great depth.
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0:00 Intro
1:56 Climate Change and Rising Health Concerns
12:53 Correlation of Uric Acid and Impulsivity
20:50 The Mechanics of Obesity as a Low Energy State
26:12 How Our Biology Supports Weight Gain
28:38 Impact of Sugar and Carbs on the Body
31:50 Should you avoid fruit?
33:09 What We should Be Doing
35:03 The World of Low Calorie Sugars
37:55 Disadvantages of Artificial Sweeteners
41:32 Allulose: The Next Best Thing?
54:19 How CGMs Will Change Your Perspective
55:10 The Role of Quercetin on Mitophagy
58:20 Conclusion
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Dr. Johnson has performed medical research since the early 1980s and has been funded by the NIH since 1987. Most of his research has focused on the pathogenesis of kidney diseases, but during the last 12 years his studies have also included studies of the pathogenesis of primary hypertension, insulin resistance and diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, and obesity. Much of his work has involved a combination of cell culture and animal models with a strong translational component, but he has also been involved in a number of clinical trials and epidemiology-based studies.
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Clearly, we've communicated a lot of information indicating that it's really fundamentally important for our health and ability to resist disease that we gain control over things like anxiety, lack of restorative sleep, lack of exercise, and certainly make other good choices like eating appropriately as well. These are powerful modulators of our metabolic health I have wide ranging implication not just as it relates to the brain, but our entire physiology.
How exciting is that we live in the day and age of wearable devices. And, importantly, we now see the development of a wearable device that specifically allows us in a non pharmaceutical way to deal with anxiety, help us through the days it relates to our decision making ability, and even help us in the night as a relates to sleep, and it’s called Apollo. I thought it would be a great idea to interview the creator of this device, Dr. David Ravin.
Dr. David Rabin, MD, PhD, a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist, is the co-founder & chief medical officer at Apollo Neuroscience, the first scientifically-validated wearable system to improve heart rate variability, focus, relaxation, and access to meditative states by delivering gentle layered vibrations to the skin. In addition to his clinical psychiatry practice, Dr. Rabin is also the co-founder & executive director of The Board of Medicine, and a psychedelic clinical researcher currently evaluating the mechanism of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in treatment-resistant mental illnesses.
This is a very interesting podcast about a very interesting and clearly beneficial wearable device. I have found that using this device my heart rate variability has gone up dramatically, which is a good thing, and something I have been trying to accomplish for quite some time. This has huge implications for health. I hope you enjoy this information.
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0:00 Intro
3:09 Where It All Began - Searching for Stress Solutions
7:18 MDMA Therapy for PTSD
9:52 Why the Pushback on Psychedelic Therapy?
12:20 New Wearable Tech that Simulates MDMA Benefits
19:56 Creating the Apollo
24:53 Key Metric: Heart Rate Variability
29:10 Dr. Perlmutter’s Success Story with the Apollo
34:32 Perceived vs Real Threat in Anxiety
36:53 Other Success Stories with Apollo
42:51 Solving the Problems of Sleep
50:04 Conclusion
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Dr. David Rabin, MD, PhD, a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist, is the co-founder & chief medical officer at Apollo Neuroscience, the first scientifically-validated wearable system to improve heart rate variability, focus, relaxation, and access to meditative states by delivering gentle layered vibrations to the skin. In addition to his clinical psychiatry practice, Dr. Rabin is also the co-founder & executive director of The Board of Medicine, and a psychedelic clinical researcher currently evaluating the mechanism of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in treatment-resistant mental illnesses.
Socials:
Drdave.io
Apolloneuro.com
Boardofmedicine.org
Twitter: @daverabin
Instagram: @drdavidrabin
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One area that we spend a lot of time exploring focuses on the role of lifestyle choices as they relate to brain, health, functionality, and resistance to disease. I have to admit, over the years I have perhaps somewhat neglected a very important tool that offers up incredible utility as a relates to doing good
things for the brain, and that is art. With that in mind, I felt it would be a great idea to interview the authors of an exciting new book that explores this very topic entitled, Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross.
Your Brain on Art explores the vital role of arts in our lives, beyond mere entertainment. The book reveals a cultural evolution where arts emerge as powerful, accessible solutions for overall well-being. The authors present robust research highlighting the health benefits of art engagement. They illustrate how just 45 minutes of an art activity can significantly reduce stress hormones regardless of skill level, and regular artistic engagement could potentially extend life expectancy by a decade. The book delves into how music fosters cognitive abilities, the therapeutic effects of sound vibrations, the innovative use of virtual reality in therapy, and how interactive art experiences enhance memory and sensory engagement. It also discusses how art is being integrated into medical prescriptions for various health issues like loneliness and dementia.
Your Brain on Art serves as a gateway to understanding the intersection of arts, aesthetics, and wellness. It includes discussions with renowned figures like David Byrne, Renée Fleming, and E. O. Wilson, offering a comprehensive view of neuroaesthetics. This guide combines cutting-edge research, multidisciplinary expert insights, and inspirational stories, showcasing how arts significantly improve life quality.
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0:00 Intro
3:07 How Susan & Ivy Began Studying Art
9:20 Why Art is Necessary for Humanity
14:22 Your Brain on Art
18:50 How Observing Art Helps Us
20:34 Reducing Amygdala Actions
22:16 The Healing Power of Sound and Vibration
25:18 The Role of Aesthetics & Awe of Nature
32:06 Poetry: the Oldest Art Form
34:48 Treating Mental Illness with Art
40:06 Why Talent Doesn’t Matter
44:14 Creative Flow & Mindfulness
45:34 Theatre & Connecting to Our Emotions
51:04 Psychedelics for Healing
57:30 The Art of Food
1:00:51 Conclusion
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Susan Magsamen is the founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab (IAM Lab), Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics, a pioneering neuroaesthetics initiative from the Pedersen Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Susan’s work focuses on how the arts and aesthetic experiences measurably change the brain, body and behavior and how this knowledge can be translated to inform health, wellbeing and learning programs in medicine, public health and education.
Magsamen is also the co-author of the New York Times Bestseller, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us written for the general public.
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Ivy Ross is the Vice President of Design for the Hardware organization at Google. Over the past six years, she and her team have launched 50+ products winning over 240 global design awards. This collection of hardware established a new Google design aesthetic that is tactile, colorful, and bold.
Most recently, Ivy co-authored with SusanMagsamen Your Brain on Art: How the ArtsTransform Us.
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Loneliness is pervasive in our modern world. The sense of isolation and lack of connection, clearly made worse by the COVID pandemic, is associated with a wide scope of health issues and even mortality. So what do we do?
Some important steps are presented in our podcast, an interview with the author of Project Unlonely - Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection, Dr. Jeremy Nobel.
Jeremy Nobel, M.D., MPH, is a primary-care physician, public health practitioner, and award-winning poet with faculty appointments at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Medical School. He is the founder and president of the Foundation for Art & Healing (www.ArtandHealing.org), whose signature initiative, Project UnLonely, addressing the personal and public health challenges of loneliness and social isolation, has gained national visibility.
This is an important topic, not just for the elderly, living alone, but for all of us. For it is clear that any of us can feel lonely and disconnected, even in the midst of our busy lives.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
2:10 Our Epidemic of Loneliness
6:11 Leveraging the Creative Arts for Healing
12:21 Evaluating Loneliness in Studies
16:31 How Loneliness Equates to Heightened Disease Risk
19:43 The Loneliness Spiral
21:56 Inflammation
24:38 How World Events Impact Well-Being
26:45 What You Can Do: Art as a Medium for Healing
31:05 How Psychedelics Overlap with Creativity
35:44 Cultural Norms Impact Loneliness
38:31 The Biggest Challenge for Moving Forward
40:57 The Potential of Awe and Nature-Connection
44:24 Correlation Between Loneliness and FMRI Imaging
50:00 Conclusion
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JEREMY NOBEL, M.D., MPH, is a primary-care physician, public health practitioner, and award-winning poet with faculty appointments at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Medical School. He is the founder and president of the Foundation for Art & Healing (www.ArtandHealing.org), whose signature initiative, Project UnLonely, addressing the personal and public health challenges of loneliness and social isolation, has gained national visibility.
___________________________
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Who knew? The same mechanisms that are involved in brain degeneration, cardiovascular disease, and virtually any other chronic degenerative decline that we experience in our bodies is also at play on our bodies, meaning affecting our skin. Yes, free radical mediated stress and inflammation are the pillars of what causes good skin to go bad. So, with that in mind I felt it would be terrific to interview a leader in holistic approaches to skin care and plastic surgery, Dr. Anthony Youn. Let me tell you more about him.
Known as America's Holistic Plastic Surgeon®, Anthony Youn, M.D. F.A.C.S is a nationally-recognized, board-certified plastic surgeon. Recognized as a leader in his field, he is the author of the best-selling books “The Age Fix," "In Stitches," and “Playing God.” His public television special, The Age Fix with Dr. Anthony Youn, has been viewed by millions. Dr. Youn also hosts the popular podcast The Holistic Plastic Surgery Show. He is the most followed plastic surgeon on social media, with over 4.5 million subscribers on his YouTube Channel and 8 million followers on TikTok. His new book, “Younger for Life” is a complete holistic guide to turning back the clock using the process of Autojuvenation®.
I learned an awful lot today on this podcast and hope you do too.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
3:00 Dr. Youn’s Wake-up Call From Plastic Surgery
7:05 5 Accelerates for Skin Aging
10:44 What Causes Loss of Collagen
14:59 Healing the Skin Microbiome
17:38 Challenging the Dogma of Plant-Based Collagen
20:24 How to Supplement Collagen
21:29 Skin Cancer, Sun Exposure & Healthy Sunscreens
30:18 How Our Food Choices Cause Skin Inflammation
34:39 Autophagy: Small Steps that Lead to Big Changes
41:03 Botox & Fillers: What You Should Know
43:46 Conclusion
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Known as America's Holistic Plastic Surgeon®, Anthony Youn, M.D. F.A.C.S is a nationally-recognized, board-certified plastic surgeon. Recognized as a leader in his field, he is the author of the best-selling books “The Age Fix," "In Stitches," and “Playing God.” His public television special, The Age Fix with Dr. Anthony Youn, has been viewed by millions. Dr. Youn also hosts the popular podcast The Holistic Plastic Surgery Show. He is the most followed plastic surgeon on social media, with over 4.5 million subscribers on his YouTube Channel and 8 million followers on TikTok. His new book, “Younger for Life” is a complete holistic guide to turning back the clock using the process of Autojuvenation®.
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Get a special sneak peek of Calm Your Mind with Food here if you join Dr. Uma’s weekly email list: https://umanaidoomd.com/pages/calmyourmindwithfoodsneakpeek
Want even more? Get a special introduction to Nutritional Psychiatry for reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in a special 6-lesson mini-course from Dr. Uma, bundled with a copy of her book: https://umanaidoomd.com/products/calm-your-mind-with-food-anti-anxiety-course-book-bundle
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Anxiety issues are certainly pervasive, and becoming much more common in our very stressful world. Generally, to go to therapy for dealing with anxiety seems to be pharmacotherapy, in other words, drugs. And while drugs may take the edge off and prove to be effective, it's good to know there are other ideas that are being considered. One important inroad into treating anxiety focuses on dietary change. We know that the consumption of the typical standard American diet is fraught with issues including posing a threat to metabolism by virtue of our consumption of large amount of ultra process foods which actually make up between 52 to 54% of of the calories consumed every day in American adults. This is a diet that has been associated with a dramatic increase risk for metabolic issues, cardiovascular disease, and even threatens the brain. As we will learn today, our consumption of these highly refined foods plays a role in creating anxiety as well.
Our guest today is Dr. Uma Naidoo, and we will be discussing her new book, Calm Your Mind with Food - A Revolutionary Guide to Controlling Your Anxiety.
Please enjoy the podcast.
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0:00 Intro
3:42 The Rising Problem of Anxiety
6:37 Nutritional Psychiatry: Eating for Mental Health
9:51 Foods that Cause Anxiety
13:20 The Process of Healing Through Food
16:50 How We Can Gauge Progress
19:40 Helpful Lab Studies & Food Allergies
23:22 The Benefits of Supplements & Which to Take
28:04 Metabolic Issues & Anxiety
30:23 Bringing Medical Specialities Together
34:16 Starting Small and Regaining Control
37:35 Commonly Used Drugs that Impact Mood Disorders
39:33 Leptin Levels and Anxiety
42:13 The Future of Nutritional Psychiatry
45:20 Conclusion
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Michelin-starred chef David Bouley described Dr. Uma Naidoo as the world’s first “triple threat” in the food and medicine space: a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, professional chef graduating with her culinary schools’ most coveted award, and a trained Nutrition Specialist. Her nexus of interests have found their niche in Nutritional Psychiatry.
Dr. Naidoo founded and directs the first hospital-based Nutritional Psychiatry Service in the United States. She is the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) & Director of Nutritional Psychiatry at MGH Academy while serving on the faculty at Harvard Medical School.
She is considered Harvard’s Mood Food Expert and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Goop, Live with Kelly & Ryan, and more. Dr. Naidoo is also the national bestselling author of This Is Your Brain on Food: https://umanaidoomd.com/collections/this-is-your-brain-on-food, and the upcoming title that we will discuss today, Calm Your Mind With Food https://umanaidoomd.com/collections/calm-your-mind-with-food
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Allulose as a sugar is getting a lot of well deserved attention. We are seeing some pretty remarkable science with respect to allulose as it relates to metabolic health and specifically, weight loss. I felt, as such, that it would be a good idea to interview Dr. Benjamin Bikman on the Empowering Neurologist program today. Let me tell you more about Dr. Bikman.
Benjamin Bikman earned his Ph.D. in Bioenergetics and was a postdoctoral fellow with the Duke-National University of Singapore in metabolic disorders. Currently, his professional focus as a scientist and professor (Brigham Young University) is to better understand the role of elevated insulin and nutrient metabolism in regulating obesity, diabetes, and dementia.
In our time together, we discuss the important science of allulose as it relates to fat distribution in the body, insulin resistance, heart disease, fatty liver disease, cognitive decline, and even how allulose is able to lower uric acid, an area that I'm certainly interested in.
I hope you enjoy this fascinating interview with Dr. Benjamin Bikman.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
2:08 The Study of Metabolism
4:53 Dr. Bikman's Insulin Research
7:08 Why People's Bodys Aren’t Able to Use Insulin Correctly
10:12 What Causes Spikes in Insulin Levels
14:59 Problem with Annual Fasting Blood Sugar Test
17:24 Merits of a Continuous Glucose Monitor
19:53 New Sugar Replacement: Allulose
30:43 Bringing Down Uric Acid with Allulose
33:17 Allulose & Insulin Resistance
35:52 Reducing Fatty-Liver Disease Risk
38:48 Protecting Mitochondria Against Cardiovascular Disease
42:00 Cognitive Decline & Allulose
44:42 Preventing Alzheimers
51:28 Conclusion
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Benjamin Bikman earned his Ph.D. in Bioenergetics and was a postdoctoral
fellow with the Duke-National University of Singapore in metabolic disorders.
Currently, his professional focus as a scientist and professor (Brigham Young
University) is to better understand the role of elevated insulin and nutrient
metabolism in regulating obesity, diabetes, and dementia.
Dr. Bikman is the author of the book: Why We Get Sick
Dr. Bikman’s education platform: https://www.insuliniq.com/
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Without question, melatonin may well be the most popular nutritional supplement that people are talking about these days, and with good reason. There is an extensive body of science that looks at the use of melatonin in humans and the results of the research are certainly intriguing.
Dr. Deanna Minich has been at the forefront of melatonin research for the past several years. She brings to our attention some interesting new insights as a relates to using melatonin, including ways to optimize and personalize its use. Today on this podcast, we will discuss how melatonin interacts with our light exposure and how we can adjust our blue light exposure, especially at night, to maximize the effectiveness of melatonin. We will learn how to enhance melatonin functionality by making sure our vitamin D levels are where they need to be. We will explore melatonin in the wider context of our overall antioxidant status and our discussion will reveal differences in melatonin availability between men and women.
When should we take melatonin, what's your dosage be, and how do we adjust our dosage based upon the cycles of the moon? These are interesting questions, for sure. Dr. Minich does exemplary job in explaining these and other questions, and offers up some intriguing information as a relates to possible interactions between melatonin habits like caffeine consumption.
I hope you enjoy the program today. I know I found it very informative.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
2:20 The Origin on Melatonin Supplements
9:24 Understanding Receptors: Time of Day & Dosages
13:07 Purity Coffee: Better For You Energy
14:15 How Light & Darkness Affects Melatonin
21:13 Setting a Caffeine Curfew
25:38 Antioxidants & Melatonin
28:58 Gender Specificities for Melatonin
31:28 Impact on the Gut Microbiome
33:19 How to Get Started on Supplements
36:10 Why Plants Make Melatonin
37:25 How the Moon Cycle Affects Melatonin
39:25 Melatonin: A Molecule of Consciousness
45:14 How Stress Impacts Melatonin
47:40 Wearable Technology
49:01 Rebound: Waking Up in the Middle of the Night
57:33 Conclusion
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Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CNS, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (IFMCP), is a nutrition scientist, international lecturer, teacher, and author, with over twenty years of experience in academia and in the food and dietary supplement industries. Throughout the years, she has been active as a functional medicine clinician in clinical trials and in her own practice (Food & Spirit™), which has now become oriented towards groups, workshops, and retreats. She is the author of six consumer books on wellness topics, four book chapters, and fifty scientific publications. Her academic background is in nutrition science, including a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Illinois at Chicago (1995) and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Medical Sciences (nutrition focus) from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands (1999).
Review article on melatonin authored by Dr. Minich: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/19/3934/htm
Published article comparing plant melatonin to synthetic melatonin: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/19/6087
Research website on melatonin: https://www.phytomelatonin.com/
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Visit puritycoffee.com/empoweringneurologist for more information on Balance and use code PERLMUTTER for 30% off a one-time purchase of Balance. Applies to both 12oz bags and 5lb bags.
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Welcome one and all to another enlightening episode of The Empowering Neurologist. Joining us is Dr. Ray Dorsey, Professor of Neurology at the University of Rochester, a stalwart advocate for Parkinson's disease, and a renowned researcher in the field. With a profound belief in the power of awareness and knowledge, Dr. Dorsey dedicates his life to a cause that is impacting millions globally. He stands at the forefront of the fight against Parkinson's disease, a fight that is becoming increasingly critical as we see a staggering rise in the incidence of this condition.
Dr. Dorsey is not just an accomplished physician but also an engaging author. His groundbreaking book, Ending Parkinson’s Disease, is a critical exploration that sheds light on this global health crisis. It offers an enlightening perspective on Parkinson's disease and, so importantly as we discuss in this episode, its modifiable risk factors, raising consciousness and hope about this life-altering condition.
His book is an earnest appeal to policymakers, researchers, physicians, and the general public to recognize the escalating crisis and join the battle to end Parkinson's. It also serves as a testament to his belief in our collective ability to mitigate this crisis, beginning with understanding the risk factors that we can change.
We delve into the comprehensive world of Ending Parkinson’s Disease, discuss the modifiable risk factors, and explore ways to curb the skyrocketing incidences of Parkinson's. It is our shared responsibility, and understanding is the first step.
So, please enjoy this fascinating interview.
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Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:50 Rise in Parkinson’s
3:20 MPTP
8:10 Trichloroethylene (TCE)
13:14 Call to Action
16:19 Prevention of Parkinson’s
32:00 Caffeine and Smoking
37:25 Head Trauma
39:27 Conclusion
Dr. Ray Dorsey is the David M. Levy Professor of Neurology at the University of Rochester. Ray is working to identify and eliminate the root causes of Parkinson’s disease. His research on brain diseases and digital health has been published in leading academic journals and featured in multiple news outlets. In 2020, Ray and his colleagues wrote Ending Parkinson’s Disease, a book that provides a prescription for ending the world’s fastest growing brain disease.
Ray previously directed the movement disorders division and neurology telemedicine at Johns Hopkins and worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company. In 2015, the White House recognized him as a “Champion for Change” for Parkinson’s disease.
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In this installment of The Empowering Neurologist we are privileged to welcome Dr. Nathan Bryan, a trailblazer in the realm of biomedical research, with a specific focus on the life-sustaining molecule, nitric oxide.
As a globally recognized pioneer in nitric oxide biochemistry and physiology, Dr. Bryan’s contributions have significantly shifted our understanding of the role of nitric oxide in overall human health.
I had the privilege of attending a lecture given by Dr. Bryan recently and learned that he is a tenacious advocate for understanding nitric oxide not as a mere molecule, but as a vital bioactive substance with a profound influence on numerous physiological processes. His extensive research has elucidated nitric oxide's pivotal roles in areas like maintaining vascular health, bolstering the immune system, and regulating the cardiovascular system. These insights have been instrumental in revolutionizing therapeutic strategies and disease management methods.
In a world beset by increasing health challenges, understanding the critical role of nitric oxide is paramount. This molecule is the very fulcrum of our well-being, influencing how cells communicate and interact, determining disease resistance, and even dictating our longevity. Dr. Bryan's invaluable work unveils the importance of maintaining nitric oxide balance for optimum health and wellbeing. And interestingly, the nitric oxide story fully dovetails with our work in the area of uric acid as we discuss.
I’m certain you will be fascinated by this interview as we do a deep dive into the world of nitric oxide with Dr. Bryan, whose pioneering work continues to enlighten us on the intricate mechanisms that drive human health. This conversation promises to challenge preconceived notions, inspire new health perspectives, and fundamentally reshape how we approach wellness in the 21st century.
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
3:14 Nitric Oxide
5:29 Measuring Nitric Oxide “interestingly”
8:36 Oral Health and Nitric Oxide
15:02 Acid Blocking Drugs
18:00 Dietary Sources of Nitrates
19:55 Oxygen Availability
23:14 MTFHR
27:46 Age and Nitric Oxide
30:42 Viagra
35:46 Wound Healing
43:27 Latest Findings
46:27 Nathan’s Book Release
48:23 Conclusion
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Dr. Bryan earned his undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and his doctoral degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport where he was the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research. He pursued his post-doctoral training as a Kirschstein Fellow at Boston University School of Medicine in the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute. After a two year post-doctoral fellowship, in 2006 Dr. Bryan was recruited to join faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston by Ferid Murad, M.D., Ph.D., 1998 Nobel Laureate in Medicine or Physiology. Dr. Bryan has been involved in nitric oxide research for the past 20 years and has made many seminal discoveries in the field. His many seminal discoveries have resulted dozens of issued US and International patents and the product technology resulting from his discoveries and inventions has improved patient care worldwide. Dr. Bryan is a successful entrepreneur and Founder of HumanN, Inc, Pneuma Nitric Oxide, LLC, Nitric Oxide Innovations, LLC and Bryan Nitriceuticals, LLC. His product technology is responsible for hundreds of millions of product sales worldwide. Most recently, Dr. Bryan serves as Founder and CEO of Nitric Oxide Innovations, LLC, a privately-held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is actively engaged in the discovery and development of nitric oxide based therapies. Their lead drug candidate NOviricid is currently in phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of COVID19 in African Americans and Hispanics. Dr. Bryan is an international leader in molecular medicine and nitric oxide biochemistry.
www.N1O1.com
www.drnathansbryan.com
www.NO2U.com
www.nitricoxideinnovations.com
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So-called "long Covid" is turning out to be a devastating condition for an incredibly large number of individuals around the world. It's been estimated that as many as 200 million people globally are suffering from this condition. And as many as 30 percent of Covid-19 survivors still experience symptoms long after their acute illness has passed, with cognitive and mental health problems especially prominent.
From the publisher of Clearing the Fog: For long haulers, this struggle with Long Covid has irrevocably changed their lives. Many have lost their ability to work, attend school, and look after their children. They often feel misunderstood and dismissed by others. Their once-full lives are now filled only with doctors' appointments that seem more and more futile.
In Clearing the Fog, neuropsychologist Dr. James C. Jackson offers people suffering from Long Covid and their families a roadmap to help them manage their “new normal.” Focusing on cognitive impairment and mental health issues, he shows readers:
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The ways in which they can manifest and disrupt
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Suggestions for how and when to seek professional evaluations
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Science-based treatment options and strategies,
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Information on navigating health care systems and disability insurance
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Validation and hope as patients wrestle with their new diagnosis
In addition, Dr. Jackson shares his own experience with chronic illness, relating to long haulers with vulnerability and compassion.
Through moving stories as well as hands-on guidance, Clearing the Fog will help long haulers understand their current situation while offering multiple ways to address it, make sense of it, and move through it with the goal of thriving instead of merely surviving.
In this interview with Dr. Jackson, we will explore the following questions, and a lot more:
What do we know about the cognitive and mental health consequences of Long Covid?
What areas of cognition are impacted in Long Covid survivors?
How does cognitive impairment impact the daily lives and the careers of those with Long Covid?
What treatments have you found effective for Long Covid survivors and what does the research say?
What do we know about the benefits of cognitive rehabilitation?
Are there ways to leverage the neuroplasticity that Long Covid survivors have?
What role does acceptance play in coping effectively with Long Covid
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
2:41 Cognitive Complaints
7:29 No Quick Fix
13:22 Cognition vs. Function Testing
17:58 The Ideal Long COVID Team
20:13 Plasticity and Recovery
22:40 Personalization in Treatment
25:08 Goal Management Training
29:16 Brain Training Apps
31:16 Anxiety and Depression
34:04 Restorative Sleep
35:39 Post Traumatic Growth
38:26 Practical Strategies
40:55 Conclusion
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Health and happiness go hand in hand, and who couldn’t use a little more of both these days? This is from the back cover of an exciting new book, The Joy of Well-being, by Colleen and Jason Wachob. This is such a wonderful guide that, lovingly, gifts us the tools to more fully enjoy the ride, and become healthier in the process!
Colleen Wachob is the co-founder and co-CEO at mindbodygreen, the leading independent media brand dedicated to well-being with 15 million monthly unique visitors. She graduated from Stanford University with degrees in international relations and Spanish. She spent ten years working at Fortune 500 companies including Gap, Walmart, and Amazon before devoting her life’s work to mindbodygreen. Colleen has been a speaker at Fortune 500 companies and numerous trade conferences on well-being trends. Her new passion that brings her joy is pickleball.
Jason Wachob is the founder and co-CEO of mindbodygreen, the leading independent media brand dedicated to well-being with 15 million monthly unique visitors. He is also the host of the popular mindbodygreen podcast and the bestselling author of Wellth: How I Learned to Build a Life, Not a Resume. He has been featured in the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company, Business Insider, and Vogue, and has a BA in history from Columbia University, where he played varsity basketball for four years. He lives with his wife, co-founder, and co-CEO Colleen, in Miami with their daughters, Ellie and Grace. In his spare time he loves walking to get hot black coffee.
This is a really warm and feel-good interview, Hope you all enjoy!
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
4:28 The Journey of Well-Being
15:35 Wellness vs. Well-Being
19:30 Navigating Too Much Information
23:46 New Breathing Discoveries
28:39 Healthy Sleep Habits
33:56 Too Much Monitoring
39:22 Health Pile Up
41:55 The Well-being Way
47:50 Moving Out of NYC
50:44 Conclusion
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I'll never forget back in medical school that we were told that the brain was "terminally differentiated.” This means that brain cells were what they were, and could never be regenerated. As such, when a person had a stroke or brain injury, that was pretty much the end. There would be no improvement.
That understanding stands in stark contrast to what we have observed. Clearly, stroke patient can and do improve. And, it turns out, that this improvement can be enhanced with a type of therapy that applies pure oxygen under pressure to the patient. This increased oxygen in the brain does some wonderful things including, importantly, enhancing the growth of new brain cells. What a concept.
I have a long experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, having founded one of the countries largest hyperbaric centers. Much of the data upon which we relied came from researchers in Israel who were and continue to do cutting edge science demonstrating the profound effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as it relates to stroke recovery. Nowadays, improvements in brain functionality can actually be visualized with state of the art brain imaging equipment.
Today, on the Empowering Neurologist, I have the great honor of interviewing Dr. Shai Efrati, one of the global leaders in the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of stroke. Dr. Efrati is Founder and Director of the world-leading Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at Shamir Medical Center, where he also serves as Director of Research and Development and Head of Nephrology. Dr. Efrati’s research focuses on novel aspects of hyperbaric medicine and brain rehabilitation. He is a professor at the Sackler School of Medicine and the Sagol School of Neuroscience in Tel Aviv University. Since 2008, he has served as Chairman of the Israeli Society for Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine.
Importantly, Dr. Efrati is now associated with the Aviv Clinic, which is not only offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but a far more comprehensive approach for stroke recovery And fortunately, the clinic is located in the Villages, just outside of Orlando Florida.
Please enjoy this fascinating deep dive into the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, especially as it relates to stroke recovery.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
1:21 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
10:13 How Oxygen Therapy Works
14:37 Brain Cell Regeneration
16:43 Stroke Treatment
22:34 Scaling This Treatment
25:36 The Aviv Clinic
29:14 Vascular Dementia
35:43 Autism
40:39 Consult A Professional
42:33 Conclusion
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That various microbes in the digestive system affect our health is certainly not news. However, this discussion is typically in the context of the various microbes that live in the gut. Actually, we technically need to begin this understanding at the level of the mouth. And, unfortunately, the idea that our oral microbes are influencing our health has not really gotten a lot of attention. As it turns out the state of health, diversity and function of the microbes living within the mouth are highly influential in terms of our ability to resist disease and remain healthy. Recently, there's been a lot research relating the oral microbiome to such maladies as coronary artery disease and even Alzheimer's disease itself. This will just one of many fascinating topics in my discussion today with Dr. Mark Burhenne.
So please enjoy the podcast. I suspect you will want to floss afterwards.
0:00 Intro
0:41 Oral Microbiome
10:30 Alzheimers the Oral Microbiome
21:59 Plaque is Necessary
25:50 Benefits of Mouth Bacteria
35:14 Good Toothpaste
44:54 Flouride
56:30 Finding a Dentist
1:01:13 Conclusion
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Dr. Burhenne is a bestselling author and a family and sleep medicine dentist who has been in private practice nearly 35 years, he has focused on patient-centered and preventative dental healthcare. He is a TEDx speaker and his advice regularly appears on media outlets such as CNN, NPR, The Huffington Post, Prevention, Men's Health, CBS, and MindBodyGreen. He is the creator of AsktheDentist.com, is dedicated to exploring the mouth-body connection and the role of the oral microbiome not only its role in oral health, but in overall heath. Most recently, he has been advising an oral microbiome testing company (Bristle) to help establish the importance of the oral microbiome in health. Dr.B’s mission, by becoming a healthcare influencer, has been to illustrate to patients as well as providers that optimal health can not be achieved by ignoring oral health. New ways to look at oral health, and how it is connected to systemic health.
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What underlies the war on fat? It’s big business, wanting us all to eat more refined carbs and sugar to replace the fat calories that we’ve been instructed to reduce. And I can think of no one who has done more to open our eyes to this ongoing travesty than Nina Teicholz. Here’s more about her from her website:
Nina Teicholz is an investigative science journalist and leader in nutrition reporting who is challenging the conventional wisdom on dietary fat–particularly, whether saturated fat causes heart disease and whether fat really makes you fat. The New York Times bestselling author of The Big Fat Surprise. Teicholz also serves as Executive Director of The Nutrition Coalition, an independent non-profit group that promotes evidence-based nutrition policy. She is one of a new generation of researchers arguing that diets lower in carbohydrates are a scientifically sound approach for reversing nutrition-related diseases.
For more than half a century, we’ve been told to eat a diet high in grains, low in fat, saturated fat (and cholesterol), but the last two decades of research have led a growing number of scientists to conclude that this diet, despite being rigorously tested, could never be shown to prevent any kind of disease.
Teicholz’s work also explains why this diet has remained official policy for so long: the roles played by crusading scientists, the food industry, and more.
The story is as much about politics as it is about science, and Nina Teicholz’s research ultimately confirms that the traditional foods we were told to abandon (meat, cheese, eggs, butter) are safe, and even good for health.
Nina Teicholz has been called “The Rachel Carson of the nutrition movement.” Her book has been called a “must read” by some of the most prestigious medical journals in the world, including The Lancet, The BMJ, and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
In speaking about Nina, the immediate past-president of the World Heart Federation, said at the Davos Cardiology Update Davos (2017) “She shook up the nutrition world, but she was right.”
Please enjoy this compelling interview with one of my personal heroes.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
3:30 Contradictions in the Plant-based movement
10:02 Who funds the Food Pyramid
15:59 The Carbs & Fats Debate
22:36 Debunking Keto Myths
27:07 Debating Dr. David Katz
33:37 Answering Keto Questions
40:03 White House Conference on Nutrition
48:08 Conclusion
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Nina Teicholz is a science journalist and author of the New York Times bestseller, The Big Fat Surprise, which upended the conventional wisdom on dietary fat–especially saturated fat and seed oils. Teicholz is also the founder of the Nutrition Coalition, a nonprofit working to ensure that nutrition policy reflects the best and most current science. Teicholz has appeared on most major TV networks, and her work has been published in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, the Economist, as well as in academic journals including The BMJ and the journal of the National Academy of Sciences. She is a graduate of Stanford and Oxford Universities and is now author of the “Unsettled Science” column hosted on Substack.
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As many of you may know, we live in Southwest Florida. And yes, we did experience the devastating effects of the recent hurricane. One of the things that has become an important focus of attention for many people living in this area has been remediating their homes as it relates to the possibility or even the presence of mold.
That said, I recently purchased a book,The Mold Medic, by Michael Rubino, to learn more about the whole notion of mold remediation, testing, and many more issues related to this challenging situation.
Let me tell you a little bit more about Michael Rubino. He is an air quality expert and wellness advocate. He is the founder and CEO of HomeCleanse which address is the worldwide health epidemic caused by poor indoor air quality. He has been in collaboration with over 100 doctors globally and his mission focuses on raising awareness and providing solutions to indoor air pollution, most specifically dealing with mold.
His book, The Mold Medic: An Experts Guide on Mold Removal, is fascinating. You can also learn more about his work on his YouTube series, Mold Talks.
This is a fascinating interview today where we talk about the various types of molds that can colonize our homes, how remediation should take place, how we test our homes in terms of making sure they are mold free, how insurance factors in when we've had water exposure, Michael's new nonprofit organization to allow mold remediation for underprivileged individuals, and, how we ultimately select a mold company if we indeed need remediation.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
3:56 Post-Hurricane Mold
8:37 Mold in the Bathroom
12:10 Evolution of Mold
14:59 UV, Ionizing and Filtration Systems
18:28 Checking for Mold
24:12 Mold Removal
34:25 Change The Air Foundation
38:31 Michael’s YouTube Channel
39:52 DIY Mold Testing
42:01 Conclusion
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MICHAEL RUBINO is an air quality expert and wellness advocate, helping to bridge the gap between our homes and their direct impact on health. He is the founder and CEO of HomeCleanse (formerly known as All American Restoration), a company dedicated to addressing the worldwide health epidemic caused by poor indoor air quality. He works closely with the company's advisory team, which includes global well-being trailblazers Deepak Chopra’s The Chopra Foundation and Gwyneth Paltrow, to achieve the company's mission to improve the quality of life for 100 million people each year by 2030. Rubino is also the founder of Change the Air Foundation, a nonprofit committed to empowering the world to achieve better health by establishing safer and healthier indoor environments.
Through collaboration with over 100 doctors globally, Rubino strives to not only raise awareness globally but also provide solutions to correctly identify and remove the pollutants causing this worldwide health crisis. Rubino specializes in working with people who are immunocompromised or have acute and sustained reactions to mold exposure and has helped heal over 1,000 families so far—including celebrities and athletes. He is a council-certified Mold Remediation Supervisor by ACACa nd IICRC and is a contributing member, sponsor, and speaker for the Indoor Air Quality Association.
In an effort to share his expert knowledge, Rubino has authored the book, The Mold Medic: An Expert’s Guide on Mold Removal., and is an ongoing contributor to MindBodyGreen. He has been featured on Gwyneth Paltrow’s The goop Podcast, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Will Cole's The Art of Being Well Podcast, Forbes, MarketWatch, and USA Today. Rubino has appeared on television as a featured expert, including local NBC, Fox, and ABC affiliates, to name a few. To further create a worldwide community, Rubino also hosts the YouTube series, Mold Talks, where special guests include medical experts as well as mold recovery patients, including media icon Atoosa Rubenstein.
Connect with Michael Rubino on Facebook @HomeCleanseCo, Instagram @TheMichaelRubino and TikTok @HomeCleanse, and visit www.homecleanse.com.
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We've had so many discussions that's far about the importance of dietary fat for health and longevity. But to be clear, the type of fat we consume is of incredible importance. These days our diets seem to be loaded with vegetable oils and seed oils, and as we will learn, these are generally quite threatening to our health. In fact vegetable oils are only recently introduced into human nutrition with global production increasing 1600% since the early 1900s.
There is a strong correlation between the increase consumption of vegetable oils and seed the oils with the incidence of severe chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even various neurological conditions.
Today we are going to explore a new type of oil called cultured oil, prepared by fermentation and subsequent filtration. Leading this industry is a company called Zero Acres Farms, and as such, I have reach doubt to its co-founder and CEO, Jeff Nobbs, to explore exactly what this company is doing as well as the health benefits of their product.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
2:28 Realizing the Danger of Omega 6
10:10 Low Fat Diets
12:35 HNE
17:00 Inflammation & Lanolin Acid
20:38 Environmental Impact of Seed Oils
24:00 Saturated Fat
28:15 New Way to Produce Oils
33:36 What to Look for while buying
39:02 Conclusion
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Jeff Nobbs:
Jeff Nobbs is the co-founder and CEO of Zero Acre Farms, a food company replacing destructive vegetable oils with healthier, more sustainable oils and fats made by fermentation. Prior to Zero Acre Farms, Jeff also co-founded the fast casual restaurant chain Kitava, food security non-profit HelpKitchen, and rewards shopping platform Extrabux. He has also served as COO for Perfect Keto and General Manager of Rakuten after it acquired Extrabux. Jeff blogs about health, nutrition, and sustainability at jeffnobbs.com
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There’s so much information being promulgated these days seemingly focused on the notion of “anti-aging.” Unfortunately, so much of this information focuses on techniques to allow us to basically appear younger.
But we are now at a level of understanding as it relates to the process of aging where we can indeed intervene to slow or even reverse the process. So, while the clock of our chronological time continues to move forward, our biological age meaning the health and functionality of our bodies, is clearly receptive to modification.
My longtime friend, Dr. Mark Hyman, has written a new book, Young Forever, that focuses on providing us the tools to bring about age reversal. This notion is no longer fanciful, but rather deeply supported in our most respected scientific literature.
Young Forever, not only validates that we can indeed turn back multiple hallmarks of aging, but, most importantly, provides us with the low tech ways to bring this about. This isn’t a book about the latest, unapproachable scientific studies. It’s about what we can all do, right now, to live longer and healthier lives.
Thank you Mark, for this wonderful contribution.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
2:06 Changing the Way we see Aging
7:26 Targeting Hallmarks of Aging
14:21 Mitochondrial Function
18:40 Muscle: The Currency of Longevity
29:40 Finding the Right Spot
33:07 Aging as a Disease
36:44 Identifying ‘The Why’
40:18 Conclusion
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Dr. Mark Hyman is a practicing family physician and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of Functional Medicine. He is the founder and director of The UltraWellness Center, Senior Advisor for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, a fourteen-time New York Times best-selling author, and Board President for Clinical Affairs for The Institute for Functional Medicine. He is the host of one of the leading health podcasts, The Doctor’s Farmacy. Dr. Hyman is a regular medical contributor to several television shows and networks, including CBS This Morning, Today, Good Morning America, The View, and CNN.
Buy Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life
By Dr. Mark Hyman
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Maybe we have it all wrong. Maybe we are overdoing it, especially as it relates to things like exercise. Should we tap into the “power of laziness?”
In Dave Asprey's new book, SMARTER NOT HARDER: The Biohacker's Guide to Getting the Body and Mind you Want, Asprey makes a compelling point that indeed less may be more. He describes how we live in a time where we finally have such a level of understanding of human physiology that we are indeed able to hack into ancient pathways to bring about health and vitality by implementing knowledge based interventions.
The approaches he describes go well beyond simply engaging in very short burst of high intensity activity, but also include important nutritional recommendations, and even ways hack the brain using exciting new technologies.
As always, I do enjoy my time with Dave Asprey. The conclusions he reaches are always based upon a deep level of exploration and always seem valuable.
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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:27 The Power of Laziness
7:58 What DOESN’T Work
12:06 Metrics & Data
15:11 Increasing Energy/ Motivation
17:30 Phytic Acid
21:15 Oxalic Acid
24:07 Night Shades & Fermented Foods
28:15 Danger of Imitation Meat Products
32:00 Fat Consumption
38:36 Supplements
42:01 Enhancing the Brain & Vision
57:09 Conclusion
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Dave Asprey is an acclaimed entrepreneur, four-time New York Times best-selling science author, host of the top 100 podcast, The Human Upgrade, and CEO of Upgrade Labs.
Known as the “Father of Biohacking,” Dave has worked with world-renowned doctors, researchers, scientists, and global mavericks over the last two decades to uncover the latest, most innovative methods, techniques, and products that enhance mental and physical performance. Founder of Bulletproof Coffee and the Bulletproof Diet, a company named one of the top 20 innovative brands by Fast Company, Dave is a true pioneer in the health and wellness industry. He is a leading voice in the movement to take control of our own biology and has created industries to support his breakthrough protocols, including billion-dollar categories for MCT oil, collagen protein, and functional coffee, now known around the world.
Having personally spent nearly $2 million hacking his own body’s ability to live to be 180, Dave has continued to push the bounds of human possibility all in the name of science and evolution, leading to the launch of a global biohacking movement and the largest, longest-running Biohacking Conference in the world. Through his own reinvented diet and deliberate lifestyle choices, Dave has maintained a 100-pound weight loss, improved his sleep, and upgraded his brain, ultimately transforming himself into a better entrepreneur, husband, and father. He has helped millions of people perform at levels far beyond their expectations—without burning out or getting sick.
Today, Dave is focused on upgrading humanity through Upgrade Labs, the first biohacking facilities or “Human Upgrade Centers” in the world. Additionally, he leads thousands of people enrolled in The Upgrade Collective, his online mentorship and membership group in which a community of people learn everything it takes to upgrade their bodies and minds, from cells to spirit.
Dave remains committed to progression and innovation in the industry, and recently unveiled his newest business venture, Danger Coffee, a clean, mold-free, farm-direct coffee engineered to remineralize the body with more than 50 trace minerals, nutrients, and electrolytes. Dave's highly anticipated new book, Smarter Not Harder, is available February 28th everywhere books are sold!
https://dangercoffee.com/Dave has been featured in numerous top-tier media outlets such as Today Show, CNN, Wired, Good Morning America, Dr. Oz, and more.
For more information about Dave, visit DaveAsprey.com.
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What should we eat? I ask this question in the context of the incredible rates of obesity that we are now seeing, virtually worldwide. Today we will spend time with Dr. Jason Fung author of the book The Obesity Code. This is a landmark book that powerfully lays out why we are continuing to gain weight. It dispels the notion that dietary fat threatens to make us gain weight as well as the unfounded idea of calories in versus calories out as an explanation for why we gain weight.
Dr. Fung clearly focuses on the importance of the hormone, insulin, in terms of obesity, and certainly in terms of diabetes as well. He outlines a very straightforward plan that is in perfect alignment with current science. This interview is one of the most fundamental as a relates to the science of weight loss and regaining control over our blood sugar.
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0:00 Intro
2:36 Why Dr. Fung Pursued Weight Loss Research
8:08 Problem with Insulin
15:15 Mechanisms of Insulin
23:09 Reconsidering Low Fat Diets & Calorie Counting
37:34 Satiety Hormones
40:10 Leptin & Weight Loss
43:59 Threat of Fructose
51:23 Conclusion
====
Dr. Jason Fung is a Canadian nephrologist and a world-leading expert on intermittent fasting and low carb, especially for treating people with type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Fung graduated from the University of Toronto and completed his residency at the University of California, Los Angeles. He lives and works in Toronto, Canada.
Here is Dr. Fung’s website:
https://thefastingmethod.com/
https://www.dietdoctor.com/intermittent-fasting
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb
https://www.dietdoctor.com/diabetes
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Melatonin has taken center-stage in terms of interest from both the scientific community as well as the general population. And there are really good reasons for all this attention. Recently, with the Covid pandemic, melatonin has been looked upon as a way of "boosting the immune system." We've looked at melatonin for many years as a sleep aid and as a way of dealing with jet lag. We know that melatonin has antioxidant properties and even anti-inflammatory activity as well.
But, all of these ideas and information are ultimately confusing, to say the least. That's why today we're spending time with my good for friend, Dr. Deanna Minich, who has recently authored a terrific paper on this fascinating but confusing subject.. We talk about this paper, why she became interested in this fascinating molecule found in animals as well as plants,, and most importantly, what we can all do to benefit from this exciting new research on our Empowering Neurologist interview.
====
0:00 Intro
2:47 Why Melatonin?
4:16 Plant Melatonin
5:45 How the body produces melatonin
9:18 Vitamin D vs Melatonin
12:50 Anti-inflammatory Activity
15:30 Aging & Mitochondria Decline
26:03 Supplementing
35:02 Melatonin Binding to Vitamin D
37:09 Darkness Deficiency
46:06 Conclusion
====
Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CNS, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (IFMCP), is a nutrition scientist, international lecturer, teacher, and author, with over twenty years of experience in academia and in the food and dietary supplement industries. Throughout the years, she has been active as a functional medicine clinician in clinical trials and in her own practice (Food & Spirit™), which has now become oriented towards groups, workshops, and retreats. She is the author of six consumer books on wellness topics, four book chapters, and fifty scientific publications. Her academic background is in nutrition science, including a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Illinois at Chicago (1995) and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Medical Sciences (nutrition focus) from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands (1999). For a decade, she was part of the research team led by the “father of Functional Medicine,” Dr. Jeffrey Bland, and has served on the Nutrition Advisory Board for The Institute of Functional Medicine, as well as on the Board of Directors for the American Nutrition Association. Since 2013, she has been part of the faculty for the Advanced Practice Module in Environmental Health offered by the Institute for Functional Medicine and has been teaching a graduate level course in metabolic detoxification at the University of Western States. Over the decades, she has taught thousands of nutrition classes for health coaches, fitness trainers, and healthcare professionals, including for programs offered by the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. In conjunction with her academic degrees and extensive teaching experience at the university level, she is both a Fellow (FACN) and a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) through the American College of Nutrition. She is Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health, where she leads the medical advisory team, oversees scientific communication, and provide educational leadership for the company’s plant-derived nutraceuticals. She is passionate about helping others to live well using therapeutic lifestyle changes that impact their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
Visit her at: www.deannaminich.com
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We are so often told that one of our fundamental goals in life is to find our “passion” and follow it. If we can identify this goal, we are led to believe, then everything will magically fall into place.
According to Terri Trespicio, our guest on the podcast today, if we are busy looking for our passion we might well miss out on opportunities that may come our way. These opportunities may be related to our work or even our relationships. Terri makes it clear that it’s “OK not to know” as it relates to finding our passion, and that surpasses, if we are available for them, can be very fulfilling.
Many people seem to spend a great deal of time trying to figure out “what they are supposed to do.” But as Terri, quoting her mother counters, “You create life by living it.”
Reading Terri’s new book, UNfollow Your Passion, might well lead the reader to recognize that he or she is letting someone else set the rules for what is their life. And the book helps us understand both how this happens, and importantly, what we can do to put ourselves back in the driver’s seat.
====
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
2:10 Picking a Career Path
6:11 Romantic Partnership
8:49 Comfort and Discomfort
18:38 The Things that we “Swallow”
23:14 Learning from MLMs
28:45 Tools for Redirection
40:25 Conclusion
====
Terri Trespicio is an award-winning writer, in-demand speaker, and brand advisor whose TEDx talk, “Stop Searching for Your Passion,” has been viewed more than seven million times. She earned her MFA in creative writing from Emerson College and won first place in the Baltimore Review’s 2016 literary contest. Her writing has also been featured in Marie Claire, Jezebel, Business Insider, and others. Visit TerriTrespicio.com for more information.
Instagram: @ttrespicio
Twitter: @TerriT
Facebook: @TerriTrespicio
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Who doesn't want to be happier? My good friend Dr. Daniel Amen, in his new book, You Happier, addresses that challenge and gives us meaningful actions to take, right now. Interestingly, Dr. Amen takes a personalized medicine approach to regaining happiness or at least improving happiness as it were, by demonstrating that what can enhance our happiness is, to some degree, patient specific. Sure, there are the general recommendations with respect to our day-to-day lifestyle choices including nutrition, but Dr. Amen draws upon his vast experience over decades of interactions with patients as well as his evaluation of more than 200,000 brain scans to develop recommendations for individuals that can be even more helpful with respect to achieving a higher degree of satisfaction with life and overall happiness.
Again, the new book is, You Happier, and I think you're very much going to enjoy this interview.
====
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
6:02 Happiness and the Brain
8:09 Silencing the Noise in your Head
12:15 “More” Doesn’t make you Happier
15:20 what makes for a happier brain
26:41 Cultivating a happiness program
32:00 the Cerebellums impact
36:30 Conclusion
====
DR. DANIEL AMEN:
Daniel G. Amen, MD, has helped millions of people change their brains and lives. He is the founder of Amen Clinics with nine locations across the United States, a 12-time New York Times bestselling author, and the cohost of The Brain Warrior’s Way Podcast, which he creates with his wife, Tana. He has produced 15 national public television specials about the brain that have aired more than 120,000 times across North America. Dr. Amen believes we can end mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health, and he regularly speaks to businesses, organizations, and churches about how to have a better brain and a better life. He has millions of loyal brain warrior followers on his social media accounts.
SOCIAL
FB: https://www.facebook.com/drdanielamen
IG: https://www.instagram.com/doc_amen/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DocAmen
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AmenClinic
NEW BOOK: You, Happier
https://danielamenmd.com/you-happier/
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Today we're going to talk about the book, Your Healthiest Healthy, written by Samantha Harris. You can find more information about her down below, but let me tell you about the book and our interview.
Samantha was basically on top of the world, hosting various television programs and had everything going for her when she developed breast cancer. Initially, the book describes her diagnosis and treatment protocol, and interestingly, how the ultimate plan was put into play based upon her deep involvement in the decision-making process. Thereafter, Samantha began to question why - why was this diagnosis something that entered her life, despite not having a specific genetic predisposition for breast cancer.
She then unpacks her entire array of lifestyle choices and realizes that she has to make fairly dramatic changes in things like the food she consumes, her exposure to various toxins in her home and in the various cosmetics that she used on a daily basis, as well as her exercise activity, relationships. She deeply explores the notion of gratitude and giving back, specifically in terms of why it is a health choice.
This is an extremely empowering, user-friendly book, for all of us, regardless of our nature as it relates to our health challenges.
====
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
4:17 Samantha’s Cancer Diagnosis
18:17 Chemo vs Mastectomy
27:21 Diet’s Impact on Cancer
37:01 Environmental Toxins
49:27 Talking to Kids about Cancer
53:25 Conclusion
====
Millions watched Samantha Harris co-host Dancing with the Stars and Entertainment Tonight and then share her story of her breast cancer diagnosis at age forty. After the initial shock and recovery from a double mastectomy, she sought answers to why it could have happened and ways to improve her overall health.
Now the Emmy-winning journalist, nutrition advocate, certified personal trainer, and mother of two offers her real-world strategies for overcoming adversity and systematically improving one’s total well-being. Your Healthiest Healthy combines her humorous, sometimes harrowing, always inspiring journey with research-backed advice, insights from doctors and scientists, and effective tips into an easy-to-follow, eight-step guide. Her practical advice will empower readers to eat better, work out smarter, reduce toxins around them, master medical awareness, handle health crises, strengthen relationships, boost positivity, and build resiliency. With this complete program, readers can maximize health, energy, and happiness for life.
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Trauma in our lives has lasting effects both in terms of our mental and physical wellbeing. Trauma, and its running partner, shame, affect our metabolism, our immune function, and even our gene expression. Further, trauma accelerates multiple markers of aging.
On the podcast today, I have the opportunity to spend time with Paul Conti, MD, author of the new book, Trauma, the Invisible Epidemic, with a foreword by Lady Gaga. It’s a powerful look behind the curtain at the role of trauma in our lives, and fortunately, it provides helpful tools, for all of us, to deal with its lingering effects. The book explores trauma both through the lens of Dr. Conti as a professional as well as what has transpired in his own life that led him to explore the importance of this issue.
I am certain this program will offer benefit and hope to many.
====
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
3:10 Getting to the Root Causes
15:20 Passing on Trauma to Others
27:30 Empowerment & Agency
32:30 the Limbic System
36:20 Trauma in the World Today
42:09 Urgency to Heal
48:56 Conclusion
====
Paul Conti, MD, is a graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine. He completed his
psychiatry training at Stanford and at Harvard, where he was appointed chief resident. He then
served on the medical faculty at Harvard before moving to Portland, Oregon, and founding a
clinic. Dr. Conti serves patients and clients throughout the United States and internationally,
including the executive leadership of large corporations. He is the author of Trauma: The
Invisible Epidemic: How Trauma Works and How We Can Heal From It (Sounds True,
October 5, 2021) and lives in Portland, OR with his wife and two children. For more, see
pacificpremiergroup.com.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-paul-m-conti-845074216/
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Today on the Empowering Neurologist I am delighted to welcome back Dr. Anna Cabeca. Her new book, Menupause, actually present five different dietary approaches for women approaching or during menopause that is specific in terms of a woman's particular set of goals. Whether it's to improve insulin sensitivity, balance immune function, regain control over body fat, or various other goals, Dr. Cabeca has skillfully created these recipes that are truly outstanding. This is a very interesting interview and I'm certain you'll enjoy it.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
3:35 The MenuPause
9:54 Body Fat & Hormone Functionality
13:26 Weight Loss & Metabolism
17:32 Keto Green Extreme
21:08 Plant Based
27:34 Carbohydrate Pause
31:34 Keto Green Cleanse
36:05 Carb-Centric Diet
38:46 Empowerment for Women
41:55 Conclusion
====
DR. ANNA CABECA:
Dr. Anna Cabeca, DO, OBGYN, FACOG, is triple-board certified and a fellow of gynecology and obstetrics, integrative medicine, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine. She has special certifications in functional medicine, sexual health, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
For the past 20 years, she’s served 10,000+ women in her private practice— and millions more through her books, online videos and articles.
When her own health took a troubling turn during menopause, she sought out the wisdom of healers around the world. She learned that modern medicine and time-tested natural remedies are not at odds. Working together, they create indisputable results and true well being. Using delicious, healing foods and simple lifestyle changes, Dr. Anna reclaimed her health and life.
Fueled by her belief that every woman deserves to be empowered and in control of their health and life, she developed the Keto-Green lifestyle, which has helped thousands of women opt out of menopause misery and experience a joyful transition to the next stage of their lives. With her methods, you, too, can breeze through menopause into your “second spring”, feeling the best you ever have.
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Multiple sclerosis (MS), is an auto-immune condition affecting more than 1 million Americans. And like other autoimmune conditions, it it's becoming more prevalent. The role of genetics in MS is not significant. Lifestyle choices however may play important roles in regulating the immune system, and therefore should certainly be looked at as it relates to this and other autoimmune conditions.
My guest today, Dr. Terry Wahls, is herself a multiple sclerosis patient. On the podcast she describes how aggressive her multiple sclerosis became, how she herself did not seem to realize any dramatic improvement from pharmaceutical intervention, and how she ultimately discovered the important role of nutrition in terms of regulating her immune system and as such, the disease course of her multiple sclerosis situation.
Dr. Wahls then took these observations and created programs for other MS patients, applying rigorous scientific principles to study the effects of nutritional interventions.
Her latest study compares her nutritional protocol with a long-standing nutritional approach to multiple sclerosis called the Swank diet that actually began being utilized in the late 1940s. I will say that the results she has obtained, which we discussed today, are extremely impressive.
There is certainly good reason to consider the use of pharmaceutical intervention in multiple sclerosis. Nonetheless, that's one intervention that, in my opinion, should certainly be coupled with other proven therapies, like nutrition. Dr. Wahls makes it very clear that there are multiple mechanisms by which this dietary change may prove helpful in the MS patient; by targeting things like inflammation, the functionality of the gut bacteria, and even the function of mitochondria.
I am certain you will enjoy today's interview. I do want to indicate that you can learn more about Dr. Wahls by reading her book, The Wahls Protocol.
====
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
2:20 Dr. Wahls Struggle with MS
14:46 Her Successful Treatment
27:00 Study of Impact of Diet on MS
47:10 The Wahls Protocol
54:00 Conclusion
====
Dr. Terry Wahls is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner and a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa where she conducts clinical trials. In 2018 she was awarded the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Linus Pauling Award for her contributions in research, clinical care and patient advocacy. She is also a patient with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, which confined her to a tilt-recline wheelchair for four years. Dr. Wahls restored her health using a diet and lifestyle program she designed specifically for her brain and now pedals her bike to work each day. She is the author of The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles, and the cookbook, The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life. Learn more about her MS clinical trials https://wahls.lab.uiowa.edu/. Pick up a one-page handout for the Wahls™ Diet at https://terrywahls.com/diet/
https://www.facebook.com/TerryWahls/
https://www.instagram.com/drterrywahls/
https://twitter.com/terrywahls
https://youtube.com/c/terrywahlsmd
Wahls Research Lab (to learn about current clinical research studies that Dr. Wahls is conducting)
https://wahls.lab.uiowa.edu/
Defying All Odds Movie (documentary about Dr. Wahls' healing journey and research)
http://defyingalloddsmovie.com/
5 Day Challenge:
Conquer your autoimmune condition
Creating your healing journey
A free five day challenge that is conducted periodically for the public.
https://terrywahls.com/5daychallenge/
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We are hearing so much these days about the benefit of a ketogenic diet. But while there may be benefits, it's not necessarily the easiest diet for everyone to engage. Further, staying in ketosis for an extended period of time may actually be associated with some fairly significant threats to our health.
Today I'm speaking with Dr. Steven Gundry about his new book, Unlocking the Keto Code. I have to admit that at first, I thought this was going to be another way of engaging the ketogenic diet. But I soon learned that what this book is actually focused on is first, unraveling why a ketogenic diet is beneficial, and secondly, after the reader understands the importance of the mechanisms underlying the ketogenic diet, it provides them the tools for bringing these mechanisms online without specifically going into ketosis.
That certainly sounds like a home run. The book focuses on the notion of "uncoupling mitochondria." This basically means that fuel is wasted as opposed to being utilized. It's a way of actually reducing the efficiency of mitochondrial function to bring about positive health benefits. I know this sounds challenging, and I agree that it is. Nonetheless, Dr. Gundry has done an exceptional job in terms of making this information clear and understandable.
This is a wonderful new book and I believe it's certainly going to dramatically change the playing field moving forward as it brings to our attention not just the benefits of the ketogenic diet, but the value of things like cold exposure, heat exposure, consuming polyphenols, and a variety of other health supportive modalities
====
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
4:00 Unlocking the Keto Code
14:40 Achieving Keto without the Keto
27:07 7 Keys to Ketones
55:00 Conclusion
====
Dr. Gundry is one of the world’s top cardiothoracic surgeons and a pioneer in nutrition, as well as medical director at The International Heart and Lung Institute Center for Restorative Medicine. He is author of many New York times bestselling books including The Plant Paradox, and The Plant Paradox Cookbook, and The Longevity Paradox: How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age and The Energy Paradox: What to Do When Your Get-Up-and-Go Has Got Up and Gone. His new book Unlocking the Keto Code was recently published, and offers a new take on the keto diet that debunks common myths and shows readers how to reap the rewards of keto with less restriction.
https://drgundry.com/
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One of the most important levers we can pull as it relates to improving our brain function currently as well as paving the way for a healthier brain in the years to come is choose to eat foods that nurture the brain. My guest today on the Empowering Neurologist, Max Lugavere, has been deeply involved in exploring food as brain medicine for many years. Let me tell you a little bit more about him.
Max Lugavere is a filmmaker, health and science journalist and the author of the New York Times best-seller Genius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier, and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life, published in 8 languages around the globe. He is also the host of the #1 iTunes health podcast The Genius Life.
Lugavere appears regularly on nationally syndicated programs Rachael Ray Show, and The Doctors. He has contributed to Medscape, Vice, Fast Company, CNN, and the Daily Beast, has been featured on NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, and in The New York Times and People Magazine. He is an internationally sought-after speaker and has given talks at South by Southwest, TEDx, the New York Academy of Sciences, the Biohacker Summit in Stockholm, Sweden, and many others.
Max is a thought leader and citizen scientist doing a terrific job exploring how lifestyle choices play out in terms of charting the brain’s destiny. And today we discuss his wonderful new book, The Genius Kitchen.
====
0:00 Intro
3:50 Max’s Journey to Brain Health
11:10 Foods that Support the Brain
20:30 Foods & Satiation
30:33 Sodium
37:44 Eggs: A Cognitive Multivitamin
43:05 Prescribing Diet & Exercise
59:00 Conclusion
====
Max Lugavere is a filmmaker, health and science journalist and the author of the New York Times best-seller Genius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier, and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life, published in 8 languages around the globe. He is also the host of the #1 iTunes health podcast The Genius Life.
Lugavere appears regularly on the Dr. Oz Show, the Rachael Ray Show, and The Doctors. He has contributed to Medscape, Vice, Fast Company, CNN, and the Daily Beast, has been featured on NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, and in The New York Times and People Magazine. He is an internationally sought-after speaker and has given talks at South by Southwest, TEDx, the New York Academy of Sciences, the Biohacker Summit in Stockholm, Sweden, and many others.
https://geniuskitchenbook.com/
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As it relates to COVID-19, there seems to be an incredible amount of interest in the death rate which happens to be exceedingly, exceedingly low. Why I find this challenging is because there is another problem associated with this infection that isn't getting the type of attention that it deserves. This goes by the common name, long-haul Covid. This simply means that after "recovering" from the initial infection, a fairly significant percentage of individuals continue to experience symptoms that at times may be debilitating.
Research just published has demonstrated an ability to actually predict who is at the greatest risk for developing long-term symptoms after COVID-19 infection. We will be interviewing today Dr. James Heath and Dr. Yapeng Su from the Institute for Systems Biology at the University of Washington. They have identified four characteristics that are clearly and strongly associated with persistent symptoms of Covid-19 and as such, this is important information for all of us.They include:
The presence of particular autoantibodies
A high viral (RNA) load
Type 2 diabetes
Reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus, which sits latent in the blood of most people following a childhood infection
I’ll tell you more about these dedicated researchers in the intro to the video.
====
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
3:40 Important Study on Longterm Effects
7:11 Predicting Severity of Disease
15:00 4 Ways to Predict
21:30 Chronic EBV
26:00 Preventing Long-Haul Covid
39:08 Conclusion
====
James R. Heath, PhD
President and Professor, Institute for Systems Biology
Professor of Bioengineering, Univ of Washington
James Heath serves as the President of the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle WA. Until early 2018 he was the Elizabeth W. Gilloon Professor of Chemistry at Caltech. For 15 years he directed the National Cancer Institute funded NSB Cancer Center program.
Dr. Heath received a BSc in 1984 from Baylor University and a PhD in chemistry in 1988 from Rice University, where he was the principal student involved in the Nobel Prize–winning discovery of C60 and the fullerenes. He was a Miller Fellow at UC Berkeley from 1988 to 1991 and served on the technical staff at IBM Watson Labs from 1991 to 1993. In 1994 he joined the faculty at UCLA. He founded the California NanoSystems Institute in 2000 and served as its director until moving to Caltech.
Dr. Heath’s lab works on fundamental problems at the interface of the chemical, physical, biological, and biomedical sciences, with focus areas of molecular biotechnologies and oncology. Dr. Heath has published around 400 refereed scientific publications with an h-index of 122.
He has received numerous awards, including a Public Service Commendation from California Governor Grey Davis, the Director’s Service Award from the NCI, the Sackler Prize, Irving Weinstein Award from the AACR, and he was named by Forbes in 2011 as one of the 7 most powerful innovators in the world.. He has founded several companies, including Integrated Diagnostics (sold to Biodesix in 2018), Indi Molecular, PACT Pharma, Sofie Biosciences, ISB BioAnalytica, and Isoplexis (now a public company).
_______
Dr. Yapeng Su received his Ph.D. degree at Caltech, co-advised by Prof. James R. Heath and Prof. David Baltimore. Yapeng’s Ph.D. research resided at the intersection of physical science, biotechnology, and systems biology with a particular focus on cancer. His research utilized systems biology approaches and various single-cell technologies to tackle one of the biggest problems in cancer: drug resistance. His Ph.D. thesis was awarded the highest honor of the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Caltech.
After obtaining his Ph.D., Yapeng conducted a brief postdoc research scientist in Prof. Leroy Hood's lab at the Institute for Systems Biology. In close collaboration with a group of world-leading immunologists (Prof. Mark M. Davis, Prof. Phil Greenberg, Prof. Raphael Gottardo, Prof. James R Heath, Prof. Jeff Bluestone, Prof. Lewis Lanier, Prof. Alan Aderem), Yapeng’s research in the Hood lab utilizes data science, multi-omic bulk, and single-cell analysis to investigate the systems immunology of COVID-19. Currently, Yapeng is a Mahan Fellow at the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center. His research utilized systems-level big data and machine learning to provide rationales on how to better engineer live immune cells as an effective therapy for treating cancer.
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We spend quite a bit of time talking about what we can do to protect and even enhance our brains. So much of our messaging deals with lifestyle choices like exercise, sleep, and certainly the foods that we eat. Basically, these are interventions that target the hardware, meaning the brain substance itself.
Today we're going to chat with Jim Kwik. Jim has made it his life's work to actually target the software. That means, he is providing us tools that can absolutely enhance how our brains are able to do the various wonderful things that they are constantly involved in. Whether it's memory, creativity, insight, or any of the number of things that we depend upon in terms of brain functionality, Jim has created an incredible program that can really take our brains to the next level.
His book is entitled, Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life, and his program, The Limitless Model is the focus of our time together today. He will give us terrific tools for enhancing our memory. And his empowering tools make so much sense as they relate to what we choose to do on a day-to-day basis especially from the perspective of our frame of mind, and how it influences not only our brains health but our total health as well.
I sure enjoyed reconnecting with Jim today. We did share a stage many years ago, so it was nice to catch up.
I hope you enjoy today's program.
====
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
3:38 Childhood Brain Trauma
8:00 What Harms our Brain Today
16:00 Advice for Parents & Homeschooling
23:22 Tips for increasing memory
46:20 Conclusion
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AFTER A CHILDHOOD BRAIN INJURY left Jim Kwik with learning challenges, he created innovative strategies to dramatically enhance his mental performance. For over 25 years, Jim Kwik has worked closely with top actors, athletes, CEOs, and superachievers in all walks of life to unlock their true capabilities. He specializes in memory improvement, brain optimization and accelerated learning. In his groundbreaking book Limitless (foreword by Dr. Mark Hyman, endorsed by Will Smith), Jim reveals the science-based practices and field-tested techniques that the world’s top performers use to accelerate their learning and create world-class results. Jim speaks on the power of the brain to audiences totaling 200,000+ across the world per year. His online videos have garnered millions of views each and he’s frequently featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and CNBC sharing brain optimization insight. Jim is also the host of the #1 educational show on iTunes, Kwik Brain podcast, with guest appearances from Mark Hyman, Dave Asprey, and Danica Mae McKellar to name a few. ___________________________
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Urolithin-A. Powerful Mitochondrial Therapy
So much of our health is dependent upon the function of our mitochondria, the energy providers found in each of our cells. Keeping our mitochondria functioning well is the reason that we, for example, exercise, engage occasionally in fasting, and do our very best to eat the very best diet we can.
New and exciting research has uncovered a natural, plant-based compound that is associated with significant improvement in mitochondrial function and aiding the body in getting rid of defective mitochondria, a process called my mitophagy. This chemical is called Urolithin-A, and today I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dr. Anurag Singh, who has done incredible work in both discovering urolithin-A as well as in conducting various human and animal studies demonstrating how potent it is in terms of nurturing mitochondrial health and functionality.
Again, we need to do everything we can to prevent our mitochondria from failing. Mitochondrial dysfunction is something we certainly see in various degenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, but we now have markers that indicate that mitochondria are actually suffering in common conditions like type-2 diabetes and obesity. If we are to maintain our health, we've got to focus on maintaining mitochondrial function. I think you will all agree that we now may well have a powerful new, non-prescription tool, Urolithin-A, to help us achieve that goal.
I am certain that you will enjoy today's podcast and find it very empowering.
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0:00 Intro
3:16 Mitochondria Study
8:55 Why Mitochondria Matter
14:48 Sources of Urolithin A
19:34 How it Was Discovered
25:00 Anti-Inflammatories & The Gut
36:30 Conclusion
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Dr. Anurag Singh is currently Chief Medical Officer at Amazentis SA, an advanced nutrition biotech company based in Lausanne, Switzerland that discovers and develops next generation natural compounds targeting improvements in mitochondrial health. In particular, Dr. Singh has designed and led for the last 7 years the clinical development program for the natural mitophagy activator, Urolithin A (Mitopure). This work has led to the commercial launch of several branded consumer health products (Timeline, Celltrient) targeting improvements in cellular health. Dr. Singh received his medical training in Internal Medicine from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India and a PhD in Immunology from the University of Connecticut in USA. He has authored 30 articles in top peer-reviewed journals, holds 10 patents and has designed and led 40 clinical trials over the last 15 yrs.
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Douglas Abrams is the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, the first book in the Global Icons Series. Can you imagine having the opportunity to spend time interviewing these two individuals?
His new book, The Book of Hope, is the product of his many interviews with Jane Goodall. It details Jane’s views on the challenges we now face from the threats to democracy around the globe, to Covid-19, and perhaps most significantly, to the global climate crisis.
It’s clear that there is a certain element of despair when these issues are exposed. But what is so empowering is how this despair is fundamentally overtaken by the notion of hope.
Hope, according to Jane Goodall, differs from wishful thinking in that hope requires actually planning and action as it relates to solving a problem. And we have four important reasons to be hopeful for our future according to Goodall which are deeply explored in the work.
They include:
The amazing human intellect The resilience of nature The power of young people The indomitable human spirit
These days, it isn’t difficult to be discouraged about what’s going on around us. But this book certainly provides support that while we may take a step backwards, we have the smarts to take two steps forward.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
1:48 The Book of Hope
7:15 What is Hope?
16:13 Intellect’s Effect on Hope
21:44 Self-Sacrifice and Resilience
28:40 Humanity’s Role in Conservation
40:27 The Power of Future Generations
44:15 The Human Spirit
48:15 Conclusion
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Douglas Abrams is the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, the first book in the Global Icons Series. Douglas is also the founder and president of Idea Architects, a literary agency and media development company helping visionaries to create a wiser, healthier, and more just world. He lives in Santa Cruz, California.
THE BOOK OF HOPE: https://celadonbooks.com/book/the-book-of-hope/
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Fructose and Uric Acid – What Once Helped Us Survive Now Poses an Existential Threat
The interest in uric acid, well beyond its role in gout, focusing on its pivotal role in metabolic issues, is expanding rapidly, and globally. Without question, one important reason for this new understanding is the work of Dr. Richard Johnson, professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Dr. Johnson has an exciting new book entitled, Nature Wants Us to be Fat. We will be discussing his new book today on the podcast. As many of you will note, this is Dr. Johnson’s second appearance on the program and we will consider this to be an important “part two,” picking up where we left off last time in his brilliant elucidation of this newly discovered, central player in metabolic diseases, uric acid.
On a personal note, over the past year I’ve gotten to know Rick very well, and I absolutely cherish our newfound friendship.
I also explore uric acid it in my new book, Drop Acid, but to be clear, the incredible body of research belongs to Dr. Johnson. And this is the reason that readers of my new book will note that it is dedicated to Dr. Johnson as my way of honoring him for his incredible body of research that clearly is helping, and will continue to help so many people moving forward.
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Richard J. Johnson, M.D. has been a practicing physician and clinical scientist for over 25 years. He is internationally recognized for his seminal work on the role of sugar and its component fructose, in obesity and diabetes. His work has also suggested a fundamental role for uric acid (which is generated during fructose metabolism) in the metabolic syndrome. Dr Johnson is a prolific scientist with research that has been funded by the National Institute of Health since the 1980s. He is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and has published over 700 papers, lectured in over 45 countries, and is a highly cited scientist. He previously authored The Sugar Fix with Timothy Gower in 2008 (Rodale) and The Fat Switch in 2012. He is currently a Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado in Denver. He lives in Aurora, Colorado with his wife, Olga, children, Ricky and Tracy, and two miniature golden doodles, Charlie Brown and Apollo 11.
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One of our main areas of interest and outreach has been Alzheimer’s prevention. Now with 6.2 million Americans carrying this diagnosis, and no meaningful treatment in sight, exploring how lifestyle choices influence risk is more important than ever.
There is another part of the Alzheimer’s story that is also in need of attention. And this is the impact that this diagnosis has on the families, loved ones, and caregivers involved with Alzheimer’s patients.
No one is prepared for what lies ahead when a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. And I can tell you that not just from the perspective of a neurologist, but from the perspective of my day-to-day interactions with my father who succumbed to the disease.
When Alzheimer’s is diagnosed in a parent or spouse, or in any loved one for that matter, we come face to face with a challenge that forces us to explore our value systems, our thoughts on self-worth, and definitely our family dynamics.
Our guest today, Patti Davis, recounts the panorama of challenges she experienced as her father, President Ronald Reagan, was first diagnosed and then declined with Alzheimer’s disease. Her new book, Floating in the Deep End, is powerfully emotional and at the same time deeply instructional, lovingly gifting important tools to help with the challenges of dealing with an Alzheimer’s patient. This is a circumstance that will affect so many people, and these are incredibly important lessons.
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Patti Davis is the author of many books, including The Long Goodbye. Her support group, Beyond Alzheimer’s, is now licensed at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania and Cleveland Clinic in Las Vegas. She lives in Santa Monica, California and is available for virtual interviews and events.
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Ulcerative colitis is one of the most common autoimmune conditions of our time. That said, we are seeing an incredible uptick in autoimmune conditions in general. Basically, these are conditions like type 1 diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and multiple sclerosis that are characterized by an immune system that, for whatever reason, suddenly attacks the host. These diseases are now affecting more than 50 million Americans. And that’s just the number who have been diagnosed. In this podcast, I have the pleasure of spending time with Danielle Walker. Her name may well be familiar to many of you as she is the New York Times bestselling author of the Against All Grain series of cookbooks. Her cookbooks are wonderful, and today we get the backstory. You will have the opportunity to share in what motivated Danielle to dedicate herself to creating ways for people to eat in response to the challenges of autoimmune conditions. We discuss her new book, Food Saved Me. And when you read the book, you’ll realize that it quite literally did. In the face of advancing disease and profound reactions to medications, Danielle was able to gain control of her ulcerative colitis and regain her general health as well. Please enjoy the podcast, and I certainly recommend the book, especially as it serves as a commentary on how our modern, industrialized foods are threatening our health.
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Danielle Walker is a New York Times bestselling cookbook author (Against All Grain, Meals Made Simple, Celebrations, and Eat What You Love), health advocate, and self-trained chef. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at age twenty-two and suffering for many years, Danielle found health through dietary and lifestyle changes. Inspired by her own health journey, Danielle shares her gluten-free recipes on her blog at daniellewalker.com as a beacon of hope for others. For over a decade she has been a pioneer in advocating for a grain- and gluten-free lifestyle, having earned a spot on the coveted Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2015. Her delicious recipes have satiated the palates of autoimmune sufferers, kids with food allergies, healthy eaters, and foodies alike. From nostalgic comfort foods to healthy holiday swaps to quick-and-easy meals for kids, Danielle has created thousands of recipes as well as kitchen, food, and parenting hacks that make life easier and healthier. Danielle regularly shares her health journey, recipes, and expert tips on the Today show, The Doctors, E! News, Access Hollywood, Home & Family, and many other nationally syndicated shows. Her work has been featured in People, O Magazine, USA Today, Shape, Women’s Health, Parents, Well + Good, and more.
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So much of our health depends on metabolism. And specifically, one of the most important players in this space is how well controlled is our blood sugar. In looking at blood sugar, how it changes following a meal turns out to be a central mechanism that has widespread implications both in the short term (how we feel today) and the long term (risk for serious health issues). I’m going to present a technical term here, postprandial glycemia, which you will hear mentioned quite a bit in this podcast. Postprandial means after a meal, and glycemic means blood sugar level. As such, we are exploring what happens to blood sugar after a meal, something we should all care about.
Our guests today include Dr. Momo Vuyisich, Chief Science Officer at Viome. We will be discussing his fascinating new research that was able to accurately correlate the postprandial glycemic response with a unique measurement of the metabolic products produced by gut bacteria. Dr. Vuyisich was actually able to predict how people would respond to specific types of foods, in terms of their blood sugar response, by looking at these bacterial metabolic markers.
In that measurement of glycemic response is so central to understanding this research, I’ve also invited Dr. Casey Means of Levels to join us on the program again. Levels is a company that focuses on using a new technology, continuous glucose monitoring, which allows us to fully understand how our glycemic response plays out in the face of our food and other lifestyle choices.
This is an exciting program. Please enjoy!
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Momo Vuyisich, PhD
Co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Viome
Momo is an entrepreneur-scientist who is obsessed with building a healthier future in which chronic diseases and cancers are covered in history books, not TV commercials. He has used his extensive scientific expertise and business acumen to lead the development of the core Viome technologies, and their application towards healthier humanity. These technologies are enabling the transformation of the current healthcare, which focuses on symptoms management, into a completely novel preventative and curative model, where individuals can take control of their own health.
Momo obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Utah, and BS in Microbiology from the University of Texas at El Paso. He is also an adjunct professor at the New Mexico Tech University.
Casey Means, MD
Casey Means, MD is a Stanford-trained physician, Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of metabolic health company Levels, and Associate Editor of the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention. Her mission is to maximize human potential and reverse the epidemic of preventable chronic disease by empowering individuals with tech-enabled tools that can inform smart, personalized, and sustainable dietary and lifestyle choices. Dr. Means’s perspective has been recently featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Men's Health, Forbes, Business Insider, Techcrunch, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Hill, Metabolism, Endocrine Today, and more.
Levelshealth.com
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There is so much new and exciting information making its way to the health and wellness arena related to the pivotal role of uric acid in terms of threatening our metabolic health. Elevated uric acid is now being looked upon as contributing to the development of a variety of metabolic issues including elevated triglycerides, insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar, overweight and obesity, and even elevated blood pressure. As such, controlling uric acid has become a powerful new tool in our toolbox.
Perhaps the most widely recognized leader in uric acid research is our guest today, Dr. Richard Johnson, whose work in this area spans two decades. Dr. Johnson serves as Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado.
On the program we will explore the central role of uric acid in metabolic disorders, how to bring uric acid under control, how fructose enhances uric acid production, and the future of uric acid research.
As many of you know, my next book Drop Acid is focused on this topic. And because of my gratitude to Dr. Johnson not only for his research and dedication but also for his guidance, my new book is dedicated to him. He himself has a new book coming out in early February 2022 entitled Nature Wants Us to Be Fat, and I had the honor of writing the foreword for this work.
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Dr. Richard Johnson is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado and is a clinician, educator, and researcher. He is board-certified in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and kidney disease and is the founding editor of Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology, one of the main textbooks on kidney disease. For more than 20 years, he has led research on the cause of obesity and diabetes, with special interest in the role of sugar (especially fructose) and uric acid. His research has been highly cited, published in top medical journals, and supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health. He is the author of The Sugar Fix and The Fat Switch. His latest work contains state-of-the-art discoveries on the cause of obesity and potential cures.
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How can a woman go from considering her menstrual period as being an archenemy to a place of celebrating its arrival every month? How can a woman eat in such a way as to honor her menstrual cycle, through menopause and beyond? Why are orgasms so important for female health? These are some of the intriguing questions we will explore today on the podcast.
Our guest, Dr. Stephanie Estima, is the author of a wonderful book The Betty Body that explores the incredible choreography of hormone changes that take place each and every month in premenopausal women, how these changes manifest throughout the monthly cycle, and why lifestyle choices are exceedingly valuable in terms of aligning these changes with the goal of optimal health.
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Dr. Estima is a doctor of chiropractic with a special interest in metabolism, body composition, functional neurology, and female physiology.
She's been featured on Thrive Global, of the Huffington Post, and has over 3.5 million article reads on Medium.com. She’s helped thousands of women lose weight, regulate hormones, and get off medications with her signature program, The Estima Diet. You can hear her every week on her podcast, Better! With Dr. Stephanie. Her best-selling book and the subject of our time together today, The Betty Body, explores female-centric principles of nutrition, exercise physiology, and stress management for women to understand their natural rhythms and importantly, as Dr. Estima reveals, that the cadence of their hormones are actually superpowers.
The Betty Body Book---
Global Amazon link for the book: https://geni.us/TheBettyBody Book Bonus page: www.bettybodybook.com
Podcast & Social Media---
Better! with Dr. Stephanie Podcast: www.apple.co/2mvrmDa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.stephanie.estima/
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Can aging be reversed? This is certainly a question that’s been asked for a long time. And if it is indeed achievable, how would it be measured?
Over the years, a variety of theories of aging have been proposed. The various theories have paved the way for testing of one sort or another to allow the development of an age assessment tool. These have included studies to look at genomic instability, the length of telomeres, evaluations of how mitochondria are functioning, markers of cellular senescence, and even measurements of the competence of stem cells.
But perhaps the most widely accepted candidate these days is a measurement of what are called “epigenetic alterations.” Basically, this is an assessment of the degree of binding of our DNA to specific chemicals called methyl groups, and not just the binding of these methyl groups, but the specific pattern by which they attach themselves to our DNA. This technology was developed by UCLA professor Dr. Steve Horvath and involves identification of 323 points on human DNA (among tens of thousands) where these methyl groups attach. Assessment of biological age using this technique has been called an epigenetic clock, a methylation clock, or nowadays, the Horvath clock. This is perhaps the most objective technology for considering age and aging.
Early on in his research as this aging clock was beginning to make its way into our understanding, Dr. Horvath made it quite clear that the clock was basically inviolate, meaning that we could not influence it, for better or worse. Recently however, the notion that the Horvath clock was not subject to our manipulation has been challenged, and this is extremely good news.
Dr. Kara Fitzgerald has just published what I consider to be a landmark paper. She studied 43 healthy adult males between the ages of 50 and 72 and put them on an eight-week treatment program with special attention to things like diet, sleep, exercise, and relaxation guidance along with supplemental probiotics and other phytonutrients. The subjects had an evaluation of their epigenetic age at the beginning of the study and at its conclusion. Remarkably, the intervention program was associated with a dramatic 3.23 years decrease in the epigenetic age in comparison to controls as measured by the Horvath technology.
The implications of this research are profound. Using the most widely accepted state-of-the-art measurement of aging, a specific lifestyle intervention program has led to age reversal.
Today on The Empowering Neurologist we talk with Dr. Kara Fitzgerald about her exciting research, how the study was designed, and most importantly, what are the implications of this work.
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Kara Fitzgerald, ND, received her doctor of naturopathic medicine degree from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She completed the first Counsel on Naturopathic Medicine-accredited post-doctorate position in nutritional biochemistry and laboratory science at Metametrix Clinical Laboratory (now Genova Diagnostics) under the direction of Richard Lord, PhD. Her residency was completed at Progressive Medical Center, a large, integrative medical practice in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Fitzgerald is the lead author and editor of Case Studies in Integrative and Functional Medicine and is a contributing author to Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine and the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)’s Textbook for Functional Medicine. With the Helfgott Research Institute, Dr. Fitzgerald is actively engaged in clinical research on the DNA methylome using a diet and lifestyle intervention developed in her practice. The first publication from the study focuses on reversal of biological aging and was published 04-12-2021 in the journal Aging. A consumer book and application-based program with DNA methylation assessment are scheduled for release 01-2022.
Dr. Fitzgerald is on the faculty at IFM, is an IFM Certified Practitioner and lectures globally on functional medicine. She runs a Functional Medicine Clinic Immersion program for professionals, and maintains a podcast series, New Frontiers in Functional Medicine and an active blog on her website, www.drkarafitzgerald.com.
Her clinical practice is in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. www.drkarafitzgerald.com
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Call it like it is, we live in a very very toxic world. Our ability to detoxify the more than 90,000 chemicals that have been introduced into our existence is certainly less robust than it needs to be. Indeed, new challenges face our ability to detoxify on a daily basis in terms of new products to which we are exposed, and even the water we drink.
Today on the program I speak with Dr. Aly Cohen who has written a wonderful book entitled Non-Toxic: Guide to Living Healthy in a Chemical World along with her co-author Frederick S. vom Saal, PhD.
Here’s more about the authors:
Dr. Aly Cohen is a board-certified rheumatologist and integrative medicine specialist, as well as an environmental health expert in Princeton, New Jersey. She has collaborated with the Environmental Working Group, Cancer Schmancer, and other disease-prevention organizations, and is coeditor of the textbook Integrative Environmental Medicine, part of the Oxford University Press Weil Integrative Medicine Library. In 2015, she created TheSmartHuman.com to share environmental health, disease prevention, and wellness information with the public.
Dr. Fred vom Saal is a Curators' Distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. After college he taught biology as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Somalia and after the revolution there, he also taught in Kenya and then Paris before entering graduate school. Dr. vom Saal has published over 240 articles and reviews on his research. He has served on the editorial boards of numerous scientific journals and federal research review panels both in the United States and abroad.
I am so delighted to share this very empowering information with all of you today on the program.
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Dr. Aly Cohen is a board-certified Rheumatologist and Integrative Medicine Specialist, as well as an environmental health expert in Princeton, New Jersey. She has collaborated with the Environmental Working Group, Cancer Schmancer, and other disease-prevention organizations, and is coeditor of the textbook Integrative Environmental Medicine, part of the Oxford University Press Weil Integrative Medicine Library. In 2015, she created TheSmartHuman.com to share environmental health, disease prevention, and wellness information with the public. Dr. Cohen is working to integrate environmental health information into high school curricula nationwide.
Her TEDx talk on her mission can be found on YouTube.
Dr. Aly Cohen's TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSCeP0hyuTI
http://www.TheSmartHuman.com
www.AlyCohenMD.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aly-cohen-md-facr-0b570749/
https://www.facebook.com/TheSmartHuman/
https://twitter.com/thesmarthuman
https://www.instagram.com/thesmarthuman/
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One of the most common complaints that people have today when visiting their doctors is that they're just tired out. Unfortunately, this is a complaint that doesn't readily lend itself to a quick pharmaceutical remediation. Unlike, for example, elevated blood pressure, there's nothing that can really be measured as it relates to feeling fatigued and therefore it makes it challenging for healthcare providers to fully address.
In Dr. Steven Gundry's new book, The Energy Paradox, he makes it very clear that fatigue emanates from compromised function of our mitochondria, the energy producers within our cells. So much of what goes on in our lives these days threatens the function of our mitochondria and therefore directly relates to our feelings of generalized fatigue. A key mechanism that he explores deeply on the podcast is the mechanism of inflammation. As most of you will recognize, what goes on in the gut plays a prominent role in regulating the set-point of inflammation in the human body, and therefore has a direct bearing on our energy levels.
Let me tell you a little bit about Dr. Gundry:
Dr. Gundry is a cardiothoracic surgeon and a pioneer in nutrition, as well as medical director at The International Heart and Lung Institute Center for Restorative Medicine. He has spent the last two decades studying the microbiome and now helps patients use diet and nutrition as a key form of treatment. He is the author of many New York Times bestselling books including The Plant Paradox, The Plant Paradox Cookbook, and The Longevity Paradox: How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age, and released his most recent book that we discuss today, The Energy Paradox: What to Do When Your Get-Up-and-Go Has Got Up and Gone, on March 16, 2021.
Twenty years ago, Dr. Gundry decided to prevent health issues. He retired as a cardiologist to teach patients how to eat, guiding them on how to get ahead of the problem, not fixing it after the fact. He shifted towards a more proactive approach to health through food and diet changes. He is also host of The Dr. Gundry Podcast.
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Hormone levels and activity are highly influenced by diet. This is an important concept because hormones do so many things in human physiology, not the least of which is their role in regulating metabolism. So, this connects some significant dots that relate to health. In other words, to gain control over metabolism and have an impact on things like insulin sensitivity, body weight, and overall well-being, attention has to be paid to hormone activity and functionality. And again, diet plays a central role in determining how hormones function day-to-day.
As a statement of fact, most diet plans are created by men and for men, and as such have little value for women. As an example, the popular ketogenic diet is far easier to implement and provides results much more quickly in men in comparison to women. This is not to say that the ketogenic diet is not appropriate for women, but specific modifications need to be made to allow this popular diet to be the most efficacious.
Today on The Empowering Neurologist I interview Dr. Sara Gottfried. Her new book Women, Food, and Hormones demystifies the relationship of hormones to metabolism as well as the relationship of diet to hormones. The book does indeed call out the ketogenic diet as being advantageous to women, but Dr. Gottfried has creatively modified the diet specifically for women for maximum benefit.
I am very delighted to have Dr. Gottfried back on the program. There’s highly valuable information in what we cover today that certainly will empower women with the tools they need to regain control over their blood sugar, lose weight, and attain a higher level of well-being.
To learn more about becoming a patient in Dr. Gottfried's Precision Medicine practice, go to marcusinstitute.jeffersonhealth.org
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We certainly spend a lot of time talking about brain health, and that's not surprising in that I'm a neurologist. But we also talk a lot about the gut, heart health, metabolism, thyroid issues, immune function, and various other topics while we, like so many others, seem to sidestep the lungs and pulmonary health.
And yet, every aspect of our moment-to-moment functionality derives from our breath. There is so much going on in the lungs that we need to unpack, from their pivotal role in immune function, to how they affect gene expression, to the incredible fact that the lung itself harbors its own microbiome!
I've just finished reading a remarkable book entitled Breath Taking by Dr. Michael J. Stephen who is our guest today. He is an associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center. He is a leader of numerous clinical trials and has been on the front lines caring for COVID-19 patients. He unfortunately contracted COVID-19 himself, and we're going to hear all about that today.
Over the past two decades, he has studied advanced end-stage lung diseases and worked with patients at diverse locales, including a Massachusetts prison hospital and a pediatric HIV clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. He is a graduate of Brown University and Boston University Medical School.
So take a deep breath and enjoy the program!
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We all want to feel content and connected, and what we are going to explore today is the idea that contentment and connectedness relates to keeping the neurotransmitter dopamine in check. In her new book, Dopamine Nation, Dr. Anna Lembke, a psychiatrist and author, explores the exciting new scientific discoveries that explain why the relentless pursuit of pleasure ultimately leads to pain, and more importantly, what each of us can do about it.
In the book, Dr. Lembke reviews the experiences of many of her patients who are suffering with addiction and hoping for redemption. And these compelling stories give all of us hope for managing our pleasure-directed consumption and transforming our lives.
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Anna Lembke, MD, is a professor in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Clinic.
In 2016, she published Drug Dealer, MD – How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It’s So Hard to Stop (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2016), highlighted in the New York Times as one of the top five books to read to understand the opioid epidemic.
Dr. Lembke recently appeared on the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, an unvarnished look at the impact of social media on our lives.
Her forthcoming book that we review on today’s podcast, Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence, explores how to moderate compulsive overconsumption, including digital products, in a world where feeling good is the highest good.
annalembke.com
dopaminenation.com
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Most everyone knows of a cancer survivor. But, by and large, when a person receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, it is often assumed that this is an indication of an almost certain outcome.
Alzheimer's disease is not caused by a specific flaw. While energy deficiency, inflammation, infectious agents, beta amyloid, acetylcholine deficiency, trauma, toxins, metabolic issues, and genetics are all worthy of consideration, it is clearly myopic to consider that targeting one of these popular ideas is going to solve the problem. It doesn’t.
Our guest today has taken a different approach. Rather than trying to find a unique drug or technique that can help the Alzheimer's population at large, this novel approach focuses on identifying how variations in multiple parameters can be targeted with the overall goal of improving brain functionality that is compromised in the developing Alzheimer's situation. This approach, a personalized medicine approach, directly challenges the notion of a one-size-fits-all mentality as it relates to treating medical problems. And to be sure, Dr. Bredesen is demonstrating incredible success not just in stabilizing Alzheimer's patients but actually in bringing about their improvement. This is revolutionary, and I urge you to pay close attention to his message today.
Dr. Bredesen received his undergraduate degree from Caltech and his medical degree from Duke. He served as Resident and Chief Resident in Neurology at UCSF, then was postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Nobel laureate Prof. Stanley Prusiner. He was a faculty member at UCLA from 1989-1994, then was recruited by the Burnham Institute to direct the Program on Aging. In 1998 he became the Founding President and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, and Adjunct Professor at UCSF; then in 2013 he returned to UCLA as the Director of the Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research.
The Bredesen Laboratory studies basic mechanisms underlying the neurodegenerative process, and the translation of this knowledge into effective therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, leading to the publication of over 220 research papers. He established the ADDN (Alzheimer’s Drug Development Network) with Dr. Varghese John in 2008, leading to the identification of new classes of therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease. He and his group developed a new approach to the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and this approach led to the discovery of subtypes of Alzheimer’s disease, followed by the first description of reversal of symptoms in patients with MCI and Alzheimer’s disease, with the ReCODE (reversal of cognitive decline) protocol, published in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Dr. Bredesen is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The End of Alzheimer’s, and the newly released, The End of Alzheimer’s Program. His newest book, The First Survivors of Alzheimer’s, chronicles how this program has virtually rewritten the lives of so many, and reveals, from the patient’s perspective, what this has meant. Here’s a link to his latest research paper showing improvement in an astounding 80% of Alzheimer’s patients.
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Growing Young - Where We Are and Where We’re Going
Would you like to live to be 200? While this may seem fanciful, we are now getting glimpses of how this may actually come about. And shy of that goal, we should explore what is available to us today that may well impact not only our lifespans, but perhaps more importantly, our healthspans, meaning how long we remain healthy and engaged in this wonderful gift of life.
As our guest describes, we should consider the actions we can take today as being a “longevity bridge”, allowing us to be in position to take advantage of the incredible emerging technologies in this field as they appear in the years to come.
Our guest today is Sergey Young, author of the new book The Science and Technology of Growing Young. Sergey is a longevity investor and visionary with a mission to extend the healthy lifespans of 1 billion people.
He is the founder of the $100M Longevity Vision Fund—one of the few funds specializing exclusively in longevity and helping to accelerate longevity breakthroughs. In addition, Sergey is a development sponsor of Age Reversal XPRIZE, a global initiative designed to cure aging and age-related diseases.
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In our discussions in recent years about Alzheimer's disease, certainly one dietary recommendation seems to gain the spotlight and that is a diet that helps produce ketones. To be fair, most of the support for a ketogenic diet thus far has been theoretical although early animal research has been supportive.
Now, I'm excited to report that an actual interventional trial using the ketogenic diet in Alzheimer's patients has been completed and has demonstrated quite remarkable results.
The study, performed by my friend Dr. Matthew Phillips in New Zealand, demonstrated significant improvement in a variety of parameters in Alzheimer's patients who were placed on a ketogenic diet in comparison to their standard diet. Here is the actual study.
Many of you may remember Dr. Phillips as he appeared on the podcast in the past describing his results of using a ketogenic diet, successfully, in Parkinson's disease.
Here's more information about him.
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Matt is a full-time clinical and research neurologist at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand. His foremost passion is to explore the potential feasibility, safety, and efficacy of metabolic therapies, particularly fasting and ketogenic diets, in creating alternate metabolic states that may improve not only the symptoms, but also function and quality of life, for people with a variety of difficult disorders.
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In our ever-increasingly polarized world, there’s one topic of interest in health and wellness that really seems to call out clear differences in opinion.
Glyphosate, the herbicide and active ingredient in products like Roundup, has been touted by some as being a wonderful and safe way to rid crops and even homes of pesky weeds. And clearly, those who feel positively about this chemical are being heard as nearly 150,000 tons of glyphosate are sprayed onto American crops every year. That translates to about one pound of glyphosate for every person in our country. And this chemical makes its way into the water we drink, the agricultural products we consume, and even the air we breathe. On the other side of this debate are those who feel that glyphosate represents a significant threat to our health.
Researchers, like our guest today, look at the available science and have concluded that, by a multitude of mechanisms, glyphosate may well be responsible or at least contributory for a vast array of human ailments, from autism to dementia to autoimmune disease, and so many more. This debate extends to the confusion surrounding the safety of GMO food. For the most part, the genetic modification of plant seeds is undertaken so that the newly developed plant is not damaged by the weed targeting action of glyphosate. This allows farmers to spray GMO crops with glyphosate, kill the weeds, and still harvest the undamaged plant.
But while there may or may not be concern about the specific genetic modification of the plant, this whole scenario sets the stage for glyphosate to appear in our foods and throughout our environment. That said, this is a fundamental nuance to the GMO debate that absolutely must enter the discussion.
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You Are the Weaver of Your Own Brain Health
Everything you do and everything you experience affect the fabric of your brain and dictate your brain’s fate. What you eat, what you think, how well you sleep, how you feel emotionally, your level of physical activity, and how well the rest of the systems in your body function all affect your brain’s biology. Brain Weaver, the subject of our podcast today, written by physicians at the forefront of research in brain functioning, invites you to achieve optimal brain health by successfully weaving together a tapestry of your bio-psycho-social-spiritual dimensions. Basically, we’ll learn that there are quite a few other variables that we can bring to bear on our quest to create a better brain.
Our guests:
Daniel A. Monti, MD, MBA, is founding director and CEO of the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health and founding chair of the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences at the Thomas Jefferson University Medical College in Philadelphia. His research focuses on assessing promising mind-body interventions and brain mechanisms of stress and emotional regulation, and is coauthor of the popular book Tapestry of Health.
Andrew Newberg, MD, is the research director of the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health and a professor in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences at the Thomas Jefferson University Medical College. He is the author of ten books, including the bestseller How God Changes Your Brain, a book I have used as an important resource for the last several years. Andy is regarded as one of the most influential neuroscientists working today.
The authors’ findings coincide with a decades-long surge in the public’s interest in whole-person treatments—body, mind, and spirit evidence-based integrative therapies that include pharmaceuticals, electromagnetics, nutrition, and meditation. Brain Weaver’s timeliness is all the more important now to address a new paradigm for post-pandemic wellness that emphasizes our individual and collective responsibility for proactive healthcare.
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Continuous Glucose Monitoring – A Powerful Tool for Metabolic Health
As we have discussed so often, metabolic function is the central player for the entire body as it relates to health, disease resistance, and longevity. It is absolutely essential that we maintain normal blood glucose levels. Fortunately, we are learning more and more about how food choices and activities influence blood glucose, and this allows us to make important changes that can pave the way for health.
Today, we are going to explore new technology, the continuous glucose monitor (CGM), with our guest Casey Means, MD. She is the founder of Levels, which is an incredibly sophisticated but also user-friendly platform using data from CGM monitoring devices to allow us to fully understand the effects of our lifestyle choices, in terms of how they play out as referenced by our blood sugar levels. This data, provided in real time, basically allows us to modify our lifestyle choices in order to have a significant positive effect on our health destiny.
Levels is currently running a closed beta program with a waitlist of over 115,000 people. If you'd like to skip that line and participate in their early access program today, use the link: levels.link/perlmutter.
Casey Means, MD is a Stanford-trained physician, Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of metabolic health company Levels, and Associate Editor of the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention.
Her mission is to maximize human potential and reverse the epidemic of preventable chronic disease by empowering individuals with tech-enabled tools that can inform smart, personalized, and sustainable dietary and lifestyle choices. Dr. Means’s perspective has been recently featured in the New York Times, Men's Health, Forbes, Business Insider, Techcrunch, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Hill, Metabolism, Endocrine Today, and more. She is an award-winning biomedical researcher, with past research positions at the NIH, Stanford School of Medicine, and NYU.
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Neurological Manifestations of COVID in the Pediatric Population
By and large, pediatric COVID patients do really well. On rare occasion however, they can develop something called multisystem inflammatory syndrome of children (MIS-C), which, as the name implies, can involve multiple systems throughout the body. By and large, again, with appropriate care, these children do well.
A small number of children with MIS-C will experience involvement of the nervous system. This can involve not only the central nervous system including the brain and spinal cord, but also the peripheral nervous system which means the nerves. And there are two British researchers who have taken the lead in terms of describing the neurological involvement in the pediatric population as it relates to MIS-C, a consequence of COVID-19.
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Prevent Alzheimer’s - Here’s How
While we accept the notion of the important influences of lifestyle choices as they relate, for example, to the heart, the immune system, lung function, longevity, and even cancer risk, the notion that what we choose to eat and the amount of exercise we get, in terms of influencing the brain, until recently, has been kept off the table. Fortunately, there are dedicated researchers around the country who are part of a vanguard team, making it very clear that we are, in fact, the architects of our brain’s future. Our choices, day in and day out, are exceedingly influential in terms of how our brains will change over time, for better or worse.
Certainly, this has been a central theme in the books I have been writing over the years, as well as other elements of my social outreach. But importantly, and gratefully, I am not alone in this endeavor.
Today on the podcast we have the absolute pleasure of spending time with Doctors Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. They are the authors of an amazing new book entitled The 30-Day Alzheimer’s Solution. It is without question the most user-friendly book dedicated to brain health to come along.
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The Source of Our Most Challenging Epidemic
As you may recall, the last time we had the opportunity to interview Dr. Robert Lustig was when he published The Hacking of the American Mind, elucidating how the processed food industry has hacked our bodies and minds to pursue pleasure over happiness, fueling widespread addiction and depression. I'm excited to let everyone know that we again have the opportunity to feature Dr. Robert Lustig on the podcast talking about his new book METABOLICAL. This new work addresses nutrition, food science, and global health, and explains how by focusing on real food we can reverse chronic disease and promote longevity. For the first time, all strands of this pandemic—the medical, the economic, and the environmental—are pulled together into one clear narrative. And to be sure, the pandemic we are referring to is the pandemic of chronic, noninfectious, preventable diseases, not COVID-19.
Describing the eight pathologies within the cell that belie all chronic disease, Dr. Lustig illustrates how they are not “druggable” but rather “foodable” (i.e. medication can’t cure what nutrition can) by following two basic principles: protect the liver, and feed the gut. He uses this science to chronicle the breakdown in our current healthcare paradigm, which has succumbed to influence from Big Food, Big Pharma, and Big Government. In the special chapter “Food in the Time of Corona,” Dr. Lustig addresses the way “pre-existing conditions” (i.e. diet-induced chronic diseases) make us vulnerable to succumbing to acute infectious diseases like COVID-19. He also argues that the Nutrition Facts label hides information from the consumer by omitting what’s beendoneto the food, which is more important than what’sin the food.
Weaving together the interconnected strands of nutrition, disease, medicine, environment, and society, METABOLICAL provides the scientific bases for a series of iconoclastic revelations, among them: Medicine for chronic disease only treats symptoms, not the disease itself You can diagnose your own biochemical profile Processed food isn’t just toxic, it’s addictive The war between vegan and keto is a false war—the combatants are on the same side Big Food, Big Pharma, and Big Government are on the other side
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How Are We to Interpret the New Dietary Guidelines for Americans?
The United States government recently issued its Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This happens every five years so we are now going to have these guidelines in place until 2025.
Unfortunately, as you will see, these guidelines are profoundly insufficient as they relate to nutrition. They are administered to all Americans and become the backbone of nutrition for schools and the military and the general population of our country. In fact, the diet that is recommended is designed only for healthy people, and ultimately that represents only about 12% of our population. This is a one-size-fits-all diet that does not reflect the diversity of our country in terms of race, culture, and importantly, variations in metabolic health.
The diet recommends greater than 50% of calories coming from carbohydrates and includes three servings of refined grains per day and up to 10% of calories coming from pure sugar. And all this despite the fact that an expert committee provided incredibly robust science, accumulated over the past decade, showcasing the profoundly detrimental health effects of the very diet that was approved.
Today we will spend time with Nina Teicholz as we explore and deconstruct these new guidelines. We’ve had her on the program before, and let me tell you a little bit more about her.
Nina Teicholz, a science journalist, is author of the New York Times bestseller, The Big Fat Surprise, which upended the conventional wisdom on dietary fat–especially saturated fat—and spurred a new conversation about whether these fats in fact cause heart disease. Named a Best Book of the year by the Economist, Wall Street Journal and Mother Jones, among others, it continues to be called a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the amazing story of how we came to believe fat is bad for health—and what a better diet might look like. Nina is also the founder of the Nutrition Coalition, a non-profit working to ensure that government nutrition policy is transparent and evidence-based—work for which she’s been asked to testify before the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Senate. Teicholz is a graduate of Stanford and Oxford Universities and previously served as associate director of the Center for Globalization and Sustainable Development at Columbia University.
I am hopeful that each of you will continue to explore what makes for good nutrition, especially as it relates to your individual needs.
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I was recently participating in a room on a new social media platform, Clubhouse, when a very amiable gentleman was invited to the stage to speak. He related how he had written a book of poetry about his experiences, and life in general. As it turns out, he is an interventional cardiologist. As such, he literally holds the destiny of his patients in terms of life or death, in his hands, on a daily basis. And he has used these experiences as the basis for a book of poetry, Ibadah, that explores meaning, the role of servitude, love, and loss.
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How does SARS-CoV-2 reach the brain? This is actually a critically important question for which we now have meaningful answers. In this podcast, I have the honor of interviewing Dr. Frank Heppner. His research uses electron microscopy to visualize intact coronavirus particles in the human brain. We now know that COVID-19 is not just a respiratory disease but can affect various other parts of the body including the gastrointestinal system as well as the nervous system. One in three individuals with COVID-19 does in fact have neurological symptoms and we are going to explore this in our time together today.
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It has been estimated that some 50 million Americans have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. As such, we have become all too familiar with things like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis, to name a few.
On our program today we are going to speak with the authors of a new book entitled Chronic: The Hidden Cause of the Autoimmune Pandemic and How to Get Healthy Again by Dr. Steven Phillips and Dana Parish. Dr. Phillips and his patient, Dana Parish, reveal the role that chronic underlying infections, like Lyme disease, may play as it relates to autoimmune conditions.
We will explore not just Lyme disease, but other chronic infections that also may have long-term manifestations. We explore how these diseases present, how they are diagnosed, and of course, treatment, as well as the politics that may well be keeping this information from gaining widespread acceptance or at least recognition.
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How well we age is actually something we can control. We are learning more and more that there are correlations between our “aging,” in other words how long we remain healthy versus suffering from some form of chronic disease, and the length of the ends of our DNA called telomeres. Certainly, the idea of “lengthening your telomeres” is so much a part of the public discussion that products are using this as a catchphrase for marketing.
So I think it’s important to bring this whole notion of telomeres as markers of disease risk and perhaps more importantly as playing a mechanistic role in aging to a better level of understanding.
This is why I have asked Dr. Elissa Epel to spend time with us today. Elissa Epel, Ph.D. is a Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at University of California, San Francisco. Her research aims to elucidate mechanisms of healthy aging, and to apply this basic science to scalable interventions that can reach vulnerable populations. She studies psychological, social, and behavioral pathways underlying chronic psychological stress and stress resilience that impact cellular aging. She also studies the interconnections between stress, addiction, eating, and metabolic health. With her collaborators, she is conducting clinical trials to examine the effect of self regulation and mindfulness training programs on cellular aging, weight, diet, and glucose control.
Dr. Epel studied psychology and psychobiology at Stanford University (BA) and clinical and health psychology at Yale University (PhD). She has received several awards including the APA Early Career Award, the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research Neal Miller Young Investigator Award, and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.
Dr. Epel’s research has been featured in venues such as TEDMED, NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s Morning Show, 60 minutes, National Public Radio, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and in many science documentaries. She co-authored The Telomere Effect with Nobel Prize winner Elizabeth Blackburn, and it’s the book we will focus on in our time together.
You can also connect with Dr. Epel on Twitter and Facebook.
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These days, probably the number one topic of conversation in the health world is immunity. Never has our dependence on a healthy immune system been so obvious. So, it’s very timely that Dr. James DiNicolantonio has published his new book, The Immunity Fix.
The Immunity Fix explores, first, the notion that we can have a huge impact on the functionality of our immune systems based on the choices we make every day. He talks about the fundamental role of nutrition and especially the threat of deficiency of various trace minerals like magnesium and others, as well as how we should go about repleting our deficiencies. Beyond minerals, he describes how to use other, more exotic nutritional supplements appropriately to augment immune function and why the balance of immune function is particularly relevant in COVID-19.
Dr. James DiNicolantonio is a Doctor of Pharmacy and a cardiovascular research scientist. A well-respected and internationally known scientist and an expert on health and nutrition, he has contributed extensively to health policy and has testified in front of the Canadian Senate regarding the harms of added sugars. He serves as the associate editor of the British Medical Journal’s Open Heart, a journal published in partnership with the British Cardiovascular Society, and is on the editorial advisory boards of several other medical journals. Dr. DiNicolantonio is the author or coauthor of over 250 publications in the medical literature. He also is the author of four bestselling health books: The Salt Fix, Superfuel, The Longevity Solution, and his newest book The Immunity Fix, the focus of today’s interview. For more from Dr. DiNicolantonio, visit his website, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
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Our world today has certainly become far more chaotic than we had anticipated. As such, it becomes challenging to avoid toxic threatening thoughts and downstream manifestations like depression or anxiety. As our guest today makes clear, we don’t have to settle into this mental mess as if it is just our “new normal.” There is hope and there is help available to us, and the road to healthier thoughts and more happiness may actually be shorter than we think.
Today on our program we will spend time with my good friend Dr. Caroline Leaf, author of the new book Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess – Five Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reducing Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking.
Dr. Caroline Leaf is a communication pathologist and cognitive neuroscientist with a Masters and PhD in Communication Pathology and from the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria in South Africa, specializing in cognitive and metacognitive neuropsychology. Since the early 1980s, she has researched the mind-brain connection, the nature of mental health, and the formation of memory. She was one of the first in her field to study how the brain can change (neuroplasticity) with directed mind input.
Dr. Leaf is currently conducting clinical trials using her 5 step program she developed while in private practice to further demonstrate the effectiveness of mind-directed techniques to help relieve mental ill-health problems such as anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts. The primary aim of these trials is to make mental health care more affordable, applicable, and accessible worldwide, and to reduce the stigma around mental health. Her work has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), learning disabilities (ADD, ADHD), autism, dementias, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
For more from Dr. Leaf, you can follow here on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Your brain is always listening and responding to an incredibly large number of hidden influences, and unless you recognize and deal with them, they can steal your happiness, spoil your relationships, and sabotage your health. My good friend Dr. Daniel Amen calls these influences “dragons”in his new bookYour Brain Is Always Listening, and with good reason as he explains.Importantly, this book will teach you to tame the dragons and regain what, for many, has been so elusive, especially these days.
Daniel G. Amen, MD is a former US Army infantry medic, physician, double board-certified psychiatrist, twelve-time New York Times bestselling author, and founder and CEO of Amen Clinics, with 9 locations across the United States. Amen Clinics has the world’s largest database of brain scans related to behavior, totaling more than 170,000 scans on patients from 150 countries. Dr. Amen’s research team has published more than 80 scientific articles and Discover Magazine named his research as one of the Top Stories in Science for 2015. Dr. Amen has also written, produced, and hosted 15 national public television shows about the brain that have aired over 125,000 times across North America.
As many of you will recognize, I have interviewed Dr. Amen several times in the past. But there is something so much more meaningful in our time together today.
Dr. Amen’s bookYour Brain Is Always Listening is available to preorder now. Dr. Amen is offering four free gifts for those who preorder the book: Your Brain Is Always Listening Playbook, access to a 2-hour event with Dr. Amen on March 17th, Magnificent Mind with Medical Hypnosis, and a free bottle of Happy Saffron at BrainMD. Your gifts can be claimed by entering your order number here.
Discover more from Dr. Amen on his website, and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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There is so much discussion these days about things like intermittent fasting, time restricted eating, and caloric restriction, and with good reason. There is robust research data that supports the health benefits of these practices.
Today, with Dr. Will Cole, we’re going to explore several important topics including: Why chronic calorie restriction and intermittent fasting are not the same thing The ways fasting benefits health beyond weight loss What metabolic inflexibility is and how it affects your health How to get out of your head and into your body when it comes to food How history supports fasting and why our culture moved away from this model of eating
Dr. Will Cole is a leading functional medicine expert who consults people around the world via webcam and locally in Pittsburgh. Named one of the top 50 functional-medicine and integrative doctors in the nation, Dr. Cole specializes in clinically investigating underlying factors of chronic disease and customizing a functional medicine approach for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and brain problems.
He is the bestselling author of Ketotarian and The Inflammation Spectrum, both of which have been featured on The Empowering Neurologist. The topic of our discussion today is Dr. Cole’s new book Intuitive Fasting, which describes how to use the powerful benefits of flexible intermittent fasting to gain metabolic flexibility and find food peace.
Dr. Cole has also cohosted the popular podcasts goopfellas and Keto Talk, and is the host of the new podcast The Art of Being Well.
For more, visit Dr. Cole online, or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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There’s a lot going on in the area of longevity science. Researchers are hard at work trying to unravel the mysteries of what causes the disease we know as aging.
But beyond the actual bench research, dedicated thought leaders are doing their part to facilitate the science and bring attention to this burgeoning discipline. And one of the pivotal players in this arena is my good friend, Sergey Young.
Sergey is a longevity investor and visionary with a mission to extend healthy lifespans of at least one billion people. In order to do that, Sergey founded the $100M Longevity Vision Fund to accelerate life extension technological breakthroughs and to make longevity affordable and accessible to all.
Sergey is on the Board of Directors of the American Federation of Aging Research and is the Development Sponsor of the Age Reversal XPRIZE global competition designed to cure aging. He is also one of Top-100 Longevity Leaders and a Forbes Tech Council member, and is the author of 10 Simple Principles of a Healthy Diet: How to Lose Weight, Look Young and Live Longer.
For the latest from Sergey, follow him on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Some 30 years ago I had the opportunity to attend a medical conference and heard a presentation by Dr. Alan Gaby. Truthfully, this event marked a turning point in my career destiny for reasons that we will touch upon in this interview. But suffice it to say that I have a great deal of gratitude in my heart for the dedication to the art of medicine that so characterizes Dr. Gaby’s efforts over so many productive years.
Dr. Alan Gaby received his undergraduate degree from Yale University, his M.S. in biochemistry from Emory University, and his M.D. from the University of Maryland. He was in private practice for 19 years, specializing in nutritional medicine. During that time he developed a wide spectrum of innovations that remain in widespread use today.
He is past-president of the American Holistic Medical Association and has given expert testimony to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine on the cost-effectiveness of nutritional supplements. He is the author of Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis (Prima, 1994) and The Doctor’s Guide to Vitamin B6 (Rodale Press, 1984), and the co-author of The Patient’s Book of Natural Healing (Prima, 1999). Dr. Gaby has written numerous scientific papers in the field of nutritional medicine. He has been the contributing medical editor for theTownsend Letter for Doctors since 1985, and served as contributing editor for Alternative Medicine Review from 1996 to 2010.
Over the past 36 years, Dr. Gaby has developed a computerized database of more than 28,000 individually chosen medical journal articles related to the field of natural medicine. He was professor of nutrition and a member of the clinical faculty at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA from 1995 to 2002. He has appeared on the CBS Evening News.
In 2010, Dr. Gaby completed a 30-year project: the textbook Nutritional Medicine. Dr. Gaby has culled more than 40,000 research studies and evidence from his clinical practice to create Nutritional Medicine, which discusses more than 400 different health conditions and disorders. It also contains 60 chapters on individual therapeutic agents (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other natural substances) including biochemical effects, clinical indications, signs and symptoms of deficiency, adverse effects, drug interactions, nutrient interactions, and dosage and administration. Chapters on fundamentals of nutritional medicine (including dietary fundamentals, food additives, reactive hypoglycemia, food allergy, “sublaboratory” hypothyroidism, and candidiasis) are also included.
Nutritional Medicine is a foundational cornerstone and should be on the desk of every healthcare practitioner, in my opinion. Importantly, we now have the second edition of Nutritional Medicine, which includes all of the information from the first edition with additions and modifications based on new research.
I encourage all of you to visit Dr. Gaby’s website where you’ll find sample chapters from this newly revised text.
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Food allergies are an ever increasing problem in our world. And the problem can be life-threatening, and certainly life-changing for as many as 11% of our population. This is why I wanted to bring on the program a world leader on the topic of food allergy who could explain to us exactly what food allergies are all about in terms of their causation, their increasing prevalence, how to handle them on a day-to-day basis, and what the future looks like in terms of developing therapies.
Our program today is with Kari Nadeau, MD, PhD, author of the terrific book The End of Food Allergy.
Dr. Nadeau is a Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, and Director of the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University. She is Section Chief in Asthma and Allergy in Pulmonary and Critical Care at Stanford. She is a pediatrician and practices Allergy, Asthma, Immunology in both children and adults.
Dr. Nadeau received her MD and PhD from Harvard Medical School. She completed a residency in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and a clinical fellowship in asthma and immunology at Stanford and at University of California, San Francisco. She has overseen more than 40 clinical trials and enrolled more than 2,000 patients in allergy studies. Her accomplishments to date include over 240 peer-reviewed publications.
Her work has changed the lives of many who, for the first time in their lives, are able to control life-threatening food allergies. These impacts have and will continue to help scientists and physicians in research and patient care.
For more than 30 years, she has devoted herself to understanding how environmental and genetic factors affect the risk of developing allergies and asthma, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the diseases. As one of the nation’s foremost experts in adult and pediatric allergy and asthma, her research is laying the groundwork for a variety of potential future therapies to prevent and cure allergies and asthma. Additionally, Dr. Nadeau has worked in the Central Valley to focus on community outreach and education since 2009. Dr. Nadeau has a good relationship with key stakeholders and policy makers in the Central Valley and her research has helped enact legislation to mitigate pollution exposure. She leads and collaborates with others in the area of global climate change, and to mentor others in order to make transformative changes in patients' lives in allergy and asthma, especially in the underserved communities, through innovation and discovery.
Over the past decades, Dr. Nadeau has started four companies dealing with food allergy and has seven patents as the inventor.
Dr. Nadeau’s research on both the clinical and basic science levels has recently been popularized in the lay press and media, with the New York Times, NPR, Today Show, NBC Nightly News (national), CNN, San Francisco Chronicles, podcasts, and so many more media outlets. These media events and her publication record reflect the huge impact her research is making in the field of allergy and immunology. If past is prologue, Dr. Nadeau has had and will continue to have a promising research career in store for herself and those she mentors.
I’m certain you will all gain a much more encompassing view on food allergies with today’s interview.
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Fair to say that we all assume that aging is inevitable. In reality however, there is no biological law that says we must age. Over the years we’ve seen a variety of theories proposed to explain why we age including the accumulation of damage to our DNA, the damaging effects of chemicals called “free radicals,” changes in the function of our mitochondria, and so many others.
Our guest today, Dr. David Sinclair, believes that aging is related to a breakdown of information. Specifically, he describes how, with time, our epigenome accumulates changes that have powerful downstream effects on the way our DNA functions. Reducing these changes to the epigenome is achievable and in fact, even taking it further, his research now reveals that the epigenome can be reprogrammed back to a youthful state. David A. Sinclair, PhD, AO is Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and is the author of Lifespan: Why We Age–and Why We Don’t Have To. He is the Founding Director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biological Mechanisms of Aging at Harvard. One of the leading innovators of his generation, he is listed by TIME magazine as one of the “100 most influential people in the world” (2014) and top 50 most important people in healthcare (2018). He is a board member of the American Federation for Aging Research, a Founding Editor of the journal Aging, and has received more than 35 awards for his research on resveratrol, NAD, and reprogramming to reverse aging, which have been widely hailed as major scientific breakthroughs and are topics we discuss in our time together.
In 2018, Dr. Sinclair became an Officer of the Order of Australia, the equivalent of a knighthood, for his work on national security matters and human longevity. Dr. Sinclair and his work have been featured on 60 Minutes, Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fortune, and Newsweek, among others.
In closing, I really need to say that Lifespan ranks as one of the most influential books I have ever read. Please enjoy today’s interview.
To stay current on Dr. Sinclair, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
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Wim Hof, a.k.a. “The Iceman,” holds 26 world records for his feats of endurance and exposure to cold―such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro wearing only shorts and shoes, running a barefoot half-marathon in the Arctic Circle, and standing in an ice-filled container for more than 112 minutes. On March 16, 2000, Hof set the Guinness World Record for farthest swim under ice, with a distance of 57.5 meters (188.6 ft).
Having been taught by the majestic natural power of the cold exposure coupled with a unique breathing technique, Wim is on a mission to share his discoveries with the world.
The benefits of his method, now practiced by millions, have been validated by eight university research studies, several of which we discuss today.
He has been featured on the BBC, VICE Media, Discovery Channel, and Joe Rogan, Tim Ferris, and School of Greatness podcasts.
His newest book The Wim Hof Method-Activate Your Full Human Potential is the subject of our time together today. And I am certain you will not only be entertained, but empowered as well. Wim will provide some really important information that relates to our ability to gain control over parts of our physiology that were heretofore considered inaccessible – like immune function. As such, you’ll find this interview quite timely.
For more from Wim, follow him on his website, or on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
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It has been said that “into each life some rain must fall." That’s pretty much a given, for most of us. The challenge becomes how we let these experiences inform us moving forward. Tana Amen, author of the new book The Relentless Courage of a Scared Child, takes us through how her terrifying childhood of abandonment and abuse, numerous battles with cancer and depression, and a never-ending fight to be valued for more than her outward appearance conspired to rob her of a voice—and the healthy future she deserved. She then reveals how she found her voice, safety, and developed habits that she will share with you today to be mentally and physically strong as we enter 2021.
Tana Amen is a New York Times bestselling author, a neurosurgical ICU trauma nurse, and a world-renowned health and fitness expert. She has won the hearts of millions with her simple yet effective strategies to help anyone optimize their lifestyle and win the fight for a strong body, mind, and spirit. Tana holds a second-degree black belt in Kenpo Karate and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Tana and her husband, Dr. Daniel Amen, have four children and five grandchildren.
Tana Amen shares updates on her website, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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The term “long-haul COVID” has now entered our lexicon in relationship to this infectious disease. Unlike so many other infectious events, it looks like, in many people, COVID-19 is not monophasic. This means that a significant number of individuals have persistent symptoms for extended periods of time. This experience may now be affecting millions of people globally following their supposed “recovery.”
In fact, the NIH in December 2020 sponsored a meeting to call attention to this specific problem because of its global extent. Indeed, the long-term consequences of COVID-19 are now being described as a “second health crisis,” globally.
These long-term issues may involve the lungs, the cardiovascular system, the brain and other parts of the nervous system, and even may have psychological consequences, any of which may prove to be debilitating. And they are anything but uncommon. One study recently demonstrated that as many as 46% of competitive college athletes had evidence, post COVID-19, of heart damage. So the notion that a person gets this infection, spends some time in bed, and then should expect to be able to resume his or her typical life experience is now being challenged.
An article recently appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association entitled "Long-term Health Consequences of COVID-19"authored byCarlos del Rio, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. del Rio joins us today to discuss these long-term health consequences in terms of their frequency, mechanisms, and possible therapeutics, and what the future may look like with reference to this emerging issue.
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It’s a fact – we are all aging.
But we can choose to age well, meaning we can make lifestyle choices that will open the door for us to live in a way that doesn’t equate our chronological age to our physical age.
As Dr. Frank Lipman states in his new book, The New Rules of Aging Well:
The ordinary choices you make each day can have extraordinary effects on your overall health. You only need to know what to do. I’m thrilled to say, the secrets you need are all right here.
It’s such a good book, and that is why I’ve endorsed it.
Let me tell you more about my good friend, Dr. Frank Lipman. Dr. Frank Lipman received his initial medical training in South Africa and emigrated to the United States in 1984. He became board certified in internal medicine after serving as Chief Medical Resident at Lincoln Hospital in New York City. Becoming more and more aware of both the strengths and weaknesses of his training, he began to study acupuncture, Chinese medicine, functional medicine, nutrition, herbal medicine, meditation, and yoga. Now recognized as a vocal pioneer of integrative and functional medicine (or what he calls “good medicine”), Dr. Frank Lipman is the founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center and the Chief Medical Officer at The Well. He is a sought-after international speaker and the best-selling author of six books—How to Be Well, The New Health Rules, Young & Slim for Life, Revive and Total Renewal – and his newest book, The New Rules of Aging Well: A Simple Program for Immune Resilience, Strength, and Vitality.
From taking care of your feet to making sure you’re getting enough magnesium, Dr. Lipman hones in on what really matters as we look to keeping ourselves healthy, active, and vibrant.
For more from Dr. Lipman, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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Today on The Empowering Neurologist, I spend some time with Dr. Catherine Shanahan, author of the new book The Fatburn Fix. In her new book, Dr. Shanahan makes it very clear that we need to reassess our notions of fearing dietary fat and embrace the idea that making good decisions as it relates to the type of fats we consume will help ensure our health.
Please enjoy this interview.
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It’s exciting to watch new developments in medicine, especially when new treatments for diseases are developed. Unfortunately, there is no treatment that has any merit for Alzheimer’s disease. Think of it, this disease that affects close to 5.8 million Americans is a disease for which we have no meaningful treatment whatsoever.
As many of you know, Dr. Dale Bredesen has pioneered a novel approach to Alzheimer’s disease. Rather than offering up a single treatment, he has created a multi-pronged program that is proving successful in reversing this disease. Yes, I’ll repeat, this program has reversed Alzheimer’s disease.
I previously interviewed Dr. Bredesen about his book, The End of Alzheimer’s, and his new book, The End of Alzheimer’s Program, focuses more on providing hands-on information with respect to what each of us can do today to preserve our brains as well as what can be done for patients with existing Alzheimer’s dementia.
Like the original book, I am certain that this new work will soon be a best seller, worldwide. And I was asked to provide its foreword, appearing below with permission:
"Never before has the practice of medicine been as polarized by the dichotomy between reductionism and holism as exists today with relation to the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Reductionism, as it is applied to the practice of medicine, takes the position that in order to best understand a disease process and ultimately formulate and implement an appropriate therapeutic intervention, both the disease and the intervention need to be reduced to the simplest operative parts and mechanisms. Many have credited the sixteenth-century French philosopher René Descartes with codifying this paradigm. Descartes, in part V of his Discourse, described the world as being nothing more than a clockwork machine that could be understood in its entirety through an exploration of its individual components. And clearly the progress of the science of medicine historically and in the present is deeply punctuated by landmark advances characterized by dedication to this approach.
Whether we are speaking of Antonie Philips van Leeuwenhoek, using a single-lensed microscope to discover animalcules (microbes), or the sequencing of the human genome, the underpinnings of Western medicine continue to honor the notion that looking deeper and deeper at constituent parts will ultimately provide a knowledge base that will reveal sought-after solutions to challenging disease processes.
To be sure, microscopy led to an understanding of pathophysiology that directly resulted in wondrous advances leveraged for salubrious outcomes. But myopically engaging a philosophy centered on drilling down to unity in terms of parts and processes inevitably segues to sanctioning a therapy equally centered on the validation of the singular. Simply stated, embracing reductionism in medicine supports the ideology of monotherapy, the idea that the goal of modern medical research should be the development of single, magic bullets that are designed and marketed to counter single diseases.
As Harvard physician Dr. Andrew Ahn put it in a paper exploring the limits of reductionism in medicine:
Reductionism pervades the medical sciences and affects the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. While it has been responsible for tremendous successes in modern medicine, there are limits to reductionism, and an alternative explanation must be sought to complement it.
As of this writing, no disease process highlights the limitations of a reductionist approach as it relates to therapy more than senile dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. To be sure, the deep dive to unravel the etiology of this now-epidemic disease has been under way for decades and underwritten by hundreds of millions of dollars. Applying a reductionist approach has indeed revealed fascinating mechanisms that are likely involved in what ultimately manifests as this disease that now affects 5.5 million Americans. But alas, no single or combination pharmaceutical therapy has any effect whatsoever on modifying the inexorable course of Alzheimer’s disease.
As a testament to the tenacity of the pharmaceutical industry, several drugs are marketed to Americans and indeed globally with the idea that they somehow “treat” Alzheimer’s disease. But while these medicines may minimally affect Alzheimer’s symptoms, again they provide no benefit whatsoever with respect to actually improving the ultimate outcome. As Dr. Michal Schnaider-Beeri recently revealed in an editorial in the journal Neurology: “Despite great scientific efforts to find treatments for Alzheimer disease (AD), only 5 medications are marketed, with limited beneficial effects on symptoms, on a limited proportion of patients, without modification of the disease course.”
More recently, the concern for the lack of efficacy of these medications was overshadowed by a report appearing in The Journal of the American Medical Association revealing that not only do the commonly prescribed Alzheimer’s drugs lack efficacy, but their utilization is actually associated with more rapid cognitive decline.
In contradistinction to reductionism, holism places more value on exploring the forest as opposed to focusing on the single tree. To be sure, a holistic approach to health and disease absolutely embraces the discoveries of deep scientific pursuits, but the fundamental difference in comparison to reductionism is found when examining how science is utilized as it relates to actually treating a malady. Whereas reductionism looks for the one home-run solution, holism considers any and all options available if there’s something positive to offer.
As you will soon discover in the pages that follow, for the first time ever a therapeutic intervention has been developed that successfully treats Alzheimer’s disease. The protocol developed by Dr. Bredesen is by definition holistic. His program incorporates the discoveries of research across a multitude of disciplines that have bearing on Alzheimer’s pathogenesis. Our most highly respected scientific research has clearly delineated the specific mechanisms whereby a vast array of seemingly unrelated processes contributes to the ultimate manifestation of this disease. And it is precisely because Alzheimer’s disease manifests from the confluence of multiple factors that its remediation requires the orchestration of diverse instruments.
Although the source of the quote “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result” has been questioned, its relevance to the pursuit of a single drug approach to the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is unquestionable. Sanity now prevails with Dr. Bredesen’s challenge to the status quo that may well bring an end to Alzheimer’s disease."
David Perlmutter, MD
Naples, Florida January 2019
Please enjoy today’s interview with Dr. Bredesen. For more from Dr. Bredesen follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
(Excerpt from THE END OF ALZHEIMER’S PROGRAM by arrangement with Avery Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © 2020, Dale E. Bredesen)
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What an exciting and important presentation we have for you today. For many years we have been providing information focused on the pivotal role of nutritional choices as they relate to the brain, mostly in the context of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Today, we’re going to explore how our nutritional choices actually impact us from a mood perspective with our very special guest, Dr. Uma Naidoo. Let me tell you a bit more about her.
Michelin-starred chef David Bouley described Dr. Uma Naidoo as the world’s first “triple threat” in the food as medicine space: She is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, professional chef who graduated with her culinary schools’ most coveted award, and a nutrition specialist. Her niche work is in Nutritional Psychiatry and she is regarded both nationally and internationally as a medical pioneer in this field.
In her role as a Clinical Scientist, Dr. Naidoo founded and directs the first hospital-based clinical service in Nutritional Psychiatry in the USA. She is the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) & Director of Nutritional Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General Hospital Academy while serving on the faculty at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Naidoo graduated from the Harvard-Longwood Psychiatry Residency Training Program in Boston during which she received several awards, some of which included a Junior Investigator Award (American Psychiatric Association); Leadership Development for Physicians and Scientists award (Harvard), as well as being the very first psychiatrist to be awarded the coveted Curtis Prout Scholar in Medical Education.
The American Psychiatric Association has asked her to author the first academic text in Nutritional Psychiatry. Think of that, a mainstream organization championing a book that explores the effects of food choices on states of psychiatric well-being! In addition, she is the author of the upcoming title: “This is Your Brain on Food” and this is the subject of our discussion today.
Please note as we move through our discussion that we explore, in the context of psychiatry, some important themes that we have discussed in the past in the context of Alzheimer’s disease including the importance of gut health, the influence of the microbiome, the overall lack of pharmaceutical efficacy, and the pivotal role of inflammation.
For more from Dr. Naidoo, grab your copy of her new book today, or follow her updates on her website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
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Today on The Empowering Neurologist I had the pleasure of again spending time with Dr. Matthew Phillips. He’s been on the program in the past discussing the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in Parkinson’s disease.
Today he explores the notion of fasting, and reveals how powerful a therapy this may represent as it relates to both keeping the brain healthy as well as in the treatment of existing disease.
I’d like to share the conclusion from his recent publication, Fasting as a Therapy in Neurological Disease, as I think it says a lot:
"In an era of rising healthcare costs and an increasing prevalence of neurological disease, the introduction of a self-empowering, cost-free, effective therapeutic option for a range of neurological disorders would be a welcome addition to the armamentarium of physicians. Today’s most common neurological disorders are fundamentally characterized by defective metabolism, on many levels. Given that fasting is a simple, multi-targeted, and essentially “metabolic” therapy with a healthy track record for treating a variety of neurological diseases in animals, it holds promise as a treatment for analogous diseases in humans. Despite this promise, the state of the evidence in humans is extremely limited; many more studies are needed before the actual clinical efficacy of fasting as a therapy in human neurological disorders can be ascertained. Yet if these studies can be prioritized, perhaps the day will come when fasting regimens are prescribed alongside medication-based approaches, culminating in the inception of a unified metabolic approach, capable of modifying not only the symptoms, but also the natural course, of the most common, disabling neurological diseases in existence."
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One of the most pervasive recommendations these days centers on the benefits related to socially distancing ourselves from others. And while this may be a meaningful recommendation, an unfortunate consequence seems to be increasing social isolation.
Social isolation begets loneliness, and loneliness is pervasive in modern society. Research reveals profound relationships between levels of loneliness and risk for various health conditions. Important for our current experience with COVID-19 is the relationship between social isolation and immune dysfunction.
In today’s podcast, we interview Dr. Danilo Bzdok and Dr. Robin Dunbar, who authored a new review entitled The Neurobiology of Social Distance. It’s a fascinating exploration of the importance of our social integration and our maintenance of social capital.
Here is the abstract from this publication:
"Never before have we experienced social isolation on such a massive scale as we have in response to COVID-19. Yet we know that the social environment has a dramatic impact on our sense of life satisfaction and well-being. In times of distress, crisis, or disaster, human resilience depends on the richness and strength of social connections, as well as active engagement in groups and communities. Over recent years, evidence emerging from various disciplines has made it abundantly clear: loneliness may be the most potent threat to survival and longevity. Here, we highlight the benefits of social bonds, choreographies of bond creation and maintenance, as well as the neurocognitive basis of social isolation and its deep consequences for mental and physical health."
This podcast is very special for us because this is the 100th episode of the The Empowering Neurologist, we are joined by Dr. Austin Perlmutter, and this is a fundamentally important topic that we get to explore with two of the most highly respected researchers in this field on the planet. Enjoy.
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Integration Psychotherapy, pioneered by our guest, Dr. Ingmar Gorman, is a fascinating technique that brings a powerful level of therapeutic efficacy to the use of psychedelics. Psychedelic experiences are certainly becoming more available, and what we learn today is how fundamentally important it is to appropriately process these experiences after they have occurred. So much literature is being published describing the efficacy of psychedelic compounds in the treatment of things like PTSD and refractory depression, but as Dr. Gorman makes clear, it’s not just the taking of the medicine that fully allows realization of improvement. Equally important is the post-experience therapy that helps frame and contextualize what the psychedelic experience has presented.
Mental health practitioners can learn more about Dr. Gorman’s training program by visiting http://www.fluence8.com.
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One of the questions on everyone’s minds has to do with why some people have such a tough time with this COVID-19 infection. Yes, we know that the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions are more likely to have serious complications, but we certainly see plenty of seemingly healthy individuals with significant issues as well.
Might there be genomic influences on outcome? It looks like this may well be the case. And this is the subject of our discussion with Harvard-trained Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen on The Empowering Neurologist.
In addition to our review of the role of genomics as it relates to a person’s response to coronavirus infection, Dr. Hausman-Cohen reveals some very interesting data about the role of two natural supplements, Sambucus and Andrographis, in immunity as well as viral infections specifically.
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Biological aging is clearly an important risk factor for many of our most common chronic degenerative conditions like diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer. So much so that these maladies are often described as “age-related diseases.”
One of the most important contributors to disease processes associated with biological aging is something called “cellular senescence.” This term essentially refers to aging at a cellular level with loss of function and even the ability to divide. There may be an upside to a cell losing its ability to replicate when we consider cancer. On the other hand, when considering immunity for example, we depend on a constant repopulation of functioning cells in order to optimize the ability of our immune systems.
There is an active process within our bodies whereby we are able to identify and rid ourselves of older cells that have lost their function. These have been termed “senescent cells,” and a growing body of science reveals that eliminating these senescent cells may prove to be helpful with many of these so-called age-related diseases and perhaps may impact the whole notion of biological aging as well.
There are a variety of natural products that function as “senolytics,” meaning that they have the ability to aid the body in ridding itself of senescent cells. When this occurs, our bodies naturally repopulate themselves with younger, more functional cells which, in a sense, turn back the hands of time, at least as it relates to this important parameter of biological aging. Some of the important candidates being studied right now include flavonoid compounds like quercetin, curcumin, luteolin, and fisetin.
Another important area of research focuses on preserving youthfulness and vitality at a cellular level. One intervention that seems to preserve cellular functionality is caloric restriction. Indeed, much research demonstrates in a variety of animal models how effective caloric restriction is not only at a cellular level but also in terms of life extension for the animal itself. And it is this area of research that underlies the popularity of so-called “intermittent fasting” as a way to enhance immunity and possibly even extend lifespan.
Moving forward, we should certainly expect to see significant expansion in research that focuses on both how our cells preserve their function as well as how our bodies rid themselves of cells once they come become senescent. The obvious extension of this research will likely be improvement of our health spans and possibly even of our lifespans.
Today’s interview is with Dr. Jeffrey Bland. Dr. Bland, founder and president of Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute, is a leading authority on the topic of senotherapeutics and I am certain you will find his information interesting, useful, and thought-provoking.
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To be sure, we look at a wide variety medical issues on The Empowering Neurologist.
But one event that will affect us all is dying. Here in America we have experienced the medicalization of death, treating death as an enemy to be fought and defeated at all costs. Indeed, the actual process of dying, the patient’s experience during the process, is completely ignored in medical training.
Our guest today is Dr. Christopher Kerr, author of the new book, Death Is But a Dream.
Dr. Kerr is a hospice doctor. All of his patients die. Yet he has cared for thousands of patients who, in the face of death, speak of love and grace. Beyond the physical realities of dying are unseen processes that are remarkably life-affirming. These include dreams that are unlike any regular dream. Described as “more real than real,” these end-of-life experiences resurrect past relationships, replay meaningful events, and display themes of love and forgiveness; they restore life’s meaning and mark the transition from distress to comfort and acceptance.
Drawing on interviews with over 1,400 patients and more than a decade of quantified data, Dr. Kerr reveals that pre-death dreams and visions are extraordinary occurrences that humanize the dying process. He shares how his patients’ stories point to death as not solely about the end of life, but as the final chapter of humanity’s transcendence. Kerr’s book also illuminates the benefits of these phenomena for the bereaved, who find solace in seeing their loved ones pass with a sense of calm closure.
Christoper Kerr, MD, PhD, is the CEO and chief medical officer at Hospice Buffalo. Born and raised in Toronto, Kerr earned his MD, as well as PhD, in neurobiology and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Rochester. His research has received international attention and has been featured in The New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, and the BBC. He lives on a horse farm in the small town of East Aurora, New York.
To learn more about Dr. Kerr and to view some of the video interviews that shed such an important light on the dying experience, visit his website, and also his wonderful TED talk dealing with dreams and visions of the dying.
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Today I have the opportunity to speak with Dr. George Tetz. His name may sound familiar to many of you as I have interviewed him in the past with regards to his work connecting bacteriophages with Parkinson’s disease.
Today, we explore his latest research related to coronavirus (COVID-19). Yes, it’s technical, but his discovery of homologous prion sequences in the virus, and, in its human receptor site is mind-blowing.
Let me tell you a bit more about Dr. Tetz.
George Tetz, MD, PhD is CEO of the Human Microbiology Institute in New York City. His research focuses on the study of bacteriophages: viruses that infect bacteria. Tetz studies how bacteriophages can contribute to microbiome dysbiosis in a range of human chronic inflammatory conditions. He also examines how bacteriophages can act as novel mammalian pathogens by interacting directly with human cells and the host immune response. His recent findings show an early role for bacteriophage activity in conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Type 1 Diabetes, and “leaky-gut” syndrome.
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Our most powerful tool to reverse the global epidemic of chronic disease, heal the environment, reform politics, address social injustice, and revive economies is food. What we eat has tremendous implications not just for our waistlines, but also for the planet, society, and the global economy. What we do to our bodies, we do to the planet; and what we do to the planet, we do to our bodies.
Beyond these important considerations, it turns out that our choice in foods may well have an important bearing on our risk for the current pandemic of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
In Food Fix, #1 bestselling author Mark Hyman explains how our food and agriculture policies are corrupted by money and lobbies that drive our biggest global crises: the spread of obesity and food-related chronic disease, climate change, poverty, violence, educational achievement gaps, and more...
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Why are most Alzheimer’s patients women?
It may come as a surprise to you, but women outnumber men when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease sufferers by a ratio of 2 to 1. Why Alzheimer’s affects women so adversely is unclear, but we do know there is a lot of science that’s beginning to make sense of this statistic. Moreover, now that we are gaining ground on understanding why the female brain is more susceptible to this devastating disease, it allows us to begin getting our arms around the idea that specific lifestyle changes may be very important as they relate to reducing a woman’s risk...
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Clearly, one of the most important goals of the conversations we try to spark here is empowerment. This empowerment is especially valuable as it relates to brain health.
I’m certain that many of you not only watched my previous interview with Max Lugavere, but also read his important book, Genius Foods.
Max now has a new book, The Genius Life, that looks not only at food, but at a variety of other important lifestyle factors that very much add to our level of empowerment with the goal of keeping our brains healthy.
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Why do we not generally discuss the fact that there is an epidemic of mental illness in our society? Or that our lifestyle choices may have an impact on our risk for these conditions (like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and others)? Though incidence of these conditions is skyrocketing, for the past four decades standard treatment hasn’t much changed, and success rates in treating them have barely improved, either. Meanwhile, the stigma of the “mental illness” label―damaging and devastating on its own―can often prevent sufferers from getting the help they need.
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Without a doubt, one of the most highly debated topics in health and wellness centers on the safety or risk associated with GMO foods. Today, Austin Perlmutter M.D. joins me to interview Jeffrey Smith, who has, for the past two decades, done his best to raise public awareness as to the possible health-related concerns of genetically modifying our foodstuffs.
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Today we will speak with Aaron Alexander, author of the new book, The Align Method. Aaron, founder of Align Method™, is an accomplished manual therapist and movement coach with over 16 years of professional experience, whose clients range from A-list Hollywood celebrities to professional athletes and everyone in-between. Over the last five years, Aaron has interviewed over 300 of the world’s preeminent thought leaders on physical and psychological well-being on the top-rated Align Podcast, bringing together a variety of diverse perspectives on physical inhabitance.
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The plant-based diet is gaining more and more attention these days, and with good reason. It’s clear that less reliance on animal derived food will have a positive environmental impact. In addition, there is compelling evidence that favoring a more plant-based diet may well provide significant health benefits.
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Lifespan extension and healthspan extension are certainly topics that most of us want to learn more about. So, in this episode of The Empowering Neurologistwe explore how regulating a particular metabolic switch through dietary and other lifestyle choices may help us increase our chances of living a longer, and disease-free, life.
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The popular Mediterranean diet has received lots of validation in mainstream scientific literature as being a healthful choice. This is a diet that focuses on the the Importance of a variety of vegetables, and protein from both plant and animal sources. It’s a diet that’s rich in healthful fat (typically locally sourced) and, importantly, a diet that’s going to provide lots and lots of healthful fiber, a nutrient that is sorely lacking in what is generally considered the standard American diet.
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Last February, my wife and I were attending a health-related symposium and noted that many of the speakers were wearing an OURA ring. We learned that the OURA ring was one of the latest entries in the field of wearable technology. What was most intriguing for us was how many of our friends described the insights they were gaining in terms of the length and quality of their sleep. So we decided to buy a couple of these and learn, firsthand, what all the excitement was about. Our level of understanding of not only our day-to-day activities, but, perhaps more importantly, the characteristics of our sleep experience, was not only revealing but powerfully empowering.
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Prof. Tim Noakes is one of my all-time heroes. As many of you may know, Prof. Noakes, a South African physician, was brought before a professional council for his advocacy of a lower carbohydrate diet. Ultimately he was fully exonerated, defending his position with reference to recommending higher fat consumption while reducing carbohydrates, as documented in the movie The Magic Pill, which focuses not only on the importance of reducing refined carbohydrates for weight loss, but also how diets higher in these carbohydrates are threatening to our health and pave the way for disease.
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Today we are going to review a new book, The Longevity Solution, written by Dr. James DiNicolantonio and Dr. Jason Fung. Much about this book can be learned from its subtitle: "Rediscovering Centuries Old Secrets to a Healthy, Long Life." The point being that much of what this book describes was known by our ancestors, and it's our job to unlearn what we've come to know about aging, and relearn this crucial ancient wisdom.
This fascinating book does a deep dive into the mechanisms that are involved in aging and then takes up some very interesting topics that are currently a part of our day-to-day discussions relating to aging, including the notion of fasting, the importance of understanding health implications of foods like like tea, red wine, and coffee, the controversial ideas of consuming dietary salt, why magnesium matters, what makes for a healthy versus unhealthy fat, and even explores Blue Zones, areas in the world in which there is extended lifespan.
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Brain Body Diet is the newest book written by New York Times best-selling author, Dr. Sara Gottfried. Dr. Gottfried writes about the uniqueness of the female brain as it relates to physical body issues, such as weight loss, as well as psychological issues like anxiety, happiness, and mindfulness. It’s a deep dive into a vast array of lifestyle opportunities that can absolutely rewrite a woman’s health destiny. Brain Body Diet is an incredibly empowering work and I can assure you that you will find this interview to be very meaningful.
I am honored that I have been given the opportunity to write the foreword for Dr. Gottfried‘s new book as well as permission to reprint it below. Take a read, and then enjoy today’s discussion.
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Dr. Anna Cabeca has written a new book,The Hormone Fix, that focuses on the important role of diet and other lifestyle issues in terms of gaining hormone balance. She especially focuses on menopause and leveraging the fundamental relationship between a ketogenic diet and hormone function in what she calls the “keto-green way.”
This is a unique feature of her new book that takes into account the importance of alkalinity for feeling well while engaged in a ketogenic program.
Dr. Cabeca is a very special individual whom I deeply admire and respect. Please enjoy this interview, and be sure to let me know your thoughts below.
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Today’s interview is with Lisa Mosconi, PhD. She is the associate director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at Weil Cornell Medical College in New York. Prior to that she served as the director of the Nutrition and Brain Fitness Lab at New York University, School of Medicine.
Dr. Mosconi holds a dual PhD degree in neuroscience as well as nuclear medicine from the University of Florence, Italy, and is board-certified in integrative nutrition.
I think will really enjoy this interview and learn about her new book, Brain Food, which not only looks at nutrition but also leverages the science of nutritional genomics, and even the emerging science relating to the role of the microbiome in brain health. The book provides recommendations that we can all use with respect to the foods we eat and, interestingly, she does challenge some of our long-held notions.
I hope you enjoy this discussion.
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While there certainly are various medications that prove somewhat helpful in the treatment of symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, it's important to recognize that these medications are not actually treating the underlying disease itself. We now understand that one of the pivotal mechanisms in Parkinson's disease is compromise of energy production, at the level of the mitochondria. This ultimately manifest as various problems, not just in the brain, but actually throughout the entire body. With this understanding, specifically targeting mitochondrial function makes sense as a way of actually addressing this fundamental underlying abnormality in Parkinson's disease.As many of you are aware, the ketogenic diet has been demonstrated to enhance mitochondrial function. As such, it should be considered as a candidate, at least, in terms of treating a disease like Parkinson's. In fact, this is the subject of a recent interventional trial in which actual Parkinson's patients were placed on a ketogenic diet under the direction of Dr. Matthew Phillips.Today, the empowering neurologists interviews Dr. Matt Phillips about his recent published research in which he demonstrates powerfully positive results in Parkinson's patients placed on a ketogenic diet. How wonderful it is that we are now seeing published research dealing with nutritional interventions, especially in these challenging situations.
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I’m sure many of you are familiar with Dave Asprey. He’s the founder of Bulletproof, and alsoa New York Times bestselling author. In addition, he hosts the very popular Bulletproof Radio podcast. On his podcast, Dave has had the opportunity to interview hundreds of thought leaders across a wide spectrum of disciplines and as such, he’s learned a lot.
In his new book, Game Changers, Dave shares what he’s learned. Here’s from the Amazon write-up:
The bestselling author of Head Strong and The Bulletproof Diet answers the question, “How can I kick more ass at life?” by culling the wisdom of world-class thought leaders, maverick scientists, and disruptive entrepreneurs to provide proven techniques for becoming happier, healthier, and smarter.
When Dave Asprey started his podcast more than five years ago, he sought out influencers in an array of disciplines, from biochemists toiling in unknown laboratories to business leaders changing the world to mediation masters discovering inner peace. His guests were some of the top performing humans in the world, people who had changed their areas of study or even pioneered entirely new fields. Dave wanted to know: What did they have in common? What mattered most to them? What made them so successful—and what made them tick? At the end of each interview, Dave asked the same question: “What are your top three recommendations for people who want to perform better at being human?”
After performing a statistical analysis of the answers, he found that the wisdom gleaned from these highly successful people could be distilled into three main objectives: finding ways to become smarter, faster, and happier. Game Changers is the culmination of Dave’s years-long immersion in these conversations, offering 46 science-backed, high performance “laws” that are a virtual playbook for how to get better at life.
With anecdotes from game changers like Dr. Daniel Amen, Gabby Bernstein, Dr. David Perlmutter, Arianna Huffington, Esther Perel, and Tim Ferris as well as examples from Dave’s own life, Game Changers offers readers practical advice they can put into action to reap immediate rewards. From taming fear and anxiety to making better decisions, establishing high-performance habits, and practicing gratitude and mindfulness, Dave brings together the wisdom of today’s game-changers to help everyone kick more ass at life.
There’s a lot for you to learn here! And after you watch this interview, consider watching Dave’s previous visit to The Empowering Neurologist. You can also check out the Bulletproof podcast here, and follow Dave on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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Without question one of the most common recommendations made when adults visit a medical practitioner is to reduce their sodium consumption. We’ve all been led to believe that salt is about the worst food additive out there and that it will make everybody hypertensive and affect heart and kidney functioning as well.
But much like the castigation of saturated fat, there is another side of this story we’re just now learning. Dietary sodium may have some very important positive attributes. Sodium, it turns out, it is important for the function of the hormone insulin and as such, deficiencies of sodium may relate to diabetes. Other problems that may be associated with not consuming enough salt include sleep dysfunction, poor energy, loss of mental focus, declining athletic performance, and even poor sexual performance.
Today’s interview is with Dr. James DiNicolantonio, author of The Salt Fix: Why the Experts Got It All Wrong and How Eating More Might Save Your Life. He’s also the author of the brand new book Superfood, with previous Empowering Neurologist guest Dr. Joseph Mercola.
I think you’re really going to enjoy this explanation of the importance of dietary salt from a perspective that is certainly not what mainstream medicine would have us believe. To be clear, Dr. DiNicolantonio is not telling us that high levels of salt consumption are for everyone. But what he does make clear is the fact that salt consumption may well be important for health for many people. It’s an interesting interview that I hope you will enjoy.
And if you want to stay up to date with the latest updates from Dr. DiNicolantonio, you can follow his work on his website, or on social media on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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When Grain Brain first hit shelves, one of the first questions I started to hear repeated to me again and again was “This is great and all, but what can I do if I’m a vegetarian?” The answer is simple: you can be a vegetarian and follow the Grain Brain lifestyle, no problem.
Now as similar lifestyles begin to take the spotlight, the ketogenic lifestyle chief among them, the same question, posed about these diets, are coming to the fore. Thankfully, Dr. Will Cole is here to help.
In his new book, Ketotarian, Dr. Cole lays out a lifestyle plan that expertly marries the vegetarian and ketogenic diets, bringing together the fat-burning power of ketogenic eating and the clean green benefits of a plant-centric plate. What could be better!
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Without a doubt, we spend a lot of time in this forum discussing the influence of bacteria on the health of the gut, and how that translates into risk for disease elsewhere in the body. As it turns out, there are a multitude of other entities residing within the gut that are absolutely worthy of our attention.
Bacteriophages are a type of virus that can infect bacteria and alter their function. First identified in 1917, bacteriophages have been long overlooked in terms of their potential contribution to human disease.
Our interview today is with Dr. George Tetz, one of the world leaders in bacteriophage research.
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Last year I have the opportunity to interview professor Melissa Schilling on the topic of diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, in reference to her publication in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
I find it very fascinating that her research and publication are really quite unrelated, seemingly, to her profession as Professor of Management at New York University Stern School of Business.
That said, as yet another manifestation that Prof. Schilling is truly a renaissance person, her new book, Quirky, explores the characteristics of some of the most incredible innovators who have changed the destiny of the world.
What really distinguishes the people who literally change the world--those creative geniuses who give us one breakthrough after another? What differentiates Marie Curie or Elon Musk from the merely creative, the many one-hit wonders among us?
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This episode of The Empowering Neurologist looks at a new book from Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, How to Make Disease Disappear.
Dr. Chatterjee is a medical doctor with nearly 20 years of hand-on, clinical experience seeing patients. He is double-board certified in both internal medicine and family medicine, and holds an honors degree in immunology.
He is star of the BBC One TV show “Doctor in the House”, which has aired in over 70 countries around the world. Dr. Chatterjee uses a functional and lifestyle medicine approach to reverse chronic disease. On the program, he actually moves in with families and helps them make important lifestyle changes targeted at improving health.
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Recently, at the annual PaleoFX conference, I had the opportunity to sit on a panel alongside Dr. Michael Ruscio. I was extremely taken by his interaction with the audience, the compassion (and information) in his message, and the depth of his knowledge.
I was delighted when he sent me his new book, Healthy Gut Healthy You, and I have found this book to be both extremely comprehensive and written in a user-friendly way. He has done an incredible job in writing this book and I’m hoping you will find it as interesting as have I once you’ve had a chance to read your copy.
In the interview today, Dr. Ruscio explains how gut health relates to just about everything else in the body, how changes in gut health can manifest as disease, and what we can do to fix the problem — the ultimate goal.
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Hormone imbalance is extremely common, and generally it is treated with pharmaceutical interventions. Why don’t we take a step back for moment and ask ourselves just why these issues are occurring in the first place?
Once we do that, all roads seem to point us towards an investigation into how our lifestyle choices may be impacting our health, specifically the balance of our hormones. Further, some of the most important lifestyle choices we make are the foods we choose to consume.
Magdalena Wszelaki has written an exciting new book specifically geared at dietary changes designed to rebalance hormones, Cooking for Hormone Balance: Cooking for Hormone Balance:
The founder of the popular Hormones Balance online community, holistic nutrition coach Magdalena Wszelaki knows this firsthand. Developing hyperthyroidism and then Hashimoto’s, adrenal fatigue and estrogen dominance, propelled her to leave a high-pressure advertising career and develop a new way of eating that would repair and keep her hormones working smoothly.
Now symptom-free, Magdalena shares her practical, proven knowledge so other women may benefit. In Cooking for Hormone Balance, she draws on current research to explain the essential role food plays in keeping our hormones in harmony and offers easy, flavorful recipes to help us eat our way to good health. She also offers clear, concise action plans for what to remove and add to our daily diet to regain hormonal balance, including guides for specific conditions. And we will explore, in this program, the connection between diet and hormone balance, as well as Magdalena’s specific recommendations as they relate to specific problems.
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I am hopeful that, at this stage of the game, it will not come as a total surprise that even the health and appearance of our skin is affected by microbes and the microbiome.
Many of us grew up at a time when bacteria were universally considered to be detrimental and and therefore were the targets of therapies to treat specific conditions. Acne, for example, was considered to be a disease caused by the action of a bad bacterium which was then targeted with topical and oral antibiotics, as well as various other skin sanitizing techniques. Unfortunately, to a significant degree, this mentality remains pervasive.
Today I interviewed Dr. Whitney Bowe, author of the new book The Beauty of Dirty Skin. Her book literally rewrites our understanding of what makes for healthy skin. She takes a deep dive into the role not only of gut bacteria but of skin bacteria in manifesting healthy skin.
In the interview, we explore a diversity of topics including sun protection, acne treatment, the role of diet in promoting healthy skin, the recently discovered role of probiotics in skin health, and yes, the fallacy of many commonly-accepted approaches to skin conditions.
Dr. Bowe did her undergraduate training at Yale and subsequently attended medical school at University of Pennsylvania. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed research journals and has appeared in a variety of media including Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and has been featured in print media including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Allure, Elle, and Readers Digest.
I am certain that you will all enjoy this very lively and informative interview. For more, visit Dr. Bowe’s website, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Today on The Empowering Neurologist I have the wonderful opportunity to interview Dr. Frank Lipman. His new book is called How to be Well: The 6 Keys to a Happy and Healthy Life, and in it he explores important areas of focus for healthy living, including eating, sleeping, moving, protecting, unwinding and connecting.
Dr. Lipman has created a novel idea of incorporating these important concept into a mandala, which we will discuss.
The book is really a pleasure to read. Dr. Lipman makes it very clear how important our food choices are, but is anything but overbearing in doing so. A main theme throughout the book is restoring our connection to our ancestral selves, not only in terms of our food choices but in addition in terms of our connection to darkness at night, as well as connection to other people, to the things we love, and, most importantly, to others. And those are just a few examples.
Dr. Lipman practices in New York City and is a New York Times bestselling author. I’ve known him for many years and he is a kind, dedicated, and empathetic physician. If you want to learn more, visit him online, or on Facebook or Twitter.
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Dr. Jeffrey Bland, the author of The Disease Delusion, is known as the “Father of Functional Medicine”, a medical approach that focuses on the personalized prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Over the past 35 years Dr. Bland has traveled more than 6 million miles teaching more than 100,000 health care practitioners in the USA, Canada and more than 40 other countries about Functional Medicine.
He has been a University biochemistry professor, the Research Director at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, the co-founder of the Institute for Functional Medicine (1991), and the founder/President of the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute. He has authored more than 100 scientific publications and 11 books for the health professional and health consumer. He lives in Bainbridge Island, Washington with his wife Susan, and near his three sons and their families while pursuing his hobbies of boating, surfing, scuba diving and a life-long passion for learning.
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Today’s Empowering Neurologist interview is with Dr. Bruce Blumberg, author of the new book, The Obesogen Effect.
Being overweight is not just the result of diet or not enough exercise. According to leading-edge science, there are silent saboteurs in our daily lives that contribute significantly to our obesity epidemic: obesogens. These weight-inducing offenders, most of which are chemicals, disrupt our hormonal systems, alter how we create and store fat, and change how we respond to dietary choices. Because they are largely unregulated, obesogens lurk all around us: in food, furniture, plastic products such as water bottles and food storage containers. Research has even shown that the effects of some obesogens can be passed on to future generations by irreversibly interfering with the expression of our genes. The good news is we can protect ourselves by becoming more informed consumers.
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As we have talked about so many times in these pages, our lifestyle choices play a fundamental role in determining not just how our brain functions today, but its long-term destiny as well.
My good friend Max Lugavere became a globally-recognized citizen scientist, as it relates to brain degeneration, as a consequence of his mother’s battle with a neurodegenerative condition. In his new book, Genius Foods, Max details how he was basically left empty-handed at being able to do anything meaningful to help his mother in her battle. He visited many of our country’s most well-respected academic institutions and hospitals, and ultimately received nothing more than a list of meaningless medications.
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Do medications “treat” type 2 diabetes? The answer is “no.” While there is a fairly robust list of drugs commonly prescribed by physicians for this situation, these pharmaceuticals tend to treat only the consequences of the disorder, like elevated blood sugar.
In this segment of TheEmpowering Neurologist, I have the great pleasure of interviewing one of the most forward thinking experts in diabetes in the country, Dr. Sarah Hallberg. This is her second time on the program, and with good reason. She and her team have just completed a study in which they demonstrate profound success in actually treating diabetes using a closely monitored ketogenic diet.
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Is swearing good for you?
We generally assume that swearing is offensive, that it’s a sign of a stunted vocabulary or of a limited intellect. Dictionaries have traditionally omitted swear words and parents forbid them around the house. But the latest research by neuroscientists, psychologists, sociologists, and others has revealed that swear words, curses, and oaths―when used judiciously―can have surprising benefits.
In this sparkling debut work of popular science, Emma Byrne examines the latest research to show how swearing can be good for you. With humor and colorful language, she explores every angle of swearing―why we do it, how we do it, and what it tells us about ourselves. Not only has some form of swearing existed since the earliest humans began to communicate, but it has been shown to reduce physical pain, to lower anxiety, to prevent physical violence, to help trauma victims recover language, and yes, to promote human cooperation!
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In direct contradiction to what I learned in medical school, our genes do not directly determine every aspect of our health destiny. We now understand that subtle variations in genes, called SNPs, are highly influential in terms of health and disease. These variations in how genes function generally control various enzyme pathways in the body.
Dr. Ben Lynch has written an amazing book, Dirty Genes. His book focuses on this new understanding of genetics, which I feel is incredibly empowering. Why? Because, as Dr. Lynch makes very clear, many of the most important SNPs that might appear to be detrimental can actually be overridden by various changes in lifestyle, including diet and supplements.
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Hello everyone. Today on The Empowering Neurologist I interview my longtime friend, Dr. Leo Galland. Today, we’ll be discussing Dr. Galland’s newest book, Already Here.
Already Here tells of the death of Dr. Galland’s son, Christopher, at the age of 22, the direct visual evidence Christopher showed him that our souls do go on, and the communications he received from Christopher’s spirit that dramatically changed Dr. Galland’s understanding of life and its meaning.
Dr. Leo Galland, an international bestselling author and a respected scholar, is a global leader in integrative medicine and functional nutrition. He has received the Linus Pauling Award from the Institute of Functional Medicine for creating basic principles of Functional Medicine, and the Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to healthcare from Marquis Who’s Who. He is the author of five popular books and several dozen scientific articles and textbook chapters. A board-certified internist, Dr. Galland is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Nutrition. He received his education at Harvard University and New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Galland is listed in Leading Physicians of the World and America’s Top Doctors.
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One of the great parts of my job is that I receive a ton of books. This is a joy not only because, well, I quite enjoy reading, but it allows me to stay up-to-date on the future of medicine, and to continue to bring you the information you need to control your health destiny. One I’ve just picked up recently is The Autoimmune Fix, by my good friend Dr. Tom O’Bryan.
A bit more about Dr. O’Bryan:
Dr. Tom O’Bryan is an internationally recognized speaker and workshop leader specializing in the complications of Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease as they occur inside and outside of the intestines. He is the founder of theDr.com. He recently hosted the paradigm-shifting ‘The Gluten Summit – A Grain of Truth’, bringing together 29 of the world’s experts on Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.
Let’s dive right in!
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If there’s one thing I hope that you’ve learned in being a member of this community, it’s that no part of the body works in isolation. Our body is an incredibly synchronous machine, with any number of parts working in concert to execute even the subtlest movements or actions. Our entire body functions in this integrated way (hence terms like integrative health and integrative practitioner!).
In this discussion, one area we’ve neglected in this conversation is the mouth and our oral health. Dr. Steven Lin, the author of the new book The Dental Diet, is here to encourage us to consider the role of this part of the body not only in our total health, but as the starting point for the entire journey OF health!
Dr. Steven Lin is a board-registered dentist, writer, and speaker with work published in The Sydney Morning Herald and The British Dental Journal. He has also written for MindBodyGreen and About.com and given talks as part of the TEDx program.
Trained at USYD with a background in biomedical science, he is a passionate whole-health advocate, focusing on the link between nutrition and dental health. Dr. Lin focuses on helping his patients prevent dental disease so as to avoid treatment. He looks for the root cause of disease, believing that the mouth-body connection is the best way to monitor our health.
He is also convinced that our diet is the cause of the problems in our mouth, from crooked, rotten teeth to inflamed gums. The oral-systemic link means our mouths affect our body and our bodies affect our mouths.
Dr. Lin’s personal and professional mission is to prevent dental diseases instead of treating them.
I do hope you’ll enjoy today’s interview, pick up a copy of Dr. Lin’s book, and think more about the implications of your health choices on your oral (and total!) health.
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Our guest today on the empowering neurologist is Valter Longo, PhD. Dr. Longo has created a new dietary approach that in many ways mimics the effectiveness of the more difficult approaches described above, but at the same time is much easier to implement. He calls this diet the Fasting-Mimicking Diet, FMD, and it is described in great detail in his new, best-selling book, The Longevity Diet.
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It’s a great pleasure to have my colleague Dr. Steven Masley on The Empowering Neurologist today. Dr. Masley, the author of the upcoming book The Better Brain Solution, recently published a groundbreaking study that proves, once again, that lifestyle choices help determine your brain’s destiny! We’ll discuss in our conversation today. Enjoy!
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Is there any question more fundamental to our health than “What should I eat today?” It’s something we grapple with daily, and how we answer that question can set the tone how we feel for days, weeks, or months. Today on the program I’m joined by Dr. Cate Shanahan, who is here to help us better answer this crucial question.
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This episode features D. Same Berne, an optometrist by training. We cover everything from the eye microbiome to cataracts to contact lenses.
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In this episode I speak with former guest Dr. Daniel Amen about his newest book Memory Rescue.
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Over the past several years I have frequently referred to Dr. Robert Lustig’s incredibly important book, Fat Chance – The Bitter Truth About Sugar. Dr. Lustig was one of the pioneers in raising awareness as to the addictive issues surrounding sugar as well as its profoundly detrimental effects on human health.
Today, I’m going to interview Dr. Lustig about his new book, The Hacking of the American Mind. I was honored to be asked to endorse Dr. Lustig’s book, about which I thought:
Our health, resistance to disease, and ability to function on a date-to-day basis have essentially been hijacked, all in the name of corporate profits. Dr. Lustig explores how industry has manipulated our most deep seated survival instincts to motivate our food choices in away that directly undermines our ability to survive. But more importantly, The Hacking of the American Mind eloquently reveals how we can disengage from this influence and reestablish ourselves on a path to wellness.
In this new work, Dr. Lustig really puts a lot of the pieces together, allowing us to understand, in a broader sense, why only our health is deteriorating from a physical and mental perspective. During the interview you will hear Dr. Lustig discuss how the manipulation of our food choices is actually an existential threat, and he does a great job in justifying this statement.
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It’s my great honor and privilege to interview Dr. Bredesen for today’s segment of The Empowering Neurologist. I have known Dr. Bredesen for many years and have followed his work closely. He is clearly a pioneer and trailblazer, but more importantly, he is not afraid to challenge the mainstream medical world’s fixation with developing magic bullets, especially as it relates to dealing with a disease like Alzheimer’s. Rather, he has developed a far more comprehensive program that is proving successful – finally!
The End of Alzheimer’s has been wonderfully received for its profound scientific foundations, but it is written in a way that is understandable and, more importantly, functional in terms of allowing all of us to make important changes to protect our brains.
Today’s interview is very important as it crystallizes so much work that has been taking place over the past decade in understanding neurodegenerative conditions.
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I’m sure by now many of you have heard of ButcherBox, an online subscription that allows you to receive 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, and heritage breed pork each month. I’ve been very impressed with the mission of this company, how well they are performing, and the quality of their product and customer service.
Our interview today is with the founder and CEO of ButcherBox, Mike Salguero. Mike will walk us through how the need for this service became apparent to him, and how he ultimately built and scaled ButcherBox- which now delivers 100% grass-fed beef and other high-quality meats to thousands of people across the U.S. (include Leize and I)!
I think you’ll enjoy not only his story, but also the knowledge that there really is an easy way to eat the very best, most healthful beef available, that is also incredibly affordable.
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I think it is very clear that, when discussing diabetes, I am almost always talking about type 2. Mostly, this is because type 2 diabetes is so much more common and, to a significant degree, avoidable.
Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, is less related to lifestyle choices as it is an autoimmune condition.
By and large, dietary recommendations for type 1 diabetic patients center on trying to supply carbohydrates to balance the dosage of insulin that is being used. Our guest today, Dr. Keith Runyan, himself a type 1 diabetic and the author of a groundbreaking book on the subject, challenges this long-held approach. Dr. Runyan believes that by allowing the body to adapt to using fat as its primary energy source, a healthier relationship exists in terms of keeping blood sugar in balance, as well as in overall health. Again, this idea is not generally accepted amongst mainstream healthcare providers, But for those of you who have been following the ketogenic diet story, what Dr. Runyan has discovered does indeed have significant scientific underpinning.
Dr. Runyan has practiced clinical medicine in the areas of emergency medicine, internal medicine, nephrology, and obesity medicine for 28 years. As mentioned, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1998 and with conventional advice achieved the “recommended” HbA1c of 6.5-7% over the next 14 years. However, he was disturbed by frequent unpleasant and embarrassing hypoglycemic episodes. After starting regular exercise to train for triathlons in 2007, his glycemic control actually worsened while taking sports gels to prevent hypoglycemia. When he contemplated doing an Ironman distance triathlon, he sought a better method to control his diabetes.
He came across the ketogenic diet in 2012 and experienced not only an improvement in glycemic control, but also a reduction in hypoglycemia and its symptoms. He completed an Ironman distance triathlon in 2012, without hypoglycemia or the need for sugar or food due to the fat adaptation afforded by the ketogenic diet. He is now an advocate for the use of the ketogenic diet for the management of diabetes and has co-authored the book, The Ketogenic Diet for Type 1 Diabetes, which explains its use and benefits for type 1 diabetes. He documents his glycemic results on his blog.
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Dr. Steven Gundry is a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, New York Times best-selling author, and medical researcher. During his 40-year career in medicine, he has performed over 10,000 heart surgeries and developed life-saving medical technology. In 2008, his book, Dr. Gundry’s Diet Evolution, revealed his new career shift—using nutrition to help patients heal themselves and avoid surgery. His second book, and the subject of our discussion today, is the New York Times bestseller The Plant Paradox. The book outlines a 90-day plan for some of the world’s most pressing health issues, from obesity to heart disease. Gundry MD, founded by Dr. Gundry in 2016, is a wellness blog and YouTube channel equipping people with powerful tools in the journey to reclaim their health.
In our interview today we’re going to explore the very interesting world of plant lectins, a unique type of protein that plants developed to protect themselves against predation. As Dr. Gundry reveals in this interview, it turns out that plant lectins may very well be threatening to human health.
We also cover how artificial sweeteners are threatening to the gut, the dangers of soy, why we should eat foods that are “in season”, and other interesting ideas as they relate to the health of the gut and to inflammation, the cornerstone of virtually all degenerative conditions.
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We are certainly hearing a lot these days about the ketogenic diet, and with very good reason. It may turn out that this dietary approach is the most powerful intervention we could entertain, in terms of providing the most salubrious environment for the body and the brain!
I’m going to tell you right up front, today’s interview is a bit scientifically intense, but nonetheless absolutely worthwhile. I had the great honor to speak with Dr. Dominic D’Agostino. He is is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. He is also a Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). His laboratory develops and tests nutritional strategies and metabolic-based supplements for neurological disorders, cancer and enhancement of physical performance and resilience in extreme environments. His research is supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Department of Defense (DoD), private organizations and foundations.
Our time together explored the mechanisms involved in terms of how ketosis is so powerfully beneficial for brain cells and brain health. Again, it is certainly a bit detailed from a scientific perspective, but the information is, in my opinion, hugely valuable.
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Fibromyalgia seems to be an ever-increasing problem, and while mainstream medicine now recognizes its existence, it is clear that bringing fibromyalgia under control requires far more than simply writing a prescription for an “FDA-approved drug.”
My guest today is a specialist in treating not just the symptoms of fibromyalgia, but the underlying disorder itself. Dr. David M. Brady has 25 years of experience as an integrative practitioner and over 21 years in health sciences academia.
He is a licensed naturopathic physician in Connecticut and Vermont, a board certified clinical nutritionist, and completed his initial clinical training as a doctor of chiropractic. He currently serves as the Vice President for Health Sciences, Director of the Human Nutrition Institute, and Associate Professor of Clinical Sciences at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. He also maintains a private practice in Fairfield, CT.
Dr. Brady has published a multitude of peer-reviewed scientific papers and textbooks related to chronic pain, autoimmunity and functional gastroenterology and is a featured contributing author in the medical textbooks including: Advancing Medicine with Food and Nutrients (2nd Ed.), and Integrative Gastroenterology. His latest book, The Fibro-Fix, is the subject of today’s interview.
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Several months ago I was contacted by today’s Empowering Neurologist guest, Amy Berger, who told me she was going to write a book about how lifestyle choices affect the brain. The working title of the book was The Alzheimer’s Antidote. In fact, Amy even asked me to write the foreword to this new work. After reviewing the manuscript, I told her that I would be delighted to write the foreword as, in my opinion, this would turn out to be an important and informative text.
Flash forward, The Alzheimer’s Antidote has now been published and is getting great reviews. The book focuses on how a low-carb, high-fat diet fights Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss and cognitive decline. Amy walks us through the metabolic origins of Alzheimer’s disease, the fallacy of Alzheimer’s disease being caused by overproduction of beta-amyloid, the importance of exercise and other lifestyle choices, and even the notion of repairing a broken brain.
It’s an excellent book, and I’m hoping you enjoy today’s interview.
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Dr. Joe Mercola is my guest today on The Empowering Neurologist. He is a board-certified family physician who has treated over 25,000 patients from around the world. Dr. Mercola encourages and educates people about safe and inexpensive nutritional, lifestyle and exercise options to radically reduce their risk of dying prematurely from dangerous drugs and surgeries, as well as cancer and so many of our common and largely preventable degenerative conditions.
The topic of our discussion today is his new book, Fat For Fuel. It’s a powerfully user-friendly text that not only clarifies the rationale for powering the body with fat as opposed to sugar and carbs, but also walks the reader through the straightforward nuts and bolts as to how to implement this program and achieve better health.
And, as many of you well know, Dr. Mercola is the founder of Mercola.com which has been the most visited natural health site on the internet for the last ten years with over 15 million unique visitors every month.
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Gary Taubes’ new book, The Case Against Sugar, is a riveting deep-dive into the history, politics, perverted science, and subterfuge that have had supporting roles in making sugar so pervasive. Really, who better to write this book than Gary Taubes?!
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As many of you know, one of the central themes of my recent book, Brain Maker, deals with the importance of method of birth in terms of seeding an infant’s microbiome. We now know, moving ahead, that even issues like immunity and inflammation later in life are significantly impacted by how a child is born.
As I did discuss in the book, work by Dr. Maria Dominguez-Bello at New York University centers on this fundamental event in a person’s life, if and how a baby passes through birth canal. Importantly, she seeks to understand how this exposure inoculates the newborn child with the seeds for his or her future microbiome.
In today’s interview, I speak with Toni Harman.
Toni is a filmmaker and, with her husband, Alex Wakeford, she created a fascinating film, Microbirth, that focuses on just this exact topic (the importance of how we are born).
Now, with her new book, Your Baby’s Microbiome, Toni does a deep dive and explores the possible health consequences related to cesarean section versus vaginal birth, in terms of the microbiome. The book is fascinating and we are going to jump right in.
From Amazon.com:
At least two amazing events happen during childbirth. There’s the obvious main event, which is the emergence of a new human into the world. But then there’s the non-human event that is taking place simultaneously, a crucial event that is not visible to the naked eye, an event that could determine the lifelong health of the baby. This is the seeding of the baby’s microbiome, the community of ‘good’ bacteria that we carry with us throughout our lives. The seeding of the microbiome, along with other processes including breastfeeding, kickstarts the baby’s immune system and helps to protect the infant from disease for its entire lifetime. However, with interventions like use of synthetic oxytocin, antibiotics, C-section and formula feeding, this microbial transfer from the mother to baby is interfered with or bypassed completely. Emerging research shows that bacteria are absolutely vital for human health, and imbalances in the human microbiome significantly contribute to chronic non-transmissible diseases.
Drawing on the extensive research they carried out for their documentary film Microbirth, authors Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford reveal a fascinating new view of birth, and how microscopic happenings can have lifelong consequences, both for ourselves, our children – and our species as a whole.
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Despite so many highly publicized breakthroughs in medical science, cancer remains a formidable disease. Deaths from cancer are actually continuing to rise, at a rate of 3.5 to 4% each year.
My interview today is with Dr. Thomas Seyfried. Dr. Seyfried believes cancer isn’t primarily caused by damage to the genes living in the nucleus of the cell, a widely held belief, but rather represents a problem of how cells produce energy from their mitochondria. Ultimately, this defective energy production leads to increased free radical production which may then go on to damage the DNA of the cell nucleus as a secondary event.
What is so elegant and compelling about his theory is that it lends itself to a powerful interventional approach centered on simply shifting the energy source of the mitochondria to products derived from fat, as opposed to carbohydrates.
Dr. Seyfried received his Ph.D. in Genetics and Biochemistry from the University of Illinois and also holds a Master’s degree in Genetics from Illinois State University He was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Neurology at the Yale University School of Medicine, and then served on the faculty as an Assistant Professor in Neurology. Prior to receiving full professorship, Dr. Seyfried was an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Boston College. Other awards and honors have come from such diverse organizations as the American Oil Chemists Society, the National Institutes of Health, The American Society for Neurochemistry, and the Ketogenic Diet Special Interest Group of the American Epilepsy Society. Dr. Seyfried previously served as Chair, Scientific Advisory Committee for the National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association and presently serves on several editorial boards, including those for Nutrition & Metabolism, Neurochemical Research, and the Journal of Lipid Research. Dr. Seyfried’s research program focuses on gene environmental interactions related to complex diseases, such as epilepsy, autism, brain cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Seyfried investigates many of these diseases from the perspective of, genetics, and energy metabolism. Much of his work, gratefully, also has direct translational benefit to the clinic.
This is a somewhat science-based discussion, but hang in there as there are some critically important gems of information that we get from Dr. Seyfried. Finally, in the broadcast, Dr. Seyfried mentions a book on this subject that’s geared to a less scientifically minded community. The book is entitled, Tripping Over the Truth, by Travis Christofferson.
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Today’s interview is with the New York Times best-selling author ofThe Paleo Solution, Robb Wolf. Robb is an interesting guy for sure. He is a former research biochemist and is regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on nutrition. He has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world via his top-ranked iTunes podcast and wildly popular seminar series. He has functioned as a review editor for the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism and also serves on the Board of Directors of Specialty Health Medical Clinic in Reno, NV.
Robb has delivered seminars in nutrition and strength & conditioning to various entities including NASA, the Canadian Light Infantry, Naval Special Warfare, the United States Marine Corps, Twitter/Square and Microsoft.
His 2010 bestseller, The Paleo Solution, really jump started the whole paleo movement. Today, Robb focuses on his new book, Wired to Eat, which offers up a more personalized approach to determining what foods are best for optimizing health, but from an individualized perspective.
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On today’s program, you’ll discover that diabetes may be reversible by means of nutritional interventions. My guest is Dr. Sarah Hallberg, a strong proponent of a very low-carbohydrate approach, not just for diabetes, but for weight loss and even for the improvement of cardiometabolic risk markers. With her organization, Virta Health, she just released a landmark study on this very subject.
Dr. Hallberg once gave a terrific TEDx talk that’s worth watching after our interview. She’s the medical director and founder of the Indiana University-Arnett Health Medical Weight Loss Program.
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Dr. Sara Gottfried M.D. is a Harvard-educated physician, speaker, and author of two New York Times bestselling books, The Hormone Cure, and The Hormone Reset Diet. Her new book, which is what we talk about in this interview, is Younger: A Breakthrough Program to Reset Your Genes, Reverse Aging, and Turn Back the Clock 10 Years.
For the past 20 years, Dr. Gottfried has been dedicated to helping women feel at home in their bodies.
After graduating as a physician-scientist from Harvard Medical School and MIT, Dr. Gottfried completed her residency at the University of California at San Francisco. She is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology,
The Gottfried Institute is an enormously successful virtual practice. Dr. Gottfried has a disruptive model of how to deliver cutting-edge women’s health to as many women as possible by using technology – including teleseminars, group coaching, webinars, and social media – to reset hormones, reduce stress, and lengthen healthspan among today’s overly busy women, regardless of age and location. As an integrative gynecologist, Dr. Gottfried is a firm believer in treating the root cause of problems, not just the symptoms. She believes in leafy greens and nutrient-dense foods, together with evidence-based integration of botanicals and bioidentical hormones, rather than just prescribing medication. Dr. Sara Gottfried has been featured in publications such as O Magazine, Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Family Circle, Natural Health, Women’s World, Redbook and Yoga Journal. She has appeared on national and international TV, including Fox News and 20/20. Dr. Sara lives in Berkeley, California with her husband and 2 daughters.
In closing, here’s a great quote from Dr. Gottfried that sets the stage for our interview:
“I’ve had nearly every hormonal problem a woman can get – I’ve done the leg work and reviewed the studies exhaustively so you don’t have to!”
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Today’s Empowering Neurologist interview is with Nina Teicholz. Nina Teicholz is an investigative journalist and author of the International (and New York Times) bestseller, The Big Fat Surprise, and this groundbreaking book is what we’re discussing today. The Economist named it the #1 science book of 2014, and it was also named a 2014 Best Book by the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Mother Jones, and Library Journal.
The Big Fat Surprise has upended the conventional wisdom on dietary fat and challenged the very core of our nutrition policy. A review of the book in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition read, “This book should be read by every nutritional science professional.” A former editor of the British Medical Journal said, “Teicholz has done a remarkable job in analyzing [the] weak science, strong personalities, vested interests, and political expediency” of nutrition science.
Before taking a deep dive into researching nutrition science for nearly a decade, Teicholz was a reporter for National Public Radioand also contributed to many publications, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, The New Yorker, and The Economist. She attended Yale and Stanford where she studied biology and majored in American Studies. She has a master’s degree from Oxford University and served as associate director of the Center for Globalization and Sustainable Development at Columbia University.
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Unfortunately, we generally underestimate both the importance of the liver and the risk that we may have for liver disease.
But there’s an important, and generally silent, health crisis impacting one-third of the American population: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Because its symptoms often don’t manifest until the liver is seriously compromised, many people are not aware that they are at risk. Did you know that if you have fatty liver disease, you are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke), and other devastating conditions, such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer?
Award-winning dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick and hepatologist Dr. Ibrahim Hanouneh have teamed up for a life-changing program that will help you achieve optimal health. Skinny Liver‘s four-week program shares the steps you can take to get your liver health back on track, and we’re going to talk about this on our program today
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I’m sure many of you are acquainted with JJ Virgin. She’s been a powerful force in the area of lifestyle change for better health.
As fate would have it, four years ago, JJ was confronted with an experience that challenged her to her very core. Her son was struck by a car in a hit-and-run accident and he was given very little chance for survival. How JJ dealt with this event, and the ultimate outcome, are deeply inspiring, so let’s get right to the interview.
All of this is also captured in JJ’s newest book and documentary, Miracle Mindset. If today’s interview resonates with you, I suggest you sign-up to watch her documentary to learn more.
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Today’s interview is with a very good friend, Nora Gedgaudas. Nora is one of the most respected authorities on ketogenic, ancestrally-based nutrition for whole-body, optimum health. Using her deep understanding of science and 30+ years of relentless research and 20 years of clinical application, Nora successfully connects the dots to real, lasting results where others fall prey to the latest fads and misquoted studies.
Nora is the author of the international best-selling book, Primal Body, Primal Mindwhich was certainly a game changer for me. Over the years I have purchased this book by the caseload to give out to patients and friends.
Her newly released book, Primal Fat Burner: Live Longer, Slow Aging, Super-Power Your Brain, and Save Your Life With A High Fat, Low-Carb Paleo Diet has been lauded by best-selling author and journalist Nina Teicholz as “a unique and profound contribution to the field.” I was honored to have written the foreword for this new work.
Nora is an experienced nutritional consultant, speaker and educator, widely interviewed on national and international radio, popular podcasts, online summits, TV, and film. Her own popular podcasts are widely listened to on iTunes and are available to download from her website. She maintains a private practice in Portland, Oregon as both a Board-Certified nutritional consultant and a Board-Certified clinical Neurofeedback Specialist.
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Today’s interview is with Dr. John Douillard. He’s the author of a new book entitled Eat Wheat: A Scientific and Clinically-Proven Approach to Safely Bringing Wheat and Dairy Back into Your Diet.
I’m sure many of you are a bit surprised that we would be exploring a book with such a compelling title, but I think it’s so important and valuable to look at various viewpoints through meaningful discussion.
Eat Wheat is a very well-researched book and in it, Dr. Douillard makes some very good points. Clearly, as you will see in the interview, we do not necessarily see eye-to-eye on a number of points. Nonetheless, I think you’ll find our conversation very stimulating.
John Douillard,DC CAP, is a globally-recognized leader in the fields of natural health, Ayurveda, and sports medicine. He is the creator of LifeSpa.com, the leading Ayurvedic health and wellness resource on the web.
Dr. Douillard is the former Director of Player Development and nutrition expert for the former New Jersey Nets of the NBA, bestselling author of 7 health books, including his newest, Eat Wheat, that we will review today. He has appeared on the Dr. Oz show, and has been featured in USA Today, The LA Times, and dozens of other national publications. He has been in practice for over 30 years and practices in Boulder, Colorado.
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One of the central tenets of my work focuses on the importance of eating good food. When we talk about what constitutes good food choices, please realize that this goes well beyond simply the type of food, but also encompasses quality.
My guest on the program today is Larry Olmsted. He’s the author of the new book Real Food, Fake Food. The reason I asked him to appear on the program today is that his new book is extremely revealing in terms of just how deep and pervasive food fraud is in America.
For instance, he reveals that most of the olive oil sold in America is actually fake. He also reveals a study showing that 100% of sushi restaurants in New York City that were screened were serving fish that was not the type advertised. He goes on to describe the fraud that is pervasive in cheese and meat products here in America.
Fortunately, he gives us some good tips in terms of what we can do to protect ourselves in terms of our food selection process.
Larry is a food writer for USA Today as well as Forbes.com, and is very well-informed on the subject of his book, as you will now see.
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Today’s interview on The Empowering Neurologist is with Josh Perry. Josh is a highly competitive BMX athlete who has a very compelling story to tell.
In March 2010 he fell while training. This led to an MRI of the brain that revealed an extensive brain tumor which ultimately required surgery.
Initially, Josh did pretty well. But then, two other tumors were diagnosed and treated, as he will explain in today’s discussion. Because of these experiences, Josh made some major lifestyle changes. He also dedicated himself to helping others in a way that I think you will all very much honor. I am certain you will enjoy this interview with this very inspiring young man.
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Dr. Anna Cabeca is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Her work goes well beyond standard practice as she embraces the importance of lifestyle choices applied to the needs of the patient, insofar as creating more meaningful therapeutic programs than drug therapy alone. It’s a very interesting interview that really answers a lot of questions related to women’s health issues, especially in areas like hormone replacement therapy and events occurring before, during, and after menopause. Enjoy.
To learn more about Dr. Cabeca, visit any of these links: Magic Menopause Sexual CPR Dr. Cabeca’s Website
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Alzheimer’s disease represents the effects of inflammation on the brain. By now, you are all aware of the fundamental role of our gut bacteria in terms of regulating this process of inflammation in the human body.
Today’s episode of The Empowering Neurologist features my interview with Dr. Molly Fox, a biological anthropologist at UCLA. Her work has connected some important concepts that relate risk of Alzheimer’s disease (using research in various countries), to measurable differences in gut bacteria diversity. It’s a fascinating interview with a very gifted and dedicated scientist.
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Today’s interview on The Empowering Neurologist is with Dr. Michael Lewis.
Dr. Lewis explains the profoundly protective and restorative effects of omega-3 fatty acids in brain trauma, an all too common experience. He is a renowned expert on brain health, particularly the use of omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention, management, and rehabilitation of concussions and traumatic brain injury. He founded the Brain Health Education and Research Institute in late 2011 after he retired as a U.S. Army Colonel with a distinguished 31-year career. His pioneering work has helped countless thousands of people around the world and has been recognized by the American College of Nutrition with their prestigious 2015 Humanitarian Award. Dr. Lewis’ work has been featured on Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s CNN program, and he regularly appears in the media. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed post-graduate training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He is board-certified and a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine and the American College of Nutrition. He is currently in private practice in the Washington, D.C. area, and the author of the book, When Brains Collide.
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I recently had the opportunity to visit Australia to spend five days with other researchers and clinicians teaching a group of very forward-thinking healthcare providers. While there, my wife and I had the great fortune of being able to reconnect with our friend Pete Evans and his lovely wife.
Here’s more about Pete:
He’s an internationally renowned chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter. His passion for food and a healthy lifestyle inspires individuals and families around the world. A love of food saw Pete begin his career as a chef and restaurateur at the age of 19, opening numerous award-winning restaurants nationally as well as cooking in some of the finest restaurants around the world. Pete has not only cooked for the general public, but he’s also cooked a royal banquet for the Prince and Princess of Denmark a private dinner for Martha Stewart, and even represented his hometown at the gala G’Day USA dinner for 600 in NYC...
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It’s clear that the prevalence of autoimmune conditions is on the rise. Far and away, the most common autoimmune condition in America is directed against the thyroid gland, autoimmune thyroiditis. Like all autoimmune conditions, autoimmune thyroiditis is far more common in women, but for a reason that remains unclear. Nonetheless, it is clear that environmental issues, or lifestyle choices, seem to be playing a very important role in causing an imbalance within the immune system, paving the way for thyroid problems.
In today’s program, I have the great honor of interviewing Dr. Amy Myers. Dr. Myers is very much a pioneer in getting out the information related to how lifestyle choices affect the immune system, and is very candid about her own personal experience with thyroid disease.
Her new book is certainly worth reading, as it is filled with not only great information, but information upon which you can act to achieve more balance in immune function. I think you’re going to enjoy this interview.
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Dr. Michael Callahan is CEO and co-founder of the Zika Foundation. He is a highly respected “physician scientist”, who is board-certified in internal medicine, infectious disease, tropical medicine and mass casualty care, and is on both the clinical and research faculty at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Callahan has clinical appointments globally, including in Thailand, Indonesia, Panama, and Nigeria. From 2005-2012, Dr. Callahan established Prophecy, the first rapid deployment clinical research capability for catastrophic infectious diseases outbreaks, such as Ebola.
Dr. Callahan has served as special advisor on infectious disease to two presidents, the Secretaries of Defense and of Health and Human Services, and the Office of the Commissioner of the FDA. Dr. Callahan has been deployed to 7 mass casualty disease outbreaks, including Ebola, Marburg, H5N1 and H7N9 bird flu, and MERS. He used his experience with dengue to launch the Zika Foundation, where he is accelerating sustainable and low-cost interventions to protect women and men from Aedes mosquitos, which transmit dengue, chikungunya and the Zika virus. His mission is to ensure that the 64 million pregnancies that occur every year in the tropical Americas are kept safe from Zika, and to prevent the epidemic of paralytic Guillain-Barre Syndrome that may well occur in southern nations over the next five years.
The interview that you’re about to see challenges our basic understanding of the Zika virus. Dr. Callahan reveals, for example, that new research clearly demonstrates that Zika virus can have long-term neurological effects in adults. He discusses how the aerial spraying efforts, so common in South Florida, are actually ineffective and inappropriate for targeting the specific mosquito that transmits the virus.
However, Dr. Callahan does provide us with some very important, and actionable, tools for reducing our risk of contracting Zika, both in terms of what we can do to reduce the prevalence of the Aedes mosquito and also how we can protect ourselves day-to-day.
It’s clear that we have to rewrite the book as it pertains to our understanding of mosquitoes, specifically as it relates to the Aedes mosquito that serves as the carrier of the Zika virus. Unlike what we’re used to, this mosquito lives indoors, and, according to Dr. Callahan, is actually able to watch our eyes to determine when is the best time to inflict its bite.
Dr. Callahan explores the effectiveness of various insect repellents and even touches upon his research dealing with genetically modified male mosquitoes in an attempt to limit the reproduction of the mosquito that carries this threatening virus.
If you enjoyed today’s interview, click here to watch more episodes of the Empowering Neurologist.
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Who knew that our lifestyle choices play such an important role in balancing the immune system?
On today’s program, I chat with Dr. Susan Blum, founder of the HealMyGut program and author of the wonderful book The Immune System Recovery Plan,which really zeroes in on this critical concept, to understand how the choices you make can dictate your immune health.
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It’s a given that our emotions, behaviors, and responses to our environment are shaped by our early life experiences. I think most of us can probably wrap our arms around the idea that the experiences of our parents may also play a role in how we see the world.
In an interesting new book, Mark Wolynn describes how the experiences of our grandparents actually leave an imprinted legacy on our DNA. He describes his clinical experiences in dealing with people with seemingly unsolvable issues by unraveling events that occurred in their ancestors.
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These days we are hearing so much about the so-called, “gut brain connection.” As many of you will note, this was the central thesis of Brain Maker.
On today’s program we will explore a new book, The Mind-Gut Connection, by my friend Dr. Emeran Mayer. Dr. Mayer is a Gastroenterologist, Neuroscientist and Professor in the Departments of Medicine, Physiology and Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is the Executive Director of the Oppenheimer Family Center for Neurobiology of Stress at UCLA. As one of the pioneers and leading researchers in the role of mind-brain-body interactions in health and chronic disease, his scientific contributions to the broad area of basic and translational enteric neurobiology with wide-ranging applications in clinical GI diseases and disorders is unparalleled. He has published more than 300 scientific papers, and co-edited 3 books. He is the recipient of the 2016 David McLean award from the American Psychosomatic Society. His most recent work has focused on the role of the gut microbiota in influencing the brain, the role of food addiction in obesity, and the role of the brain in chronic inflammatory diseases of the gut.
He has a longstanding interest in ancient healing traditions and affords them a level of respect rarely found in Western Medicine. He has been involved in documentary film productions about the Yanomami people in the Orinoco region of Venezuela and will discuss these experiences, dating back 40 years, with us today.
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Sitting can wreak havoc on your health, and not just in the form of minor aches and pains. Recent studies show that too much sitting contributes to a host of diseases—from obesity and diabetes to cancer and depression. The typical office worker, who spends most of his or her day at a desk, suffers from more musculoskeletal injuries than those workers who do daily manual labor. It turns out that sitting is as much an occupational risk as is lifting heavy weights on the job. The facts are in: sitting literally shortens your life. Your chair is your enemy, and it is murdering your body.
In his groundbreaking new book, Deskbound, Dr. Kelly Starrett—renowned physical therapist and author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Becoming a Supple Leopard—unveils a detailed battle plan for surviving, and thriving, in our chair-centric society. Deskbound provides creative solutions for reducing the amount of time you spend perched on your backside, as well as strategies for transforming your desk into a dynamic, active workstation that can improve your life.
I’m sure you will get a lot out of this interview as did I. Maybe you’ll even want to watch it standing up!
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Brenda Watson has done some incredible work over the years, as it relates to educating us on the importance of our dietary choices. Like so many in this field she is now deeply involved in exploring how food is interpreted and processed by our gut bacteria, and, further, how these organisms play a pivotal role in determining the state of our health.
Brenda has been featured on multiple public television programs and authored highly insightful books, and now, in this video, we will yet again have the opportunity to experience her wisdom. Do enjoy.
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At this point, it’s becoming a more commonplace topic in our conversations about Alzheimer’s that the disease is, in fact, preventable. While we’re not quite there yet in terms of general acceptance of this idea, the work of Dr. Melissa Schilling reveals the key insight that blood sugar regulation plays a pivotal role in determining the health of the brain, and your risk for neurological degeneration, specifically potential development of Alzheimer’s Disease.
In today’s interview, Dr. Schilling describes the reasons for her interest in Alzheimer’s, as well as her recent landmark publication in which she reveals, yet again, this incredible relationship between blood sugar, diet, and risk for Alzheimer’s disease. For more, read the blog post I authored on her findings.
I’m hoping you’ll enjoy this interview, I sure did.
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I recently had the great pleasure of discussing Glyphosate and its impact on human health with Dr. Stephanie Seneff of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr. Seneff’s work focuses on the role of toxic chemicals and how they can affect the environment, and importantly, your health.
We spoke at length about her work, including the potential link between conventional farming, pesticide use, and autism. I found this talk to be an invigorating and very informative conversation, and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.
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Today’s program features an interview with my good friend, Dr. Terry Wahls. Dr. Wahls is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa and a staff physician at the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Hospital, where she teaches medical students and resident physicians, sees patients in traumatic brain injury and therapeutic lifestyle clinics (who often present with complex chronic health problems that include multiple autoimmune disorders), and conducts clinical trials.
She is also a patient with a chronic progressive neurological disorder, secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, which confined her to a tilt-recline wheelchair for four years. But through her nonstop efforts to learn about the underlying biochemical events that characterize this and so many other neurodegenerative conditions, Dr. Wahls restored her health and now pedals her bike five miles to work each day.
Dr. Wahls has written several books, and today we will be discussing her latest work, The Wahls Protocol. This book summarizes her use of intensive nutrition to recover from her secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.
She shows how to eat for health, and the actions we need to take to ensure our mitochondria and brain cells have all the building blocks necessary to truly thrive.
Pay close attention as there is so much empowering information in today’s program!
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Today’s interview is with my good friend, Jeffrey Smith.
The leading consumer advocate promoting healthier, non-GMO choices, Jeffrey Smith’s meticulous research documents how biotech companies continue to mislead government leaders and safety officials to put the health of society at risk. Jeffrey’s feature-length documentary, Genetic Roulette — The Gamble of Our Lives, links genetically engineered food to toxic and allergic reactions, infertility, digestive disorders, and numerous health problems that have only increased in their incidence since genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were introduced.
His books include: Seeds of Deception (the world’s bestseller on GMOs), and Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods, which is the authoritative work on GMO health dangers.
An admired keynote speaker, Mr. Smith has lectured and testified in 42 countries, counseled leaders from every continent, and is a regular presenter at medical conferences. He has been interviewed by hundreds of media outlets, including the Dr. Oz Show, The Doctors, and The Daily Show.
He is the founding executive director of The Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT) and is currently working on a new film called Secret Ingredients, and we will certainly be talking about this powerful documentary.
There’s a lot of conjecture about GMO these days, and my hope is that Jeffrey will provide information that will ultimately prove helpful for each of you, in terms of your day-to-day decisions as they relate to GMO foods.
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We live in a toxic world. Whether it’s pesticides on our foods, heavy metals in our water, or bisphenol-s in baby bottles, our ability to respond to these challenges represents a critically important parameter in determining our health as well as long-term risk for disease.
Today on The Empowering Neurologist, I interview Dr. Deanna Minich, author of the new book, Whole Detox: A 21-Day Personalized Program to Break Through Barriers in Every Area of Your Life.
Dr. Deanna Minich is an internationally-recognized lifestyle medicine expert, creative visionary, and teacher, as well as the author of five books. Her extensive background in nutrition, yoga, and personal growth led her to create a whole-self, colorful approach to health called Food & Spirit. She developed the Certified Food & Spirit Practitioner Program to provide health professionals with a practical way to apply the Food & Spirit framework with their patients and clients. She is author of Whole Detox, a book based on a whole-life, whole-systems, whole-foods approach to detoxification, as well as on her Detox Summit, the world’s largest online symposium on detox, featuring with 30 leaders field.
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Dr. Josh Axe is a doctor of natural medicine and clinical nutritionist, as well as a doctor of chiropractic medicine, with a passion to help people get healthy by using food as medicine. Dr. Axe has created one of the top 10 most visited natural health websites in the world, which has over 4,000,000 monthly visitors, which covers nutrition, natural medicine, fitness, healthy recipes, home remedies and trending health. Dr. Axe has also been a physician for many professional athletes. He worked with professional swimmers, including Ryan Lochte and Peter Vanderkaay, providing nutritional advice and musculoskeletal work on athletes to improve performance. He also traveled to the 2012 Olympic games in London to work with Team USA.
Dr. Axe has authored several books and programs, including The Real Food Diet Cookbook. Today we are going to talk about his new book, Eat Dirt, that explores the fundamental role of the microbiome as it relates to health and disease risk.
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Today on the Empowering Neurologist I interview the inspiring actress, businesswoman, and author Suzanne Somers. Suzanne Somers is one of America’s most popular and beloved personalities. In a multifaceted career that has spanned more than three decades, she has achieved extraordinary success as an actress, singer, comedienne, New York Times bestselling author, Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year, entrepreneur, and lecturer.
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Today on the Empowering Neurologist I interview my long-time friend and colleague Dr. Mark Hyman. Dr. Hyman is a practicing family physician, a nine-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in his field. He is the Director the Clevland Clinic Center and serves as founder and medical director of The UltraWellness Center. Dr. Hyman is a regular medical contributor on many television shows including CBS This Morning,Today, Good Morning America, CNN, The View, and The Dr. Oz Show.
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Today, my interview is with Dr. Frank Lipman. Dr. Lipman received his initial medical training in South Africa, getting his degree in 1979 and emigrating to the United States in 1984. He became board-certified in internal medicine after serving as Chief Medical Resident in his final year of residency at Lincoln Hospital in New York City. Becoming more and more aware of both the strengths and the weaknesses of his training, he began to study acupuncture, Chinese medicine, functional medicine, nutrition, herbal medicine, biofeedback, meditation and yoga.
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I have been an admirer of Dr. Christiane Northrup for the past 30 years. Her pioneering efforts in the integration of complementary healthcare approaches into mainstream medicine were profoundly influential for me at a time when I was looking for new ideas to expand my practicing repertoire as it related to neurological conditions. She is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and former assistant clinical professor at the Maine Medical Center.
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Alzheimer’s disease now affects more than 5.5 million Americans, and it is a disease without cure or meaningful treatment. Dr. Mary Newport, a medical doctor specializing in the care of critically ill newborns, was thrust into the role of caregiver when her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. But rather than remain passive and agree to the “standard of care”, Dr. Newport began an in-depth pursuit to gain an understanding of what actually underlies the neuronal failure characteristic of this disease. She chronicles this journey, and her discoveries, in her book Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure?.
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Are your best intentions always falling by the wayside as it relates to following dietary advice? Today on The Empowering Neurologist, I interview Rena Greenberg, author of, The Craving Cure.
Rena Greenberg’s success with weight loss hypnosis and gastric bypass hypnosis has been featured in 150+ news stories including USA Today, Woman’s World Magazine, The Doctor’s Show, CNN, Good Morning America and ABC-TV Nightline.
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Today on The Empowering Neurologist, I spend some time with my long-time friend and colleague, Dr. Leo Galland. Dr. Galland is one of the true pioneers in functional medicine, who has dedicated his professional life to practicing medicine in a way that utilizes the latest scientific advances coupled with the most profound insights of ancient healing systems. Thus, he is able to give his patients the best tools to preserve health, increase longevity and speed recovery from illness.
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Today on The Empowering Neurologist, I interview Dr. David Ludwig. Dr. Ludwig is a practicing endocrinologist and researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital, Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, and Professor of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health.
Dr. Ludwig has published over 150 scientific articles, and presently serves as Contributing Writer for JAMA.
He is founding director of the Optimal Weight for Life (OWL) program at Children’s Hospital, one of the country’s oldest and largest multidisciplinary clinics for the care of overweight children. OWL serves as a home for research into innovative approaches to treat childhood obesity.
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Today’s interview is with Dr. Vincent Pedre, author of Happy Gut, a new book that drives home the powerful connection between gut health and health problems throughout the body. Dr. Pedre illuminates mechanistically how gut problems set the stage for fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and any number of common inflammatory disorders.
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As you are all aware, we’ve been posting a lot of information centered on the pivotal role of the diversity of gut microbes in terms of health and disease. Now it’s time to take a broader view.
In today’s interview I explore how loss of biodiversity on the planet, and specifically in the Amazon, poses a threat to the health of our planet. While we jump from micro to macroscopic in our scope, the underlying principles are remarkably similar, as you will learn from my discussion with my long-time friend, Dr. Mark Plotkin.
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Today on The Empowering Neurologist, Dave reveals how he came to understand why we need to favor a diet that provides a special type of fat, ketones, to power the brain and regain energy and stamina. It’s a fascinating exploration of what one motivated individual has been able to accomplish when faced with adversity. Most importantly, this interview commemorates the launch of his new book, Bulletproof: The Cookbook, now available everywhere.
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It’s certainly one thing to report on how making certain lifestyle changes can impact brain function and disease resistance, and even document these changes on various tests of brain performance. But my guest on today’s program has taken it an important step further.
Dr. Daniel Amen not only implements these positive changes into the lives of his patients, but he utilizes the latest technology in brain imaging to document and follow these changes in patients suffering from a vast array of brain issues, including sports-related trauma, depression and other mood disorders, dementia, and even drug abuse.
Dr. Amen’s work was recognized as one of the top 100 science stories for 2015 by Discover Magazine. So please enjoy this interview with one of the most highly regarded thought leaders in brain science of our time. Be sure to also grab a copy of his revised edition of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, released November 2015.
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In this week’s video, I had the pleasure of interviewing medical researcher and journalist Gary Taubes. Notably, Gary wrote both “Why We Get Fat” and “Good Calories/Bad Calories”, and is a pioneer of the idea that it isn’t fat that makes us fat, but simple sugars and carbohydrates. Join us for an in-depth discussion on nutrition, obesity, health, and more.
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In this video interview with Johns Hopkins gastroenterologist Dr. Gerard Mullin, we explore the fascinating relationship between gut bacteria and our general health as well as the pivotal role of changes in the microbiome in obesity. There’s a lot of actionable information that Dr. Mullin provides that will help you make lifestyle changes for better health.
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In this video interview with Dr. Derrick MacFabe we discuss the fascinating new research that connects changes in gut bacteria to autism spectrum disorder. Dr. MacFabe is on the leading edge of this research so I hope you find this interview as intriguing as I did.
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