5 Best BRAIN Foods for a Better Memory, Sharper Focus | EP 416.A

I've spent 25 years telling patients the same thing: I can show you the path, but you have to walk it.Nobody proves that better than my guest today. Jim Kwik was labeled "the boy with the broken brain" as a kid — migraines, learning disabilities, couldn't keep up in school. Today he's the guy Navy SEALs, Olympic athletes, and Fortune 500 CEOs call when they need to think sharper and perform better. His new book, Limitless Daily: 366 Keys to Train Your Brain, Master Your Mind & Win Every Day, distills decades of that work into five minutes a day.We get into what actually happens in your brain in those first waking minutes, why willpower isn't the reason you're stuck, and whether leaning on AI is quietly costing you your own ability to think. For full show notes and transcript: https://drgundry.com/jim-kwik-limitless-daily-rewire-your-brainOn this episode, you’ll learn:  The real difference between knowledge and intelligence (05:12)The biggest mistake most make with the first 30 minutes of their day (08:14)The simple mantra Jim lives by to protect his mind before the world gets a chance to hijack it (11:08)The 10-minute morning routine that can transform your life (it’s free!) (16:06)Why motivation isn't the missing ingredient most people think it is, and what actually drives follow-through (21:09)Why your self-image might be the biggest ceiling on your success — and how to raise it (22:13)The trick that makes good habits easier and bad ones harder — without any willpower involved (31:38)Why treating your attention like it's your money could completely change how you spend your day (39:36)The shocking results of an MIT study comparing brains that used ChatGPT, Google, or nothing at all to write an essay (41:46)What the five-letter formula (B.U.I.L.D.) is, and how it can help you answer any question (42:34)Whether or not people with ADHD or dyslexia can still rewire their brains for a "limitless" identity (55:26)About Jim Kwik:New book: Limitless Daily: 366 Keys to Train Your Brain, Master Your Mind & Win Every Day by Jim KwikWebsite: LimitlessDaily.com Socials: Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.Thank you to our sponsors! Check them out: For all your blue-light and EMF-blocking accessories, go to boncharge.com/GUNDRY and use the coupon code GUNDRY to save 15% off your entire order.Strengthen your teeth with re-mineralizing gum and mints today by visiting buylarine.com/gundry for up to 50% off.Get a quote today at Progressive.com.Shop my new air filter, Homekind Total Air! Use code CLEANAIR for 10% off. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Traveling back in time is impossible. Giving your cells a fresh start is not. In this episode, I dig into stem cells: what wakes them up, why the wall of your gut matters so much, and the two very different ways cells die. One causes inflammation. The other, called autophagy, lets your body rebuild itself from the inside out. I break down how time-restricted eating, polyphenols, and mitochondrial uncoupling work together to build a genuinely new you every three months. Plus, a great question on probiotic toothpaste, and why gut dysbiosis keeps showing up in my migraine patients.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Everyone's chasing the wellness hack that'll finally crack the code on living longer: cold plunges, biological age tests, or extreme fasts.But my guest today just wrote an entire book making the opposite argument: most of that noise doesn't matter nearly as much as we think, and the real answer to a long, healthy life is a lot simpler than the wellness industry wants you to believe.Dr. Ezekiel "Zeke" Emanuel is a Harvard-trained oncologist, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania, and a former special advisor on health policy to the Obama administration. His new book, Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life, lays out six evidence-based rules for a longer, better life.This one will change how you think about "doing wellness right."For full show notes and transcript: https://drgundry.com/zeke-emanuel-longevity-rules-eat-your-ice-creamOn this episode, you’ll learn:  Why perfectionism should NOT be your goal when it comes ot healthy habits (3:37)Why early retirement could be quietly speeding up cognitive decline (10:12)The simple "wellness trifecta" that is way easier than you’d think (14:17)A surprisingly consistent habit shared by nearly every person who lives past 100 (21:44)How a nightly scoop of the right ice cream might actually lower your risk of type 2 diabetes (24:48)Why doing THIS has a real edge over structured workouts when it comes to protecting your brain (29:44)Why Dr. Emanuel refuses to do this standard male screening test (34:12)One small fix for the late-night screen habit that's sabotaging your sleep (43:48)The actual evidence-based guidance on wine and longevity (49:46)Thank you to our sponsors! Check them out: Get a quote today at Progressive.com.Transform your sleep experience with Cozy Earth bedding. Go to cozyearth.com/gundry for 20% off. Visit Sunlighten.com and mention DrGundry when you fill out the get-pricing form and save up to $600 on your purchaseGo to Quince.com/gundry to upgrade your wardrobe and get free shipping on your orderShop my new air filter, Homekind Total Air! Use code CLEANAIR for 10% off. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sugar isn't just a habit; it's one of the most addictive substances in our diet, and most of us don't even realize how much we're consuming. In this episode, I'm breaking down my simple, four-step method for kicking a sugar addiction for good, without feeling deprived.I'll show you exactly where sugar hides on food labels (hint: it's not where you think), teach you the quick math trick that reveals the real sugar content in any packaged food, and explain why "healthier" sugars like honey, agave, and coconut sugar are still sugar. I'm also breaking down why some fruits are secretly loaded with fructose, which ones are safer bets, and why fruit today isn't the same fruit your grandparents ate.I'll get personal too, sharing my own history with Diet Coke addiction and why artificial sweeteners can trick your brain into craving more sugar, not less. Plus, my go-to sugar substitutes, the dark chocolate brand I actually trust, and the "healthy Coke" recipe I first shared years ago that still holds up today.If you've ever felt like sugar has a grip on you, this episode gives you a real, sustainable path out — one small step at a time.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bad breath could be the earliest warning sign of something happening deep inside your body, and most people are trying to fix it with exactly the wrong tools.It's rarely just a hygiene issue. It can point to low stomach acid letting the wrong bacteria take over your gut, leaky gums mirroring leaky gut, or a dead tooth hiding an infection you'll never feel.On this episode, you'll learn my five tips (plus a bonus) for getting rid of bad breath for good, what your breath is really telling you about your gut and your inflammation levels, and the one scan most dentists never think to order.If nothing you've tried has worked, this episode explains why.For full show notes and transcript: https://drgundry.com/tips-to-fix-bad-breathOn this episode, you’ll learn:  Which oils are best for loosening the bacteria that your toothbrush can't touch (01:46)This Ayurvedic tongue trick that can clearodor-causing bacteria your brush skips entirely (03:08)How your mouth and gut are more connected than you think (04:16)A simple blood marker your doctor can run to catch trouble hiding behind your bad breath (10:11)Whether or not alcohol-based mouthwash can fix bad breath (08:52)The dental scan most regular X-rays completely miss (11:28)One habit shown to normalize inflammatory markers in just six months (14:19)Why THIS may be the real reason your toothbrush never solves the problem (15:27)The toothpaste swap I recommend you make today (19:11)Thank you to our sponsors! Check them out: Go to thrivemarket.com/GUNDRYPODCAST for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.Get a quote today at Progressive.com.For all your blue-light and EMF-blocking accessories, go to boncharge.com/GUNDRY and use the coupon code GUNDRY to save 15% off your entire order.Take your water to the next level with the AquaTru water purifier, go to aquatruwater.com and enter code “GUNDRY20” at checkout for 20% off.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want to keep your brain sharp as you age? Start with what’s on your plate.In this episode, I’m sharing 5 amazing foods your brain will love — and why adding them to your diet may help support memory, focus, and long-term brain health.Some of these foods may already be in your kitchen, while others might surprise you. Either way, your brain will thank you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big Pharma bet billions on one theory: clear the amyloid, cure Alzheimer's.A new Cochrane review of 20,000+ patients just proved them wrong — these drugs don't work, and they may be putting your brain at risk. So what's really driving this epidemic?My guest today, six-time New York Times bestselling author and board-certified neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter, says the answer lies in a set of cells most people have never even heard of — and he lays it all out in his new book, Brain Defenders.The good news is, you already have more control over them than any drug could ever give you.We're talking about microglia, the brain's immune cells, and why the choices you make today may matter more than anything a prescription pad can offer.For full show notes and transcript: https://drgundry.com/david-perlmutter-alzheimersOn this episode, you’ll learn:  All about the new study that found leading Alzheimer's drugs deliver almost no benefit (02:09)Why the so-called enemy in your brain is not what we thought at all (07:34)What microglia are, and why these overlooked immune cells may be the real gatekeepers of your brain's health (05:15)How everyday metabolic issues like blood sugar and insulin resistance can affect your brain (09:30)Why one in nine Americans over 65 is already living with dementia (and most don’t know it) (14:08)The surprising connection between Parkinson's, depression, and even autism spectrum conditions (15:11)How THIS lifestyle program helped 70% of Alzheimer's patients stabilize or even improve their cognitive function — no drugs required (17:09)The one mindset shift Dr. Perlmutter says has to happen before any diet or exercise plan will actually work for your brain (22:17)Why getting quality sleep does more for your brain than you think (27:49)The simple blood test you should request NOW to gauge your Alzheimer's risk (33:25)Why women make up two-thirds of Alzheimer's patients (35:29)The critical window for starting hormone replacement therapy (40:08)The truth about antibacterial mouthwash, and why it might be quietly working against your brain health (58:14)A 25-year-old flossing study that predicted exactly what today's top neurology journals are just now confirming (01:00:05)Dr. Perlmutter's honest answer to whether you should take the newer Alzheimer's drugs your doctor may be recommending (01:05:31)More about Dr. David Perlmutter:Dr. David Perlmutter’s websiteDr. David Perlmutter’s InstagramNew book: Brain Defenders: Harness the Power of Your Immune Cells to Protect Your Brain for Life by Dr. David PerlmutterResearch:Cochrane ReviewTanzi StudyThank you to our sponsors! Check them out: Transform your sleep experience with Cozy Earth bedding. Go to cozyearth.com/gundry for 20% off. Go to thrivemarket.com/GUNDRYPODCAST for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.Go to Quince.com/gundry to upgrade your wardrobe and get free shipping on your orderGet a quote today at Progressive.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Water is essential for life—but could drinking more of it actually be working against you?In this episode, I’m tackling one of the biggest hydration myths out there: that everyone needs eight glasses of water a day. I’ll explain why your individual water needs may be very different, how drinking too much water can throw off your electrolyte balance, and why overhydration may even affect how efficiently your heart works.Plus, I’ll share the signs you may be overdoing it, what really counts toward your daily hydration, and a smarter way to think about water and electrolytes. Before you refill that giant water bottle again, you’ll want to hear this!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I once had a patient tell me, "You don't know much about vitamin D, do you?" He had a point, not because I hadn't studied it, but because so much of what we're taught about vitamin D simply hasn't caught up to the research.My patient’s question  led me down a path of research that changed how I treat every patient who walks through my door.In this episode, I break down Why vitamin D isn't a vitamin at all but a hormone quietly running the show for your gut and immune system Why the "toxic" dose you've been warned about is a myth that's kept millions of people needlessly deficient Why this one hormone might be the closest thing we have to a longevity switch.Plus, learn the exact number I push my own patients' levels to, and why your doctor's idea of "normal" is probably way too low.For full show notes and transcript: drgundry.com/how-much-vitamin-d-should-i-takeOn this episode, you’ll learn:  Why vitamin D isn't actually a vitamin (01:11)How nearly 80% of new patients turn out to be vitamin D deficient (you probably are too!) (01:31)What vitamin D has to do with the diversity of your gut microbiome (02:18)What a major university research group discovered about vitamin D at doses most people assume would be dangerous (09:04)A real patient story from this week, and the dose it took to finally get his vitamin D levels where they needed to be (11:33)The sweet spot dose of vitamin D that works for most people — and who might need to dial it back (12:46)Why doing THIS to your peppers might be the trick to enjoying them without the reaction (16:32)Thank you to our sponsors! Check them out: For all your blue-light and EMF-blocking accessories, go to boncharge.com/GUNDRY and use the coupon code GUNDRY to save 15% off your entire order.Shop my new air filter, Homekind Total Air! Use code CLEANAIR for 10% off. Transform your sleep experience with Cozy Earth bedding. Go to cozyearth.com/gundry for 20% off. Strengthen your teeth today with tasty gum and mints by visiting buylarine.com/gundry for up to 50% off.Get a quote today at Progressive.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Think sardines are just an old-fashioned pantry staple? Think again.In this episode, I'm breaking down why these tiny fish may be one of the most powerful foods you can add to your diet. Packed with omega-3s, high-quality protein, minerals, and nutrients that support everything from your brain to your heart and gut, sardines deliver remarkable health benefits in one small package.I'll explain what makes sardines different from larger fish, why they're one of the safest seafood choices, how to choose the best canned varieties, and the biggest mistakes people make when buying them. Plus, I'll share my favorite ways to enjoy sardines—even if you've never been a fan.If you're looking for a simple, affordable food that can have an outsized impact on your health and longevity, you won't want to miss this episode.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.