From Heart Patient to Mountaineer: A Plant-Powered Transformation
12/28/23 • 44 min
We’re honored and delighted to have Dr. Akil Taher, who has done everything from triathlons to skydiving, hang gliding and scuba diving. He did all of this AFTER going through open-heart surgery at age 61.
Since heart disease is one of the major risk factors that can contribute to the likelihood of developing dementia, I just had to invite him to share his story of plant-powered transformation.
Some Highlights:
2:30 Why older people are happier than young people, despite physical illnesses
4:31 How what he called the “See Food” diet and a Type A Personality nearly killed Dr. Taher
08:34 How denial sent Dr. Taher on a downward spiral
12:00 the importance of fiber in your diet
14:10 why pockets in your colon are NOT normal, despite what North American doctors tell you
15:47 Making the choice to be in control
19:00 First marathon post-bypass surgery and an amazing gift in a dream
22:00 First mountain climbing expedition 1 year post-bypass
24:28 Dr. Taher’s Six Pillars of Health
31:40 What is broken heart syndrome?
33:41 Going plant-powered is delicious and does not have to be complicated
36:00 What exercises are best for your heart (and your brain?)
41:39 Dr. Taher’s Book is OPEN-HEART
Follow Dr. Taher on Facebook
Start your Brain Health Journey with Five Easy Things you can do Right Now to Improve Your Brain https://harplady.lpages.co/five-steps-to-a-better-brain/
To learn even more about the power of a whole foods, plant-based diet for a healthier brain, check out Kate’s books, "Don't Let the Memories Fade", "The Vegan Brain" and "The Musical Brain"
Check out the Brain Health Matters BLOG for many more ways to improve your brain and your life!
We’re honored and delighted to have Dr. Akil Taher, who has done everything from triathlons to skydiving, hang gliding and scuba diving. He did all of this AFTER going through open-heart surgery at age 61.
Since heart disease is one of the major risk factors that can contribute to the likelihood of developing dementia, I just had to invite him to share his story of plant-powered transformation.
Some Highlights:
2:30 Why older people are happier than young people, despite physical illnesses
4:31 How what he called the “See Food” diet and a Type A Personality nearly killed Dr. Taher
08:34 How denial sent Dr. Taher on a downward spiral
12:00 the importance of fiber in your diet
14:10 why pockets in your colon are NOT normal, despite what North American doctors tell you
15:47 Making the choice to be in control
19:00 First marathon post-bypass surgery and an amazing gift in a dream
22:00 First mountain climbing expedition 1 year post-bypass
24:28 Dr. Taher’s Six Pillars of Health
31:40 What is broken heart syndrome?
33:41 Going plant-powered is delicious and does not have to be complicated
36:00 What exercises are best for your heart (and your brain?)
41:39 Dr. Taher’s Book is OPEN-HEART
Follow Dr. Taher on Facebook
Start your Brain Health Journey with Five Easy Things you can do Right Now to Improve Your Brain https://harplady.lpages.co/five-steps-to-a-better-brain/
To learn even more about the power of a whole foods, plant-based diet for a healthier brain, check out Kate’s books, "Don't Let the Memories Fade", "The Vegan Brain" and "The Musical Brain"
Check out the Brain Health Matters BLOG for many more ways to improve your brain and your life!
Previous Episode
Control Anxiety in a Holistic Way to Enhance and Protect Your Brain
This week, Kate Kunkel interviews Dr. Nafisa Sekandari, a licensed clinical psychologist, specializing in anxiety based disorders.
Since mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, are well-known risk factors for dementia, this week’s discussion with Dr. Nafisa Sekandari, licensed clinical psychologist, is very important when considering your brain health.
We know that medications prescribed for mental health issues have many serious side effects and do not solve the root of any problem, and the medications themselves can and do have serious effects on the brain.
But Dr. Sekandari has a holistic and integrative approach to creating long term control of anxiety, without medication or long-term therapy. You’ll learn some amazing tools to nip panic attacks and overcome anxiety in this inspiring podcast.
Dr. Nafisa Sekandari is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in anxiety based disorders, and through holistic and integrative interventions, helps her patients and online course students create long term control of their anxiety and OCD symptoms, without medication or long term therapy.
Her recent book "Calm Within: Transform Anxiety Naturally With The 3 Step AIM Program" was recently published and is available on amazon.com and where ever books are sold.
Some highlights of the show:
03:00 Anxiety does not manifest the same in everybody
04:43 The connection between gut health and mental health, specifically, anxiety
06:35 Remove the stigma by demonstrating the physical reality of anxiety
08:15 Do genetics play a role?
10:46 So many kinds of anxiety – what about OCD?
16:03 Stress, inflammation and anxiety
18:29 How to use positive self-talk to reduce anxiety
22:35 The most important hours for the best sleep – this is important!!!
24:45 Dr. Sekandari shares powerful tips to get the best sleep
26:51 How to stop a panic attack
32:06 How to reach Dr. Sekandari
To learn about Dr. Sekandari’s Transforming Anxiety Conference (January 2024) visit https://www.transforminganxiety.com/attend
Website: https://www.transforminganxiety.com
Instagram: dr_nafisa_sekandari
Linked in: dr-nafisa-sekandari
Youtube: @DrNafisaSekandari
Start your Brain Health Journey with Five Easy Things you can do Right Now to Improve Your Brain https://harplady.lpages.co/five-steps-to-a-better-brain/
To learn even more about the power of a whole foods, plant-based diet for a healthier brain, check out Kate’s books, "Don't Let the Memories Fade", "The Vegan Brain" and "The Musical Brain"
Check out the Brain Health Matters BLOG for many more ways to improve your brain and your life!
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