E28 - Austin Perlmutter, MD: How Brain Metabolism Relates to Aging, Cognitive Decline, and Mental Health

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This week we're joined by Austin Perlmutter, MD, to delve into the fascinating connection between brain metabolism and critical aspects of health and wellbeing. As a leading expert in this field, he provides valuable insights into the complexity of brain metabolism and how it shapes our reality, cognitive abilities, and mental health.

The discussion covers a range of topics, starting with an exploration of the nuances of ketones, blood sugar, and the roles of brown and white fat. Dr. Perlmutter examines the evidence around the safety and potential benefits of a ketogenic diet for brain health. He also shares thought-provoking perspectives on reframing our understanding of aging and the actionable steps individuals can take to optimize their brain function.

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0:00 Intro

2:42 The Complexity of Brain Metabolism

13:00 How Your Brain Creates Your Reality 

16:42 Ketones & Blood Sugar

19:00 Brown Fat vs White Fat

22:30 Is a Keto Diet Safe for the Brain?

35:51 Better Understanding the Metrics

44:29 Reshaping Our Focus on Aging

53:45 Actionable Steps to Brain Health 

1:01:05 Conclusion

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Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, published researcher and international educator. His mission is to help people improve their health by targeting the biological basis of “stuckness” in our brains and bodies. His writings, presentations, podcasts, and online educational programs explore how environmental factors influence our cognitive and mental state and have reached millions. Dr. Perlmutter has been featured on PBS, Rolling Stone, MedPage today, Newsweek, Medical News Today, NPR and a wide range of other media outlets. He is a co-producer of the Alzheimer’s, the Science of Prevention series, and host of the Better Brain Blueprint series. Dr. Perlmutter currently serves as the managing director at Big Bold Health, a food-as-medicine company focused on helping people rejuvenate health through better immune function, where he is running a first-of-its kind study exploring the effects of plant nutrients on human aging through epigenetic modulation.

https://www.austinperlmutter.com/ 

https://bigboldhealth.com/

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