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  • Your Blood Sugar is Important

Articles

25 Nov

Your Blood Sugar is Important

  • By Zach Nasr
  • In Articles, Tools
  • 0 comment

The Title Says It All…

Your blood sugar is important, and there are easy ways that you can monitor your blood sugar just like someone who is a diabetic would. You can also measure your blood ketone levels with a similar device.
The next question is: why would you want to monitor your blood sugar or ketones? If your blood sugar gets too high or too low, then you could be in trouble or just feel really unwell, and your blood ketone levels can influence your blood sugar levels.
In this article, I will be talking about why you need to be aware of your blood sugar, how you can become aware of it, and how to stabilize it.

First Things First

How does our blood sugar spike in the first place? Your answer can be found in what’s called the glycemic index. A high glycemic food will make your blood sugar spike very quickly, and a low glycemic food will cause it to raise slowly over time.
It is generally complex carbohydrates with lots of fiber that are low glycemic, and simple carbs especially refined carbs that tend to be very high on the glycemic index. This is because these refined carbohydrates and simple sugars like flour, fruit juice, soda, and any simple carbohydrate burns up like wild fire in our bodies.
This Article from Harvard University has a list of 100 foods and their glycemic index and glycemic load.

Insulin: A Key Hormone of Metabolism


Insulin is important as we can see in people who do not manage their diabetes well. Most people don’t realize that even if you don’t have diabetes, you could have very poor control over your blood sugar levels.
When insulin levels spike quickly, our body stores the extra energy as fat.
This means that the excess sugars can turn into fat before you could use all of the energy from the food your ate. This sucks because not only will you potentially gain weight, but you will also feel even more hungry later.
If your brain does not have a constant supply of fuel, then it will not function optimally.

Leptin: Second in Command

What happens when you eat a carbohydrate? When you eat a carb, your body releases insulin 20 minutes after you eat it. The raise in insulin triggers leptin which tells your brain and body that you are satisfied.
Most people know you can become insulin resistant. Few people know about leptin resistance and what that means for our health.
If you are leptin resistant, then your brain becomes numb to leptin, and you will always feel hungry no matter how much you eat throughout the day. Can anyone relate to this?

The Impact on Your Body

Besides causing weight gain, eating a diet full of high glycemic foods can do more than just make you gain weight. It can cause inflammation and pain, high levels of oxidative stress, brain fog, and even potentially cancer.
Cancer cells have 10 times as many glucose receptors as normal cells. They cannot use ketones from fat.
Prolonged stress on your body, even at just a cellular level, can be a contributing factor in a myriad of degenerative illnesses. Sharp rises and falls where you get a sugar high, and then a blood sugar crash can also add to this trap.

The Impact on Society

We are feeding kids soda, juice, fast food, fried food and so many other highly addictive foods that cause their blood sugar to skyrocket and crash, and cause oxidative stress.
This can put excess stress on the child’s pancreas, brain, heart, or even other major organs like the kidneys. Perhaps sugar on its own might not be able to cause a major rise obesity and its many other related complications.

The Sum of The Toxins are Worse than Its Parts

However, when you combine the sugar in everything with high fructose corn syrup, fried foods, food additives, and all of the other toxic chemicals out there then you can see why this is a health crisis.
Children out there are getting type 2 diabetes, becoming obese, and even getting heart disease at levels that were unheard of in our not-so-distant past. Type 2 Diabetes used to be called “adult onset diabetes” because it only happened in older people.
Scientists are now calling Alzheimer’s Disease “type 3 diabetes” because the right amount of glucose getting into your brain directly affects cognition, and can even create lasting damage if not properly managed.

The Solution

The solution is simple. We just need to monitor and be aware of what we are eating most of the time. 
There are also tools that you can use to monitor your levels like a glucometer. This way you see for yourself the impact that your eating habits and even stress can have on your blood sugar first hand.
You don’t have to be perfect, but it only takes 3 days for hormone receptors to change out at a cellular level, which is important when we talk about hormone-resistance. If you are insulin or leptin resistant, then you may take a little longer to shift that resistance, but a healthy diet can take you there.

Hormone Resistance

Having a hormone resistance is like having a drug tolerance. You require more of the same hormone to have the same effect or worse, it starts to lose all of it’s effect. It can take longer than 3 days for this tolerance to change.
If you shift your diet to a low glycemic or low carb way of eating with lots of fiber, then you can shift your tolerance for insulin and leptin, and then your blood sugar will be much more stable.
It may take a few weeks or months depending on how off it was. You can use a glucometer for tracking your progress.

Other Uses for Glucometer and Blood Ketone Meter

You can use a glucometer to see if your brain is undernourished or overloaded with blood glucose. Also raising ketone levels in our blood can lower our blood sugar levels and also help to stabilize them over time.
Fats that easily convert into ketones like coconut oil or MCT oil can help with this stabilization. Also, as you start to get more calories from fats, then you won’t be having as much glucose to spike your blood sugar in the first place.

The Best Ways To Build Up and Monitor Ketones

By using exogenous ketones, MCT oil, intermittent fasting, and a therapeutic ketogenic diet, we can dramatically raise our blood ketone levels, and also start to stabilize our blood sugar levels even more.
We can use the meters to track our levels and watch our progress with data.

This is a Very Accurate Device to Monitor Blood Sugar AND Ketones

Blood ketone strips are over a dollar each so the blood ketone meters are much more pricey. Instead, I use a Ketonix Reusable Breath Ketone Analyzer and a regular glucometer.
reusable breath ketone analyzerClick Here for Full Article on Ketosis

My Favorite Glucometer

This glucometer only cost about $10. It works very well, is easy to use, and the test strips are only about 25 cents each.

Glucometer: does NOT test for blood ketones

Further Education & Resources

If you feel like you still need more help than this managing your blood sugar than I highly recommend checking out the course about blood sugar from functional nutritionist Andrea Nakayama called “Sweet Tooth, Bitter Truth”.
It will give you all the tips and tricks you need to gain complete mastery of your blood sugar and thus your ability to fuel your brain consistently throughout the day. Click the image below to learn more about the course.

FDA Compliance

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Tags:blood sugarglucoseketoketones
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Zach Nasr
Zach was on his way to being a doctor when a personal health crisis changed all of that. He decided that he wanted to create wellness instead of fight illness. He lost over a 100 lbs through functional nutrition and other natural healing protocols. He has since been sharing his knowledge of nutrition and functional medicine for the last 12 years as a health coach and health educator.

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But I do feel better in several ways that just might be related to…

“I cannot overstate how grateful I am to Cavin for having published this book (and launched his podcast) before I needed it. I am 3.5 months out from a concussion and struggling to recover that final 25% or so of my brain and function. I fully believe that diet and lifestyle can help heal many of our ills, and this book gives me a path forward right now. Gavin’s story is inspiring, and his book is well-researched and clearly written. I am a food geek and so innately understand a lot of his advice — I’m not intimidated by the thought of drastically changing my diet because I know well how to shop and cook for myself — but I so appreciate how his gentle approach and stories about his own struggles with a new diet might help people who would find it all daunting. I am in week 2 of following his advice (and also Dr. Titus Chiu’s BrainSave plan). It’s not an instantaneous miracle cure, but I do feel better in several ways that just might be related to this diet.”

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A must read if you care about your brain and…

“A must read if you care about your brain and the assaults on it from environmental factors, including the “standard American diet”, which is really the industrial agriculture diet pushed on us by the government and giant agri-business.”

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The Book is both interesting and helpful. Thank you all very much.

“Learning about about Head ingeries. I myself have had a concushion. Thank you.”

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Excellent resource for people wanting to feed their brains!

“Cavin’s story is so inspirational and moving. As a practicing Functional Neurologist that specializes in Post-Concussion Syndrome and having suffered multiple head injuries myself, the information that Cavin has put together based on his experiences is totally spot on.

I love seeing such cutting-edge information on brain health out there in the world. Highly recommended!”

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- Titus Chiu

Total game-changer

“Following this way of eating has been a complete game-changer for me. I am 1 year post concussion and thought I had stalled in my recovery. Buy this book, follow the instructions, see RESULTS!”

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- Sharon Lori Parker

A book that keeps on feeding

“Cavin, you are phemomenal! An incredulous journey of a near death accident scripted by an incredible man who chose to share his knowledge of healing his own broken brain. I requested our public library purchase your book because everyone, those with and without brain injuries, should have access to YOUR brain and this book. Thank you for your legacy to mankind!”

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- Fasting Filly

Incredibly thorough!

“Incredibly thorough! How to Feed a Brain is so detailed. The author approaches a complex topic with the insight that can only be gained from having had to figure it all out on your own, as he did when he experienced a traumatic brain injury. Super helpful for people with brain injury or those looking to optimize brain health.”

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Five Stars

“Great read and info for anyone suffering from brain trauma.”

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- Laura-Florida

Awesome

“I wish I saw this book one year ago. Thanks, Dr. Deborah Zelinsky, for asking (me) to buy it. Thanks, Cavin, for making time to talk to me. I am so happy.”

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- Amazon Customer

Excellent book if you want to be vibrant

“Excellent book if you want to be vibrant!!!! Everything you need to know to achieve excellent health overalll….not just your brain! The author’s amazing story from tragedy to good health really inspires me.”

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- Opinions on Everything

Five Stars

“Great read from a remarkable fellow.”

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- John

Feed your brain – read this book

“The author’s story alone is a remarkable account of not just survival, but transcendence of a near-death experience. Cavin went on to become an advocate for survival and survivors of traumatic brain injuries, discovering along the way the key role played by nutrition. But this book is not just for injury survivors. It is for anyone who wants to live (and eat) well.”

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- David L. Butler

He delivers the information in an easy to read manner

“Cavin’s enthusiasm and drive to help those who need it is unparalleled! He delivers the information in an easy to read manner, no PhD required from the reader. 🙂 Having lived through such trauma himself he has real empathy for other survivors and it shows in the writing. This is a great read for anyone who wants to increase the health of their brain, injury or otherwise! Read it!!!”

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- Delanee

Worth the read

“Cavin Balaster is an amazing man with an amazing story. He is an inspiration and his book is a good resource for everyone who has a brain.”

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- T.

One of this year’s very best health and wellness books!

“There are many health and wellness books being published daily. Do not miss the opportunity to read one of the best for this year: “How to Feed a Brain” by Cavin Balaster, a true expert on deep brain injury who writes from his personal experiences with a great sense of compassion and humanity.

You will not find a better treatment of this critically important subject. You need not have had brain injury to gain the superbly presented information Cavin provides.

For all of us who care about ourselves, friends and family – – this is a book to read and loan out…. but be careful “How to Feed a Brain” you may not get this excellent read returned!”

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Peter Magurean III

The best / most practical book for TBI’ers

“Suffered a TBI or just want to improve, this book contains the information you need to blend into your life, and Cavin tells you how. Everything is backed up with scientific evidence. Implementation of this book will change / restore your outlook on life.”

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- Mark

Very informative

“I enjoyed this book. It was full of practical information. It was easy to understand. I implemented some of the ideas in the book and they have made a positive impact for me. Not only is this book a wealth of knowledge it helps you think outside the box and piece together other ideas to research and helps you understand more about TBI and the way food might help you mitigate symptoms.”

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- Dixie

An absolute must for autoimmune sufferers!

“I bought this book because I didn’t want a weightloss diet, but I wanted the most optimal gut/brain food I could find to help with an autoimmune. I subscribe to Cavin’s podcast and another newsletter for gut health which also recommended this book. Also, he’s a personal friend of mine who’s recovery I have witnessed firsthand. Thank you so much for all of the research and your continued dedication to not only help yourself, but for also helping others!”

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- Lauren L. Chemin

Cavin is a superstar brain injury survivor! He knows…

“Cavin is a superstar brain injury survivor! He knows what works & shares his knowledge with anyone who is hungry for information.”

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- Julie J. Castell

Great Resource-brain injury not required

“Cavin Balaster knows brain injury as well as any specialist. He survived a horrific accident and came out on the other side stronger than ever. His book, “How To Feed A Brain” details how changing his diet helped him to recover further from the devastating symptoms of brain injury such as fatigue and brain fog. Cavin is able to thoroughly explain complex issues in a simplified manner so the reader does not need a medical degree to understand. The book also includes comprehensive charts to simplify what the body needs and how to provide the necessary foods. “How To Feed A Brain” is a great resource for anyone looking to improve their health through diet, brain injury not required.”

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- Amazon Customer

Book that will change how you think about food!

“Very informational and well written book with practical advice on how to eat for better health. Put this on your list of books to recommend for people interested in switching to a healthier lifestyle. It can change your relationship with food by helping you understand how the food you eat affects your brain.”

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- Michelle

Love this book

“Love this book! Still reading and can’t wait to see what else I learn…and I am not brain injured! Cavin has already helped me to take steps to address my food sensitivity…seems to be helping and I am only on day 5! He has also helped me to help a family member who has suffered a stroke. Thank you Cavin, for sharing all your knowledge and hard work with us! This book is for anyone that wants to understand and implement good nutrition with all the latest research to back it up. Highly recommend!”

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- JSB

Fistfuls of exciting brain foods to launch you plus feeding tube powerful nutrition implementation…

“In the hospital and ICU struggles, this book and Cavin’s experience are golden, and if we’d have had this book’s special attention to feeding tube nutrition, my son would be alive today sitting right here along with me saying it was the cod liver oil, the fish oil, and other nutrients able to be fed to him instead of the junk in the pharmacy tubes, that got him past the liver-test results, past the internal bleeding, past the brain difficulties controlling so many response-obstacles back then. Back then, the ‘experts’ in rural hospitals were unwilling to listen, ignored my son’s unexpected turnaround when we used codliver oil transdermally on his sore skin, threatened instead to throw me out, but Cavin has his own proof and his accumulated experience in others’ journeys. Cavin’s boxed areas of notes throughout the book on applying the brain nutrient concepts in feeding tubes are powerful stuff, details to grab onto and run with… hammer them!

And in general his expertise in implementation is unparalleled. His dynamite measuring empowerment of the human in a wonderland of changing everything with ‘fistful’ simplifying potency is the difference between progress and stumbling on techy adjustments in habits.. With this book you are ready to go.”

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- JH Raichyk

Beautiful inspiring story about relearning how to live after a traumatic experience

“Amazing book and extremely inspiring story. The author is a close friend of mine and we were reunited later in life due to traumatic life experiences. Truly demonstrates the beauty and nature of the human body and the ability to bounce back. If I could rate this 6 stars I would!!!!”

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- Sammy Morrison

My dog was too literal

“Fine book but grossly misunderstood by dog. She ate the pages & her brain is fine. This speaks to the virtue of book’s content.”

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- Lia Kass

Must read

“Bought this to learn the best way to feed my son after he sustained a hypoxic brain injury. This book is very informative and the author Cavin is amazing. He had created a lot of resources that are very helpful.”

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- Steele Family

So thankful for this book

“Cavin has been an amazing resource by sharing his first hand experience on living with a brain injury. A must read!”

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- Jennifer Zapp

Great Information!

“My husband and I (Ryan Cedermark) are so impressed with the research Cavin did when writing this book. If you, a family member or friend has suffered a TBI, concussion or are just looking to be nicer to your brain, then we highly recommend this book! Your brain is only as good as the body’s internal environment and Cavin has done an amazing job on providing the information needed to obtain such!”

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- Elizabeth Gilchrist

Well written, educational, and promotes positive lifestyle changes that can be made today!

“Cavin’s personal experience and humble writing to help educate, not only people who have suffered brain injuries, but anyone interested in the best nutritional advice for optimum brain function is a great introduction to proper nutrition filled with many recommendations of how you can make a changes to your diet immediately. This book provides amazing personal insight related to Cavin’s recovery accompanied with well cited peer reviewed sources throughout the entire book detailing the most recent findings around functional neurology!

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about nutrition and how it can impact brain function! As well as anyone willing to challenge themselves TODAY with the recommendations throughout this book!”

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- Andrew Ritter

One of the best

“Cavin is a great man. A survivor… And a rock star.
I met him when I was 19, and re-met him later in life, after his accident. He still has this gorgeous understanding of the world that makes me believe in him, and always makes me listen to what he has to say.
When my mom had a stroke last year he was the first person I called. He had so much knowledge about what she was going though and totally understood what I was experiencing as well.
He was the first person I thought of, and hopefully the last I’ll need to.

You’re the best, Mr. B.”

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- Adrien Fox

A must read for everyone’s health and wellness journey!

“Such an informative and inspiring read! Insight into how optimal nutrients improved Cavin’s own brain recovery make this knowledge-filled read compelling and relatable. The recommendations are easy to understand as well as scientifically-founded – it’s not another fad diet manual. The additional tools and resources provided throughout make it possible for anyone to integrate these enhancements into their nutritional repertoire. Looking forward to more from Cavin and Feed a Brain!!!!!!”

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- Amazon Customer

Wonderful!

“Cavin has done an amazing job in all aspects of his life. Overcoming the horrific life threatening accident, and then going on to do whatever he can to help others with his contagious wonderful attitude. This book is an easy to understand fact filled manual for anyone, but especially those who are or are caregivers for a loved one with tbi. I also highly recommend his podcast series.”

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- Nancy

Vital information

“The author is a remarkable and inspirational survivor of traumatic brain injury. His breakthrough recovery through nutrition and holistic health care demonstrates a radical new approach to healing the brain. This is vital information for health care providers and the public.”

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"Armchair Shopper"

His story changes lives…

“As a physical therapist with 30+ years of experience in treating neurological disorders such as traumatic brain injury, I simply could not believe it when Cavin told me the extent of his injuries. His story opened a new door to my awareness of the incredible benefits of proper nutrition, the power of attitude and community to heal anything we have arise in our lives Cavin is an inspiration and a true way-shower for anyone looking to invest in their health and well-being. No matter the state your brain is in, you will benefit from this cutting-edge information and be very glad (and entertained) that you read this fine work.”

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- Melanie Carlone

I wish I had this book when I suffered my…

“I wish I had this book when I suffered my TBIs 10 years ago, but never too late. Thank Cavin!”

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- SMack

I prefer to read about people who have lived recovery.

“I have had brain issues for many years. I purchased the Kindle version. I like the idea of reading Cavins book because he has lived through terrible brain injury and has come back victorious.”

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- T. Riley

The very basic concept of good nutrition among all the conflicting advertisements and various “new”

“As a neuro-optometrist who cares for many brain-injured patients experiencing visual challenges that negatively impact the progress of many of their other therapies, Cavin’s book is a god-send! The very basic concept of good nutrition among all the conflicting advertisements and various “new” food plans and diets can be enough to put anyone into a brain fog much less a brain injured survivor! Cavin’s book is straightforward and written from not only personal experience but the validation of so many well-respected contemporary health care researchers and practitioners! I will certainly be recommending this book as a “Survival/Recovery 101” resource for all my patients including those without brain injuries because we all need optimum health and well-being and it starts with proper nourishment! Kudos to Cavin Balaster!”

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- Mary VanHoy

I love this book

“I love this book! As someone that deals with an autoimmune condition, I deal with sever brain fog. I’m currently in school and this has had a very negative impact on my learning. I have been looking for something like this to help my brain function better. This book has me thinking clearer, and my memory has improved. I’m eating healthier and overall feeling much better. This book is very easy to follow and also has some great recipes included.”

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- Jennifer Ramirez

Highly Recommended!

What an incredible journey for Cavin, from a predicted vegetative state, to an author and teacher, informing us how to
feed our brains to optimize our lives. Very informative book and well organized , and written so it is understandable. Love the charts. Thank you Cavin and thanks to your Mother who didn’t give up.

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- Gigi

Book is great, full of recommended micro nutrient and reason why…

“Book is great, full of recommended micro nutrient and reason why they are important to brain health. But it gets redudant over time when author tried to promote his website and his online shop frequently all over the book. But this is great book nonetheless.”

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- Vekit

Five Stars

“Helpful for those who want to have a brain boost :)”

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- Mark H. Zmudy

Relentlessly focused examination of TBI and nutrition’s affect on the brain

“Cavin’s journey is such an incredible one. He is singularly focused on examining everything he can about TBI (traumatic brain injury) and relentlessly pursues information about everything that affects the brain, particularly nutrition. If you have a loved one that has survived TBI, this book is a must read.”

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- Patrick R.

If you are looking to get the optimum performance out of your brain, get this book now!

“As a brain injury survivor that still deals with extreme light sensitivity, eye issues and other brain related struggles I have found a great diet is a key to brain health! Cavin’s book is a much needed guide to eating for brain health. While you can fill shelves with books that teach you good nutrition, Cavin’s book teaches you how to help your brain with what you eat. This is a much needed addition to the nutrition section! If you are looking to get the optimum performance out of your brain, get this book now! You won’t regret it.”

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- Ben

Heal Your Brain with Nutrition

“How to Feed a Brain is an important book. It’s the book I’ve been looking for since sustaining multiple concussions in the fall of 2013. I’ve dabbled in and out of gluten, dairy, and (processed) sugar free diets the past few years, but I have never eaten enough nutritious foods. This book has a simple-to-follow guide on daily consumption of produce, meat, and water.

I appreciate how Cavin writes about important concepts, such as leaky gut and glial cells, in a clear and concise manner.

There are a large number of people attempting to recover from brain injuries that are lacking the right information on nutrition. Thanks to Cavin and his team, we have this book now.

I look forward to eating my quality vegetables, proteins, and fats every day now as I know that they will help my brain to heal.

Cavin’s story is inspirational and worth a read on its own.”

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- Jacob

An Enlightening Book For Anyone With A Brain

“In 183 pages, Cavin Balaster’s new book, How to Feed A Brain provides an outline and plan for how to maximize one’s brain performance. The “Citation Notes” provide all the scientific and academic documentation for further understanding. The “Additional Resources and Tips” listing takes you to Cavin’s website for more detail than could be covered in 183 pages. Cavin came to this knowledge through the need to recover from a severe traumatic brain injury and he did not keep his lessons learned to himself. This book is enlightening for anyone with a brain. We all want to function optimally, even to take exams, stay dynamic, and make positive contributions to our communities. Bravo Cavin for sharing your lessons learned!”

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- Chandini Bachman

Five Stars

“Very helpful information without being overwhelming.”

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- Amazon Customer

We can take care of our brains

“I am nearly four years out from my traumatic brain injury and I have been through 100’s of hours of rehabilitation therapy. I have been surprised by how little attention is given to adequate nutrition for recovering from TBI. I’m always looking for further opportunities to recover and so this book fell into the right hands. Cavin outlines the science and reasoning behind the diet he suggests, but the real power in this book comes when he writes, “WE.” WE can give our brains proper nutrition. Now I’m excited to drink smoothies and eat breakfasts that look like dinners! I will recommend this book to my friends.

(I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)”

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- Rachel J.

Cavin’s Balaster’s How to Feed a Brain is one the best written health nutrition books that I have ever read

“I have a bachelors degree in Nutrition Science. Cavin’s Balaster’s How to Feed a Brain is one the best written health nutrition books that I have ever read. It is evident that through his personal journey with a TBI and many years of research Cavin has gained a great depth of understanding on the biomechanics of nutrition has how it relates to the structure of the brain and nervous system, as well as how all of the body systems intercommunicate with one another. He then takes this complicated knowledge and breaks it down into a concise and comprehensive book. If you or your loved one is suffering from ANY neurological disorder or TBI please read this book.”

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- Ashley Jean Flowers

I prefer to read about people who have lived recovery

“I have had brain issues for many years. I purchased the Kindle version. I like the idea of reading Cavins book because he has lived through a terrible brain injury and has come back victorious.”

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- T. Riley

This book is a wonderful.

“This book is a wonderful, motivating reference for anyone who wants a healthy and sharp brain at any age.”

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- Ammon B.

but I do feel better in several ways that just might be related to…

“I cannot overstate how grateful I am to Cavin for having published this book (and launched his podcast) before I needed it.”

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- Sara New Orleans, LA United States

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"...an easy-to-implement road map of nutritional changes to support your brain function and repair." -Dr. Mark Hyman, MD

Feed a Brain (Cavin Balaster)

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Vitamin C: Blackberries are a good source of vitamin C, which supports the immune system, promotes collagen production, and acts as an antioxidant.

Vitamin K: Blackberries provide vitamin K, which plays a role in blood clotting and bone health.

Fiber: Blackberries are rich in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and promotes satiety.

Manganese: Blackberries contain manganese, an essential mineral involved in metabolism, bone development, and antioxidant defense.

Vitamin E: Blackberries contain vitamin E, which functions as an antioxidant and helps protect cells from damage.

Anthocyanins: These are a type of antioxidant pigment found in blackberries that give them their deep purple color. Anthocyanins have been linked to numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation and protecting against chronic diseases.

Flavonoids: Blackberries are rich in flavonoids, such as quercetin and kaempferol, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ellagic acid: Blackberries contain ellagic acid, a phytochemical that may have anticancer properties and contribute to heart health.

Potassium: Blackberries provide potassium, an electrolyte that helps regulate blood pressure and support proper muscle and nerve function.

Antioxidants: Blackberries are a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals and oxidative stress.

#Blackberry. #nutrition. #brainhealth  #Feedabrain

Vitamin C: Blackberries are a good source of vitamin C, which supports the immune system, promotes collagen production, and acts as an antioxidant.

Vitamin K: Blackberries provide vitamin K, which plays a role in blood clotting and bone health.

Fiber: Blackberries are rich in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and promotes satiety.

Manganese: Blackberries contain manganese, an essential mineral involved in metabolism, bone development, and antioxidant defense.

Vitamin E: Blackberries contain vitamin E, which functions as an antioxidant and helps protect cells from damage.

Anthocyanins: These are a type of antioxidant pigment found in blackberries that give them their deep purple color. Anthocyanins have been linked to numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation and protecting against chronic diseases.

Flavonoids: Blackberries are rich in flavonoids, such as quercetin and kaempferol, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ellagic acid: Blackberries contain ellagic acid, a phytochemical that may have anticancer properties and contribute to heart health.

Potassium: Blackberries provide potassium, an electrolyte that helps regulate blood pressure and support proper muscle and nerve function.

Antioxidants: Blackberries are a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals and oxidative stress.

#Blackberry. #nutrition. #brainhealth #Feedabrain
...

5 0

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May 23

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👌 Steak tartare with black radish, horseradish and golden beets…

topped with a poached egg 🥚, local grass fed smokehouse beef sausage 🐄, and flash sautéed asparagus…

topped with lemon zest 🍋 and served with local pasture raised cured pork jowl (guanciale) 🐖 on a bed of watercress micro greens 🌿 

#eats #tartare #gianciale #feedabrain

👌 Steak tartare with black radish, horseradish and golden beets…

topped with a poached egg 🥚, local grass fed smokehouse beef sausage 🐄, and flash sautéed asparagus…

topped with lemon zest 🍋 and served with local pasture raised cured pork jowl (guanciale) 🐖 on a bed of watercress micro greens 🌿

#eats #tartare #gianciale #feedabrain
...

7 0

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May 19

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I don't know about you, but I love artichokes...

.Give this a try. It is a classic Italian recipe that features artichokes called "Carciofi alla Romana" or Roman-style artichokes.

Ingredients:

4 medium-sized artichokes
1 lemon, sliced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup vegetable broth (or water)
Instructions:

Start by trimming the artichokes. Remove the tough outer leaves, cut off the top third of each artichoke, and trim the stem.

Rub the cut parts with lemon slices to prevent browning.

In a bowl, combine minced garlic, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Gently spread open the artichoke leaves and stuff the garlic mixture between the leaves of each artichoke.

Place the stuffed artichokes upright in a deep saucepan or Dutch oven.

Add vegetable broth (or water) to the pan until it reaches about halfway up the artichokes.

Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the artichokes are tender.
You can check for doneness by inserting a knife into the base of an artichoke; it should go in easily.

Once cooked, remove the artichokes from the pan and let them cool slightly.

Serve them warm or at room temperature, drizzling some of the cooking liquid and extra olive oil over the top.

Carciofi alla Romana can be enjoyed as a standalone appetizer or served alongside grilled meats, roasted potatoes, or a fresh salad.

This traditional Italian recipe captures the flavors of artichokes, garlic, and parsley, resulting in a delicious and tender dish that highlights the natural goodness of artichokes.

#Artichokes #nutrition. #FAB. #Brainhealth #Feedabrain.

I don`t know about you, but I love artichokes...

.Give this a try. It is a classic Italian recipe that features artichokes called "Carciofi alla Romana" or Roman-style artichokes.

Ingredients:

4 medium-sized artichokes
1 lemon, sliced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup vegetable broth (or water)
Instructions:

Start by trimming the artichokes. Remove the tough outer leaves, cut off the top third of each artichoke, and trim the stem.

Rub the cut parts with lemon slices to prevent browning.

In a bowl, combine minced garlic, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Gently spread open the artichoke leaves and stuff the garlic mixture between the leaves of each artichoke.

Place the stuffed artichokes upright in a deep saucepan or Dutch oven.

Add vegetable broth (or water) to the pan until it reaches about halfway up the artichokes.

Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the artichokes are tender.
You can check for doneness by inserting a knife into the base of an artichoke; it should go in easily.

Once cooked, remove the artichokes from the pan and let them cool slightly.

Serve them warm or at room temperature, drizzling some of the cooking liquid and extra olive oil over the top.

Carciofi alla Romana can be enjoyed as a standalone appetizer or served alongside grilled meats, roasted potatoes, or a fresh salad.

This traditional Italian recipe captures the flavors of artichokes, garlic, and parsley, resulting in a delicious and tender dish that highlights the natural goodness of artichokes.

#Artichokes #nutrition. #FAB. #Brainhealth #Feedabrain.
...

7 0

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May 17

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Raw food Feed a Brain style!
.
Raw ahi tuna. 🍣
Raw asparagus. 
Raw arugula. 🌿
Raw radicchio.
Raw ginger.
Raw horseradish.
Raw turmeric.
Raw kimchi.
Raw lemon juice. 🍋.
Olive oil.
Real salt.
.
#raw #paleo #keto #eats #feedabrain #digestion #gutbrain

Raw food Feed a Brain style!
.
Raw ahi tuna. 🍣
Raw asparagus.
Raw arugula. 🌿
Raw radicchio.
Raw ginger.
Raw horseradish.
Raw turmeric.
Raw kimchi.
Raw lemon juice. 🍋.
Olive oil.
Real salt.
.
#raw #paleo #keto #eats #feedabrain #digestion #gutbrain
...

8 0

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May 16

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Dandelions are powerful.

They can protect against oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body.
Their antioxidants support nerve and muscle function, blood pressure regulation, and bone health.

Inulin is a prebiotic fiber that promotes the growth of healthy gut bacteria and supports digestion.

They have traditionally been used in herbal medicine to support liver and kidney function, which can help to detoxify the body and promote overall health.

They may be used in many different ways from tea to soups and stews.

Dandelion Pesto

Ingredients:
2 cups dandelion greens, packed
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
3 cloves garlic, peeled
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Wash and dry the dandelion greens and basil leaves.
Toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
In a food processor, combine the dandelion greens, basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, nuts, and garlic.
Pulse until finely chopped.
With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth and creamy.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over pasta, on sandwiches, or as a dip for crackers or veggies. Enjoy!

#nutrition. #FAB #Dandelion #feedabrain

Dandelions are powerful.

They can protect against oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body.
Their antioxidants support nerve and muscle function, blood pressure regulation, and bone health.

Inulin is a prebiotic fiber that promotes the growth of healthy gut bacteria and supports digestion.

They have traditionally been used in herbal medicine to support liver and kidney function, which can help to detoxify the body and promote overall health.

They may be used in many different ways from tea to soups and stews.

Dandelion Pesto

Ingredients:
2 cups dandelion greens, packed
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
3 cloves garlic, peeled
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Wash and dry the dandelion greens and basil leaves.
Toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
In a food processor, combine the dandelion greens, basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, nuts, and garlic.
Pulse until finely chopped.
With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth and creamy.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over pasta, on sandwiches, or as a dip for crackers or veggies. Enjoy!

#nutrition. #FAB #Dandelion #feedabrain
...

4 1

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May 10

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Ingredients:

4 cups fresh blueberries
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a mixing bowl, stir together blueberries and honey.
Pour the blueberry mixture into a 9-inch baking dish.
In a separate mixing bowl, stir together almond flour, coconut flour, melted coconut oil, cinnamon, and salt.
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the blueberries.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the blueberries are bubbling.
Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

#Paleo. #Blueberries #Brainfood #Feedabrain. #nutrition

Ingredients:

4 cups fresh blueberries
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a mixing bowl, stir together blueberries and honey.
Pour the blueberry mixture into a 9-inch baking dish.
In a separate mixing bowl, stir together almond flour, coconut flour, melted coconut oil, cinnamon, and salt.
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the blueberries.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the blueberries are bubbling.
Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

#Paleo. #Blueberries #Brainfood #Feedabrain. #nutrition
...

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May 10

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Blueberries are a low-calorie fruit that are high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese.

 They are also rich in antioxidants, which can protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation. 

Studies have shown that consuming blueberries can improve cognitive performance, enhance brain plasticity, and possibly even have mood-enhancing effects. 

Therefore, incorporating blueberries into your diet on a regular basis may provide numerous health benefits, particularly for brain health.

#Blueberries. #feedabrain  #brainhealth  #nutrition

Blueberries are a low-calorie fruit that are high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese.

They are also rich in antioxidants, which can protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation.

Studies have shown that consuming blueberries can improve cognitive performance, enhance brain plasticity, and possibly even have mood-enhancing effects.

Therefore, incorporating blueberries into your diet on a regular basis may provide numerous health benefits, particularly for brain health.

#Blueberries. #feedabrain #brainhealth #nutrition
...

6 0

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May 9

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Fats and oils are so important for our brains!

Knowing what fats are healthy to consume can be tricky. Depending on the type, fat can be either an important nutrient to support brain health or it can be harmful. And the deciding factors have little to do with whether the fat is saturated or unsaturated. 

High-quality, natural, and healthy fat is important brain-building nutrition!

Yet the prevailing nutritional recommendations of the past few decades limit fats drastically! These are the same nutritional recommendations that may have guided 60% of Americans to be “overweight,” and have likely been large contributors to the fact that the U.S. now consists of about 30% of the world’s obese population!

The perception of fat being the number one culprit of poor health in the USA has not only failed to reduce our weight, but this perception has also failed to reduce the number of heart attacks, strokes, cases of diabetes, insulin sensitivity, autism, Alzheimer’s, and other mental and chronic diseases.

Remember, over 60% of the weight of the dry matter of the human brain is lipid (fatty acids), and most of these fatty acids are AA (arachidonic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). And both of these fatty acids are found in animal fats.

For your convenience, we have created a “Guide to Fats and Oils” handout for you to tack on your fridge and/or to share with your healthcare team. (go to the link on my profile). https://feedabrain.com/link

#brainhealth #tbi #brainfood #keto #epilepsy #fatforhealth #neuroprotection #feedabrain  #brainfood #functionalnutrition

Fats and oils are so important for our brains!

Knowing what fats are healthy to consume can be tricky. Depending on the type, fat can be either an important nutrient to support brain health or it can be harmful. And the deciding factors have little to do with whether the fat is saturated or unsaturated.

High-quality, natural, and healthy fat is important brain-building nutrition!

Yet the prevailing nutritional recommendations of the past few decades limit fats drastically! These are the same nutritional recommendations that may have guided 60% of Americans to be “overweight,” and have likely been large contributors to the fact that the U.S. now consists of about 30% of the world’s obese population!

The perception of fat being the number one culprit of poor health in the USA has not only failed to reduce our weight, but this perception has also failed to reduce the number of heart attacks, strokes, cases of diabetes, insulin sensitivity, autism, Alzheimer’s, and other mental and chronic diseases.

Remember, over 60% of the weight of the dry matter of the human brain is lipid (fatty acids), and most of these fatty acids are AA (arachidonic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). And both of these fatty acids are found in animal fats.

For your convenience, we have created a “Guide to Fats and Oils” handout for you to tack on your fridge and/or to share with your healthcare team. (go to the link on my profile). https://feedabrain.com/link

#brainhealth #tbi #brainfood #keto #epilepsy #fatforhealth #neuroprotection #feedabrain #brainfood #functionalnutrition
...

4 0

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Apr 29

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How to Prepare

Boil a pot of water

Cook cleaned fiddleheads in boiling water until tender 7-10 minutes

Drain

Mince 4  cloves of garlic

Saute drained cooked fiddleheads and garlic in olive oil until the fiddleheads are lightly browned.

Plate and serve with fresh squeezed lemon.

#Feedabrain. #EATS.  #fiddleheads  #brainhealthrecovery

How to Prepare

Boil a pot of water

Cook cleaned fiddleheads in boiling water until tender 7-10 minutes

Drain

Mince 4 cloves of garlic

Saute drained cooked fiddleheads and garlic in olive oil until the fiddleheads are lightly browned.

Plate and serve with fresh squeezed lemon.

#Feedabrain. #EATS. #fiddleheads #brainhealthrecovery
...

6 2

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Apr 26

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By now, you probably know a thing or two about how important gut health is to brain health. I remember when I was first learning about this connection, each new discovery blew my mind!

... but in that way that's like, "oh... that makes so much sense!"

Do you realize that the number of neurons that are in our guts are comprable to the number of neurons in our spine! Maybe that's why we experience gut feelings, butterflies in the stomach, and sometimes things are so emotionally challenging that they are "gut-wrenching."

And... as I point out in my book, How To Feed a Brain, "about 90 percent of the body’s total serotonin and at least 70 percent of its melatonin is found in the gut!"

I'm excited to explore this topic with my friend, mentor, and colleague, Steven Wright.

Steve is a digestion expert, Medical Engineer, and Kalish Functional Medicine Institute Graduate. He’s spent close to $400,000 overcoming his own health challenges using everything from Western medicine to shamans.

He and I started connecting back in 2014 and we ended up working on some projects together, including a leaky gut healing program and an article on low stomach acid.

Now, Steve is the founder of healthygut.com. 

Importance of Digestion to Healing:
If our digestion isn't healthy, even if we are eating important brain nutrients, those nutrients are not making it to the brain!

I think of it like this:
Many connections in my brain have been damaged, and I think of rebuilding those connections like building a bridge. What do we need to build a bridge?

We need quality supplies (Brain building nutrition)
We need skilled workers (Targeted therapy)
We need to get that supplies to the construction site (Digestion)

And this applies to anywhere in our organism (not just our brain): If our digestion isn't healthy, even if we are eating excellent nutrition, the nutrients are not making it to where the healing is needed!

So take the 2 min digestion quiz on Steve's site and send any questions or comments. I'd love to hear what's on your mind and to support you in taking control of your health!

Links:
Take the 2 min digestion quiz at https://feedabrain.com/gut-quiz

Hope to see you there!

By now, you probably know a thing or two about how important gut health is to brain health. I remember when I was first learning about this connection, each new discovery blew my mind!

... but in that way that`s like, "oh... that makes so much sense!"

Do you realize that the number of neurons that are in our guts are comprable to the number of neurons in our spine! Maybe that`s why we experience gut feelings, butterflies in the stomach, and sometimes things are so emotionally challenging that they are "gut-wrenching."

And... as I point out in my book, How To Feed a Brain, "about 90 percent of the body’s total serotonin and at least 70 percent of its melatonin is found in the gut!"

I`m excited to explore this topic with my friend, mentor, and colleague, Steven Wright.

Steve is a digestion expert, Medical Engineer, and Kalish Functional Medicine Institute Graduate. He’s spent close to $400,000 overcoming his own health challenges using everything from Western medicine to shamans.

He and I started connecting back in 2014 and we ended up working on some projects together, including a leaky gut healing program and an article on low stomach acid.

Now, Steve is the founder of healthygut.com.

Importance of Digestion to Healing:
If our digestion isn`t healthy, even if we are eating important brain nutrients, those nutrients are not making it to the brain!

I think of it like this:
Many connections in my brain have been damaged, and I think of rebuilding those connections like building a bridge. What do we need to build a bridge?

We need quality supplies (Brain building nutrition)
We need skilled workers (Targeted therapy)
We need to get that supplies to the construction site (Digestion)

And this applies to anywhere in our organism (not just our brain): If our digestion isn`t healthy, even if we are eating excellent nutrition, the nutrients are not making it to where the healing is needed!

So take the 2 min digestion quiz on Steve`s site and send any questions or comments. I`d love to hear what`s on your mind and to support you in taking control of your health!

Links:
Take the 2 min digestion quiz at https://feedabrain.com/gut-quiz

Hope to see you there!
...

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