Drs Dean Sherzai

In Episode #226, I’m joined by Drs Ayesha and Dean Sherzai to examine how exercise impacts brain health. We focus on two main considerations: what we know about the relationship between exercise and cognition, and how we can explain this relationship from an evolutionary lens. We discuss how movement impacts cognition, engaging your brain while exercising, and aging and brain health. We also cover neurogenesis, brain trauma, exercise and mood disorders, and motivation versus discipline.Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai are no strangers to The Proof Podcast. As community favourites, we’ve previously covered topics focusing predominantly on the relationship between nutrition, neurodegenerative disease, aging, and other factors of brain health. In today’s episode, we step away from food to focus on the way exercise can impact our brain’s functioning and health.Specifically, we discuss: Intro (0:00) Defining Exercise & Cognition (7:51) Studies on Exercise/ Brain Power (13:16) Normal vs Pathological Aging (16:34) Aging: What’s Possible (22:30) Evolution of the Brain (27:31) Combining Thinking & Movement (42:23) Improving Brain Function (50:40) Mild Cognitive Impairment (58:27) Exercise for Brain Health (1:01:05) VO2 max & brain health (1:09:53) Danger of Exercise (1:12:36) Can you reverse pathology? (1:24:51) Mood Disorders (1:29:00) Motivation vs Discipline (1:31:06) Outro (1:37:35) To hear more from Drs Ayesha and Dean Sherzai, you can listen to their previous episodes #65, #78, #97, #117, #126, and #188. You can also head to their podcast, The Brain Health Revolution. Connect with them on Instagram @thebraindocs, and head to their website https://www.teamsherzai.com/ to discover their books and learn more.The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends, and make sure to head to theproof.com/podcast to for the full show notes.Enjoy, friends.SimonWant to support the show?The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends.Simon Hill, Msc, Bsc (Hons)Creator of Theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon HillAuthor of The Proof is in the PlantsWatch the episodes on YouTube, or Listen on Apple/SpotifyConnect with me on Instagram, Twitter and FacebookDownload my complimentary two week meal plan and high protein plant performance recipe book

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Ayesha Sherzai, brain health expert and co-founder of the Afghan Health Initiative, alongside her husband Dr. Dean Sherzai, former Deputy Minister of Health in Afghanistan, delve into the severe challenges faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule. They share insights on the healthcare landscape, women's empowerment, and the societal impacts of recent geopolitical changes. The couple emphasizes the resilience of Afghan women, advocating for education and community support as vital tools in the ongoing struggle for rights and dignity.