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In our modern world, we are surrounded by a staggering number of invisible threats. These chemicals and pollutants can silently undermine our immune systems, increase our risk for chronic illness, and sabotage our health at the cellular level. That’s why I’m especially excited to welcome Dr. Aly Cohen to this episode of The Empowering Neurologist. This conversation is not only eye-opening, it’s empowering and filled with practical, actionable steps that each of us can take starting today.

In our conversation Dr. Cohen takes us through the science and the soul of her mission. We explore what inspired her to write Detoxify, a journey that began at the intersection of clinical frustration and personal awakening. Over the years, she began noticing that many of her patients with autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and neurological complaints shared a common thread: consistent exposure to environmental toxins. This wasn't just about vague “bad stuff.”Dr. Cohen has zeroed in on a specific category of chemicals she terms “Immune-disrupting chemicals (IDCs).” These are substances that directly interfere with the immune system's ability to regulate and repair.

Dr. Cohen doesn’t stop at theory… she gets specific - with personal care products to avoid, water purification tips every household should know, and simple DIY recipes for safer cleaning and skincare. Her “Detoxify Food Pyramid” reimagines what a clean, immune-supportive diet looks like in a world of processed foods and contaminated agriculture.

We also touch on how environmental toxins can act as potent triggers for autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis - diseases Dr. Cohen treats in her clinical practice almost every day.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer scale of modern toxicity, this episode offers a clear and hopeful path forward. Dr. Cohen emphasizes that detoxifying your life doesn’t mean doing everything at once. It’s about starting small. Things like switching to a glass water bottle, choosing fragrance-free detergents, and reading ingredient labels can lead to profound health benefits.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

02:15 Welcoming Dr. Amy Cohen & Her Inspiration for Her Book

05:45 Water & How Contamination Dysregulates Our Immune System

10:44 Recommendations for Filtration and Purification

13:13 Quality of Bottled Water Is Sub Par & Likely Tap Water

18:03 Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Contaminants Found In Our Water

21:47 Sparking Change with The Four A's: Assess, Avoid Or Swap, Add, Allow

27:39 How Did These Chemicals Enter Our Food & Water Supply?

34:10 How Do Genetics Determine Your Ability To Detoxify?

37:50 Air Quality, Pollution, and The Impact On Our Bodies

43:49 Navigating How To Improve The Air You Breath

47:41 Detoxifying The Body From Air Pollution

51:18 Hidden Threats In Your Personal Care Products & How To Avoid Them

1:04:19 Conclusion

====

Dr. Aly Cohen is a board-certified physician practicing in rheumatology and integrative medicine, as well as an environmental health expert in Princeton, New Jersey. Her new book, DETOXIFY: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them, available now for preorder, connects the dots between everyday chemicals and the epidemic rise in immune disorders and autoimmune disease...and what we CAN all do about it! You can follow her health and wellness tips and recommendations on Facebook at The Smart Human, Twitter, and Instagram: @thesmarthuman, and TikTok. 

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The ketogenic diet has become a household term, often associated with rapid weight loss and an effective means of shedding stubborn fat. However, as my guest on this episode of The Empowering Neurologist, Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, will explain, there is so much more to the ketogenic lifestyle than simply dropping a few pounds. We’re diving deep into the science of metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and how our lifestyle choices impact long-term health, particularly brain health.

While many people adopt a ketogenic diet for its well-documented benefits in weight management, its effects on metabolism reach far beyond simple fat burning. Nutritional ketosis helps the body transition from relying primarily on carbohydrates for energy to efficiently burning fat and producing ketones, an alternative fuel source for the brain and muscles.

As Dr. D’Agostino will discuss, one of the most crucial aspects of metabolic health is insulin sensitivity. When insulin function is compromised, the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels, leading to increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even cognitive decline. By keeping insulin sensitivity in check through dietary choices, fasting, and exercise, we can enhance our metabolic health and lower the risk of chronic disease.

The brain is an energy-intensive organ, and its function is directly influenced by our metabolic state. Research has shown that ketones provide a more efficient and neuroprotective fuel source for the brain compared to glucose. This is particularly relevant for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and even traumatic brain injury.

By making intentional choices about what we eat, how we move, and how we recover, we can take control of our metabolic health and improve our longevity.

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00:00  Introduction 

02:21 How Dr. D’Agostino Went From Seizure Research To Nutrition Science

03:31 From Drug Failures To The Medical Power Of Ketosis

05:15 What Ketones Really Are And Why They’re A Metabolic Game-Changer

09:37 Why Ketogenic Therapy Is Now In 400+ Clinical Trials Worldwide

12:21 GLP-1 Drugs, Weight Loss, And Keto: What They Do To Your Metabolism

15:10 Inside A Ketogenic Body: Fat Burning, Fuel Switching, And More

17:25 How Lowering Insulin Turns On Fat Burning And Ketone Production

20:03 Why Ketones Keep The Brain Stable And Cravings Under Control

23:54 The Right Amount Of Protein For Muscle, Aging, And Staying In Ketosis

27:03 Do You Actually Need Fiber? The Carnivore Diet And Gut Health

30:00 How Ketosis Reduces Inflammation And Repairs The Gut Barrier

34:31 Genomics of Ketonics: Beta-Hydroxybutyrate’s Epigenetic Power

45:38 Allulose: The Sweetener That Lowers Blood Sugar And Boosts GLP-1

52:03 Why MCT Oil Might Be The Most Underrated Keto Hack Available

54:30 Conclusion

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Dominic D’Agostino, Ph.D., is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology. He teaches medical neuroscience, medical physiology, nutrition and neuropharmacology. He is also a Senior Visiting Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) to assist with their efforts towards optimizing the safety, health and resilience of the warfighter and astronaut. His primary research focuses on developing and testing nutritional and metabolic-based therapies for a variety of disease states and advancing the use of metabolic-based therapies into human clinical applications.  

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Cancer remains a formidable global challenge, with nearly one in six deaths worldwide attributed to the disease. Over 60% of patients undergoing conventional treatments experience severe side effects, highlighting the need for complementary therapies that enhance efficacy and reduce harm.

Dr. Valter Longo, a leading figure in aging and nutritional science, has introduced a groundbreaking approach known as the fasting mimicking diet (FMD). Through years of research, Dr. Longo has shown that cycles of controlled fasting can trigger cellular regeneration, reduce inflammation, and improve metabolic health.

His work has reshaped our understanding of nutrition’s role in health and disease, providing a scientific basis for fasting as a tool to support standard cancer therapies. The fasting mimicking diet offers a promising adjunct to traditional treatments. By strategically reducing calorie intake, FMD protects healthy cells and makes cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy and radiation.

This dual effect boosts the effectiveness of treatment while mitigating debilitating side effects. Dr. Longo’s new book, Fasting Cancer, the subject of our podcast, explores the science behind fasting and its potential to transform cancer care. He shares practical guidelines, compelling case studies, and robust research that illustrate how FMD can be integrated with standard therapies for better outcomes.

Listeners of The Empowering Neurologist were captivated by Dr. Longo’s ability to translate complex science into actionable advice in his previous appearance, and this episode is no exception. His work continues to inspire both patients and healthcare professionals to explore innovative, science-driven approaches in the fight against cancer.

As research unfolds, the fasting mimicking diet stands as a testament to the power of nutritional science in modern medicine. Embracing this strategy, patients and clinicians alike are witnessing a promising future in cancer care.

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00:00 Introduction
02:10 The Cancer Nutrition Scientist Changing Everything
04:36 How Cancer Cells Hack Aging And Stay Immortal
06:00 The Hidden Danger Of Cancer Cell Survival After Chemo
07:30 Why Young People Are Getting More Cancer Than Ever
10:48 Are We Eating Too Much Protein For Longevity
13:22 A Diet That Weakens Cancer But Shields Healthy Cells
17:55 What Is The Fasting Mimicking Diet And Why It Works
21:40 The Critical Timing That Makes Chemo More Effective
23:00 How Starving Cancer Creates A Predictable Weak Spot
27:30 The Multi-Angle Attack That Slows Glioblastoma
29:15 Could This Diet Delay Or Reverse Alzheimer’s
32:50 Clinical Trials Show This Diet Reverses Diabetes
36:30 How Fasting Triggers Organ Regeneration In Humans
41:05 The Shocking Risks Behind Popular Weight Loss Drugs
57:14 Conclusion

====

Valter Longo is the director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He studies basic and clinical research on nutrition, aging, and disease, with a focus on cancer, autoimmunity, Alzheimer’s, and cardiometabolic illness. Dr. Longo has received multiple awards including the 2010 Nathan Shock Lecture Award from the National Institute on Aging, the 2013 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award, and the 2016 Glenn Award for Research in the Biological Mechanisms of Aging. In 2018, Time named him one of the 50 most influential people in health care, and in 2021 Science magazine called him a pioneer in nutrition and cancer. He is the author of Fasting Cancer and The Longevity Diet.

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Welcome back to The Empowering Neurologist! In this episode we have a truly fascinating conversation lined up with none other than Dr. Steven Gundry, a world-renowned heart surgeon-turned-functional medicine expert, whose work has transformed the way we understand diet, disease, and longevity.

Dr. Gundry is no stranger to challenging conventional medical wisdom. In his latest book, The Gut-Brain Paradox: Improve Your Mood, Clear Brain Fog, and Reverse Disease by Healing Your Microbiome (HarperCollins; April 15, 2025), he flips the script on the traditional gut-brain connection. His research reveals a startling truth: your microbiome is not just influencing your brain—it’s controlling it.

For years, we’ve heard that the brain sends signals to the gut. But Dr. Gundry shows that it’s actually the other way around: the microbes in our gut are shaping our thoughts, emotions, and even personality. From food cravings to mental health struggles, from cognitive decline to addiction—these tiny gut-dwelling organisms are the real puppet masters. And when our gut falls out of balance, neurological dysfunction follows.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

✅ How gut bacteria influence cravings, mood, and even personality

✅ The surprising link between gut inflammation and drug tolerance

✅ Why a leaky gut can lead to brain fog, neurodegeneration, and mental health issues

✅ How to reclaim control of your mind by healing your microbiome

Dr. Gundry lays out a powerful, science-backed plan to restore gut health and optimize brain function, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. If you’ve ever struggled with brain fog, anxiety, depression, or unexplained neurological symptoms, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to this eye-opening conversation and discover how fixing your gut provides an important step to unlocking your brain’s full potential.

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00:00 Introduction

03:00 Why a Heart Surgeon Wrote a Book on the Brain

06:18 The Forgotten Hero Who Was Beaten to Death for Washing His Hands

09:08 A Parkinson’s Case Reversed by Healing the Gut?

13:28 Gluten Cross-Contamination and a Son’s Cutting Board: A Shocking Relapse

19:16 Gut Leaks, Brain Barriers, and Immune Sabotage: The Mechanism Explained

23:15 The Alzheimer’s Barrier Theory: Why Beta-Amyloid Might Be the Brain’s Defense System

26:20 Can Depression Be Healed Through the Gut?

30:27 Are Bacteria Controlling Your Addictions and Cravings?

34:02 The Scariest Mind-Control Parasite You’ve Never Heard Of

38:41 Eat This, Not That: How to Hack Your Gut for Better Brain Health

41:23 Neu5Gc and How it Impacts Our Brains

48:03 Are Polyphenols the Brain’s Secret Weapon?

56:38 Dead Bacteria, Live Benefits: Why Your Probiotic Doesn’t Need to Survive

01:05:05 Conclusion and Thank you

====

Steven R. Gundry, MD, is the director of the International Heart and Lung Institute in Palm Springs, California, and the founder and director of the Center for Restorative Medicine in Palm Springs and Santa Barbara. After a distinguished surgical career as a professor and chairman of cardiothoracic surgery at Loma Linda University, Dr. Gundry changed his focus to curing modern diseases via dietary changes. He has written more than three hundred articles published in peer-reviewed journals on using diet and supplements to eliminate heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and multiple other diseases. He is the host of the top ranked nutrition podcast The Dr. Gundry Podcast and founder of Gundry MD, a wellness brand. Dr. Gundry lives with his wife, Penny, and their dogs in Palm Springs and Montecito, California.

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We hear so much these days about various “biohacking” techniques that are purported to be helpful for us in terms of improving our health and even extending our lifespan. But I think it's really important that we unpack some of these ideas and get a good understanding as to what they involve and what we can expect if we were to engage them. We're going to explore a variety of hot topics like exosome therapy, peptide therapy, cryotherapy hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and other innovative techniques. But most importantly we will explore how our simple, day-to-day lifestyle choices impact our health in terms of preserving our resistance to disease, and possibly even extending our lives.

Our guest is Dr. Darshan Shah, a powerful influencer in the area of health-span improvement. 

Let me tell you a little bit more about Dr. Shah.Darshan Shah, MD, is a health and wellness specialist, board-certified surgeon, published author, entrepreneur, and founder of Next Health, the world's first and largest Health Optimization and Longevity clinic. As a Longevity Medicine specialist, he has advised thousands of patients on how to optimize their well-being and extend their healthspan and lifespan. Dr. Shah began his career at an accelerated MD program and earned his medical degree at the age of 21, becoming one of the youngest doctors in the United States. He continued his training at the Mayo Clinic, one of the most prestigious medical institutes in the country. Dr. Shah’s belief in continual education and self-improvement has earned him alumni status at Harvard Business School, Singularity University, and other prestigious institutions. His passion is speaking on the topics of longevity and health, having done over 100+ speaking engagements and appearances.

0:00 Intro

2:52 How Dr. Darshan Shah Began Studying Longevity

9:14 The Next Health Clinic: Cutting-Edge Longevity Science

12:11 The Biggest Health Mistake People Don't Realize

14:47 Evaluating Biomarkers & Their Clinical Importance

20:52 Key Biomarkers to Monitor Inflammation & Uric Acid

23:43 Why Uric Acid Matters

25:32 Clarifying the Confusion Surrounding Cholesterol

29:20 Hormone Levels as a Key Marker of Health (TRT)

35:22 Cutting Edge Science: Peptide Therapy 

41:54 The Success of These Treatments

43:05 Science of Exosome Therapy 

44:55 NAD & Stimulating the Mitochondria

46:41 Effectiveness of Cryotherapy

48:19 How Mainstream Physicians View this Approach

50:37 Cognitive Decline

52:09 His #1 Health Practice for Longevity

53:40 Conclusion

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Dr. Darshan Shah is a health optimization expert, board-certified surgeon, and founder of Next Health, the world’s first Health Optimization and Longevity clinic. A graduate of an accelerated MD program, he earned his medical degree at 21 and trained at the Mayo Clinic. With over 20,000 surgeries performed and multiple ventures in the wellness space, Dr. Shah now focuses on helping people extend their healthspan through cutting-edge science and personalized care. He’s also a sought-after speaker and lifelong learner with credentials from Harvard Business School and Singularity University.

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The idea that we can live however we want and then rely on a magic treatment for cognitive issues is unrealistic and dangerous. The reality is that our daily choices profoundly impact our brain’s future, and once cognitive decline begins, there is no clear-cut pharmaceutical solution.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Dale Bredesen, whose book The Ageless Brain is an incredible resource for protecting brain health. He has pioneered a comprehensive approach to preventing and even reversing cognitive decline. This book offers a powerful blueprint not only for sharpening your mind but also for building resilience against neurodegenerative diseases.

In The Ageless Brain, Dr. Bredesen distills decades of research into actionable steps. He explores key lifestyle factors—nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress management, and supplementation—that influence cognitive performance and long-term brain resilience. What’s exciting is his proactive, personalized approach. Rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, Dr. Bredesen shows us how to build a brain that resists aging from the start.

Today, we’ll unpack some of the most impactful strategies from his book, discuss major breakthroughs in neuroscience, and explore how we can all take charge of our cognitive health. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to maintain lifelong clarity and vitality, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Dale Bredesen, MD, is an internationally recognized neurologist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases. He is the Senior Director of Precision Brain Health at Pacific Neuroscience Institute® and the Chief Scientific Officer at Apollo Health.

Guided by his belief that Alzheimer’s is not just preventable but reversible, Dr. Bredesen’s groundbreaking research has helped explain the biological mechanisms behind memory loss. His decades of study have led to new treatment approaches, including the ReCODE Protocol™—also known as the Bredesen Protocol—a strategy designed to prevent, slow, and even reverse cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment.

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction to Guest

2:48 Phase 3 Trial Upcoming

10:11 Alzheimer’s: Different Triggers, Different Outcomes

13:11 Could Brushing Your Teeth Save Your Brain? (Oral Microbiome & Alzheimer’s

18:45 The 3 Major Players in Brain Health

22:24 How to Make Sure You Never Get Dementia

22:33 Blood Markers for Alzheimer’s: What Your Tests Reveal

28:10 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s: The Hidden Connection

34:18 The #1 Contributor to Cognitive Decline: Insulin Resistance

39:54 How to Match Your Brainspan to Your Lifespan

40:31 Top Supplements for Brain Health

43:15 The Power of Nitric Oxide for Your Brain

48:07 Leaky Gut & Cognitive Decline

54:15 Metformin & Brain Longevity

57:31 Why Do More Men Than Women Get Parkinson’s

1:05:24 ADHD & Alzheimer’s: The Fruit Fly Discovery ("Alzflymers")

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Dale Bredesen, M.D., is an expert in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. He is a graduate of Caltech and received his MD from Duke University Medical Center. His career includes serving as Chief Resident in Neurology at UCSF, working as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, and holding faculty positions at UCSF, UCLA, and UC San Diego. He was the director of the Program on Aging at the Burnham Institute and the founding President and CEO of the Buck Institute. His work has led to a new therapeutic approach for treating Alzheimer’s. He is the author of The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline.

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Yes, we need stress in our lives! Staying in our comfort zone may be doing us more harm than good. That’s probably surprising to hear from me having spoken about the importance of reducing stress over the years. But, nonetheless, a level of stress that is not overly damaging, and that may actually have positive benefits. 

Today we are going to learn much more about that will be looking at the book, The Stress Paradox with Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist. We're going to learn about the"Stress dilemma" that we face, how stress enhances, cellular resilience, how our life compares to the lives of our ancestors in terms of the physical stresses that we endure. We will explore how stressing ourselves in relation to the times that we eat, our physical exercise, and even explore how sleep or lack of sleep, may affect us in negative and even perhaps positive ways. All in all, we"re learning these days how we want to do our best to leverage the value of being out of our comfort zone but also recognizing our

boundaries. 

00:00 Introduction

02:00 Welcoming Sharon and Introducing The Stress Paradox

06:33 Sleep is Critical

07:12 Good Stress (HIIT) vs. Bad Stress (Financial Hardship)

09:50 Hormetic Stress? Current Environment vs. Ancestors' Stress Levels

13:20 Stress Responses Stored in Phytochemicals and our Evolutionary Relationship with Plants

19:01 10,000 DNA Injuries Any Given Day, 7 Per Minute

22:03 The Biggest Factor Related to Longevity

26:01 Relationship with Decreased Risk of Alzheimer’s & The Role of Myokines

30:17 Microglia Cells Can Share Mitochondria (Before & After)

35:13 Heat Exposure Mimics the Benefits of Exercise

38:01 Key Strategies for Longevity and Vitality

45:32 Personalized Health Strategies for Optimal Performance

50:25: The Cortisol Spike and Why It is Necessary 

58:20 Why You Need Non-negotiables In Your Physiology

50:20 Conclusion

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Sharon Horesh Bergquist, MD, is an award-winning physician, innovative healthcare leader, and visionary researcher renowned for spearheading a science-based approach to applying lifestyle as medicine. She has helped lead numerous clinical trials, including the Emory Healthy Aging Study and the NIH funded Emory Healthy Brain Study. Dr. Bergquist is widely published in peer-reviewed journals and has contributed to over 200 news

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We all want to live a stress-free life. But as it turns out, this may not necessarily be in our best interest having a low level of stress of various types turns out to be good for our physiology and can even help us recover from illness. When stress is implemented in this way, it is termed, other words, the upside of low-grade stress. That stress can be exercise, immersion ourselves in cold or hot temperatures, time restricted eating, or even various forms of light exposure all of which we will explore on my podcast today, which is an interview with my good friend, Jeff Krasno. His new book, Good Stress, that he wrote along with his wife Schuyler Grant

He is the CEO and founder of Commune Media, a masterclass platform for well-being that features renowned authors and teachers. He hosts the Commune podcast, which has over 520 episodes and generates more than 750,000 monthly downloads, featuring interviews with luminaries such as Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Matthew McConaughey, and Gabor Maté. Additionally, Jeff writes a weekly "Commusing" essay exploring well-being, spirituality, and culture, distributed to an email list of over one million subscribers.

Prior to founding Commune Media, Jeff co-created Wanderlust, a global series of wellness events that have significantly contributed to popularizing yoga practices and principles in the U.S. and beyond. In 2016, Oprah Winfrey selected him as part of the SuperSoul100, recognizing him as one of the nation's leading entrepreneurs.

Jeff's latest book, "Good Stress: The Health Benefits of Doing Hard Things," co-authored with his wife, Schuyler Grant, is set to be released on March 25, 2025. I've had the opportunity to read the galley and it's a terrific book that will open a lot of doors for each and every one of you in terms of regaining your health.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection with Jeff Regarding the Los Angeles Wildfires
8:51 Introducing Jeff’s Book, Good Stress: The Health Benefits of Doing Hard Things
13:42 The Personal and Societal Costs of Poor Health
18:27 Jeff’s Background and Personal Approach to Wellness
22:54 Homeostasis as the Foundation of Health
25:42 Rethinking "Normal"—The Flaws of the Bell Curve Perspective
29:24 Evolutionary Perspectives on Health and Adaptation
34:55 Thermoregulation as a Pathway to Homeostatic Flexibility
38:15 Hypoxia and Its Role in Physiological Adaptation
47:04 The Therapeutic Potential of Thermal Shock
49:51 The Concept of Good Stress and the Evolutionary Mismatch of Modern Lifestyles
55:01 Optimal Timing and Approaches for Cold Plunging
1:00:46 Jeff’s Personal Biohacking Journey
1:07:08 Exploring the Benefits of Light Therapy and the Revival of Raw Milk Consumption

====

Jeff Krasno is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, a masterclass platform for personal and societal well-being and co-creator of Wanderlust, a global series of wellness events. He hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of luminaries from Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson to Matthew McConaughey and Gabor Maté. His latest venture expands Jeff’s personal story and protocols into a book, Good Stress: The Benefits of Doing Hard Things (Hay House, March 2025). The book dives deeper into the concepts from the course, distilling insights from over 400 podcast conversations Jeff has conducted, along with his personal experiences applying these ideas to transform his own health. It explores deliberate, self-imposed behaviors that promote social, psychological, and physical well-being, offering both a philosophical exploration of true wellness and practical steps to achieve it.

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We all know that exercise is good for the body and specifically, very good for the brain. In fact, exercise is the most important inroad to better brain health, better brain function, protecting the brain against decline, and even with respect to mood issues like depression.

But it's reasonable to ask how in fact does this work? How is it that exercising muscles does good things for the brain?

On today's episode of the Empowering Neurologist we spent time with Dr. Austin Perlmutter. He takes us on a deep dive exploring the exact connection between muscle and its endocrine function in terms of creating various chemicals that are so helpful for better brain health. It's a great discussion that looks at things like how much exercise is appropriate, what type of exercise is best, how much protein we should be consuming, and what other supplements will augment the benefits of exercise in terms of better brain health. I think you will really enjoy this episode. I know I sure did, after all, getting to spend time with my son is always special!

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00:00:00 Introduction & Welcoming Dr. Austin

00:01:56 The Relationship of Muscle Health, Mental Health, and Brain Health

00:09:15 The Power of Exercise to Improve Cognition vs Pharmaceuticals & The Muscle as an Endocrine Organ

00:16:36 The Molecules Produced by Muscles: Myokines 

00:20:10 Myokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Health 

00:26:43 Sarcopenia and The Risk of Dementia

00:31:50 Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor, Neuroplasticity & Weight Training 

00:39:40 Animal versus Plant Protein to Build Healthy Muscle

00:46:26 Cycling Anabolic and Catabolic States

00:51:31 Why Women Are 2x More Likely to Develop Alzheimer's and What Supplementation Is Necessary to Compliment Building Muscle

01:05:40 Conclusion and Wrap Up

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Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, researcher, educator, podcaster and entrepreneur. His mission is to help people get their brains unstuck for better mental and cognitive health. Dr. Perlmutter’s work on how environment and diet influences brain health has been featured on PBS, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, NPR, Fox, CBS and other top media outlets. He has co-produced and hosted some of the world’s largest online brain health events including Alzheimer’s, the Science of Prevention and the Better Brain Blueprint. He is the Managing Director of Big Bold Health, where he led a pioneering study exploring plant nutrient effects on human aging. He is the CEO of Lichen Air, which provides science-backed indoor air solutions for better brain health and longevity. He is also a research consultant to the Helfgott Research Institute, where he studies the epigenetic, metabolic, microbiome and immune effects of ayahuasca. 

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Lichen AIr: https://lichenair.com/

Dr. Austin Perlmutter's Muscle-Brain eGuide: https://www.austinperlmutter.com/muscleguide

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🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱Over the last several decades, it’s been interesting to watch the progression of ideas for treating Alzheimer’s change from focusing on brain chemistry to targeting the accumulation of proteins in the brain associated with the disease. Recently, there’s been exciting interest in studying how the brain’s electrical circuits and rhythms change in Alzheimer’s and other brain degenerative disorders.The human brain operates in rhythms, with gamma frequencies playing a critical role in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and learning. In neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, these gamma oscillations are disrupted, contributing to the accumulation of harmful proteins such as amyloid-beta and tau. Cognito Therapeutics has developed a pioneering approach using non-invasive light and sound stimulation to restore these rhythms and trigger natural mechanisms for clearing these toxic proteins.In preclinical and early clinical trials, this method has demonstrated remarkable potential. By stimulating gamma oscillations, the therapy has shown the ability to reduce inflammation, enhance synaptic function, and activate microglia—immune cells responsible for clearing debris and maintaining brain health. For families battling cognitive decline, these results offer hope for improving quality of life and potentially slowing disease progression. Cognito’s research focuses on safety, accessibility, and scalability. Unlike pharmaceutical interventions, this approach avoids invasive procedures or systemic side effects, making it an attractive alternative or complementary treatment for Alzheimer’s.As the company advances its clinical trials, the implications extend far beyond Alzheimer’s. Cognito’s technology could pave the way for treatments for neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, MS, and traumatic brain injury.On our podcast today, we are joined by Christian Howell, CEO of Cognito Therapeutics. Howell is committed to advancing the understanding of brain health and delivering groundbreaking therapeutic solutions to improve patient outcomes. Under his leadership, Cognito Therapeutics has made significant strides in the development of gamma-frequency neuromodulation technologies, leveraging light and sound stimulation to address the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders. Howell is a strong advocate for translating cutting-edge research into real-world applications and has spearheaded the company’s efforts to validate its therapies through rigorous scientific studies and clinical trials.Howell holds advanced degrees in neuroscience and bioengineering and has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between scientific discovery and patient care. His work reflects a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by cognitive decline and to shaping the future of brain health through innovation and collaboration.====00:00 Introduction00:59 Optogenetic Light & SoundTherapy 11:28 Innovations in Light and Sound Therapy at 40Hz Interval; Generating Neuroplasticity17:48 Rethinking Alzheimer’s Treatment and Gamma Wave Stimulation’s Impact on Proteins20:43 Overview of Cognito Therapeutics at Home Device25:30 Usage for Therapeutic, Preventative, and Performance Enhancement. 28:37 Disease States: Dysregulation of Microglia; Long Covid, Chemo Brain, Sepsis 30:45: Breakthrough Designation from FDA For the Device38:07 FDA Approval, Distribution, and Insurance Approval; Economic Burdens of Alzheimer’s 44:30 Closing Insights on Revolutionary Therapies====Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmutter/Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/Subscribe to our channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRl_UAXxbHyOOjklnA0dxQ/?sub_confirmation=1