Intermittent Fasting & Cognitive Function
I am often asked about Intermittent Fasting (IF) and weight loss. However, IF has gained significant attention in recent years for its potential benefits in promoting cognitive health and mitigating the effects of cognitive impairment. This makes it an even more interesting dietary intervention. For those of you who don’t know, the IF approach alternates periods of eating and fasting, inducing a metabolic switch from glucose to ketone bodies, which has
Polyphenols and the NF-κB Pathway: Gaining Traction for Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders (NDs) represent a significant global health concern with an estimated 55 million people live with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These disorders, which also include Parkinson’s disease (PD), depression, anxiety and various other conditions affecting the nervous system, result in a range of symptoms from cognitive deficits to motor dysfunction. The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, known for regulating immune responses, cell division, and apoptosis (programmed cell death), plays
Fermented Foods: Should You Be Eating Them?
Fermented foods, like kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut, are really coming to the fore for their potential health benefits. But is there substance to these claims or is it just hype? In actual fact, recent research underscores the profound impact these foods can have on our overall health, particularly through their influence on gut microbiota, metabolic functions, immune health and chronic disease management. I’ve looked at multiple studies over the past
Exploring the Impact of Unhealthy Diets on Brain Chemistry and Structure
A May 2024 study highlights the profound impact that diet quality can have on mental health and brain structure. The study "Adherence to unhealthy diets is associated with altered frontal gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate concentrations and grey matter volume: preliminary findings" delves into this complex relationship, focusing on how diet influences neurochemistry and brain morphology. The study looked at 30 adults divided into two groups: those who ate a healthy Mediterranean
Can we turn back our biological clock? Functional nutrition and anti-aging.
Aging is an inevitable part of life, but recent scientific advancements suggest that we might have more control over how we age than previously thought. Biological age, which reflects the true state of our bodies at a cellular level, can differ from chronological age, the number of years we have lived. Emerging research indicates that lifestyle and dietary changes can significantly reduce biological age, effectively making us younger from the
The Impact of Stress on Biological Aging
Stress, a ubiquitous part of modern life, has profound implications on the aging process. Recent research has highlighted how chronic stress not only affects mental well-being but also accelerates biological aging, leading to earlier onset of age-related diseases. I've been immersing myself in this research for the past few weeks. There is such an intricate relationship between stress and aging, highlighting why managing our stress is so critical. I try
Adrenal Fatigue or HPA Axis Dysfunction?
The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system and regulate the body's stress response through the HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis. Problems in the HPA axis can result in either underactivity (hypofunction) or overactivity (hyperfunction), impacting chronic disease risk. Functional medicine aims to find and treat the root causes of these dysfunctions to restore and promote optimal health. Misconceptions About "Adrenal Fatigue" Many refer to "adrenal fatigue" as if the adrenal glands wear
Functional Testing: Uncovering the Root Causes of Chronic Illness
The primary goal of functional testing is to identify and address the root causes of chronic health conditions rather than just managing symptoms. My Top Functional Tests That I Use in Practice: Detailed Stool Analysis: Focusing on the gut microbiome, pathogen detection, and immune response, the GI-MAP + Zonulin test by Diagnostic Solutions utilizes DNA-based technology to precisely quantify gut-affecting microorganisms. It includes Zonulin testing for intestinal permeability, making it an
Association of Long-term Exposure to Air Pollution and Dementia Risk
Understanding the Link Between Air Pollution and Dementia Air pollution, which we can all agree is a pervasive environmental issue, has long been associated with various health problems. A 2023 research report published in Neurology has shed light on its impact on cognitive health, particularly the risk of dementia. The study, titled "Association of Long-term Exposure to Air Pollution and Dementia Risk," explores the biological mechanisms linking air pollution to dementia,
The Impact of Unhealthy Diets on Brain Chemistry and Structure: New Insights from Nutritional Neuroscience
In a fascinating study published in Nutritional Neuroscience, the researchers explored the effects of unhealthy diets on brain chemistry and structure. The preliminary findings suggest significant associations between poor dietary habits and changes in key brain areas. The study focused on the adherence to unhealthy diets and its correlation with the concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate in the frontal lobe of the brain, as well as grey matter volume.