The New Science of Neuroinflammation and How to Protect Your Brain with Dr. Austin Perlmutter

09/15/22 • 104 min

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This episode is brought to you by ButcherBox and Cozy Earth.

Over 300 million people around the world experience depression. For the last half-century, the dominant explanation for depression has centered on serotonin. The basic idea is that low levels of brain serotonin or serotonin activity lead to symptoms of depression. But in the last several decades, a number of researchers have challenged the idea that serotonin plays a principal role, or even a major role, in depression. So, if it’s not a serotonin issue, what is it?

Today on The Dhru Purohit Podcast, Dhru and Dr. Austin Perlmutter talk about why serotonin may not explain depression, but research on other brain pathways may provide answers such as neuroplasticity, our hormones, metabolic health, gut health, and the immune connection to the brain. They also discuss how there is a lot we can do through our lifestyle choices to help prevent and even manage depression.

Dr. Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician and expert on how environmental influences affect our mental and brain health. He is a coauthor of the New York Times and international bestseller Brain Wash, which he wrote with his father Dr. David Perlmutter, and he hosts the Get The STUCK Out podcast. He currently serves as the Senior Director of Science and Clinical Innovation at Big Bold Health, where he is running an IRB-approved pilot trial exploring the effects of polyphenols on epigenetic expression.

In this episode, we dive into:

-The top drivers of depression (1:42)

-The connection between neuroinflammation and depression (9:30)

-How our immune system influences our brain function (11:49)

-What governs our brain state and how we make decisions (16:04)

-The top causes of inflammation (17:31)

-How exposure to particulate matter impacts our brain function (36:21)

-The top foods for brain health (44:15)

-Why depression is not a serotonin issue (50:37)

-Myths about serotonin (56:47)

-What you can do to improve your brain health (1:16:22)

Also mentioned in this episode:

-Dr. Mark Hyman’s Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat Pancake Recipe

For more on Dr. Perlmutter, follow him on Instagram @draustinperlmutter, Facebook @draustinnperlmutter, and through his website austinperlmutter.com.

This episode is brought to you by ButcherBox and Cozy Earth.

ButcherBox has a variety of different boxes, and you can choose your box and frequency. For a limited time, you can sign up today and get 2lbs of ground beef free for a whole year by going to butcherbox.com/dhru.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by ButcherBox and Cozy Earth.

In this episode, we dive into:

-The top drivers of depression (1:42)

-The connection between neuroinflammation and depression (9:30)

-How our immune system influences our brain function (11:49)

-What governs our brain state and how we make decisions (16:04)

-The top causes of inflammation (17:31)

-How exposure to particulate matter impacts our brain function (36:21)

-The top foods for brain health (44:15)

-Why depression is not a serotonin issue (50:37)

-Myths about serotonin (56:47)

-What you can do to improve your brain health (1:16:22)

Also mentioned in this episode:

-Dr. Mark Hyman’s Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat Pancake Recipe

For more on Dr. Perlmutter, follow him on Instagram @draustinperlmutter, Facebook @draustinnperlmutter, and through his website austinperlmutter.com.

This episode is brought to you by ButcherBox and Cozy Earth.

Cozy Earth are the most comfortable, temperature regulating, and nontoxic sheets on the market. Right now, get 40% off your Cozy Earth sheets. Just head over to cozyearth.com and use code DHRU.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

The Dangers of Root Canals and How to Avoid Having One with Dr. Rouzita Rashtian

This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker and AquaTru.

Root canals have become ubiquitous—almost 60 million are performed each year in the United States. “You need a root canal‟ is now almost as common as hearing “you need a filling.” It is the only treatment protocol available to retain a tooth that is diseased. Yet just how safe are root canals? And what is the science behind there being a nontoxic alternative to tooth extractions?

On today’s mini-episode, Dhru and Dr. Rouzita Rashtian dive deep into the topic of root canals. They discuss what a root canal treatment involves, why you might end up needing one, and alternative treatment options.

Dr. Rashtian is a biological dentist and surgeon. She practices utilizing modern health as a platform in helping patients understand the relationship between their mouth and overall health. Her focus is on holistic and biological dentistry, the philosophy recognizing the teeth and associated structures as part of the whole body. Because of this important relationship, she offers a plethora of healthy treatment options, stressing the use of nontoxic materials and focusing on the impact toxins and hidden bacteria can have on cumulative health. She uses minimally invasive techniques to preserve healthy tooth structure and incorporates laser technology and ozone therapy. She holds a SMART certification license through the prestigious International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. She is also a member of the Holistic Dental Association and the International Association of Mercury Safe Dentists and Biomimetic Dentistry.

In this episode we dive into:

-What is a root canal?

-The four factors to avoid a root canal

-Why root canals can be problematic

-What you should look out for if you've had a root canal

-Options for tooth replacement

Listen to the full episode here.

For more on Dr. Rashtian, follow her on Instagram @SerenityDentalCenter, Facebook @SerenityDentalCenter, and through her website, serenitydentalcenter.com.

This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker and AquaTru.

InsideTracker provides detailed nutrition and lifestyle guidance based on your individual needs. Right now, they’re offering my podcast community 20% off. Just go to insidetracker.com/DHRU to get your discount and try it out for yourself.

AquaTru is the primary water filter I use at home and in my office. Right now, they are offering my community an amazing deal. Get $150 off your filter at drhyman.com/filter today.

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Next Episode

How to Prevent and Treat Autoimmune Conditions Using The Power of Food with Dr. Elroy Vojdani

This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker and Pendulum.

Autoimmune diseases are an increasing issue in our country, with over 80 million Americans dealing with some form or another. Type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto’s, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, colitis, and Crohn’s disease are just some of the more than 70 identified forms of autoimmunity that leave people feeling sick, lost, and powerless.

Conventional treatment for autoimmune conditions gives little hope to those who are suffering because conventional medicine treats these diseases as lifelong illnesses that often require medication to manage symptoms. Through the lens of Functional Medicine, though, we’re able to see things differently; we’re able to see there are many underlying factors that contribute to autoimmune disease that can vary from person to person even for the same disease.

Food, of course, plays a huge role in how our immune system functions. I’m not talking about “immune-boosting” foods to avoid a cold; I’m talking about the molecular makeup of foods that can exacerbate your condition due to the immune response they elicit. I’m also talking about anti-inflammatory foods that provide the right nutritional ingredients for healing. On today’s mini-episode, Dhru has a fascinating talk with Dr. Elroy Vojdani about leveraging food choices on an extremely personalized level to treat autoimmunity.

Dr. Vojdani is the founder of Regenera Medical, a boutique Functional Medicine practice in Los Angeles, California. He has coauthored over 20 articles in the scientific literature and continues to play an integral role in research related to autoimmune, neurodegenerative, and autoinflammatory conditions. He is also the author of When Food Bites Back: Taking Control of Autoimmune Disease.

In this episode we dive into:

-Why there is an explosion of autoimmune disease

-The connection between food and autoimmune diseases

-Foods that damage the gut lining

-Modern wheat vs. native wheat

-The three stages of autoimmunity

-How to prevent and treat autoimmune conditions

Listen to the full episode here.

For more on Dr. Vojdani, visit his website, regeneramedical.com, and get his book, When Food Bites Back, here.

This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker and Pendulum.

Pendulum is the first company to figure out how to harness the amazing benefits of Akkermansia in a probiotic capsule. To receive 20% off your first purchase of Pendulum’s Akkermansia probiotic supplement, go to Pendulumlife.com and use code DHRU20.

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