Adventures in Brain Injury Podcast

Amy Derksen, ND is a former competitive athlete and Naturopathic Physician with a full scope of practice in Washington State since 2003. She did her undergraduate studies in biochemistry and her medical post-graduate training with Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD for over 2 years. She specializes in working with both Autism and chronically ill patients, including Lyme disease. Dr. Derksen has been involved in teaching various topics with Dr. Klinghardt since 2004, and has also been a speaker at Autism One, LIA, Academy of Comprehensive Integrative Medicine, American Academy of Restorative Medicine, TFIM and Hope to Heal Lyme conferences. She is one of the first Naturopathic Physicians to become a Fellow with the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs, working to broaden her skills for working with autism. She has additional training in PANS/PANDAS, ILADS, mold illness, genetics/methylation, LDA/LDI allergy treatments, peptide therapies for recovery and BHRT. As someone who struggles with an autoimmune disease and recovery from significant post-COVID reactions in 2021 extending to now, she can relate with the frustrations when your body no longer feels like something you have control over. Her typical patients tend to be those who have already seen several doctors and specialists, and who have relatively "normal" labs that don't match with the symptoms they are experiencing. She incorporates a system of testing called Autonomic Response Testing in addition to labs and history to help navigate what can feel like a complicated puzzle of why you aren't getting well.   Visit https://feedabrain.com/amy for the resources.

In this podcast, we explore the new research on leaky gut and why it's time for us to revisit the subject. The latest scientific discoveries have revealed a more comprehensive view of the mechanisms underlying leaky gut syndrome. Check it out and learn new possibilities for healing and Feeding a Brain to restore balance and promoting overall well-being. If you get here before July 22nd, 2023 you can get access for only $97 by clicking the link below: Leaky Gut 2.0 - https://feedabrain.com/leakygut (Use Code CAVIN100 for $100 off)    

Let's talk neuroscience!  I first met Garrett when I heard that Dr. Terry Wahls was presenting at Neufit's headquarters in Austin TX. This was the second time I had heard of Neufit that month, and Terry is a friend and colleague who I am a huge fan of. Dr. Wahls' innovative approach to treating the physical ailments that come with neurological autoimmune conditions like MS is unparalleled, and she is a walking, talking, and bike riding example of the power of nutrition and functional movement in overcoming debilitating conditions. So what is it about Neufit that earned Terry Wahls' support?  Neufit is a method that uses electrical stimulation (e-stim) to effect neuroplastic change and to enhance and restore function to the body. But the e-stim device used by Neufit (Nuebie) is no ordinary e-stim device.  Most e-stim devices, like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machines, use alternating current (AC)... mostly to reduce the sensation of pain. But I took a course on human physiology, and I knew that the human nervous system operates on its own intricate electrical system based on the movement of charged particles ions across cell membranes…  and the electrical signals in our bodies are based on direct current (DC).    This is literally in contrast to alternating current (AC), which is constantly changing direction. The Neubie, which stands for "neuro-bio electric" stimulator, uses direct current (DC) to effectively put neuroplasticity on steroids, especially in the peripheral nervous system. After the presentation, I spoke with Dr. Wahls, and she introduced me to Garrett Salpeter. Garrett is the owner of Neufit creator of the Neubie device. As we talked about neurology, I was blown away his knowledge of principles of neuroplasticity.... principles that had been instrumental in my recovery from brain injury. And his application of these principles with the Neubie device and the Neufit method is phenomenal. He is absolutely passionate about using principles of neuroplasticity to help people to live healthier and happier lives through increased mobility and abilities. When external AC electrical stimulation is introduced to the human body, it can interfere with the normal bioelectric function in a few ways: Interference with Nervous System Signals: The introduction of AC electrical stimulation can disrupt the natural electrical signals within the nervous system. This interference can cause confusion or misinterpretation of signals by the body, potentially leading to abnormal sensations or unintended muscle contractions. Changes in Cellular Membrane Potential: The electrical stimulation can alter the normal electrical potential across cellular membranes. This can affect the balance of ions and disrupt the normal functioning of cells, including those involved in nerve conduction and muscle contraction. Unintended Muscle Contractions: AC electrical stimulation can trigger muscle contractions in an uncontrolled or inconsistent manner. This can lead to discomfort, muscle fatigue, or even muscle damage if not properly managed or applied. While AC electrical stimulation devices can be beneficial for certain therapeutic purposes when used appropriately, direct current (DC)  .  

The prevalence of Alzheimer's and the unfortunate lack of success with conventional medicine in treating patient's with Alzheimer's is disheartening to say the least.    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, about 50 million people have dementia, and Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-70% of cases. The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease increases with age, and it is estimated that about 5-8% of people aged 65 years and older have the disease worldwide!   Unfortunately, the success of drug therapy for Alzheimer's disease has been limited, with no known cure or disease-modifying treatment currently available. While some drugs may provide temporary relief from symptoms, such as memory loss and cognitive decline, they do not stop the progression of the disease itself while also coming with a list of unwanted side effects. Additionally, the efficacy of these drugs varies widely among patients, and there is no consensus on the best treatment approach. This has led to frustration among patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike, highlighting the urgent need for better treatments.   Luckily, there are treatments that improve brain function enormously! Yet in our current healthcare system, treatments that are not profitable rarely (if ever) become part of the standard of care.    This is why we empower ourselves!   In this podcast, Mary Newport and I explore Alzheimer's disease and the role of ketones vs. glucose in fueling a brain with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.   Mary Newport, M.D. practiced neonatology, the care of sick and premature newborns, for thirty years and was founding medical director for two newborn intensive care units in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.  More recently, she practiced at the opposite end of the spectrum, providing hospice care and health risk assessments.     In 2008, a ketogenic nutritional intervention with coconut and medium-chain triglyceride oil dramatically helped her husband Steve Newport, who had early-onset Alzheimer's disease, resulting in nearly four better quality years.    Her fourth book Clearly Keto for Healthy Brain Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention focuses on a whole food ketogenic Mediterranean-style diet and other lifestyle modifications to help maintain brain health and prevent Alzheimer's and other dementias. The third edition of her first book, Alzheimer's Disease: What If There Was a Cure? The Story of Ketones will be in published September 2023.  

Steven Wright is a digestion expert. And he and I started connecting back in 2014 and we ended up working on some projects together, including a leaky gut healing protocol. Steve is a Medical Engineer, and a Kalish Functional Medicine Institute Graduate. He's spent close to $400,000 overcoming his own health challenges using everything from western medicine to shamans. Steve is the founder of healthygut.com and he lives in my hometown of Boulder, CO with his wife Shay and their two dogs. He and I are very similar in that we had a serious problem, we empowered ourselves to solve that problem, and we are now helping others to do the same.  

Dominic D'Agostino, Ph.D., is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology. He teaches medical neuroscience, medical physiology, nutrition and neuropharmacology. He is also a research scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). His primary research focuses on developing and testing nutritional and metabolic-based therapies for a variety of disease states and advancing the use of these therapies into human clinical applications.  

Can a dentist teach you how to be healthy? Scott Solomons, DDS is not your ordinary dentist. He understands that the first phase of digestion occurs in the mouth… and digestion is the most important aspect of overall health.   

Meet my friend, Elle. In this conversation, we talk about health, to misinformation in nutrition, supplementation, and medicine, to patient empowerment, and the art of confidence. Tune in and enjoy the ride! (I hope you're not offended by sailor talk).

Meet Dr Robert Melillo! He is an innovator when it comes to our understanding of brain imbalances and childhood brain development. Learn how you can improve neurological outcomes for yourself, your loved ones, or your patients.

Whether we are working with brain injury, brain disease, or cognitive decline, the support for the nervous system is basically universal. This is why I am so excited to be interviewing Amylee Amos of the Amos Institute.