Episode 147: Bonnie J Kaplan, PhD

On todays podcast Molly and I interview Bonnie J Kaplan, PhD. Bonnie is Professor Emeritus in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She has published widely on the biological basis of developmental disorders and mental health – particularly, the contribution of nutrition to mental health.

Her efforts to educate about the role of nutrition in brain health resulted in her selection in 2017 as one of 150 Canadian Difference Makers in Mental Health, in honour of Canada's 150th birthday. In 2019 she was honoured with the Dr. Rogers Prize for Excellence in Integrative, complementary medicine. In 2021 she was chosen as one of the top "7 Over 70" in Calgary, partly for her book The Better Brain, written with Professor Julia Rucklidge and published by Harper Collins, as well as her two charitable funds supporting research by junior colleagues who study nutrition and mental health (over $1 million CAD distributed). Her primary goal is to bring nutrition education and treatment to the forefront of mental health care.

The best news is Dr. Kaplan is coming to my hometown Parry Sound on November 2nd to present at the Stockey Centre on the topic of "The Importance of Nutrition for Brain Health and Resilience." This event was going to be hosted at the Parry Sound Hospital but there was pushback from a doctor there who her work was not based in science. I found this so hard to believe since Bonnie has spent so much of her life in the field of research, and has 142 peer reviewed publications to prove it. So as a community of passionate people about how our food choices can be an incredible tool to enhance mental health we found a way to host it here anyways and make it FREE for the general public. So ALL OUR WELCOME to attend this event which will be held from 1pm – 3pm, November 2nd at the Stockey Center in Parry Sound. All donations are going to two local programs to provide fresh food for their participants at The Drop supporting local youth and Hope Pregnancy Center supporting local pregnant moms. Thanks to Home Depot and Sweet Sobriety for sponsoring this event.

Todays Topics: • Her personal story and AHA moments • How food/nutrition impact our mental health? • Does she think the current mental health crisis has anything to do with our food system? • Is a whole food diet sufficient for everyone? • What are micronutrients? • Is there is a micronutrient formula for addiction? • Research on micronutrients for ADHD and Depression • Research on micronutrients and resilience through environmental traumas • The pushback she receives on her work from the medical field

Follow Bonnie: Website: https://bonniejkaplan.com Book: TheBetterBrainbook.com 5 min video on what micronutrients do in the brain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWIBf5ALLj4&t=4s

Recent essay in Psychiatric Times: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/nutritional-treatments-the-next-frontier-in-psychiatry A Conversation.com piece I wrote: https://theconversation.com/junk-food-and-the-brain-how-modern-diets-lacking-in-micronutrients-may-contribute-to-angry-rhetoric-170863

And finally, the two charitable funds she manages: In Canada, it is held by the Calgary Foundation. https://calgaryfoundation.org/. Click on DONATE, then enter the word nutrition into the search field and you will find the Nutrition and Mental Health Fund. In the USA, it is held by FJC.org — Click on DONATE, and enter Nutrition and Mental Health Fund into the appropriate field.

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.