Welcome to the show! Are you struggling with chronic pain, headaches, or other neurological symptoms? It may be time to take a closer look at what you're eating. Recent research has shown that our diet can have a significant impact on the chemical messengers and neurotransmitters in our brain, which can lead to a variety of disorders and conditions

Brain health is so important and there's emerging information that what you eat can affect chemical messengers or neurotransmitters in the brain. If you're a regular listener, today's podcast is a follow-on from Prof Grant Schofield's introduction to neurotransmitters that impact mental health. He recommended that I interview Dr. Kathleen Holton, a nutritional neuroscientist from Washington, USA. Dr. Holton's research focuses on the effects of dietary excitotoxins and certain micronutrients on the brain. In this episode, you'll learn about the association between food additives and chronic disease, signs that you may be sensitive to glutamate, and common foods that are high in glutamate.

Dr. Kathleen Holton's research examines the negative effects of dietary excitotoxins on neurological symptoms, as well as the positive protective effects of certain micronutrients on the brain. The most common dietary excitotoxin exposures in the US are from food additives used as flavor enhancers and artificial sweeteners.

Her research covers effects on all age groups, from brain development in neonates, to children with neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD, to adults and elderly with neurological symptoms.

More importantly, what does a nutritional neuroscientist eat on a day-to-day basis? Dr. Holton shares what a day on her plate looks like and how kids can play their part in nourishing their bodies.

Remember, what we eat is crucial to our overall health, and Dr. Holton will show you how to optimize your diet for optimal brain health. Stay tuned!

In this episode, you will discover:

• · The association between food additive (glutamate) and chronic disease, the goldilocks effect, effect of dysregulation on the nervous system and chronic disease
• · Signs and symptoms that you may be sensitive to glutamate (headaches, chronic pain, fatigue with no reason/brain is awake/need to lay down/brain over-excited/can't sit up/mood dysregulation/trouble concentration/memory, cognitive dysfunction)
• · Common foods that are high in glutamate (soy sauce, fish sauce, coconut aminos, tomatoes, mushroom, aged cheeses, long-marination >1 hour)
• · Top 3 micronutrients that are protective to brain health (Magnesium sleep/anxiety, Vitamin C)
• · Best sources of magnesium (nuts, pumpkin seeds, beans, buckwheat, salmon), vitamin C (5 servings of colourful fruits and vegetables),antioxidants (chocolate, coffee, tea, herbs and spices), fat-soluble vitamin E (nuts, seeds, avocados), omega 3 fatty acids/iron including animal protein (fish, quality grass-fed beef, lamb)
• · 3 rules when reading food labels (look for ingredients list that are short, easy to read, things you can add to your food when you're cooking)
• · A day on a plate of a nutritional neuroscientist (colourful fruit, herbs, vegetable, protein) and how kids can play their part

F

For Show Notes: https://theenlightenedpharmacist.com/kathleenholton/

Links:
Dr Kathleen's bio

Prof Grant Schofield: The Impact of Glutamate Excitotoxicity on Mental Health

Visit https://theenlightenedpharmacist.com/ for science-based articles, DNA resources, and coaching that's science-backed, faith-inspired, and focused on prevention—not just treating disease.