Cyd Notter

Nutrition Educator/ Author/ Coach

Brain Fog: Real Condition or Selling Tool?

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Today I’m sharing an article about “Brain Fog” that I found to be quite enlightening.

I’ve heard of having a Brain Warp (being hungry or irritated) and I’ve heard of Pump Brain (a condition following surgery). I can even relate with being a Space Cadet, a Scatterbrain or having a Senior Moment every now and then. But Brain Fog was a new one on me.

I know, I know. We all have our moments of temporary memory lapse or times when we’re not concentrating well. But what is Brain Fog? What causes it? What are the symptoms, and how is it diagnosed? What are the treatment options? Except for a very few conditions where Brain Fog may legitimately co-exist, is Brain Fog even for real?

Well, guess what, brain fog may be just another selling tool for certain proponents of alternative health care and/or high fat diets. When Dr. Pam Popper of Wellness Forum Health decided to look into this issue, she discovered several websites hosted by doctors and paleo advocates who affirm this condition – along with its lengthy list of symptoms that could apply to everyone on any certain day. Each website lists their own ‘root causes’ of brain fog, and what the recommended treatment should be. To say that some of these claims are doubtful would be kind.

She then decided to search for published studies on brain fog as a stand-alone condition, and could not find any. One doctor on the above referenced websites even admits that he has not found much medical research or any clinical studies on brain fog.

I won’t spoil the fun. Read the article for yourself, and then remember how important it is to do your own research before falling for questionable “conditions” which are basically being promoted to sell you a service or product. Please investigate the claims made on the websites you’re following. If they don’t cite any credible, independent research, beware.

Having said all of the above, if you’re concerned with brain fog that’s associated with disease (such as Alzheimer’s disease), your best protection is a whole food, plant-based diet without added oils. Diet is critical when it comes to brain health – not only to prevent dementia, but stroke as well.

Here are a few resources:

Dr. Neal Barnard’s Power Foods for the Brain. (I offer an entire class on this topic).

Dr. John McDougall’s article on Chronic Aluminum Poisoning.

Dr. Michael Greger’s article/video on How to Prevent Alzheimer’s with Diet

 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

(Colossians 3:2, ESV)

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Photo credit: TheDyslexicBook.com on Visualhunt / CC BY

Photo: http://plusexia.com/

Which Veggie Burgers are considered C.R.A.P. (Calorie Rich and Processed)

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I read an interesting post today by Jeff Novick (Jeff is an expert dietitian affiliated in part with the McDougall program).

In the post, he describes an on-line debate that occurred over the “Beyond Meat” veggie burgers, and he gives reasons why the “Beyond Meat” burger is not a healthy choice. If we’re going to purchase processed products once in a while, label reading is important! We usually don’t have to go any further than the ingredient list.

Another interesting tip: Now that food manufacturers are no longer required to reveal the percentage of fat in a product, Jeff explains how we can tell the percentage of fat by doing just a bit of math. He mentions The Impossible Burger (I’m not familiar with that one) and shows how that product is 53% fat (with 41% of that being saturated fat).

Here’s the link to Jeff’s post.

Making your own plant-based burgers at home is easy and delicious! Here are just a few of the hundreds out there.

Fat Free Baked Mexican Black Bean Burgers (the Vegan 8)

Sweet Potato Curry Burgers (Jeff Novick)

McVeggie Burgers (Dr. McDougall)

White Bean, Wild Rice and Almond Burgers (Dr. Fuhrman)

Savory Lentil Mushroom Burgers (FatFree Vegan) 

I’d love to hear about your favorites too!

Leave a reply here. 

In the mood to grill some ribz?

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Are you looking for some healthy ribs which are easy to make and oh-so-delicious? Then you won’t regret giving Barbecued Seitan Ribz a try!

This recipe from The Fat Free Vegan website is definitely going into the “keeper” file.

Seitan (say-tan´) is another name for wheat gluten, which is a food made from the main protein of wheat. Also known as “wheat meat,” seitan is a popular meat replacement because of its texture and versatility.

Wheat Gluten (or Vital Wheat Gluten) can often be found in your local health food stores (including Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme, the Fruitful Yield, etc) or you can easily purchase it on line. Bob’s Red Mill is the brand I use, but some stores may carry it in bulk.

The recipe makes 16 ribz, so you may want to double it. Four ribz are considered a serving (and one serving has nearly 28 grams of protein!) Of course, it’s impossible to be protein-deficient while eating a whole food, plant-based diet, but just one serving of this recipe could provide about half your daily requirement.

The recipe calls for Smoked Spanish Paprika, but I just used regular Smoked Paprika, which I bought at Berkots in the produce section. Also, instead of grilling, I chose to bake this recipe as outlined in the directions – but I’m sure they’d be awesome grilled, too.

If you serve with smashed potatoes and gravy, try this Golden Gravy Recipe by Mary McDougall! Add a salad or a cob of sweet corn and you’re all set!

Why is it best to avoid grilling meat? 

Where do you get your protein?

Need help eating healthier? Contact me.

 

SIBO, SCD and FODMAP – What does it all mean?

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If you (or someone you know) are having tummy issues, perhaps you’ve heard of a condition called SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), which is often diagnosed in people experiencing abdominal distress. I hadn’t heard of this condition until recently, although Dr. John McDougall has been writing about it for a while. The prescribed diet for this condition is a low-carb diet which focuses on meat, poultry, chicken, cheese, fish and eggs.

In this article, Dr. McDougall explains:

  • Why REAL cases of SIBO are rare. Very few people actually have it.
  • The breath test used to make the diagnosis is highly unreliable.
  • The prescribed diet makes people feel worse (and constipated), while increasing the risk for other serious conditions (cancer, Ulcerative Colitis, diabetes, heart disease, obesity).
  • GOOD bacteria love to much on plant-food remnants, but pathogenic bacteria love meat and junk food. I’ve written about that same topic here.
  • What are the SCD and FODMAP diets, and which diet is best for the bowels?

I’m never ceased to be amazed by the remarkable functions of our bodies! Things go so much smoother when we give it the food we are designed to eat. Gut bacteria love this food pyramid!

God (to humanity): 29 Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant that grows on the earth and every fruit-bearing tree. They will be your food and nourishment. 30 As for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and every small creeping creature—everything that breathes the breath of life—I have given them every green plant for food.
And it happened just as God said. (Gen. 1:29-30, VOICE)

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Lead Levels in Bone Broth, Eggs and Certain Supplements

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Tempered Lead

Have you seen the commercial for a popular water filter in which one man sarcastically exclaims “Does anyone want to drink lead? A fresh cup of lead!” Many of us are concerned with the lead levels in our water. But how often do we consider the other sources of dietary lead? Up until now, I haven’t personally given it much thought!

Dr. Greger (an expert in research data) recently revealed the studies which show how bone broth, eggs, and certain popular supplements may contribute to lead poisoning and the subsequent host of medical problems that can result.
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