Naperville Brain-Based Therapy

Hi Everyone,

I’m often explaining to patient’s how to eat a diet that will help them recover from chronic illnesses and stay healthy.  The conversation usually starts with me recalling the familiar USDA food pyramid and how they would do well to remove the bottom (grains) and start over.  A diet rich in grains many be full of fiber, “B” vitamins and plenty of carbohydrates but it doesn’t necessarily equate with being healthy.

Grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats) are mostly carbohydrates (sugars) and can play havoc with blood sugar levels.  Consumption of grains can also lead to inflammation and food sensitivities in some people.  We’ve been so conditioned to think we cannot survive or be healthy without grains as the basis of our diet.  This simply isn’t true.  You can live perfectly well and probably have greater health by eliminating or minimizing grain consumption.

The basis of my food pyramid is protein and vegetables.  Protein’s are the building blocks of life.  They literally provide the 2×4′s for construction of cells, hormones, neurotransmitters, DNA, etc.  Eating protein increases our metabolic rate by up to 10% (for a short time) after consumption, can stabilize blood sugar (this is especially true while sleeping) and is required to keep muscle mass stable.

Vegetables provide plenty of nutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals) and non-soluble fiber (bulk).  Go for less starchy vegetables like greens, asparagus, broccoli, cucumbers, etc and shy away from sugary carrots or potatoes.  And just so you know corn is not a vegetable; it’s a grain.  Not sure why it got put into the vegetable category???  Variety, organic and rich colors are what you should look at when making choices.  Don’t get into a rut.

Healthy fats and oils are essentials too; we just need less of them because they are calorie dense.  Coconut oil and grape seed oil both do well at high temperatures.  They don’t smoke, change into transfats (bad stuff) and don’t burn.  They are favor neutral and coconut oil has been shown to improve cholesterol levels.  Interestingly, coconut oil acts like a carbohydrate in that it is easily used for fuel by the body but it does not rise blood sugar.  How nice is that?  Great for diabetics!!!

Fruit is a higher up on the pyramid because it is too easy to consume too much.  Fruit is high in fructose (fruit sugar) which can make you hungry for more sugar if you consume too many servings.  Go for berries (blueberries, raspberries, etc.) as they have a low sugar to fiber ratio and are packed with numerous benefits.  Blueberries are great for the brain and memory.  Give your kids a serving before a test and watch them shine.  Pitted fruits are good too (plums, apricots, peaches, etc.); just don’t eat the fruit dried or you’ll be in the high sugar category again.  Stay clear of high sugar fruits like bananas, watermelon, papaya and the like.

I also removed diary products (milk/cheese/ice cream) from the pyramid because people often have issue processing dairy.  Children prone to ear infections and/or sinus drainage should refrain from dairy.  Problems with dairy go beyond just lactose intolerance.  Lactose is the sugar and some people have difficulty digesting causing gas and bloating.  Casein is a protein found in dairy that can cause digestive sensitivities in some people.

When I was young I remember my mom telling me how fish was “food for my brain.”  She would go on about how important fish was to my health, especially my gray matter.  Since my mom is 100% Norwegian and I figured that fish and Norwegian simply went hand in hand (like Italian and spaghetti).  Fish wasn’t exactly my favorite dinner food so I wasn’t sure if she was trying to sell me on finishing dinner or if fish really was somehow helping me become smarter.  That was then and this is now.

Our knowledge of the foods that support health have greatly improved and yes, mom was right all those years ago…fish really is brain food.  Fish oil and good fats are part of my daily routine so are colorful fruits and vegetables packed with healthy phytonutritents and antioxidants.  Science has shed light on foods that help defend against depression, psychosis, dementia, stroke, ADHD and more.

Brain function and health is my main interest in practice so when I found this information on foods and brain health I couldn’t resist passing it along to you.

There is much more to brain health than just fish oil.

You must watch this.  Everyone should be using high quality pure coconut oil for cooking. It contains many important components including MCT (medium chain triglycerides) which are a great source of energy, especially for the brain.

Even though coconut oil is a fat it acts more like a carbohydrate in that the body can easily convert the MCT’s into energy all without raising blood sugar. It’s really the best of both worlds from an energy perspective.

Click here to read the article and get more information.

An article in the J. Gen Intern Med Jan 27, 2012, stated that those who drank diet soft drink daily (vs. none) was associated with multiple vascular risk factors and increased risk for “vascular events.”  What’s a vascular event?  How about hardening of arteries, heart disease, high blood pressure and increased cholesterol levels!

Funny thing is the study also stated that drinking regular soft drinks didn’t cause the same vascular and heart problems.  Of course there is the diabetis and many other issues associated with “regular” soft drink consumption.

You may ask yourself, “So what am I supposed to drink?”  How about good old fashion WATER!  You can even mildly flavor your water to keep your taste buds from rebelling.  Many of us our functionally dehydrated.

You may experience fatigue, body aches, and difficulty concentrating all because you need water.   Drink a big glass of water to get your day started and keep sipping all day long.  You’ll probably notice more energy and better mood.

Stay away from soft drinks (diet or regular) accept an occasional treat if you need.  Your mind and body will repay you with vibrant energy and health.
1. J Gen Intern Med. 2012 Jan 27.  Diet Soft Drink Consumption is Associated with an Increased Risk of Vascular.  Events in the Northern Manhattan Study.

Gardener H, Rundek T, Markert M, Wright CB, Elkind MS, Sacco RL.

 The Dana Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that supports brain research through grants and educates the public about the successes and potential of brain research.  Dana produces free publications; coordinates the International Brain Awareness Week campaign; supports the Dana Alliances, a network of neuroscientists; and maintains a Web site, www.dana.org.

I’m hoping to extend public understanding of how the brain works and how to preserve brain function as we age.

After studying the latest information and passing a test on gluten sensitivity and Celiac’s Disease; Dr. Serpe was confirmed as a Certified Gluten Practitioner.  As part of a national membership of physicians, Dr. Serpe is now equipped with a deep understanding of the latest research, testing methods and treatments for those with gluten sensitivity.

Your fish oil (omega-3 supplement) may not be everything it needs to be to help keep depression in check.  A new study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry confirms that EPA, not DHA is the effective component in omega-3 fatty acids in treating primary depression.

Not only is EPA the important component but the amounts matter, which is one of the reasons previous studies had conflicting outcomes.

So grab your omega-3 now and look at the label.  Here is what you’re looking for — 200 – 2,000 mg/d of EPA in excess of DHA.  To put that another way you want > 60% EPA to DHA in the product you’re taking.

The study also notes that the exact mechanism for lowering depression is not known yet and recommends additional study to determine the underlying process.

Bottom line:  Take a high quality fish oil that contains the ratios mentioned above.

Resource:  J Clin Psychiatry. 2011 Dec;72(12):1577-84.