Austin Perlmutter, M.D., is a board-certified internal medicine physician and New York Times bestselling author. He is an expert in brain health, neuroinflammation, immunometabolism, and neuroplasticity. He received his medical degree from the University of Miami and completed his internal medicine residency at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. His focus is in helping others to improve decision-making and quality of life. He is also interested in methods of understanding and reducing burnout in the medical field. He is the co-author of Brain Wash. He is the host of the podcast Get The STUCK Out, where he examines things that keep us stuck through open minded questions and conversations. In our conversation, Dr. Perlmutter and I examine various reasons that a person’s decision making can be biased by their biology in unhealthy ways, and what can be done about it. Practitioners who are facing clients who are noncompliant will benefit from listening to his explanation of the mechanisms of the connection between brain and systemic inflammation and the pathways that are involved in the blood-brain barrier, systemic immunity and the brain. We also explore common triggers and solutions of neuroinflammation, especially sleep deprivation, the effects of polyphenols in the context of immunometabolism, and the effects of smoke and air pollution, sedentary behavior, alcohol and sugar consumption on brain health. Dr. Perlmutter’s insights clearly highlight his passion for educating people about the reasons that lifestyle medicine not only matters, but is critical to brain health and longevity.

I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Austin Perlmutter - https://www.austinperlmutter.com/

Design for Health Resources:

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

Designs for Health Practitioner Exclusive Drug Nutrient Depletion and Interaction Checker - https://www.designsforhealth.com/drug-nutrient-interaction/

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-and-education/education

The Designs for Health Podcast is produced in partnership with Podfly Productions

Chapters:

00:00 Intro.

01:50 Dr. Perlmutter is passionate about the substantial preventions and improvements breakthroughs in preventive health.

4:34 Austin’s father Dr. David Perlmutter’s career influenced, but didn’t entirely dictate his writing and medical career path.

10:01 Is decision making based on psychology or biology? Dr. Perlmutter explains.

14:30 Sleep is the number one action that can positively or negatively impact brain function.

17:40 The mechanisms of the connection between brain and systemic inflammation.

23:02 Pathways that are involved in the blood-brain barrier, systemic immunity and the brain.

29:51 Common triggers and solutions of neuroinflammation, especially sleep deprivation.

36:06 Dedicated stress relief practices including meditation, movement, decreased screen time seeking professional health, and dietary changes.

42:20 The benefits of utilizing a continuous glucose monitor.

43:20 The effects of polyphenols in the context of immunometabolism.

51:30 Overt signals that alcohol consumption is creating a risk for brain health.

54:24 Sedentary behavior dramatically increases the risk for brain issues, these tactics will counter its effects.

58:10 Smoke and air pollutants as a driver of microglial activation and needed action steps.

1:10:45 Tactics for improving air quality in the home.

1:12:40 Top personal supplements, top health practices, and the muscle health priority that Dr. Perlmutter has changed his mind about.