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Articles

25 Jan

Nutrition and Supplementation for Optimal Brain Function and Repair

  • By Cavin Balaster
  • In Articles, Food and Supplements for Optimal Brain Function
  • 36 comments
Nutrition is important to optimal brain function. And especially after brain injury or brain disease, nutrition is paramount to recovery. Supplementation is designed to supplement someones diet with nutrients that are missing… nutrition that we need for optimal brain function and repair. I know quite a bit about nutrition and supplementation, especially as they relate to brain injury. Why? Because I am a severe traumatic brain injury survivor who found his way back to health with diet and lifestyle. My name is Cavin Balaster. I am the author of How to Feed a Brain, and I am a functional and clinical nutrition trained practitioner. 
 
In 2011, I fell 20 feet from a rooftop water tower scaffolding. My head struck the steel scaffolding on the way down before crashing onto the concrete rooftop below. I was rushed to the hospital and put on life support. While in a coma, an MRI revealed a severe diffuse axonal injury (DAI), which is one of the most devastating types of brain injury. Statistically, over 90% of patients with this injury never regain consciousness! Those who do wake up will often remain in a persistent vegetative state. 1

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After 12 days in a coma, I woke with severe brain fog, memory loss, breathing problems, and I was unable to eat, walk, or talk for months. An enormous amount of work and therapy played into my rehabilitation as I worked to regain everyday faculties… As I relearned how to live.
 
I remained in a severe brain fog, for about a year until the results of a blood test about a year after my injury led me to an important realization. Certain amino acid levels were low, which was surprising to me. Amino acids are building blocks of proteins and I was eating meat with every meal and having a protein shake daily. My digestion was not delivering at least some of the nutrients that my brain and body needed. So the difficult work I was doing to heal myself was not being nutritionally supported. Like a house is unable to be built without materials, the brain is unable to heal without brain-building nutrients.

Leaky Gut Syndrome is a condition caused by increased permeability of the intestinal wall. In the scientific studies, it is usually referred to as “intestinal permeability” In fact, now you can put just about any condition into Google along with “Intestinal Permeability” and find hours of research papers associating the two. It’s incredible! Here are a few examples:  Brain Injury Rehabilitation

  • Brain Injury
  • Brain Disease
  • Heart Disease
  • Autoimmune Disease
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Acne
  • Diabetes
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Lupus
  • Vitiligo
  • Narcolepsy
  • Schizophrenia
  • Autism
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Depression
  • Huntington’s
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Porphyria
  • People who have been hospitalized and put on NSAIDs and antibiotics (and I had been on both for months) 2, 3.

Rebooting The Gut/Brain Axis

You may have heard about the gut/brain axis, but what exactly is it? The gut/brain axis is the bidirectional communication pathway between the gastrointestinal system and the brain. Nutrition and supplementation are cornerstone in restoring this communication and ensuring that the brain is getting the brain building nutrition to repair.

You see, our brain and body health is entirely dependent on the proper functioning of our digestive system. I mean… digestion is where the brain-building, brain repairing, and brain healing nutrients are extracted from our food. Without digestion working effectively, we aren’t getting the brain-building nutrients we want… including those nutrients in the supplements we are taking!

So we can eat the most perfect diet and take the most powerful supplements, but if our digestion is not doing its job well, it almost doesn’t matter because we aren’t extracting the nutrients in the food and supplements that we are eating and or brains are not getting the nutrition. 

I’m gonna say that again cause it is so important to understand:

If we are not digesting the food and supplements we are eating, our brain is not getting those nutrients and instead, we are literally flushing it (and all the money we spend on it) down the toilet without absorbing the nutrients for optimal brain function and repair.

Building Bridges in the Brain

Since experiencing a severe traumatic brain injury, many connections in my brain have been damaged. I think of rebuilding these connections like building a bridge. In order to build a bridge we need 3 things:

  1. Skilled Workers (targeted therapy): Putting in the work  and doing the right kind of targeted therapy to stimulate the growth of neuronal pathways is like enlisting skilled workers to build a bridge.
  2. Supplies (nutrition): Providing the brain and body with the right kind of  brain building nutrition is like supplying those workers with adequate tools and building supplies. The nutrition we want to eat for optimal brain function and repair is covered in depth in my book, which is appropriately titled How To Feed a Brain: Nutrition for Optimal Brain Function and Repair.
  3. Delivery of supplies (digestion and circulation): In order to get the nutrients to the brain, we must effectively break down our food into nutrients that are packaged and transported in our blood to our brains. This is like having the vehicles and the roads to transport the supplies to the construction site.

We can have the best bridge architects, the most skilled designers, and the most seasoned workers (targeted therapy), but…

if we don’t provide the right supplies and tools (nutrition), or…

if we don’t get those supplies to the construction site (digestion and circulation)…

A bridge, or new pathways in the brain, are not very well supported or established.

There are four important steps to rebooting the gut/brain axis so our brain can function and repair itself:
    1. Ensure Proper Digestion in The Mouth and Stomach
    2. Quell Brain Inflammation (and brain fog)
    3. Support the Immune System
    4. Ensure Gut Barrier Integrity
When looking at supplementation to support an injured brain, we first have to address inflammation in both the gut and the brain while also supporting the health of the digestive system.

We start by following the digestive system from our ingestion of food in our mouths, through our stomach, then into our intestines, where the nutrients are extracted and what’s left over is excreted. The nutrition that is extracted from our food then enters the bloodstream, where the circulatory system takes those nutrients and delivers them throughout the body. In each of these steps, we can have problems, which affect the downstream steps, and can hinder our ability to get the brain building nutrition we need. Let’s take a look at each of these steps, see what can go wrong and find means to improve this process.

Step 1. Ensure Proper Digestion in The Mouth and Stomach

There are several steps that we want to take to ensure that our digestion is functioning optimally, and the very first step of this is in ensuring that we are getting breaking down the food from our mouth and stomach. If we are to follow the pathway of our digestion, it starts in the mouth.

The Mouth: Where It All Begins

As we take that first bite, digestion commences with mastication, AKA chewing. During mastication our food undergoes both mechanical and chemical processing. During this step, we are physically cutting and breaking down the food into smaller pieces, increasing the surface area of the food, and The salivary glands secrete saliva and add it to the mixture. This begins the chemical digestion through the presence of enzymes.

Enzymes are protein molecules that act as catalysts in biological reactions. In other words, they facilitate chemical reactions, breaking down food into nutrients that our body can then utilize.

One essential enzyme found in saliva is amylase. Amylase initiates the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, such as starches, into simpler sugars like maltose. Through thorough chewing, mixing food with saliva, and allowing amylase to work its magic, the digestive process begins to unlock the energy trapped within our food.

The Mighty Stomach: A Force to be Reckoned With

After the food leaves the mouth and travels down the esophagus, it enters the stomach, a muscular organ that plays a central role in digestion. The stomach is a truly remarkable and powerful organ, equipped with unique abilities to process and prepare food for further breakdown.

One of the stomach’s remarkable features is its extremely acidic environment. The stomach lining secretes hydrochloric acid (HCl), which helps create an acidic pH as low as 1-3. This highly acidic environment would burn through your skin, tut the stomach is able to handle this extreme environment because it is coated with a thick mucus membrane.

But ya know what isn’t coated with a thick mucus membrane? Your food!

This extremely acidic environment not only breaks down your food, but it also activates different enzymes that are released into your stomach like pepsinogen, the precursor to pepsin, which is responsible for the breakdown of proteins. And for pepsinogen to become pepsin, and to breakdown proteins,  it requires a very acidic environment. Additionally, this acidic environment denatures proteins, unfolding their complex structure and making them more accessible to pepsin.

So me need a very acidic environment in the stomach, and we need enzymes to break down our food!

And while stomach acid (HCL) and enzymes are being secreted, the stomach’s muscular walls contract and churn the food, mixing it with gastric juices. This churning action transforms the food into a thick, paste-like mass called chyme. The vigorous contractions of the stomach muscles not only aid in further mechanical breakdown but also ensure thorough mixing of the food with digestive enzymes and gastric juices.

What if This Isn’t Working Optimally and What Can We Do to Fix it??

If our stomach and mouth are not doing it’s job well, then all the downstream extraction of nutrients are not able to do their job well. This is very individual and so I have developed a quiz that you can take to find out how your digestion is doing (coming soon).

The first thing we can do is to make sure we are chewing our food. We also want to ensure we are producing enough saliva. We also want to ensure that we are getting the enzymes that are needed for proper digestion. We can supplement digestive enzymes, which are important throughout the digestion of our food. And one of the greatest aspects of digestive enzymes because they are well tolerated, even in large doses. And when I say “large doses,” I mean VERY large doses! In fact there is a protocol to treat cancer that has been successful using enzymes at VERY high doses (up to 160 capsules) without food with no adverse effects!

Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes, such as amylase, protease, and lipase, aid in the breakdown and absorption of macronutrients. The thing is that sometimes our bodies do not produce the enzymes we need for proper digestion. There are several reasons we might not be producing enough enzymes to meet our bodies’ needs for optimal digestion. In cases of inflammation, the body’s production of digestive enzymes may be impaired. And…a deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals also effects the production of digestive enzymes. And because of this reduced enzyme production, the nutrition we eat is not absorbed, so the vitamins and minerals we need to produce the enzymes are not supplied. This is one of those vicious cycles of impaired digestion and malnourishment that gets worse and worse until properly addressed. Learn more in our article about digestive enzymes.

Besides digestive enzymes, we also want to look at stomach acid, specifically known as hydrochloric acid or HCL.

Hydrochloric Acid (HCL)

Stomach acid plays a vital role in the process of digestion, enabling us to extract the nutrients necessary for optimal brain function and repair. It serves several crucial functions, such as breaking down proteins into amino acids, activating digestive enzymes, and killing harmful bacteria and pathogens present in our food. When our stomach acid levels are imbalanced or insufficient, it can lead to various digestive issues and hinder nutrient absorption. One way to troubleshoot this problem is through hydrochloric acid (HCL) supplementation. By taking HCL supplements under the guidance of a healthcare professional, individuals with low stomach acid levels can enhance their digestion, facilitate nutrient assimilation, and promote overall well-being, ultimately supporting brain health and repair. However, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider before attempting any supplementation or self-treatment.

2. Quell Brain Inflammation (and brain fog)

Certain supplements, known for their potent antioxidant properties, have demonstrated the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and provide neuroprotective benefits. Let’s explore some of these remarkable supplements, including N-N-Acetyl L-Cysteine, DHA, bioavailable turmeric (curcumin), resveratrol, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine, and melatonin, and discuss their role in quelling inflammation and supporting neuronal pathway rebuilding.

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC)

NAC is a powerful antioxidant that increases glutathione levels, the body’s master antioxidant. By neutralizing free radicals, NAC helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. Additionally, NAC supports the production of neurotransmitters like glutamate and dopamine, which are crucial for cognitive function and mood regulation. Studies have shown that NAC can mitigate neuroinflammation and even protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.4 You can see more research from our research roundup on NAC.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, is an essential component of brain cell membranes. It possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties and aids in maintaining optimal brain structure and function. DHA supplementation has been associated with improved cognitive performance, reduced risk of neurodegenerative disorders, and enhanced neuroplasticity. Its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes it an excellent candidate for supporting the rebuilding of neuronal pathways. You can learn more from our article on DHA.

Bioavailable Turmeric

Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, exhibits potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, curcumin’s bioavailability is limited. To address this, bioavailable turmeric formulations, such as those incorporating piperine (found in black pepper), have been developed to enhance absorption. Curcumin’s ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain makes it a promising supplement for neuroprotection and supporting neuroplasticity.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol, commonly found in grapes and berries, is a polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It activates several cellular pathways that promote neuroprotection and supports the rebuilding of neuronal connections. Resveratrol has shown promise in improving cognitive function and may have a positive impact on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease.

Phosphatidylserine and Phosphatidylcholine

Phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) are essential phospholipids that make up the cell membranes of neurons. They contribute to the integrity and fluidity of cell membranes, aiding in neuronal communication and signal transmission. PS and PC supplementation has been associated with improved memory, attention, and overall cognitive function. Their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes them valuable for supporting the rebuilding of neuronal pathways and maintaining brain health.

Melatonin

While primarily known for its role in regulating sleep-wake cycles, melatonin also a highly efficient free radical scavenger and general antioxidant. Unfortunately, brain injury survivors exhibit reduced melatonin levels after an injury 5, 6. It helps combat oxidative stress in the brain, reducing neuroinflammation and supporting neural repair processes. Melatonin supplementation may contribute to improved cognitive function and protect against neurodegenerative diseases.7

While these compounds can be used to reduce the inflammation, it is especially important to eliminate the source by cleaning up the diet. After removing packaged and processed foods, I removed common inflammatories. This included gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, refined sugar, soy, shellfish, and most grains, and introducing foods that had the nutrients I needed to feed my brain. I wrote How To Feed a Brain: Nutrition for Optimal Brain Function and Repair to outline exactly what that nutrition consisted of.

3. Support the Immune System

While practicing an elimination protocol and supplementing to quell the inflammation, next we would look towards immune support. A robust immune system is vital for overall health and plays a crucial role in healing the digestive system and supporting brain function. Supplements have shown promise in bolstering the brain and body’s immunity include spore-based probiotics, emulsified vitamin D, liposomal vitamin C, colostrum PRP, and fat-soluble vitamins A (as retinol). These compounds would help to boost my immune system, and, because about 70% of the entire immune system is found in the intestinal tract 8, they would also work to support my digestion.

Spore-Based Probiotics:

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that contribute to a healthy gut microbiome. Spore-based probiotics, such as Bacillus strains, have unique characteristics that make them particularly effective. These spore-forming bacteria have a protective outer shell, enabling them to survive the harsh environment of the digestive system and reach the intestines intact. By promoting a balanced gut flora, spore-based probiotics support immune function, improve digestion, and reduce inflammation, which can positively impact brain health.

Emulsified Vitamin D3 + K2

Vitamin D is well-known for its crucial role in immune function, but it also supports gut health and brain function. When combined with vitamin K2, which aids in calcium metabolism, Emulsified Vitamin D3 + K2 provides a synergistic effect. Vitamin D promotes the production of antimicrobial peptides in the gut, strengthening the intestinal barrier and reducing inflammation. Moreover, it supports the synthesis of neurotransmitters, contributing to optimal brain function and repair.

Liposomal Vitamin C

Vitamin C is renowned for its immune-boosting properties and antioxidant benefits. Liposomal vitamin C formulations utilize microscopic fat-based particles to improve absorption and bioavailability. This powerful antioxidant aids in neutralizing harmful free radicals, reducing inflammation, and supporting the immune system. By promoting a healthy gut environment, liposomal vitamin C can aid in digestion and support brain healing by reducing oxidative stress.

Colostrum PRP

Colostrum is the nutrient-rich fluid produced by mammals shortly after giving birth. It contains a variety of immune-boosting components, including Proline-Rich Polypeptides (PRPs). Colostrum PRPs help modulate the immune system, promoting balanced immune responses and reducing inflammation. Improved digestive health is often observed with colostrum supplementation due to its ability to support gut integrity and promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Additionally, colostrum’s bioactive compounds have been found to support brain health and facilitate healing processes.

Emulsified Vitamin A (as retinol)

Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A, are crucial for immune function and overall well-being. Vitamin A, particularly in the form of retinol, supports the development and maintenance of healthy mucosal tissues, including those lining the digestive tract. It promotes the production of immune cells and antibodies, helping to combat infections and inflammation. Furthermore, vitamin A plays a vital role in neuronal development and brain function, supporting cognitive health.

4. Restore Gut Barrier Integrity

Of course, we would also want to provide additional support to the healing process of my inflamed intestine. Several supplements known for their potential to alleviate inflammation and promote gut healing. Included among these are L-Glutamine, licorice root, aloe vera, marshmallow root, and slippery elm bark. All of these and more are included in Designs for Health – GI Revive.

Other than the digestive enzymes, all of these and more are included in Designs for Health – GI Revive

L-Glutamine

L-Glutamine is an amino acid that plays a crucial role in maintaining intestinal health. It is the preferred fuel source for the cells lining the intestinal wall. Supplementing with L-Glutamine has been shown to strengthen the integrity of the intestinal barrier, reduce inflammation, and support tissue repair in the gut.

Licorice Root

Licorice root contains compounds such as glycyrrhizic acid and flavonoids, which possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These compounds have demonstrated the ability to soothe and protect the gut lining. Licorice root can help alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal inflammation, including acid reflux, ulcers, and leaky gut syndrome.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has long been valued for its medicinal properties, including its ability to promote digestive health. Its gel contains anti-inflammatory compounds, such as acemannan, that help reduce gut inflammation and support tissue healing. Aloe vera also aids in soothing and lubricating the intestinal lining, promoting proper digestion and nutrient absorption.

Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root contains mucilage, a substance that forms a protective layer on the digestive tract’s lining. This layer helps soothe inflammation and irritation, reducing discomfort and promoting healing. Marshmallow root is often used to alleviate symptoms of conditions like gastritis, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Slippery Elm Bark

Slippery elm bark has been traditionally used to soothe gastrointestinal issues. It forms a gel-like substance when mixed with water, which coats the digestive tract, providing a protective barrier against inflammation and irritation. Slippery elm bark has been shown to relieve symptoms of conditions like acid reflux, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and gastritis.

I always like to get my nutrients from food, so after using the supplements above for quite some time, I began making bone broth because it is also an extremely powerful food for healing the gut and the brain. I now am a huge fan of Broth Masters broth, and you can get $15 off your order by using the code: feedabrain.

There is certainly no cookie cutter approach to brain injury rehabilitation, but there may be a common starting point for a successful recovery. One of the most pivotal realizations that I made surrounding my injury was that there are ways that I could nutritionally support my neuronal health at a cellular level, and thereby support brain plasticity, but I also had to heal my digestion so that I could absorb the nutrients for my neuronal health. I did so through nutrition and supplementation.

Learn how to supplement your brain by downloading my free supplement guide for brain enhancement.

This post was originally used as a guest blog at JoshGitalis.com

Tags:Aloe Vera for Gut HealthBest L Glutamine for Gut Healthbest supplements for brain injurybest supplements for tbibest supplements for the brainBrainBrain Injury Rehabilitationbrain nutritionBrain Nutrition SupplementsBrain RehabilitationcureDiffuse Axonal Injury TreatmentdigestionHealthNutritionSupplements for Brain Injury RecoveryTBITBI Rehabilitation
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Cavin Balaster
Cavin sustained a severe TBI that left him with less than a 10% chance of recovery beyond a persistent vegetative state. His mission is now to improve the standard model of neuro-rehabilitation by bringing together the top brain and nutrition experts of our time, sharing and organizing tools to optimize brain function, and working to improve hospital nutrition worldwide.

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    Comments

  1. Amy
    January 27, 2016

    Ok, Ok, I’ll go eat more bacon now!
    keep up the good work, Cavin!

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      January 27, 2016

      You’re the best, Amy! I’ll keep it up if you do! Together, we’re doing good things. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Karen
    January 29, 2016

    Wow– I have been making nutrition and gut-health a cornerstone of my son’s recovery from a DAI/severe TBI–your article is the first one I’ve seen to address this. Awesome–and Kudos to you Cavin! (I have a stepson named Cavin too!). Thank you for your post–I will definitely be following you. I’m challenged at times because of the struggles my son has with swallowing–but have been gradually getting closer to a vegan.live-food based diet for him. I have worked hard to keep his diet organic, gluten free and and as much live, real food as possible. Supplementation is huge as well–and I will be following up on some of your ideas that I have not implemented yet. I just wanted to complement you on your vision, dedication, knowledge and willingness to educate others. #StayStrong

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      May 12, 2016

      Karen,
      I don’t know how I missed this, but I have to thank you so much! This means so much. Stay tuned for more info and YOU #StayStrong too! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Karen
    January 29, 2016

    oops–I had autocorrect changed my email address–here is the correct one for your comments section:

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      February 1, 2016

      No problem, Karen!
      Just in case it didn’t reach you, I wanted to thank you for the kind words. Another Cavin?! That’s so cool! Say hi for me!
      I understand how it can be challenging. My swallowing is difficult too! I’m surprised at the lack of nutritional information in regard to brain injury and gut health. I view it as fundamental to a strong recovery for many reasons, and I’m glad to hear you’ve adopted that mindset as well!
      I will continued to update more about supplementation and nutrition, and I’m pleased to know you’re in this community!

      Reply
  4. Pete
    January 30, 2016

    This article hits the nail on the head for me. I’ve spent the last 15 years recovering from a TBI, and nutrition was one of the biggest factors in my improvement over the years. My doctor and I have been piecing stuff together over the years. Thanks for the insight.

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      January 30, 2016

      Hi Pete!
      Congrats on 15 years! I’m just coming up to year 5. Glad to hear nutrition has played a positive role for you too. I really think it is fundamental to health and healing, and I’d love to know more about what has worked for you!

      Reply
  5. Roxanne
    January 31, 2016

    My husband REFUSES TO EAT ! He is losing weight at an alarming rate ! I don’t know what else to do! While he was hospitalized he started eating and walking and talking …today he does NONE of those , please someone help me help him . He has no insurance so we have no where to turn

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      February 1, 2016

      Hi Roxanne
      Thanks for sharing. I completely understand your frustration and am sorry to hear about your situation. As a survivor myself, I can tell you that, whether hes able to show it or not, your husband is grateful to have you as his support. Nutrition is, I believe, a fundamental piece of the recovery puzzle, just like strength training–and making sure he’s getting the right nutrition demonstrates that you are a good caregiver.
      Without knowing much about your situation, I might advise that you share your situation and pose your request within several different TBI online support groups, on forums, Facebook or G+ for example, and see if there are other supporters who have experienced something similar.
      You’re also welcome to email me personally if you like. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Laura
    February 12, 2016

    Hi Calvin
    My 4 year old daughter suffered brain damage after contracting a virus that damaged her occipital lobe when she was 1, causing vision loss. In the 3 years since, she has made amazing progress, now being able to see colours, most of the time knowing there is something in front of her (but doesn’t know what), and when she is concentrating enough (and the font is large enough), can ID single letters.
    My question to you, do you have any advice/knowledge on diet for a 4 year old to help her even more? She has a probiotic daily and has a pretty good diet for her age, eats a wide variety of foods.

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      February 12, 2016

      Hi Laura,
      Thanks for sharing and so glad to hear about the progress!
      It sounds like you’re doing quite well with making sure she’s getting real foods! I talk more about that and anti-inflammatory foods in my speech at NORA. Without knowing more about your situation, I might also just add that healthy fats are extremely important for our developing bodies, and especially the developing and healing brain.
      You’re welcome to mail me directly! I hope to have more things published soon on this very subject. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Timothy Jesse
    June 24, 2016

    I sustained a head injury via car accident in March of 2006. Suffered severe trauma to my right shoulder, right hip, and my brain itself. Reason why I have decided to share on this website is my appetite has more than doubled since before I was injured. Why is this?

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      August 2, 2017

      Hi Timothy!
      I must have missed your comment (I just got back from a long tour across the US and Canada). I also used to experience insatiable hunger. That is until I learned what nutrients my brain was craving and began to supply themthem am soon to release my book: “How to Feed a Brain: Nutrition for Optimal Brain Function and Repair” which outlines how I agree and continue to heat for better brain health. Check it out at legacy.feedabrain.com, and you can get the updated list of supplements that I recommend for better beain function (and appetite control) there (just sign up).

      Reply
  8. Ridley Fitzgerald
    June 13, 2017

    It’s interesting to learn about brain rehabilitation. I have never thought about the relationship between the gut and the brain before, but it makes sense. If your stomach can’t absorb healing nutrients, your brain won’t heal!

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      August 2, 2017

      Perfectly said, Ridley.
      “If your stomach can’t absorb healing nutrients, your brain won’t heal!”
      Thanks!

      Reply
  9. Da-Mekah Victorian
    August 18, 2017

    Thank you for this article! My wife was in a bad accident when she was 14 and is going on her 11th year with a TBI and I feel like this diet may be the key. Do you have a sort of ‘plan’ or ‘model’ that’s specific to what you are, since you cut out gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, refined sugar, soy, shellfish, and grains?

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      October 1, 2018

      Hi! I wrote a book called How to Feed a Brain, which outlines exactly how I eat for optimal brain function and repair. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Richard Brockenflabel
    September 12, 2017

    Ricard Brockenflabel III
    Thanks for info about Glutamine, I used something else.
    I had head injury/stroke/brain damage 30 years ago, originally diagnosed as ear infection(don’t know why since I never complained about my ears). Took me over seven years to relearn
    how to talk,read,do math again all on my own. Then started
    experimenting with herbs/supplements/nutrition. I once
    convinced doctor my protein metabolisim was damaged. I got amino
    acids(22) Balance Test,several years after head injury. Results
    were that five were 10X too low, five were 10X too high outside
    of normal range. Upon reading results doctor said “its impossible,
    you wouldn’t be alive” and so ignored results.
    I told my entire story and 30 years exp of experiments to two
    Brain injury organizations but none were interested. A Neurologist
    I consulted with said everything I’ve done and experimented with
    are theoretical only. I said “you guys are 40 years behind the times!
    They work!”

    Reply
  11. Laurence Wallo
    October 27, 2017

    very nice post, i certainly love this website, keep on it

    Reply
  12. Marinda Saglimben
    October 27, 2017

    Its hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what youre talking about! Thanks

    Reply
  13. Mistica
    November 3, 2017

    Hello,
    Firstly, congratulations on all your hard work and recovery. It is impressive. Secondly, thanks for sharing what you’ve learned with others.
    I don’t have a brain injury, however, my elderly mother has vascular dementia, which I regard as a progressive brain injury. We already implement a dietary and supplemental protocol which we hope is at least retarding her decline, but sadly she is still declining, albeit probably slower than she would have without treatment.
    I am always seeking additional information, including anecdotal posts of improvement by other carers.
    During all your travels in the world of neurological medicine, have you come across any treatment in particular, that has been found to be very beneficial for vascular dementia? Any personal feedback from carers, or patients themselves?
    If you have any information to share, I’d be very grateful to hear about it, as I am sure other carers would be as well.
    Thanks! Wishing you continued good health!

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      May 16, 2018

      Hi Mistica!
      I am so glad you are here! Thank you for the kind words. Nutrition seems to be so important to our brain health, which is why I wrote How to Feed a Brain. If you have not implemented those guidelines, please do so… especially incorporating the sulfur-rich vegetables. Secondly, I would look at some vasodilators like Vinpocetene and/or Huperzine-A (also available in powder to add to a drink). Thanks again for your comment and feel free to reach out if you’d like to schedule a free discovery call. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Madeline
    November 10, 2017

    Does anyone who has had a TBI sufffer with ringing of the ear?

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      January 3, 2018

      Yes. That is fairly common. It’s called tinnitus and I like Dr. VS Ramachandran’s explanation of it as a form of phantom limb syndrome: a phantom sensation caused by loss of sensory stimulation. It looks like hearing aids can actually help to alleviate phantom sensations (ringing ears) by giving some real stimulation.

      Reply
  15. Raji
    October 26, 2018

    Hi. I just got out of the hospital – was there 2 days – I had severe and total amnesia. It was caused by a past trauma of losing everything I owned in a fire a few years ago – and what just happened – which was an explosion next to my home, causing 3 houses to go up in flames. The sky was raining red blobs of fire all around my home and I fled in my car. I “came to” 30+ hours later (I never was out – was awake the entire time – but recall nothing – I only know the above because someone told me what happened). My brain still feels strange and I want to give it all good stuff. What should I do?

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      November 28, 2018

      Hi Raji,

      Apply for a discovery call with me. legacy.feedabrain.com/consult
      Looking forward to hearing from you.

      Reply
  16. Annamarie Smith
    November 13, 2018

    Good day, my son was in an severe car accident on the 27 Oct 2018. Been diagnosed with diffuse axonal injury. What my I do , where do I start. He was sedated to protect the brain. He is responding very well to my voice and other familiar people. Where staying in South africa, nearest town. Johannesburg,Gauteng. The doctor are suggesting a rehabilitation center. But me and his dad rather wants to take him home. Please please help us to help our son

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      March 21, 2019

      Hi Annamarie! I am so sorry I missed this comment! Please schedule a discovery call with me (I will waive the discovery rate for you): http://feedabrain.com/consult

      Reply
  17. Aly
    January 10, 2019

    Hello,

    Someone shared the link to your article, and I think it’s definiteky something we want to try working on with my best friend who has suffered a severe TBI and after 10 months has surpassed all the devastating prognosis we were given by doctors and nurses alike but still has a long way to go. I saw you had a book which I will look into for more detailed information but wondered if the book might or you would be open to sharing more about the stages of your recovery and how your diet approached certain symptoms or it was more of a wholistic approach. I believe the doctors are addressing her nutrition and gut health but I’m astonished at the type of food they provide at the recovery facility she is being treated at, very much processed food with limited nutritional value. I am very glad you’re doing so well despite how difficult recovery from this type of injury is.

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      February 5, 2019

      Thanks Aly!

      I totally hear you and have experienced the disconnect when it comes to rehabilitation center nutrition. I have also seen a massive disconnect even in the hospital setting. As far as more detail about the stages of my recovery, I have a blog and podcast called Adventures in Brain Injury (https://adventuresinbraininjury.com/).

      I also offer consultations and coaching to support families throughout neurological recovery and comprehensive care navigation. You can apply for a conversation with me here: http://feedabrain.com/consult

      Looking forward to speaking with you. 🙂

      Reply
  18. Sue b
    February 15, 2019

    Eating raw animal fats raw meat raw organs raw milk raw eggs raw honey liposomal vitamin c or vitamin c this should give brain all the building blocks to repair rebuild GOD bless…. trust the LORD JEUS HE will save

    Reply
  19. Madhavi
    July 23, 2019

    Dear Kevin, me from India.. my sister is admitted in the ICU becos of sudden brain hemorrage n now after surgery she is still in ICU, 4 days left.the doctors say that it wud take 10 days further as she is in need of oxygen as she does not breath on her own now. They tell us to talk to her, make her remember things of past . She is living God for us. Will music therapy help her n stimulate her brain? What are the foods that help her brain nerves stronger?? Will almond oil massage on her head help? Please reply. God bless u! Thanks.

    Reply
    • Cavin Balaster
      October 25, 2019

      Hi Madhavi!

      I’m sending you an email.

      Reply
  20. Loula Snell
    January 5, 2023

    I am hesitant to provide my 19 year old son who is an epileptic and is on a ketogenic diet, bone broth because I’ve been told that glutamine will create excitatory response in his brain and trigger off seizures. Do you have any views on this?

    Reply
  21. Cavin
    February 6, 2023

    Hi, Loula!

    I tend to agree with you about that, and… there are ways to encourage the clearing of glutamate, Some supplements I like are B6 (as P5P), glutathione, NAC, bacopa, gingko, and oxaloacetate. You can find the B6 (which is probably the most important) on my website: http://feedabrain.com/product/p5p/

    Reply

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Testimonials

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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- T. Davis

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

Five Stars

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

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- Laura-Florida

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Five Stars

“Great book!! Full of important information for everyone.”

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- Mar

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

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

Five Stars

“Very interesting… “back-to-basics” … the first book I read to the end in years.”

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- Kristin

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

Five Stars

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

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- Mark H. Zmudy

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

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.

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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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- Scotty

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

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

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

Five Stars

“Great read from a remarkable fellow.”

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- John

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

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

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

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

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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- P. Hradkowsky

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

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

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 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

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

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

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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- Sara

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