This podcast was developed to spread the word about the latest interventions, beyond the traditional approach and how best to tackle and reverse disease. I interview thought-leaders who have transformed their own lives and/or the people around them.
Hi everyone! Welcome to our show notes for Episode #12 of The Enlightened Pharmacist.
How your diet can impact your brain health ?
Are you struggling with chronic pain, headaches, or other neurological symptoms? It may be time to take a closer look at what you’re eating. Recent research has shown that our diet can have a significant impact on the chemical messengers and neurotransmitters in our brain, which can lead to a variety of disorders and conditions
Brain health is so important and there’s emerging information that what you eat can affect chemical messengers or neurotransmitters in the brain. If you’re a regular listener, today’s podcast is a follow-on from Prof Grant Schofield’s introduction to neurotransmitters that impact mental health. He recommended that I interview Dr. Kathleen Holton, a nutritional neuroscientist from Washington, USA. Dr. Holton’s research focuses on the effects of dietary excitotoxins and certain micronutrients on the brain. In this episode, you’ll learn about the association between food additives and chronic disease, signs that you may be sensitive to glutamate, and common foods that are high in glutamate.
Dr. Kathleen Holton’s research examines the negative effects of dietary excitotoxins on neurological symptoms, as well as the positive protective effects of certain micronutrients on the brain. The most common dietary excitotoxin exposures in the US are from food additives used as flavor enhancers and artificial sweeteners.
Her research covers effects on all age groups, from brain development in neonates, to children with neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD, to adults and elderly with neurological symptoms.
More importantly, what does a nutritional neuroscientist eat on a day-to-day basis? Dr. Holton shares what a day on her plate looks like and how kids can play their part in nourishing their bodies.
Remember, what we eat is crucial to our overall health, and Dr. Holton will show you how to optimize your diet for optimal brain health. Stay tuned!
In this episode, you will discover:
- The association between food additive (glutamate) and chronic disease, the goldilocks effect, effect of dysregulation on the nervous system and chronic disease
- Signs and symptoms that you may be sensitive to glutamate (headaches, chronic pain, fatigue with no reason/brain is awake/need to lay down/brain over-excited/can’t sit up/mood dysregulation/trouble concentration/memory, cognitive dysfunction)
- Common foods that are high in glutamate (soy sauce, fish sauce, coconut aminos, tomatoes, mushroom, aged cheeses, long-marination >1 hour)
- Top 3 micronutrients that are protective to brain health (Magnesium sleep/anxiety, Vitamin C)
- Best sources of magnesium (nuts, pumpkin seeds, beans, buckwheat, salmon), vitamin C (5 servings of colourful fruits and vegetables),antioxidants (chocolate, coffee, tea, herbs and spices), fat-soluble vitamin E (nuts, seeds, avocados), omega 3 fatty acids/iron including animal protein (fish, quality grass-fed beef, lamb)
- 3 rules when reading food labels (look for ingredients list that are short, easy to read, things you can add to your food when you’re cooking)
- A day on a plate of a nutritional neuroscientist (colourful fruit, herbs, vegetable, protein) and how kids can play their part
Links:
Dr Kathleen’s bio
Prof Grant Schofield: The Impact of Glutamate Excitotoxicity on Mental Health
Other episodes you’ll enjoy:
Introduction to The Enlightened Pharmacist
Dr Marc Cohen – Smart Health & Wellness
Nicole Bijlsma Environmental Toxins Impacting Health & What You Can Do
Dr Ron Ehlrich: Holistic Dentistry & How It Can Improve Your Breathing
Dr Sandeep Gupta: Reverse Engineers Type 2 Diabetes
Dr James Muecke: What an Eye Surgeon is Doing to Prevent Blindness
Shivaun Conn Transforms My Potato Chips Addiction
Professor Garry Egger: Lifestyle Medicine, Find Your Flow & Fulfil Your Life’s Purpose
Catherine Saxelby: Australia’s Award Winning Nutritionist & How You Can Eat Healthy
Dr David Cowhig: Top Strategies for Effective & Holistic Options for Healthy Teeth & Gums
Dr Nelum Dharmapriya: How to Achieve Weight Loss without Feeling Hangry
Prof Grant Schofield: The Impact of Glutamate Excitotoxicity on Mental Health
