HEALTHY AGING FOR BRAIN HEALTH

Here is Dr David Perlmutter’s lecture on healthy aging for brain health.  He is a Functional Medicine Neurologist and the video discusses the potential that neuroplasticity has for reversing cognitive decline, i.e. neuro-degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s, and Dementia, through lifestyle – particularly around exercise, and food. 

This is quite personal for me, because of my grandfather’s dementia.  Since 2001, I’ve dedicated my life to preventive healthcare, healthy aging, and optimising health and happiness.  I remember my Neuropsychology professors back then dismissing me whenever I brought up nutrition, exercise and the brain.  They thought it was ludicrous to suggest that we could alter neurochemistry through regular aerobic exercise and reducing sugar.  So it’s always life affirming when what was previously “fringe” medicine, becomes mainstream.

This lecture is a brilliant introduction into the world of neuroplasticity.  Maybe you’ve not heard that word before, but historically, we were taught that the brain matures when we hit adulthood. 

However, modern neuroscience is showing us that our brains don’t stop developing!  In fact, the brain is constantly evolving and responding to how active we are, the thoughts we think, and even the food we eat!

As much as 90% of our serotonin (neurotransmitter for happiness) is produced in our gut! 50% GABA, Dopamine, Norepinephrine and many more vital neurotransmitters are also produced in the gut, and transported to the brain. 

If your gut health is impaired, it’s likely to impact your brain health, and vice versa!

If you’d like to check the status of how well you’re aging, schedule some time with us.