Notes on an online lecture by David Perlmutter MD on the effects of grains in the diet on brain function... his book on the same subject is just out.


HIGH CONTACT SPORTS
definitely associated with cognitive impairment
brain injuries are permanent and cumulative
"unacceptable occupational hazard"

BRAIN DEGENERATION
14.7% dementia in US adults over 70
50% of those over 85
dementia = large expense, more than heart disease and triple cancer care
neuro disease is fastest increasing cause of death, US leads the pack
death from other causes is declining
starting earlier, affecting those under 55 years of age

MECHANISMS
inflam in brain produces ROS which triggers acetylcholine
when it is decreased, the brain cells are already dead
some drugs preserve ACTH
brain cells die-->decreased dopamine ==> Parkinson's
there is much more oxidative damage in Alzheimer's patients' brains than in same age controls
DNA damage is early in the process (causing MCI)

PARKINSON'S
mancozeb increases risk by 118%
CQ10 slows progression
also increase risk: pesticides, insecticides, solvents, herbicides
mancozeb is used in lab to create parkinson's in primates experimentally
mancozeb is used as a fungicide in vegetable gardens

SOURCES OF FREE RADICALS
chemicals
elevated free radicals
gluten in sensitive individuals

TREATMENT APPROACHES
reduce oxidative stress in every way possible

MICROGLIAL ACTIVATION
they are brain macrophages, clean up messes
but this turns on inflammation: we don't want them being active
theory: they don't turn off
theory: HSV1 and chlamydia activate them

GLUCOSE AND DEMENTIA
the higher your blood sugar the more likely you are to have dementia
even at low end---not diabetic levels, still increases dementia risk (NEJM 369;6, August 8, 2013)
blood sugar of 108 --> brain shrinkage
specific area: atropy of hippocampus (Neurology 2012; 79:1019-1026)
glucose binds to proteins = glycation
glycated proteins-->ROS is increased by 50x
glycation upregs inflam and oxidative stress
LABS: HGB A1C for EVERYONE!!! KEEP IT UNDEr 5.2.
Brain shrinkage from elevated A1C is far more than that from worst APOe gene
for individuals with APO 4/4, Perlmutter puts them on very strict ketogenic diet because it prevents their mitochondria from failing, high fat availability helps

VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS
excellent healthful diets
high fat is OK: nuts, seeds, avos, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic coconut oil
(fat is not pork rinds, says use grass fed beef if eat beef at all)
low carb diet
cautions: several
must get adequate B12, get it checked, supplement that and Vitamin D

fish dipped in egg wash, almond flour dip, cook in wok or bake with olive oil

CARBS
max 60-80 carbs qd
sweet potatoes, yams ok but sweet
favor above-ground veggies for lower starch
glycemic index tells you how long sugar will stay up from various foods
chart on his website

KETOACCOMODATION (Perlmutter)
2-3 weeks to feeling stable again
after dropping carbs out of diet
when you are burning fat as a fuel source

SOURCE
http://funmedwebinars.wistia.com/medias/sdgxuwyz4c