Glucose and Brain Health Lecture

Introduction

• Objective: Promote brain health as we age
• Importance of being conscious of actions to protect the brain
• Host: Justin Chusp, biochemist
• Focus: Relationship between food, glucose, and brain health

Personal Background

• Justin's journey from mental health issues in early 20s (depression, anxiety, dissociation, panic attacks)
• Discovery of the impact of glucose on brain health
• Stabilizing glucose levels as a foundation for healing

Brain Fog

• Definition: Feeling like brain is not functioning properly (cotton in the brain, underwater feeling, memory issues)
• Study 1: "Effects of differences in postrenal glycemia on cognitive functions in healthy middle-aged subjects"
  • High glucose spike breakfast = worse cognitive performance
  • Steady glucose levels = better brain function
• Study 2: "Mechanisms of glycemic variability accelerate diabetic Central neuropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in diabetic rats"
  • Glucose spikes in rats slow down neuron communication speed
  • Low nerve conduction velocity linked to brain fog

Mood and Irritability

• Study: "Low glucose relates to Greater aggression in married couples"
  • Participants with stable glucose levels were less irritated
  • Participants with low glucose levels were more aggressive (more pins in voodoo dolls representing their spouse)
• Examples: Parents incorporating glucose hacks found better relationships with their kids
• Mechanism: Glucose spikes lower tyrosine levels, impacting mood balance

Mental Health

• Personal Experience: Justin’s mental health improved by stabilizing glucose levels
• Impact of Glucose Spikes: Increase inflammation in body and brain, affecting mental health
• Study: "Incident major depressive disorder predicted by three measures of insulin resistance"
  • Insulin resistance linked to a higher risk of depression
• Emerging Field: Strong connection between diet and mental health
• Foundation for Healing: Stable glucose levels support mental health recovery

Alzheimer’s Disease

• Link: Alzheimer’s disease as "Type 3 diabetes"
  • Signs of insulin resistance in the brain
  • People with Type 2 diabetes at higher risk for Alzheimer’s
• Study: "Midlife lipid and glucose levels are associated with Alzheimer’s disease"
  • High glucose levels at midlife linked to higher risk of Alzheimer’s later
• Hope: Potential reversibility of cognitive decline through diet changes

Glucose Hacks for Brain Health

1. Savory Breakfast: Avoid sweet breakfasts to prevent glucose spikes and brain fog
2. Veggie Starter: Eat vegetables before lunch/dinner to reduce glucose spikes
3. Avoid Sugar on Empty Stomach: Have sugar at the end of meals
4. Move After Eating: Use muscles for 10 minutes after meals to reduce glucose spikes

Resources

• Free PDF with 10 glucose hacks
• Additional books and resources from Justin Chusp

Conclusion

• Importance of maintaining stable glucose levels for brain health and overall well-being
• Encouragement to incorporate glucose hacks for improved mental and brain health

Note: For further information, download the free PDF with detailed glucose hacks.