HOW HASHIMOTO’S CAN CAUSE POOR BRAIN FUNCTION

Depression, fatigue, brain fog, loss of motivation, anxiety, and memory loss are common complaints among patients with Hashimoto’s. Unmanaged Hashimoto’s has a severe impact on brain health for several reasons: The brain depends on sufficient thyroid hormone to function and is not getting enough, or levels fluctuate. The autoimmune mechanisms that damage the thyroid gland…

What happens to your brain after a concussion

A concussion activates the brain’s immune system to remove dead and damaged cells. However, unlike the body’s immune system, the brain’s immune system does not have an automatic “off switch.” This means the inflammatory response can continue long after the concussion, showing up as neurological and health issues years later. The brain’s immune cells The…

GLUTEN IS MORE A BRAIN ISSUE THAN A GUT ISSUE

It has long been believed that only certain gene types are susceptible to celiac disease and that the destruction caused by gluten is limited to the intestinal tract.   Gene types HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 have been associated with an increased risk of celiac disease.   Gliadin and transglutaminase antibodies, which can be measured in the…

No food is a more powerful trigger of neurological issues and autoimmunity than gluten

No food is a more powerful trigger of neurological issues and autoimmunity than gluten, the protein found in wheat. The average American eats wheat at every meal and we’re seeing dramatic increases in gluten sensitivity today.   The term gluten comes from the Latin word for “glue” and it’s the glue-like quality that gives wheat…

How insulin resistance promotes dementia and Alzheimer’s

We typically associate insulin resistance with obesity and type 2 diabetes, but insulin resistance is also a significant risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s. Insulin resistance in the brain promotes chronic, low-grade inflammation, cellular dysfunction, and impaired mitochondrial function, all contributing to neuronal damage and cognitive impairment. In fact, some researchers refer to Alzheimer’s as…

Gut inflammation is linked to depression

Depression is not an antidepressant deficiency. In fact, for the 40% of Americans complaining of gut symptoms, depression may be one of those symptoms. Studies have found that the inflammatory signals in the gut can travel to the brain, triggering depression. Clinically, I have seen many patients resolve their depression simply by dampening gut inflammation.…

Does high-intensity exercise backfire on you? Check out the anti-inflammatory effects of isometric exercises

Exercise is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory interventions. The higher the intensity of the exercise, the more antioxidants your body releases afterward to help quench inflammation. However, one must pay attention to the intensity and duration for exercise to be inflammatory versus pro-inflammatory. The intensity will impact factors such as hormone growth factors, natural…

the #1 rule of gut heatlh

The #1 Rule of Gut Health

Listen to the podcast on iTunes. (Also available on major podcast platforms). Watch the YouTube video. If you have gut health issues such as inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut, chronic bloating, or constipation, you need to work north-to-south to identify and address problems. Disruptions at any stage of the digestive process have a domino-like effect, preventing…

Leaky brain and the blood-brain barrier

Listen to the podcast on iTunes. (Also available on major podcast platforms). Watch the YouTube video. You may have heard of leaky gut, but have you heard of leaky brain? Sometimes the immune barriers in the body break down, letting in pollutants, toxins, and other irritants that would normally be kept out.  This often happens in the…

Mold toxicity — a silent factor in chronic illness

Listen to the podcast on iTunes. (Also available on major podcast platforms). Watch the YouTube video. Patients with mold-related illnesses face unique challenges while navigating our healthcare system. Many end up feeling frustrated and unheard, confused about why it’s been so difficult for them to access any kind of care.  So why does it seem like no…