Peer-reviewed scientific studies keep finding that lifestyle choices like minimizing processed foods with a focus on plant-based nutrition, and minimizing alcohol and sugar, while maximizing physical and mental exercise and sleep all extend both the quantity and quality of our life, despite any genetic predispositions. This is a widely underappreciated message.
Chris Hemsworth’s new mini-series Limitless (streaming on Disney) offers an entertaining overview on point. He discussed it on Good Morning America.
In the new National Geographic show, “Limitless with Chris Hemsworth,” the “Thor” actor discovered he has a risk of developing Alzheimer’s eight to 10 times higher than the general population. Here is a direct video link.
A recent deep dive into nutrition and health on the Huberman Lab podcast is also illuminating. The segment can be listened to on audio-streaming platforms like Spotify here. The piece is two hours long but can be consumed in shorter snippets.
It can also be viewed on Youtube if preferred. Here is a direct video link.
Chris Palmer, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He explains the important connection between nutrition, metabolism and mental health and his pioneering work using the ketogenic diet to successfully treat patients with various mental illnesses, including depression and schizophrenia. Dr. Palmer explains how the ketogenic diet is an evidenced-based treatment for epilepsy, mimics the fasted state and can offset the cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. He describes the key roles of mitochondria in mental health, how certain conditions likely arise from mitochondrial dysfunction, and how low-carbohydrate diets increase mitochondrial turnover to improve mental health.
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