Getting Smart about Brain Health

During this episode you’ll learn about:
Cognition: a growing concern [1:18]
Factors that influence cognition: stress, sleep, exercise, diet, isolation [2:23]
Cognition could be a symptom to some imbalance in the body [3:37]


Meditation is like physical exercise for the mind [4:00]
Matthew Walker: Why We Sleep [4:27]
Sleep is critical for mental function, helps the brain sort through memories and process information [5:06]
Sleep allows the brain to cleanse itself [5:26]


Brain function naturally slows down as we age [6:10]
Aging results in the brain processing information slower [7:40]


Brain fog [9:04]
The gut-brain connection and brain fog [9:15]
Hormonal connection to brain fog [10:21]
Neurotransmitters and gut bacteria [11:13]
Resetting the gut with protein powders [12:25]


Exercise and cognition [13:22]
Can help clear the mind [14:00]


Brain derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF [14:21]
Proteins that act as “fertilizer” for brain cells [14:30]
Nutrients for BDNF / sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS) [16:00]


Coffee fruit extract [17:55]
Nicotinamide riboside (NR) and resveratrol [18:56]
Questions from the community [20:32]
What are cognitive risks for athletes? And what can we do to mitigate them? [20:44]
Head injuries and micro trauma[20:56]
Athletes could benefit from curcumin and fish oil supplements [20:56]
Testing for APOE2 gene [21:52]
CTE [22:20]


Should I let my children play contact sports? [24:05]
Consider genetic testing [24:16]
If they are positive for APOE4, it might be best to discourage them [24:51]
Consider non-contact sports as alternative [25:25]


What are some top recommended nootropics? [25:39]
Coffee [25:44]
Matcha tea [26:00]
Bacopa [26:15]
Huperzine A [26:40]
Phosphatidylserine [26:50]
Fish Oil [27:00]





Resources to topics mentioned in this episode:
Has the Pandemic Given You Brain Fog? If So, You’re Not Alone
5 Ways to Train Your Brain – Banish Brain Fog and Sharpen Your Thinking
How Exercise Stops Brain Fog
Eight Nutrients For Brain Health
Seven Foods for a Healthy Brain
Top 10 Nootropic Supplements


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