Brain Food: Nutrition for Mental Performance

Beta-alanine has proven efficacy at enhancing high intensity physical performance, but are there any data supporting its use for cognitive performance? This week, Casey reviews a fun study investigating the use of beta-alanine on various physical and cognitive metrics in otherwise healthy individuals. The results were modest, but still interesting - give it a listen if you're curious!If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Casey answers another listener question: Is L-carnitine an effective nootropic? Or is it a waste of money? Casey goes over the current state of the evidence regarding L-carnitine's use in otherwise healthy individuals. Give it a listen if you are curious! The answer may surprise you.If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Casey reviews the nootropic Alpha Brain from Onnit. A listener wrote in asking for Casey's opinion. Give this week a listen if you want a no-BS answer based on two research trials that examined the effects of Alpha Brain directly. The results will surprise you!If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's something everyone KNOWS they need to be eating, but they just don't do it. We even know how good they are for preventing things like death and disease. However, there's not been convincing data on how it helps us in the short-term. What are the immediate benefits, if any, to cognitive performance? Give this week a listen if you want to hear what I'm talking about!If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Much of this podcast has focused on reviewing positive foods and strategies to enhance brain performance. This week, Casey takes a different spin on it and looks at a particularly detrimental food item that will DIRECTLY compromise your brain's ability to function at it's highest capacity. Don't eat another meal until you give this a listen!If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Casey answers another listener question, "Does eating chocolate help brain performance?" Chocolate has traditionally been regarded as a treat, but marketers have been doing a good job making claims that darker chocolates and natural cocoa may have several health benefits. Is there anything truth to it? More importantly, will it help with brain performance? Give this week a listen if you're curious!If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The gut microbiome is a hot topic these days. Unfortunately, most of the data coming out comes from marketing firms trying to sell you probiotic and prebiotic supplements. What the science says is quite different. This week, Casey continues the topic by giving you practical strategies to alter your gut microbiome for the better (yes, we talk about probiotics and prebiotics here!).If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The gut microbiome is a hot topic these days. Unfortunately, most of the data coming out comes from marketing firms trying to sell you probiotic and prebiotic supplements. What the science says is quite different. This week, Casey introduces the topic of the gut microbiome by telling you what it is and why you should care about it for mental performance.If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Much of nutrition has nothing to do with nutrition science and everything to do with psychology. It's not enough to tell people to eat broccoli every day. You need to figure out not only what to do, but how to do it in a way that sticks. We want habits. This week, Casey reviews a proven strategy for rewiring the brain to support the habits you want.If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No matter what you're going for, you want to build good habits. You want your cognitive enhancing efforts to become effortless. You want it to be a part of your life, and not a chore. This week, Casey talks about the 4 stages of habit formation and how you can start working to "break" bad habits. Check it out if you're looking for results that LAST!If you enjoy this series and have found any value from it, please share it with a friend. My goal is to cut through the crap and spread some credible nutrition information! And if you have any other feedback, or would just like to say 'Hello', my email is caseythomasrd@gmail.com. I read everything you guys send me!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.