Healthy Looks Great on You

10 Must Know Risk Factors for Dementia

 Do you want to be proactive about your health, or do you just shrug your shoulders and figure you play the cards you're dealt? And the big question is, what difference does it make? Today we're going to look at 10 things that contribute to the development of dementia and what, if anything, you can do about it.
 I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. I practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 20 years until I landed on the other side of the sheets   as a very sick patient. When my own body betrayed me, I took a handful of pills to manage my disease and another handful to counteract the side effects. My health was out of control.
Through surgery, medications, and lots of prayers, I  regained my strength only to face another  diagnosis.  My doctor challenged me to make radical changes through lifestyle medicine. Now I feel great and I want to help you make changes that make a difference. Healthy Looks Great On You podcast takes you to mini medical school so you can learn the power of lifestyle medicine.
If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.
 
This is episode 155, Ten Must Know Risk Factors for Dementia.  Which ones can you alter, and which ones you just gotta accept. Here's the deal, dementia isn't just one condition with one cause, it's more like a puzzle with pieces that fit together differently for each person. And some of these pieces are fixed, but others, well, they're more like clay that you can reshape.
And that's exactly what we're going to dive into today.  
What if I told you that some of the choices you're making right now, today, could be tilting the scales either for or against your brain health. It's never too early or too late to make changes that affect your overall health, and that includes your brain health. So, whether you're in your 30s or in your 60s, stick around. 
We're about to break down these 10 risk factors for dementia and what you can do about it. Number one on the list is age. Yeah, I know, there's not a thing in the world you can do about it. This is one you have to accept. And if you're a woman, aged 45, your chances of developing dementia during your lifetime are 1 in 5. If you're a man, it's one in 10. And even though I didn't include biologic sex in this list, clearly women are at increased risk, but there may be reasons for that that you can alter.
Bottom line is age is the biggest risk factor for dementia and the older you get, the greater the risk. In fact, the chances double every five years after age 65.  To quote Andy Rooney, it's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone. But the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone.
And that's generally true and with good reason. I mean, it's not called over the hill for nothing.  They say you should grow old gracefully. Ha! There's nothing graceful about some of the tolls the years take. And according to George Burns, you know you're getting old when you stoop over to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else could you do while you're down there. 
George Burns, remember him? He lived to be 100 years old and was pretty healthy. We're gonna come back to that, so be sure you listen until the end. But age is just one risk factor you have to accept.  But while you're practicing acceptance, here's another one you can't control. Family history. 
 If someone in your family had dementia, then you are at increased risk. And if more than one somebody in your family had dementia, you're at even more risk. And you know what they say, you can't change the past, but you can change the future. You can start where you are and change the ending.
And I want you to remember that quote as we talk through this, because even if you have a strong family history of dementia, your fate is not sealed, but it is at risk. So, think about your family history. You tend to inherit your lifestyle from your family. Okay, not always, but a lot of our habits are ingrained at an early age.
We sort of eat the same things and live in similar environments.  Education levels and socioeconomic advantages or disadvantages are often generational, and those things are passed down, but they're not inherited like our genetic code. So I want to challenge you to start where you are and see if there's anything you can do to change the ending.  
 
Number three is similar to family, but not exactly the same. Genetics. Pop quiz, true or false, you can alter your genes.  I want you to stay tuned next week because we are going to talk more about the genetics of Alzheimer's.  The best way to not miss an episode is to subscribe to my newsletter. You can visit my website,  www.
healthylooksgreatonyou. com or I put a link in the show notes. I share tips, recipes, and lots of other resources. So why don't you just push pause right now on the podcast and do it before you get busy or forget. Each week on the podcast, I take you to mini medical school And this week, we're going to take a closer look at our  DNA.
Don't worry. It's a short course and it's never boring. Do not argue with me. Science is fun if you do it right.  DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. See if you can say that three times really fast. Deoxyribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid. Now you'll remember it, even if I did annoy you a little bit.
I won't say it again. I'll just use the nickname, DNA. So what is it? It's like a double stranded helix, and I'm sure you've seen pictures before. Looks like a twisted ladder. It's a molecule made up of four nucleotides,
C G A T. That's cytosine, guanine, adenosine, and thymine, and these little dudes are held together by hydrogen bonds in different combinations. And here's the exciting part. Every cell in your body follows the code that is written into your DNA. It's like an instruction manual. And each person's DNA is unique.
That is why human life is so sacred. Because this coding determines your eye color. your hair color, facial features, and ultimate height, as well as whether or not you're born a boy or a girl.  And here's the deal, it's all determined at the moment of conception. When the egg is fertilized, wow, we are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made.
Now, inside of each cell, there's this little part called the nucleus, and that's where most of the chromosome forming DNA lives.  And all of this is foundational to understand genetics but not only does your genetic code determine aspects of your health. But your environment, behavior, and lifestyle can impact genetic expression.
Meaning genes can be turned off, turned on, regulated up, regulated down, and we call that epigenetics. It can even happen in the womb before you're born. So you really are what you eat, how you act, and what you do. DNA can also be damaged, so gene expression is affected by age, exposures, environment, and other factors that we're going to look at.
 But since I mentioned environmental and exposure, let's move on to number four on the list of risk factors for dementia, and that is air pollution. I bet that surprised you. Turns out that pollution causes damage to the nervous system.
Things like exhaust from cars in the city or wood burning in the country.
And you want to know what else pollutes the air? cigarette smoke. Smoking is a risk factor for dementia as well as a host of other conditions. Your mind may go straight to cancer, but it also increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness. 
And it turns out that number five on the list is uncorrected hearing loss.  and uncorrected vision loss. Remember when I snorted about growing old gracefully? Well, yeah, I'm over here putting in my hearing aids and groping around for my glasses and I don't think any of that is graceful,  but I do it anyway. Now I can't see without my glasses, so they're not optional,
But,  uncorrected vision loss does increase the risk of dementia, and the worse the uncorrected vision loss, the worse the risk. 
 But again, this only applies to people with uncorrected vision loss, and I think most of us wouldn't skip wearing our glasses or contacts, But, I do see a lot of people skip on wearing hearing aids. Now, my husband would argue with this, but I can hear pretty well. 
He just talks really soft.  And isn't that what everyone with hearing loss says?  Quit mumbling! 
The deal is most people can get by with some hearing impairment. But it does increase the risk of dementia.  Why is that? Well, maybe because you're not processing spoken words and that part of your brain isn't getting used and it shrinks along with everything around it. Or maybe your brain is actually devoting all of its energy to try and understand those mumblers.
And it neglects keeping the rest of the brain humming along at full speed.  Experts don't really know exactly why hearing loss is associated with dementia, but it's felt to be responsible for 8 percent of cases. So get over it. Go to the audiologist fork over the cash and get your hearing aids.
Your brain's worth it.  Another theory about the impact of hearing loss is interference with social activity. I mean, if you can't hear, you can't participate in conversations or play games or just connect as well. And that leads us to number six, social isolation.
We're created to be connected. Isolation is associated with an increased risk of dementia as well as a whole lot of other health conditions. When I say we need each other, I mean we need each other, but I want to make a point. I've talked about the impact of loneliness on this podcast before, and I'll link those episodes in the show notes.
It contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, anxiety, depression, increased inflammation in the body, and alterations in the immune system. But listen, loneliness and social isolation are not the same.  You can live alone. and not be lonely. And you can be surrounded by people and feel loneliness.
It is connection that matters. So phone a friend, text a friend, or even send an email. Even simple things like that matter and they'll appreciate it.
According to the National Institute on Aging, one in four people over 65 experience social isolation. Now, I picture someone sitting home alone watching TV. Social isolation decreases the opportunity for engaging activities like playing cards. And it decreases the likelihood of staying fit.
Think about how many pieces of home exercise equipment serve as just a place to hang your clothes. Going to the gym is a way to get the body fit and connect socially. People who are socially connected typically smoke and drink less. And of course, that depends on who you hang out with, but clearly, people who are trying to quit benefit from community.
We all do. And speaking of quitting, many people observe dry January, and it's a great idea because number seven is alcohol. Drinking alcohol does not increase your risk of Alzheimer's,  but it may worsen it.  But hold your beer.
You might remember that Alzheimer's is a type of dementia, but not all dementia is Alzheimer's.  There are several other types of dementia and one uniquely occurs in people who consume heavier amounts of alcohol. It's even called alcohol related brain damage. 
Here's what happens. Alcohol causes a loss of white matter.
This is where the action happens. Neurons send signals to different parts of the brain and with heavy alcohol use
the brain actually shrinks, and with less volume, there's less function.  Alcohol can cause atrophy of the cells, and inhibit the growth of new neurons via a process that we call neurogenesis. Alcohol ages the brain faster and contributes to other diseases that are associated with Alzheimer's dementia and other forms of dementia as well.
These conditions are things like high blood pressure and heart disease.   But wait! I thought drinking red wine prevents dementia. And this is a hot topic of research and debate.
I mean, when you look at the Mediterranean diet and all those blue zones,
most of them are in areas where grapes are grown. And when the fruit of the vine is ripe, well, you know. So the debate continues. And whenever there's controversy, it helps a bit to understand statistics. There's something called a J curve, and the theory was that teetotalers had a slightly increased risk of things like heart disease and brain disease, which, by the way, go together.
Then, it decreased with a glass or two of red wine a day, and then the swoop up in the letter J indicated an increased risk with heavy drinking. However, whether or not there's any benefit to consuming red wine is now being challenged. And many experts assert that there is no safe level of drinking. 
And if you've ever met my mother, you know she agrees wholeheartedly.  But here's the deal. There is no question that excessive drinking increases the risk of,  you name it. And it's especially harmful in midlife. Besides that, it increases your risk of everything I'm going to mention for number eight on the list, which is head injury.
 And it's more common than you might realize. Over 23 million adults over the age of 40 have had at least their bell rung. That's slang for a concussion. It can be from falling, car wrecks, or sports injuries. And the more times your brain gets conked, the greater the risk. That's what we call dose dependent.
Preventable? Often. Wear a helmet if you're riding a bicycle, snowmobile, motorcycle, or snowboarding or skiing.  And always, always, always wear your seatbelt. But here's where the rubber meets the road.   And that's number nine, certain chronic medical conditions.
And here's the deal. Anything that affects your blood vessels affects your heart and brain. So, things like high blood pressure and diabetes, which damage blood vessels, they aren't good for the old ticker and they aren't good for the noggin either.  Okay, I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some good news.
 You too, huh? 
Well, how about this? Everything that keeps your blood vessels healthy is affected by lifestyle. If you didn't know that was coming, I'd like to welcome you to your first episode of the Healthy Looks Great On You podcast. But seriously, not smoking, limiting alcohol use, maintaining physical fitness, social connectedness, managing stress and things like depression, as well as eating whole foods. 
That's your best weapon to prevent dementia, protect your heart and maximize your overall health. 
Now if you already have one of these conditions, hear me.  Sometimes, it's not necessarily too late. Remember You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.
now, let me give you this caveat. Sometimes, it is too late, and conditions are not reversible, and that's often the case. So, prevention is super important.  And also, it's felt that 40 percent of dementia cases can be prevented. That leaves 60 percent that cannot.  Diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity can be prevented, treated, and sometimes even reversed with lifestyle changes.  I won't go into each one now, but there are lots of episodes that address these six pillars of lifestyle medicine, as well as specific recommendations for each of these conditions. Just head over to my website, www.
healthylooksgreatonyou.  com, and browse for them. Included is an episode on preventing cognitive decline, and I'll link this one in the show notes. 
But, before we say goodbye Let's say goodnight, because number 10 on the list is sleep. 
The first question is, does poor sleep increase the risk of dementia or does dementia interfere with good quality sleep? And the answer is yes, both are true.  On top of that, people have more difficulty sleeping as they age. And here's another conundrum. Do prescription medications for sleep increase the risk of dementia?
I mean, if poor sleep is a risk factor, shouldn't we just head to the pharmacy and pick up a bottle of sleeping pills? Well, a recent study showed that certain sleeping medications increase the risk of dementia in white people to the tune of 79%.  Now, that's in people who either often or almost regularly took sleeping medications compared to people who rarely or never took sleeping pills. 
And by the way, white people use way more medications for chronic insomnia. Medications like Xanax and Valium. Trazodone, Halcion, Dalmane, Ambien, and Resoril. They're prescribed to white people 10 times more often.  But, despite these risks, 10 percent of older adults regularly take sleeping medication.
And, guess what? Women are the biggest users.  Okay, fine, what if you just take over the counter medications like Benadryl, or Diphenhydramine, or Tylenol PM?  The common ingredient, diphenhydramine, has some evidence that it's associated with a higher incidence of dementia.  So what are you supposed to do if poor sleep increases your risk and medication increases your risk too?
Well, I'm so glad you asked.  Sleep is complicated, but it's essential. I'll share some previous links to episodes in the show notes if you struggle with sleep. I have some good news. Coming soon, I'm doing a month long series on sleep, so make sure you stay tuned because I'm going to do a series of live webinars, too. 
And if you go to my website, there are a couple of downloads that you can snag. Three simple ways to improve your sleep and what to do if you're tossing and turning because your mind won't shut off. 
Okay, before we finish, what about George Burns? 
Well, he lived with good health and a sharp mind until he was 100 years old. Think he didn't have risk factors? Think again. He started smoking cigars when he was 14 years old, but never cigarettes, and like Bill Clinton's joint, he didn't inhale. He had two to three drinks a day, and sometimes more, but he says he never got drunk.
And he had a serious head injury after falling out of the bathtub.  He adored his wife of 38 years and looked forward to joining her in heaven. In the meantime, he exercised daily. He swam, walked, and did sit ups and push ups.  But maybe, just maybe, his biggest strength was the laughter he generated. He says he didn't tell jokes, but rather anecdotes and lies. 
But he was a funny guy.  Now, I'm not saying that laughter will keep you from getting dementia or make you live longer, but it sure will put more joy in your life.  So laugh and be healthy, because healthy looks great on you. 
     The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change.
RESOURCES:
The Deadly Epidemic of Loneliness
From Loneliness to Belonging
How to prevent, treat and reverse type 2 diabetes
4 Reasons to control your BP
Preventing Cognitive Decline
Why is Sleeping so Hard?
The Mood Mechanic and the work of sleep
Healthy Looks Great on You website
Join the email list for all the resources
 

Is it normal aging or dementia?

 Do you ever wonder if your forgetfulness is normal or an early sign of dementia? Could losing your keys be something more sinister? While memory lapses are just part of getting older, knowing the difference between normal aging and early dementia could change everything. Today, we'll uncover the subtle warning signs that should not be ignored
 I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. I practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 20 years until I landed on the other side of the sheets   as a very sick patient. When my own body betrayed me, I took a handful of pills to manage my disease and another handful to counteract the side effects. My health was out of control.
Through surgery, medications, and lots of prayers, I  regained my strength only to face another  diagnosis.  My doctor challenged me to make radical changes through lifestyle medicine. Now I feel great and I want to help you make changes that make a difference. Healthy Looks Great On You podcast takes you to many medical schools so you can learn the power of lifestyle medicine.
If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.  
 This is episode 154, Is it Normal Aging or Early Signs of Dementia?   Today we resume our month long series on dementia. If you've ever worried about your own cognitive function, or that of a friend or a family member You're going to learn what's normal and what's an indication of something more ominous.
And we're going to start by taking a look into the complexities and wonders inside our skulls. The brain.
It's the most complex organ in the body. When I was a medical student, over the course of gross anatomy, we dissected a cadaver. All the organs. It was a long and tedious process, separating tendons and blood vessels in the hand, examining the stomach, pancreas and liver as we removed layer after layer from the abdominal cavity.
We inspected the lungs inside and out.  But you want to know what we did not do in gross anatomy? brain.  Now, before you think we skipped something, just the opposite is true. At the end of the semester, we had to remove the brain because there was an entire course that followed on neuroanatomy.  But don't worry, I don't call this mini medical school for nothing, so I'll be quick, but we are going to do a very surface overview of the anatomy of the brain.
Your brain weighs about three pounds and it contains lots of nerve cells. and an intricate network of communication.  This may surprise you, but about 40 percent of it is water, protein, carbohydrates, and salts. And guess what comprises the other 60%?  If you said fat, you get to graduate early, but I'm guessing that you didn't.
There are three main parts of the brain and two main layers. Now, of course, this is a huge oversimplification, and there's so much more, but we're going to stick to the very basics. The biggest part of the brain is the cerebrum, and it takes up about 80 percent of the brain. This is your thinking, feeling, reasoning, learning, problem solving memory part of the brain.
It's the part that makes you uniquely you. It allows you to speak, and exercise judgment, and feel, and see, and hear, and touch. It also helps regulate temperature and controls the movement of your body. But it's the cerebellum in the back part of the head that keeps your body balanced and coordinated. And it's about the size of your fist.
It may also play a role in thought, emotions, and social behavior, even addiction.  The third part is at the bottom of the other two parts. It's called the brainstem, and it connects the brain to the spinal cord, and it controls basic functions, like your heart rate and breathing. 
The outer layer of the brain is called gray matter because it's literally a darker shade. The interior of the brain is made up of white matter.  And speaking of matter, why does any of this matter? Well, you see, different parts of the brain control different functions. And wherever there is pathology, There is loss of function and like real estate, location, location, location is everything. 
The surface of the brain is convoluted with these deep folds and this creates more surface area for more connections between neurons or nerve cells.  But as we age, the brain starts to shrink and it actually starts in your 30s and 40s. Then, like crow's feet and gray hairs, it starts to ramp up at age 60 along with saggy skin.
and accelerates even more after age 70. Hmm, aging is not for the faint at heart, but a lot of people are doing it. In fact, one in six American adults is over the age of 65. According to U. S. Census data, this age group grew nearly five times faster in the total population over the last 100 years to reach nearly 17 percent of the entire population in this country.
to To the tune of 55 million gray headed, pickleball playing, Medicare receiving, joint creaking, golden agers. And yeah, we're concerned about living independently, driving,
retaining our mental acuity, and remaining productive members of society.  Full disclosure, I'm not quite there, but I'm also not far away.  The brain's characteristics can actually be seen on imaging. MRI is the most sensitive, and with aging, the radiologist can see that the surface of the brain is less wrinkled and occupies less space inside the cranium or skull.  I mean, when your belt's a little loose, that's not a bad thing, but who wants a smaller brain? And unfortunately, this is not like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, where you can just aim a contraption and zap it back to normal.  It's more like the sweater you accidentally put in the dryer.
It's not going to be the same.  And although it's normal for the brain to lose volume as we age, it's When it exceeds what's expected for age, that's not normal. When the brain no longer fits snugly inside the skull, we call that atrophy. And there are varying degrees from mild to severe, and symptoms typically match depending on which areas of the brain are affected. 
 In this episode, we're going to focus on 10 signs that you should not ignore. And you can find this information on the AA website. Oh, not that AA, but if you need it, I'll put a link to that in the show notes too. I'm talking about the Alzheimer's Association website.
We're going to discuss each one as well as when to worry and when not to, but here's the list from their website.  Memory loss, challenges in planning or problem solving.  Difficulty completing familiar tasks. Confusion with time or place. Trouble understanding visual, imaging, and spatial relationships. New problems with words and speaking and writing.
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. Decreased or poor judgment. Withdrawal from work or social activities. And finally, changes in mood or personality. Now let's dive into each one. When you think of Alzheimer's or dementia, what do you think of?  I'm not sure I heard you, but I think you said trouble remembering things.
And you know, we all have trouble remembering things, especially if we're distracted with a million thoughts running through our mind. And it's perfectly normal to have trouble remembering things like someone's name.  Not someone close, like your kid, but maybe someone you just met. And you know most people say, I'm just not good with names.
Well here's a little tip. Most people aren't good with names because they don't listen in the first place. When you're at an event and you're meeting lots of people and you're going to be introduced to people, you're thinking about what you're going to say, not what they're saying to you. So here's a little hint.
The best way to get good with names when you're meeting new people is repeat their name back to them. That's It forces you to listen and it helps you remember.  It's also normal to miss an appointment occasionally or forget a call you were supposed to make.
Or forget to pick something up that you were supposed to do. But what's not normal is forgetting information.  Also forgetting birthdays and anniversaries of people close to you, that's not normal.  People with early signs of dementia may start to rely more on putting everything on their calendar or taking notes or setting an alarm on their phone to remember things.
Now, some of these are just organizational skills, like set a reminder on your phone to take medication. But when people start forgetting routine things, That's way more concerning.  I'm not sure telling the same stories over and over is necessarily a bad thing. It's kind of part of our social fabric. But, certainly asking the same questions over and over is a red flag.
Like, when is my hair appointment? Then five minutes later, when is my hair appointment? Over and over.  
Next on the list is difficulty with what we call executive function. And this is the part of the brain that helps us follow a plan or solve a problem. It's necessary when dealing with numbers. And this can manifest itself as the inability to do something like follow a recipe. That's a warning sign.
But also more subtle things like just difficulty concentrating. Mentally tasking exercises just take a lot longer in people with early dementia. Now, it's normal to slip up occasionally and forget to pay a bill, or leave out the baking soda in a recipe.  But with early dementia, things that should come easy, get more and more difficult.
 Playing games becomes more of a challenge, or navigating directions. And getting lost is a big concern for people with dementia, both driving, as well as something we call wandering.  But, it's perfectly normal to have to ask your grandkids how to program your favorite shows on your streaming platform. 
But, it's perfectly normal to have to ask your grandkids how to program your favorite show on Netflix. You've probably even seen those commercials where the grandparents are just waiting on their grandkids to come and help them with their phones.  But, if someone loses the ability to do something simple like return a text message or read an email, That's more serious.
And back when everything was on paper, it seems like we often wrote the date. Now, sometimes I have to think about what day it is. You too? Well, that's normal, as long as you can remember quickly. Dementia, on the other hand, causes people to not know what day, month, year, or even season it is. And what about trouble seeing?  As we get older, our eyesight tends to go kaput due to normal aging as well as things like cataracts. Recently, uncorrected vision loss has been linked to dementia just like untreated hearing loss. Good grief, I have to get up and put in my hearing aids and put on my glasses in order to function.   While declining visual acuity is normal, difficulty interpreting what you see is not.
And people with dementia start losing the ability to read and comprehend. They also have difficulty with color contrast, and this can be very dangerous because they may fall because they don't realize there's a step or there's a rug and that can trip them up.  Have you ever lost your train of thought in the middle of a conversation? 
I remember a particularly stressful season of my life about 10 years ago, and I felt like I couldn't complete a thought or a conversation, but it's because my mind was a million miles away.  Turns out it's normal to occasionally have trouble finding the right word you're looking for. But in people with dementia, this is more pronounced.
They may start stories in the middle instead of a logical beginning, and they often repeat things in a loop.  But they come to a word and they can't recall it, so they kind of make a weird substitution like calling a watch a hand clock.
What about losing things? Well, it's okay if you have to ping your cell phone on your hand clock or search for your keys.  I'm kidding, I hope you know that. But when my kids would lose things, I always told them to look with their brain, not their eyes. And think back to when you last saw it, and then retrace your steps.
It usually works, but people with dementia can't do that. They also may put things in weird places, like put a can of vegetables in the refrigerator.  And when they can't find their car in the parking lot, They may jump to the conclusion that someone has stolen it.  Since the decision making part of the brain is affected by dementia, people make poor decisions.
And of course, we all have bad judgment occasionally, but in dementia, this can be a serious problem, and it can be really dangerous. Because they're more susceptible to scams, and that can have devastating financial consequences. But it's also physically dangerous, because they may forget to turn off the stove or the faucet, and as the disease progresses, their hygiene is affected, as well as their ability to dress appropriately. 
Now, after the holidays, you may just be ready for some peace, quiet, and solitude. Sometimes we all just want to stay home and veg out, but people with dementia struggle to participate in conversations, so they may withdraw from things that they used to enjoy. Especially if it requires more complex mental activity. 
And lastly, there can be mood swings and personality changes. In fact, and hear me on this one, Dementia can present as depression, anger, extreme irritability, and anxiousness.  Because here's the deal, when all of this is slipping, they know, and it's scary.  And even though it's frightening, I don't want you to ignore warning signs in yourself or in someone you love. 
Because if something's wrong, there is hope. Stay tuned for more about prevention, treatment, and even some evidence about reversal. And of course, it's all about a healthy lifestyle. And if you're ready in this new year to make healthy lifestyle habit changes, I have a great resource for you. You can go to my website, www. healthylooksgreatonyou.  com and find kickstart to healthy habits in just seven days.
Of course, I'll also put a link in the show notes, and there are lots of podcast episodes that will help. And when you're on my email list, I send out lots of goodies. Recipes, sources of fiber, foods that affect your mood. So this is not something you want to miss. 
Because your physical health affects your brain health, and healthy looks great on you.
     The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change.
RESOURCESKickstart to Healthy Habits in 7 Days
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alzheimer's Association
Healthy Looks Great on You
Podcast episodes by email

The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding Sickness

The stomach virus, COVID, cold, flu, RSV and whooping cough are going around. We're in the thick of germ season.
Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper tells you the truth about how germs spread and how you can stay well and avoid catching them. 
Tis the season to be coughing, catching all the germs and getting sick.  Whew, there really is a lot going around right now. So how can you keep from getting sick? 
You've probably heard that the stomach bug is going around. The most common cause is the Norovirus. And January is typically flu and RSV season, and COVID levels are high.
All three are increasing and this is not unexpected. Why is that? Well, because of all the travel and family gatherings, the number of people you are in close contact with on a daily basis usually consists of your immediate family, friends, and co workers. But over the river and through the woods, all those germs are coming to gather at Grandmother's house to spread like wildfire. 
 In this special edition episode, we're going to talk about how these six infections spread and what you can do to prevent it. But first, we need to go to mini medical school and learn about viruses and bacteria.  Pop quiz! Of the six diseases I mentioned, all but one is a virus. Do you know which one is caused by a bacteria? Norovirus, the common cold, flu, RSV, whooping cough, or COVID. Not sure? Well, listen close. I'll tell you as we review each one.
But first, some basics. What is a virus? Well, it's a fragment of genetic information like DNA or RNA, and it's inside this protective shell that's called a capsid. And a lot of them look like a ball with these spiky things on it. They don't have any cells, and they're tiny. Their goal is to perpetuate, and they need a host to reproduce. And humans, well, we're so hospitable. We work great. First they attach to their host, and then they enter the host, and then they start replicating inside the host. Then they assemble more viral particles and whoosh, release them. And that, my friends, is a very, very brief overview and simplistic overview of how they make you sick.  
One more thing. If you have a viral infection, an antibiotic will not do one frazzling bit of good. And that's what it says in all the medical textbooks, "Not one frazzling bit of good." And I know you want an antibiotic because you've got a lot of things to do and you want to get well fast. If you go to urgent care, you can probably snag a Z Pak pretty easily. But, if you have a viral infection, it won't do one frazzling bit of good.
Now, why am I so passionate about that? I'll get to it in a sec, but let's first talk about bacteria. They're different.
Bacteria are also tiny, but they have a single living cell. Some bacteria are actually good, and they keep you healthy.  And that's why taking an antibiotic when you don't need one is bad for you. Because if you kill off all the bacteria in your gut, that upsets the gut microbiome  for a long, long time. And what happens in the gut microbiome? Well, that's where neurotransmitters are made and where the immune system is regulated. I have some links in the show notes from previous episodes if you want to learn more about how the gut actually affects your brain and your mood.  Now, on the other hand, if you do have a bacterial infection, you need an antibiotic. Okay? Got it? Antibiotics are for bacteria, not viruses.
Let's move on, starting with the stomach bug, which really isn't a bug at all. And I bet you already guessed that the stomach virus is caused by one of those spiky little pieces of genetic material that needs you to be its host. 
The most common cause of the stomach virus is the Norovirus, and this one spreads easily, so it's super contagious. People with Norovirus infection can shed billions of invisible viral particles. That's billions, but it only takes a few to make you sick. And it doesn't really seem fair to stack the deck that way, especially since the end result is diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps, and possibly headache, body aches, and fever.
You get it from sick people, contaminated food or water, and surfaces. Now that last one's really important, and that's the reason that I always, always use the little wipes. to wipe down the handlebar of the grocery cart and I wash my hands as soon as I can.  And once you're exposed to the Norovirus, it takes about 12 to 48 hours to get sick. So it usually makes the runs through the household pretty quickly. You can get infected with Norovirus by ingesting little bitty tiny pieces of feces or vomit from an infected person. Yeah, mom and dad. That's why you're at risk when little Johnny brings this home from school. All that barehanded cleaning and caring for your sick splattering little one puts you at risk for going down for the count, too.
Your biggest defense is wash your hands. with soap and water. Wash them often, and wash them good. And keep your hands out of your mouth, eyes, and nose.  This virus grows really nicely in big Petri dishes, otherwise known as cruise ships. And that's why they installed 974 hand sanitizer stations right in front of the food troughs. Hand sanitizer doesn't really work that great for this particular virus. Turns out good old fashioned hand washing is much better. So, maybe that cart wiping isn't doing much good, but it certainly won't hurt. Anyway, be careful what you touch and keep it out of your mouth and nose, and wash your hands.
Now let's move on to the common cold. Quick question, virus or bacteria? You got it. Virus. Specifically the rhino virus. And remember, rhino means nose  and it's also a type of Corona virus.  That's right. Corona virus first identified in the 1960s and effectively killed by Lysol. Says it right there on the label.  Next question. If the common cold is caused by a virus, will an antibiotic help you recover faster? Nope. Can it hurt?  I hope you said yes, and if not, go ahead and hit rewind.
The symptoms of a cold usually last less than a week, but can last up to two weeks. And they include runny, stuffy nose, headache, body aches, sore throat, fever, coughing, and sneezing. There's a link in the show notes on how to differentiate a cold from allergies.
Different viruses are spread in different ways. The common cold is spread through droplets from an infected person and they find you when that person coughs or sneezes. You can breathe them in or you can get infected by touching a contaminated surface then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. That's why it's recommended that you cough or sneeze into your elbow. Because if you cover your mouth and nose with your hands and then shake hands or touch something or a surface, then the virus uses that as an opportunity to hitch a ride onto someone else's hands. Then, if they touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, they're infected. So wash your hands and keep them out of your mouth, eyes, and nose.  
Another virus that spreads by droplets is influenza. These droplets are spread when people with flu cough, sneeze, or even talk. You can also get it from touching surfaces than touching your mouth, nose, or eyes, but that's actually less common. Most of the time you catch it directly from another person. These little viral particles are within droplets that land right in your mouth or nose. And, relatively speaking, these droplets are kind of big. They're greater than 5 microns in diameter, so they don't really travel far because gravity just pulls them to the ground within about 3 feet.
Now, once you're exposed, the virus goes to work pretty quickly and you typically get sick a couple of days later. Now, flu season is definitely upon us and it's spreading. When I was young, my mom had the flu and she said, She thought she was going to die and kind of hoped she would. Now personally, I don't ever recall having the flu. But it's serious. It can be fatal. And there are lots of different types of flu, and some cause more severe illness than others. So far this year, there have been 9 pediatric deaths, and it's early in the season. 3. 1 million cases of flu have been reported, resulting in 37, 000 hospitalizations and 15, 000 deaths.
According to the CDC, flu is on the rise.  How do they know? Let's take a look at how the data is collected because it might surprise you.  They look at emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and the number of tests done for certain diseases and the percent positivity. And there are benchmarks for those. But that wouldn't really give us a total picture, would it? Because some people don't go to the doctor or the hospital. 
Want to know a secret?   They're looking at your poop. No, not yours individually, but collectively. They study wastewater and test feces for these viruses. I mean, it's kind of brilliant, albeit really gross.  They even have a poop dashboard. Of course, they have a more sanitized named for it. It's a Wastewater data. There's a link in the show notes if you're interested or if you don't believe me. And honestly, it's pretty fascinating if you're ready to geek out. I just wonder if they advertise on LinkedIn, looking for a CPA, a chief poop analyst. Qualifications must understand virology, statistics, and have a high tolerance for gross things. And maybe they got the idea from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Who knows?
Okay, enough of that.  Now we call influenza flu for short and moving on, we call respiratory Syntcial virus, RSV for short. And the normal RSV season is late fall to winter, though that, again was thrown out with a lot of other things during the pandemic. 
Wanna guess how it spreads? Just like the flu and the common cold, RSV spreads through droplets. You already knew it was a virus, I mean, it's right there in the title. But, it's the same old viral tactic. Somebody who's infected coughs or sneezes, the droplet travels the short distance between you, and  you breathe it in.
This virus can survive on hard surfaces like door handles and tables for many hours. So, if you touch it and introduce it into your mouth, nose, or eyes, It can spread that way. It can also live on your hands or a used tissue, but not for very long. So what should you do?  That's right. Wash your hands and don't touch your face.
Now, this is important. RSV can infect anyone at any age and more than once in their lifetime. In fact, nearly everyone gets it before their second birthday. But here's the deal. Babies can get really sick from it. And you can give it to them by kissing their face. So yeah, Grandma, this is one reason that new moms tell you, Don't kiss my baby.
The other is the herpes virus, which causes fever blisters, but it can be fatal to newborns.  RSV can cause severe illness, hospitalization, pneumonia, and death in older adults too. So if you're sick, stay at home. Seriously, don't share your germs. When it comes to respiratory viruses, clean air also helps. That means HEPA filters for indoor air, or if you live in the South, you can probably open some windows except maybe those 13 or so days when we get bitter cold and ice. Anyway, just wash your hands and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, spray the Lysol, keep your distance, wipe down the surfaces.
There's just not a lot of variety in these recommendations and following them just might protect a vulnerable little baby or a precious elderly grandma. And that logically helps me segue to COVID. You knew we were going to talk about COVID, didn't you?
Transmission rates are really high right now. And here's a test I bet you'll ace. Is COVID a bacteria or a virus?  Bingo. Let's go a step further. COVID 19 is a coronavirus. And remember, there are lots of different kinds, but there is something very unique about COVID, and that is how it's spread. And hopefully you already know this, but let me remind you that COVID 19 is not spread the same way as the common cold, RSV, or the flu.
And this is one of the things that made it so scary and dangerous. You see, COVID is airborne. Instead of hanging out in big heavy droplets that fall quickly to the floor, it floats along through the air. So you can literally get it from someone who isn't even in the same room with you. Think about a small bathroom where someone has coughed and then you go in, breathe in the little viral demons and get sick. It even traveled through ventilation systems in heavily populated apartment complexes.
For the most part, the COVID virus spreads among people who are nearby. Basically, talking distance, coughing, sneezing, singing, and even breathing distance. And the louder you talk or sing, the further these little particles travel. We call it aerosolization.  I mean, think about hairspray in an aerosol can. You spray it, it gets on your jewelry, the mirror, your glasses, your husband comes in and starts fanning the air. Except these particles aren't big enough to declare their presence floating in the air.  Depending on the ventilation, airborne diseases can travel more than six feet and hang around for hours floating in the air. 
Fortunately, there are not a lot of airborne diseases, but there are a few, like tuberculosis and measles. which is also on the rise and will likely continue to increase.  
Remember when we didn't know how COVID was spread? I traveled to my daughter's during that time to see my grandbaby and drove eight hours without stopping to eat and only once to get gas and go to the bathroom. I wore gloves and an N95.  I never got into washing my groceries but I did wear an N95 a lot plus I worked in a hospital so there's that.
Now you can touch a contaminated surface and get COVID through your eyes, mouth, and nose. So do the drill. Wash your hands. Don't touch your face. But it's that airborne aspect that made it different. Besides the fact that it was a novel coronavirus and we just didn't have any immunity.  
The pandemic highlighted the need for America to get healthy too. Obesity was associated with poorer outcomes. And now we have GLP 1 agonists, which are helping people control obesity because it's so much more than willpower and determination. I put a link in the show notes about GLP 1 agonist and obesity, but listen, we still need to be physically active and eat whole food. 
Now, we've talked about five viruses, Norovirus, rhinovirus that causes the common cold, influenza, RSV, and COVID, but what about whooping cough? Virus or bacteria?  You guessed it, whooping cough is caused by Pertussis Bordetella. And this bacteria is very contagious. It spreads easily through the air when someone coughs. And boy, do they cough. Sounds like a big wheeze before this violent coughing fit and a shower of germs. It lasts a long time and people are contagious for two weeks. And that cough can linger for months.
You may be wondering, if it's a bacteria, should you take an antibiotic? And the answer is yes. But, for this one, you've got to take them early.  Not everyone gets that classic whoop. that gives it its name. Some people just get a little tickle and a cough and maybe they don't even know they're sick or their doctor tells them they have bronchitis or a sinus infection. And those are the ones you've got to watch out for because they can spread it.
And like RSV in babies, it can be life threatening. Babies don't cough, they quit breathing. And one third of infants less than one year old who get whooping cough require hospitalization. Wow, that's serious. And that is why, when I was practicing obstetrics, I always recommended that my pregnant patients and everyone who was going to be around the newborn get a booster shot called Tdap. It stands for tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis.
Now let me stop right there. And I want you to hear me.  I really wanted to do this episode because promoting health is the whole goal of this podcast. I want to give you information, motivation, inspiration. to take measures to protect and improve your health.
When it comes to seasonal illnesses, it's important to have a good baseline health and a strong immune system. That means a healthy gut microbiome, a healthy weight, and controlling risk factors like diabetes and hypertension.  I really care about you and I have no intention of wading into controversial waters.
 So, if you have strong emotions when it comes to vaccines, Push stop on this podcast. But I really do care about you and I'm gonna keep this part really short. But if you want to have a further discussion about vaccines, I will literally schedule a call with you.
Just email me, DrVickie@healthylooksgreatonyou.com and we can talk about it. Please don't send me hate mail, but if you do, I'll respond with love and grace  because I don't want this information which is rooted in solid science, evidence, research, medicine, and statistics to interfere with our relationship.  I'm not asking you to respect my opinion or anyone else's because this is not about opinion and it's not about respect.  But you see, that is something that changed with the pandemic. Distrust was sown  and maybe deserved. Maybe there was something nefarious, but there was also a lot we just didn't know. And as we learned and we learned quickly, things changed.
Anyway, talk to your doctor is the best advice I can give you.  I remember when the chicken pox vaccine came out, my son was two years old and he had asthma. And I was a little leery because it was a new vaccine. I talked to my pediatrician and he advised giving it. Two years later, my son's preschool had to shut down because every single kid had chicken pox. Except my one little vaccinated boy. They even had to cancel preschool graduation because yeah, that's a thing.
Instead of telling you what I do or what I know or how I feel, let me preface all of this by saying I've been a medical doctor for three decades. I was chief medical officer of a hospital for seven years, including the pandemic years, and I know what I saw firsthand. I do a lot of research from reputable sources for each podcast episode. So if you trust me, keep listening, but again, if you have strong feelings, now is the time to stop listening and you can tune back in next week. We'll pick up on the dementia series and talk about things we can agree on. I mean, we don't all have to agree on everything to be friends, do we?  
Okay, I already told you that I recommended that all my pregnant patients get Get Tdap to protect their babies, and this is based on recommendations from the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, all reputable organizations. They also recommend the flu shot.
Now, vaccine reactions are real. but they're rare. I don't personally know of a pediatrician who does not vaccinate their children. They see firsthand what these infectious diseases can do.  Now, I'll admit doctors have various opinions because they have various perspectives and we call that bias. Think about it. If a doctor only works in an outpatient clinic, they may have tons of experience treating some infection and what they do supports their beliefs.  But they don't know what goes on in the emergency room or the hospital. And the doctors that do have a different bias. And this was especially true during COVID. 
There were a lot of sayings that went around during COVID, like, what about the obesity epidemic? Why are we not talking about that? And I think we should be talking about it. Or what happened to the flu? Did it suddenly disappear? Well, it turns out that social distancing, washing your hands, wearing a mask, avoiding crowded places prevents the flu too.
It's recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu shot.  And if you're concerned about mercury or thimerosal, you'll be glad to know that single use vials of the flu shot don't contain any and haven't in many, many years.
Now, remember I told you that I've never had the flu? You see, after my mom had it, she made sure we were vaccinated every year. And I continue to get the flu shot every year. I gave it to my kids every year. It is a killed virus. And you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. And yes, I know, you may have gotten the flu shot and then gotten the flu. And there's several reasons for that. Number one, the vaccine typically is only between 40 and 50 percent effective. Number two, it takes a couple of weeks before it works, and you might have gotten exposed to the flu right before you got the vaccine or right after before your immunity kicked in. You may also get the flu right after you drink a Coke.  That doesn't mean the aluminum can caused it, and I'm sorry if that was a little snarky, but correlation does not equal causation, and that's super important when you're looking at data rather than anecdotal experiences.  
I remember how excited we were at the hospital when the COVID vaccine was delivered. I even took a video on my phone. It made a huge difference in the death rate we were seeing. And as soon as it was available, I got the COVID vaccine and all the boosters until the virus mutated enough to not really cause severe disease in most healthy people. I would still get it if it prevented COVID. But unlike what we thought at first, the COVID vaccine does not prevent COVID or the spread of COVID, just the severity of the disease, hospitalization, and death.  Not that that's not important. 
The RSV vaccine is recommended for people age 60 and over. And there is a form of it that's available for newborns who are at risk. 
Again, Tdap is recommended for pregnant women during every pregnancy and for anyone who's going to care for the baby.  Vaccines in pregnancy, like flu and Tdap, are given later so that those maternal antibodies can help protect the baby when they're too young to be vaccinated.  
I know, attitudes have really shifted about vaccines. I remember when I was in the second grade, they lined us up at school and shot us in the arm with the same air gun to vaccinate us against smallpox. Remember smallpox? That disease has literally been eradicated from the face of the earth by vaccines. We all got it at school, and I'm not even sure our parents knew we were going to get it, but my mom is an ardent supporter of vaccines. Wanna know why? In a word, surely. You see, she had a cousin who was in an iron lung at the age of 17 from polio. It was a dreaded disease and the vaccine was a huge victory against this debilitating illness.  
I guess people have a reason for believing what they believe. If you've seen devastation from an illness or from a vaccine, you're gonna have strong feelings and rightfully so. I've seen what I've seen and you've seen what you've seen. So, please send me an email if you want to continue the conversation. But I think we can all agree, keep your germs to yourself, wash your hands, get some fresh air, don't touch your face, and stay healthy. Because healthy looks great on you.
 
     The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change.
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Is Dementia Really Preventable?

 Is dementia really preventable? The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. There are some things we can control and other things we cannot, but  groundbreaking research shows that up to 40 percent of dementia cases might be preventable through lifestyle changes.  That's nearly half of all cases that could potentially be delayed or avoided.
In today's episode, we'll explore the science behind daily habits that can protect your brain health. We'll separate fact from fiction about dementia and examine the latest research and most importantly, share practical tips you can take today to reduce your risk.
Whether you're concerned about your own cognitive health or caring for a loved one, this month long series will give you lots of information, motivation, and inspiration regarding brain health. And what could be more important than saving the brains.  
But first, let's do a quick mini medical school review about dementia and Alzheimer's. Today's focus will be on Alzheimer's disease because it accounts for 60 80 percent of all cases of dementia. 
There are currently over 6 million people in the United States who are 65 or older who have Alzheimer's disease. It is the 6th leading cause of death in this country, but it moves up to number 5 if we're talking about older Americans.  Over the last 20 years, the incidence has increased by an alarming One hundred and forty five percent. Wow. So, what causes it? Well, that's a good question, and there isn't a clear answer.
One way to think about dementia is to think about the way other organs fail, like heart failure and kidney failure. Dementia is, quite simply, brain failure. Now, the brain is made up of neurons, which are nerve cells, and those are found throughout the body. In the brain, these cells are responsible for complex connections and communication, and that enables us to think, smell, talk, see, hear, remember, make decisions, plan, and move our bodies.
And with dementia, these cells start to die, and the brain begins to shrink.  But listen, brains typically begin to shrink around age 30 or 40 in perfectly healthy people. Then it ramps up around age 60, even more after age 70. We call this shrinkage atrophy, and to some degree it is normal. 
But the good news is that we have some reserve to the tune of about 100 billion nerve cells, 100 trillion synapses, which are the connections between nerve cells and a whole bunch of neurotransmitters, Which are the chemicals that go between nerve cells to make communication possible.
So, this network has some resilience even when there's an overall loss of brain volume. However, Alzheimer's is not normal atrophy. The brain shrinks at an accelerated rate. And no one knows for certain what happens inside the brain of people affected by Alzheimer's disease. But the two most notable things are plaques and tangles. If you've never seen it up close and personal, you may envision someone who doesn't know how to get around and can't remember your name.
But, it's not really like that at first, and it's tricky. It's not uncommon for family members and close friends to get a little concerned about someone's mind, then see times of brilliance and you think, Oh, everything's fine. So, This visual of tangled neurons really helps us understand that. Sometimes you're brushing your hair and everything's smooth and then sometimes you hit a mess and the brush gets hung up. 
These tangles interrupt the transport system in the brain. And it's thought to be related to the Tau protein.
The other process that seems to contribute to Alzheimer's is plaque.  Now, When I say the word plaque, you may think of the dental hygienist prying your mouth open and picking at that buildup on your teeth.
The plaques on your teeth are made of tartar, but the plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease are made of beta amyloid. And these are just sticky pieces of protein that come from the fatty membrane around the nerve cells. And things that stick together clump together, and these form plaques.
And it blocks cellular communication.  On top of that, there's an immune response where inflammation causes cells to just be gobbled up.  There are going to be some great resources to better understand this process.  I'm going to put all of this together for you and send it out every Friday this whole month so you have all these resources at your fingertips.
And of course, if you aren't on my email list. You should be. You can sign up so you don't miss it. Now that you have an overall understanding of Alzheimer's, let's get back to prevention. When we look at the research, we divide the risk factors into two buckets, modifiable and non modifiable. We're going to focus on the modifiable.
Simply put, it's things you can control versus things you cannot. And this might be a really good time to recite the serenity prayer. Lord, help me to change the things I can. And accept the things I cannot.  Today, we will focus on what we can change. And I'm going to give you a quick list of known contributing factors for dementia.
And this is not a complete list and these are not your practical steps, but I think this is good information for you to have before we really get started.
Number one, diabetes, and it's way more prevalent than you might think.  Next is midlife, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, midlife obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, which is the standard American diet, stress, and lack of quality social connectedness.  Notice there's a strong correlation between things that affect heart health and things that affect brain health. 
We often don't think of heart disease or dementia as being reversible. But what if,  what if, that's a question that deserves an answer. What if it's preventable and what if it's reversible? Dr. Dean Ornish addressed that question in the 70s for heart disease. And in June of this last year, he released a small research study showing reversal of cognitive decline.  Let's pause for a minute and let that sink in.
Not only is evidence showing that 40 percent of dementia is preventable, but now we have some evidence that at least in some people and to some degree, It's reversible. And if that doesn't motivate you, I don't know what does.
Now, this study was promising, but small. We're going to dive into the details in an upcoming episode in this series, but we're also going to look at information published by a reputable medical journal called the Lancet Commission, as well as recommendations and facts from the World Alzheimer Report, the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, and the Alzheimer's Association.
If you're interested in more information. , I'm going to put together a list of helpful resources, and some of them have some really cool visual tools where you can tour the brain.
There's a link in the show notes to sign up for my email, or just go to my website, www. healthylooksgreatonyou.com There's some great resources for you there, and episodes on diabetes and hypertension, because those are also contributing factors.
 And if all of this does motivate you to make lifestyle changes, as a bonus, you can sign up for a free mini course that I put together to help you work through making healthy habit changes. It's called seven day kickstart to healthy habits, but let's jump to the bottom line to quote the World Alzheimer's report 2024.
"There is no magic bullet for dementia, but there are tangible steps big and small that individuals can take to reduce risk. And any step is better than doing nothing."  
So let's look at those any steps.  There were nine risk factors that were identified to be modifiable, meaning you can change them, but they've added three more for a total of twelve.
I've divided them up into eight steps. Step one is literally a step, and that's physical activity. Any activity is better than no activity. And I would also say, the more, the better. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day to promote blood flow to the brain, which feeds your brain by delivering oxygen and nutrients.
Most experts have focused on aerobic exercise, which is getting your heart rate up. So, while it's great to walk three miles a day, if you aren't huffing and puffing just a little bit, But you probably aren't getting the maximum benefits. High intensity exercise can optimize the environment for creating new connections between neurons in the brain by releasing something called brain derived neurotropic factor or BDNF. This is a warrior in the brain that goes to battle to fight cognitive decline. 
More recently, strength training is being emphasized, especially quad strength. The muscles in the legs are some of the biggest in the body. According to "The Brain Docs", Dr. Aisha and Dean Shirazi, research has consistently shown that leg strength correlates with enhanced cognitive function. And on top of that, strong legs means less falls as we age and falling is associated with all kinds of bad things besides bruising and breaking bones. 
Another area that is currently being studied is called combined cognitive physical interventions. I'm going to talk more about this later, but it refers to activities that force you to use your muscles and brain at the same time. Now the studies are not conclusive, but the concept is that if you challenge your brain while exercising, you get more benefit.
Some people call it exergames, but think dancing, tai chi, virtual reality games, walking and recall, such as memorizing scripture while you walk. That's something I really enjoy because it's also outside in nature, which is a great stress reliever. And the instructor at the gym where I go comes up with all kinds of things to make sure our brains are being challenged in our circuits class.   And speaking of moving, let's move on to step number two. 
You probably knew this was coming, but the next step is diet. And of course, the big question is always, which diet? Let me just cut to the chase and tell you that lifestyle medicine promotes a whole food plant predominant diet. That means cutting out processed foods, especially ultra processed foods, and eating instead whole foods.
You know, the way God designed them instead of the way food manufacturing industry packages them. And yes, I know it's expensive and confusing and I talk about that in other episodes, but if you want to protect your brain, you've got to nourish it and nutrients come from food. The more the food resembles the way it exists in nature, the more nutrients it contains.
And that seems simple enough, but what does research and evidence tell us exactly? Well, Dr. Ornish says, whole food, minimally processed, plant based diet is best. for preventing and reversing dementia. And listen, his program is intense. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine says we should limit the amount of sugar and saturated fats. And make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The World Alzheimer's Report tells us to diversify the food groups you consume and avoid ultra processed foods. In fact, we always say, eat the rainbow. That means different foods with different colors and that provides the different nutrients that we need.
And, by the way, when we talk about foods with different colors, we're not really talking about Fruit Loops, regardless of whether or not they contain dyes. Listen, junk food is junk food whether it's brightly colored or pale.  So what kind of diet? We're talking about diets that are rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Those are all associated with better brain health. The Mediterranean diet is a classic example. The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, and healthy fats, and has been consistently linked to lower rates of Alzheimer's disease. 
And the MIND diet is a combination of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet, which is used to treat and prevent hypertension. And it has also been shown to reduce dementia by as much as 53 percent. I have a separate episode on that. 
If you actually read the list of 12 modifiable risk factors, it doesn't specify diet, but instead includes maintaining a healthy weight and diabetes. And both of those are directly related to diet.  
Step number three is don't smoke. I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this one because fortunately most people don't smoke. That's one of the reasons that the rates of heart disease and stroke are decreasing. However, marijuana use is skyrocketing and we are starting to see evidence that it can increase the risk of heart attack by four fold. And I imagine as this trend plays out, we'll see more and more negative effects.
On top of that, air pollution has been linked to dementia. Now, I do have an episode on smoking cessation with some helpful resources. I'll link it in the show notes. You can find it on my website, but suffice it to say that anything that damages blood vessels damages the heart and the brain. Smoking contributes to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and stroke. And is clearly a risk factor for dementia. Hypertension is independently listed as one of the 12 modifiable risk factors and so is a high LDL cholesterol.  
Step 4 is meaningful social interaction. We need people in our lives.
Ideally, we could combine all these measures together. Eat your meals with people. Exercise in a class. Stimulate your brain with games that involve another person. There is strong evidence that links social connectedness to overall health in general and brain health in particular. Not only that, the one thing that is the strongest indicator for both happiness and longevity is It's social connectedness. 
I have a couple of episodes on loneliness. The latter focuses on mood and it turns out that depression is also a risk factor for dementia.  To be honest, it's hard to know the difference or which came first,  but it's clear that loneliness is linked to poor health outcomes in general.
Step number five is stay mentally active. Now, people with less education to begin with have an increased risk of dementia. But that doesn't mean that once you graduate, you can stop there. Be a lifelong learner. And this doesn't just mean to sit around and do brain teaser puzzles, although there may be some benefit to that. But there's clearly benefit in learning new things, especially hard things. Challenging your brain helps create new connections, and new connections help maintain reserve during the aging process. Learning a new language is probably one of the best things you can do to challenge your brain. But it's hard. Memorizing is another good thing, and I cannot tell you how much memorizing scripture has meant to me personally. Not only for brain health, but for spiritual health.  
Number six is just protect your body. 
Pay attention to your overall health, that includes your teeth, but specifically protect your noggin. Head injuries are associated with an increased risk of dementia. I'm going skiing this month and I will be wearing a helmet, but also make sure your home is safe. Rugs can be a hazard, so can puppies and bathtubs. Remove clutter and cords so you don't trip.  
Other things that fall under protect your noggin are hearing aids. You see, when sound enters your ears, it goes to your brain for processing. And when you can't hear well, those parts of your brain start to shrink. Wearing hearing aids may help prevent dementia.
And more recently, research has also found an association between vision loss and dementia, likely for the same reasons. So, maximize those inputs to your brain through your eyes and ears and protect your head.  
One of the most common causes of traumatic brain injury is car accidents. Two of the biggest factors associated with motor vehicle crashes are alcohol and sleepy driving. 
So, step number seven is avoid excess alcohol. Previously, evidence indicated that one to two drinks a day was considered safe and maybe even protective. Admittedly, people who live in blue zones often consume red wine on a regular basis. And if you aren't familiar with blue zones, I'll have an upcoming episode, but basically, It refers to five geographic areas in the world where people routinely live to be over 100 years old with vim and vigor. 
Only one of them is in the United States. It's in Loma Linda, California. There's a large population of people there who belong to the seventh day Adventist faith in that part of the country. And their lifestyle is marked not only by faith, but also strong social ties, a vegetarian diet, time in nature, and no tobacco, and no alcohol.
Regardless, there is an alarming trend of increasing alcohol consumption, and excess alcohol is clearly linked to dementia. For more on alcohol, I included a previous episode link in the show notes. There is no controversy in the literature that two drinks a day is the limit. Quitting is hard, but And I've included some resources on my website. 
Lastly, step number eight is sleep. I know, I know I said there were 12 modifiable risk factors. Thank you so much for paying attention. I will list them out, one through 12 in my newsletter. But for this episode, I grouped them together.  
In a recent episode, I called sleep the mood mechanic. But the brain repair work that goes on during sleep is so much more than mood.
Poor sleep is associated with so many of the risk factors for dementia, like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and obesity.  Poor sleep, especially in late midlife, is associated with an increased risk of dementia. And if this is an area where you struggle, you will be glad to know that I have an entire series on sleep coming up next month with lots of great resources. Some of them are already on my website so hop on over there and snag them. 
The Lancet Commission states that "Our new life course model and evidence synthesis has paramount worldwide policy implications."  And they conclude by saying, "It is never too early and never too late in the life course for dementia prevention." So, no matter how old you are and what your risk factors are, prioritize your physical health and your brain health because healthy looks great on you. 
RESOURCES:
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Preventing Cognitive Decline
Practical tips for caregivers and friends of people with dementia
How to prevent and reverse type 2 diabetes
Control your blood pressure
How to quit 
Sleep - the mood mechanic
Kickstart Healthy Habits in 7 Days
The deadly epidemic of loneliness
From loneliness to belonging
Which diet is healthiest?
 
      The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change. 
 

Your Holiday Stress Guide

  Every year, Christmas carols promise joy and magic. But for many people, they're just soundtracks to the silent screams of stress.  Today, we're turning those festive tunes into a real survival guide to take you from bah humbug to fa la la la la la la la la.
And it's gonna be fun.
  I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.  
 Have yourself a merry little Christmas. You may be thinking, yeah right. There's shopping, and eating, and staying up late, and people. People. Though connection is crucial, some people clearly belong on Santa's naughty list. And they get seated right next to you at the dinner party.
Today, I'm going to give you a survival guide that will help you have a holly jolly Christmas this year. Because, even when you're singing Joy to the World, all that rockin around the Christmas tree can turn into a big crash. And I'm not talking about Grandma getting run over by a reindeer. You know, that song is pretty disturbing if you think about it.
And while you might not be worried about a collision with a four legged beast with antlers, you probably can make a list of things that bring stress instead of comfort and joy. Let's start with those weeks leading up to the holidays. I started decorating the day after Thanksgiving singing to myself, It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
When I put it back in the attic, I'll sing, It's beginning to look a knot like Christmas.  I know, I know, my kids would say, I just set off the corn o meter. Ding, ding, ding, ding.  But let's face it, decorating and planning sets us up for festive fatigue right at the outset of the season.
Yes, of course, it's the most wonderful time of the year and How's that working to set unrealistic expectations? What happens if the illusion of everyone else having a blast only magnifies what you're really feeling?  It's a setup for disappointment. Like a kid who asked for a trampoline and got a history book for Christmas.
And speaking of Santa Claus coming to town, there's some pressure. Gotta be good, or you'll get a lump of coal in your stocking.  Do you hear what I hear?  Sometimes we hear sleigh bells ring ring ringing and jing jing jinging, but sometimes we hear snippy comments and conflict, all because I'll be home for Christmas.
Which may involve travel, and frankly, being around people you don't particularly like. Being pulled in so many directions you feel like a gingerbread man about to break apart.  If you missed the episode on navigating connections during the holidays, I really want you to meet my fictional Aunt Edna. She's a hoot.
Now, if you're like me, this year we've been dashing through the snow.  Actually, it's been so warm we've rarely even worn a coat, and we don't have a one horse open sleigh, but we do have a golf cart. But literally, my social calendar has been as full as Santa's pack when he leaves the workshop. 
I'm an extrovert, so I love it. But, as a result, my sleep is off, I've gained three pounds from eating Christmas crack, and no, I am not going to share that recipe, and it's not a whole food, and it's not plant based,  and Jingle Bell Rock, it needs to happen at the gym, but honestly, I feel like I need to sleep in.
 This month is halfway over and there are only a few days left to finish my shopping. And silver bells sound like, Cha ching!  Cha ching!  Whether you're braving crowds or surfing the internet to find the perfect gift for all the people in your family.
Your credit card is asking for at least one silent night.  And maybe you're dreaming of a white Christmas, longing for days gone by when your stocking was full of walnuts and oranges. Things were simpler then. Nostalgia is sweet, but let's face it, our minds tend to idealize the past and sometimes what we really need to do is let go and embrace the present. 
And speaking of presents, whether all you want for Christmas is your two front teeth or peace on earth, managing holiday stress is important. Now, you've already been to mini medical school and you know that stress causes increased cortisol levels, compromises your immune system, causes upset stomach, and disrupts your sleep. And that's just the physical stuff.
Anxiety and depression symptoms increase, and the Polar Express brings emotional exhaustion with brain fog pumping out the smokestack.  If you missed the class on how stress increases your risk for cardiovascular disease and pretty much everything that you wouldn't wish for, there's a link in the show notes. 
But if you're navigating complex family relationships, trying to avoid conflict and triggers, or Feeling social pressure to attend all the parties, or if you're feeling left out by all the perfect celebrations on social media, or you have FOMO and you always say yes, plus you have to get up and go to work the next day, or if you're feeling the financial strain of too much shopping, this is the episode for you. 
Since this is a lifestyle medicine podcast, let's take a quick peek into the packages and see what lifestyle factors contribute to more holiday stress.  Unhealthy coping mechanisms.  Overindulgence in alcohol and unprocessed food, especially sugar, which increases inflammation and maybe just maybe that's why your joints are hurting more.
Comfort eating. Don't be like Santa and feel obligated to eat the cookies just because they're on a plate in front of you. Avoiding exercise because you were up too late wrapping presents or watching Hallmark movies. And you know what that holiday mythology about perfect holidays can do? Set up unrealistic expectations.
The comparison trap is like the Grinch stealing the Christmas tree and comparison is the ultimate thief of joy.   Irregular sleep patterns because you're reviewing your grocery list or your shopping list instead of dreaming of sugar plums dancing in your head. 
By the way, if you want to learn more about how to turn off your mind and turn on restorative sleep, then I have a free cheat sheet for you. There's a link in the show notes. 
Another thing is poor boundary setting.
Some people just have difficulty saying no, so they overcommit. They're the people pleasers. Any of that sound familiar to you? Well, here's your holiday survival guide. We're going to look at practical tips to keep you from turning into Scrooge. Let's start with bills. No, not bells, bills. You know, electric bills, and mortgage payments, and gas, and groceries.
I just want to remind you, those bills aren't going to take a holiday break, so Obviously, you don't want to spend money that you need.  And let me tell you a story. One year before Christmas, I asked my kids to name their top three favorite gifts from the previous Christmas. Try it. See what kind of answers you get.
Most of the time, they can't even name one. Unless we spend it on an experience, rather than a tangible gift. And I highly recommend that, but listen, experiences can be expensive. So, survival tip number one is, it helps to have a holiday spending budget.  You need an emotional budget too, but we'll get to that in a bit.
First, finances. There are budgeting apps you can use, you can put those on your phone.  You might think about dividing your spending into categories and setting limits for each. And when it comes to gifts, remember, three was enough for Jesus, it's enough for your little one too.
Or, if you want to splurge, use the four gift rule. Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.  Let me give you some advice about a common mistake. Do you think that you have to spend the same amount on everyone?  Listen, this is a never ending merry go round of trying to even it up.
And I hope my kids are secure enough in our relationship to know that if I spend more on one than the other, it's not a reflection of anything except that I only bought what I thought they really wanted.  And what about family gifts? You know how everyone money launders gift cards for all those teenage boys in your family?
It's kind of silly and we quit doing it years ago. No gifts for anyone except immediate family and that has made the holiday season so much more enjoyable. We play games instead of exchanging gifts.  But if you think you can't give it up completely, try some homemade gifts, like a scrapbook, homemade jelly, or if you're handy with a hammer, maybe a birdhouse.
It's so much more meaningful. And it won't be forgotten by next year. Or maybe do a Santa gift exchange with a reasonable spending limit. Or if you really like each other, plan an experience together.   And if you need a small gift, you might want to buy my book, Dressing the Wound, Give Yourself the Gift of Forgiveness.
It's a short book I wrote, and it's available on Amazon for about 5. There's a link in the show notes. Another idea is to donate to charity in someone's name. Yes, it still costs money, but it takes the pressure off of searching for something for hours, spending money, and then wondering if they're even going to like it. 
You could also give the gift of yourself and services. Offer to babysit or cook a meal.  Now, it's a little late for this strategy, but it might help to start early and spread out your expenses over the year. Hey, you could even start right after Christmas this year and hit the sales for next year. One thing you need to watch for.
Sometimes you buy a little along the way and then you forget, so you buy more. So keep track of it.  And there are ways to save money. Often, if you're shopping online, you can get discounts for signing up for their email list. Speaking of email list, are you on mine? If not, sign up and you'll get a discount on the next podcast episode. 
Just kidding. The podcast is free for you, but I do have lots of bonuses for  subscribers.  Cashback programs. I use Rakuten. You can earn points by using a credit card and set it so that you pay it off automatically at the end of each month or you might end up spending more in interest and it's a good way to get in over your head quickly. 
 Practice saying no to unnecessary spending and focus on meaningful connections over material gifts. But listen, give. There are so many people struggling to make Christmas happen for their kids and there are elderly people in nursing facilities who are in need.
 Christmas is a time to give a year end gift to missions, your church, or a charitable organization. It is truly more blessed to give than receive.  And in addition to a financial plan and budget, you need to manage your physical, mental, and emotional energy too.
And part of that involves navigating relationships and communication.  Can I just be honest for a sec?  I totally failed at this one this week. So, this advice, it's for me. But, I suspect you could use it too. Tip number two for your holiday stress guide is set expectations. You know, blessed are those who expect nothing because they're never disappointed.
Okay Eeyore, let's just be realistic. We all have expectations and they can lead to more conflict. The goal is to set realistic expectations and to clearly communicate those expectations. In advance. This requires a conversation. You can do it on the phone, in person, or you might even try an email thread or a family group text to have a discussion in advance about expectations, limitations, and boundaries.
This needs to be non confrontational and the language should be neutral and collaborative.  Man, I wish I would have had this guide earlier this week.   After your better than I did discussion, send a follow up gentle reminder message outlining the plans you agreed on.
Provide context for your decisions and offer alternatives when possible. And once you've set realistic expectations, It's time to establish boundaries. Be clear and be kind. Use I statements and explain your personal needs without blaming someone else. Remember, this isn't a wish list for Santa's elves.
This is trying to connect with the people you love. So provide rationale for your boundaries and again, offer compromise where appropriate.  None of this is a guarantee there won't be conflict. So let's look at some conflict resolution strategies.  Active listening techniques go a long way. When you're listening, you need to look like you're listening, and you need to act like you're listening.
This is super important. Tip number three is communicate. Probably most of us have finished all of our Santa shopping only to hear our little darling declare that their most wanted Christmas wish wasn't even on our radar. The problem with communication is making the mistake of thinking that it actually happened.
Learn to listen.  It helps to reflect, repeat back what you've heard, ask clarifying questions, show genuine interest and validate other people's feelings with phrases like, I understand why this is important to you, I can see why you might feel that way, and your feelings are valid. Emotional intelligence comes into play, but everyone's not playing on the same field.
So recognize your own underlying emotions and separate intent from impact you see, we tend to judge others by our intentions and then we judge others by their actions. Don't assume you know what someone is thinking. Avoid defensive responses and practice empathy.  It takes practice. This doesn't always work, so
if you do get into a difficult conversation, try to de escalate by maintaining a calm, soft voice without accusatory language. And if the tension really rises, take a break. Try to find common ground. Try to find a win win solution, but be willing to compromise and focus on preserving the relationship because that's what really matters. 
Tip number four is budget your energy. Over commitment leads to overstressed.  Learn to say no, but do it politely. I appreciate the invitation, but I won't be able to make it this year.  Now, let's talk about physical well being. Tip number five. As much as possible, try to maintain your routine. Your routine for eating, sleeping, exercising, and managing stress.
I know, I know, trust me, I've seen the big hand on the six and the little hand on the ten twice as often as normal just this week. But, I've also felt the effects. Try to maintain your movement or exercise routine and don't forget nutrition. Listen, the most important advice I can give you is start your meal with fiber.
It's critical for gut health and it helps even if you're going to eat those bacon wrapped crackers afterwards. And remember, sleep matters. Sleep hygiene can help unless you already suffer from insomnia. Then, maybe not so much. You're going to want to stay tuned for the next series. It's going to be on sleep. 
If you need a resource, visit my website and grab that tip sheet on how to turn off your mind.  All six pillars of lifestyle medicine have an impact on your holiday attitude. Let's wind up this series with this focus on stress. And we've already discussed managing expectations and setting boundaries with your time and energy.
Now, let's look at some practical tips for regulating your emotions. Tip number six. Since we're using Christmas carols to frame this episode, how about singing to relieve stress and reset your mood? 
I'd like to read you a text I got from my son in law. With his permission, of course.   Hopefully this time I can read it without choking up. 
He was talking about his oldest son, my little grandson. And he said, we like to shut off all the lights, put the Christmas tree in the fireplace, and play Christmas songs. He asked me for a special one tonight. Not a Grinch one, lol. There's one that stands out. It's not catchy or particularly memorable, but my grandpa loved it.
He used to look like he was a thousand miles away when he played it on a vinyl record. He told me on Christmas Eve, 1944, he had gotten a letter that one of my grandma's brothers, his future brother in law, was unaccounted for at the Battle of the Bulge.  Another brother was at Bastogne, with the 101st Airborne and the 3rd was in the Philippines.
His unit sat down to eat and this song played and they were all choked up.  Just a bunch of 20 something year olds trying to hide it. A few weeks later, he'd start prepping for D Day. Most of those men didn't make it.  He said, oddly, Christmas was simpler, a reminder of God's blessings. of family and home.  I thought of it last week and sat downstairs at your house one night and after everyone went to bed, listened to it. 
It was nice to be home with y'all. 
Okay, I got choked up a little,  but if you're like me and you can't sing, listen to music. And tip number seven is  remember to breathe.  There are some specific breathing exercises that help manage stress. The 4 7 8 breathing method where you inhale for four seconds.  Hold your breath for 7 seconds,  exhale slowly for 8 seconds. 
Repeat this if you're feeling overwhelmed or do the box breathing technique where you inhale for 4 seconds, hold it for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold it for 4 seconds. And you know what?
Even if you can't hit the high notes of heavenly peace, sing anyway.  Tip number eight is read the Christmas story and meditate on its truths and pray.  And tip number nine is  practice gratitude. You want to know why we always recommend practicing gratitude?  Because gratitude equals contentment.
And I can hardly think of anything that alleviates the stress of the holidays more than contentment. Be content with the gifts you buy and content with the gifts you receive.  Love the home you have and all that is in it, including the people.  Accept the family you have. Not the family you wish they were.
When you don't feel grateful, take a walk. God reveals his very self to us in nature, and that goes a long way in resetting your mindset.  
I hope you'll follow me into the new year.
We're going to start 2025 by focusing on a good night's sleep,  but we're going to keep focusing on all the pillars of lifestyle medicine. You are such a blessing to me. 
Tip number 10. Don't get overwhelmed. Don't overindulge, but don't miss the moments. Keep Christmas simple. Sit on the stairs, turn off the lights, listen to music, but also embrace the opportunities.
 Like eating the toffee that my neighbor gave me yesterday. After all, it's Christmas and managing expectations may mean making some exceptions. The bottom line is, stress is inevitable during the holidays. You cannot avoid it, but you can manage it. It's a skill that can be learned, but like any skill, It takes repetition and practice.
So if you cry and pout, give yourself some grace because it is a wonderful life. Really? Because though there's no miracle on 34th street, there is a miracle. That is the reason for the season. And don't forget, that's what we're really celebrating.  The birth of Jesus brings perfect peace. He came to earth to do for us what we can't do for ourselves.
So, hark the herald, angels sing, glory to the newborn king, peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Have a merry, healthy Christmas because healthy looks great on you.  
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The mood mechanic and the work of sleep

Have you ever snapped someone's head off simply because you are a sleepy head?  Our fuses can get pretty short when we're sleep deprived.  We need dream time therapy to hit reset on our emotions. And without it, look out. Sleep is so much more than rest. You and those around you can appreciate the benefits of good sleep on emotions and mood.
Sleep is so much more than rest. You and those around you can appreciate the benefits of good sleep on emotions and mood.
I'm Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper, I help you make changes that make a difference. Healthy Looks Great On You podcast takes you to mini medical school so you can learn the power of lifestyle medicine.
Sleep is hard work. And I don't mean getting to sleep and staying asleep is hard work, though it often is. I mean, there's a lot of work that goes on while you sleep.  Sleep rebuilds your mental landscape. What happens when you sleep affects your emotions while you're awake. The brain undergoes active processing and healing while you're getting your Z's.
You need sleep for emotional maintenance. The physiology is absolutely fascinating. So let's start right off the bat by going to mini medical school and learning about how sleep affects mood. Now, don't worry. I'll make it fun so you don't sleep through class.  Let's start with sleep cycle basics. There are two primary types of sleep that alternate in cycles throughout the night.
And those are REM and non REM. That probably already sounds familiar. REM stands for rapid eye movement  and  they each have different functions. Non REM does the work of physical restoration and recovery, while REM does the emotional processing and cognitive maintenance. It's divided into three stages.
Now this is going to be super easy to remember because the stages are called N1, N2, and N3. But let's peek under the covers and explore each of them a little more. Stage N1 is light sleep. And this is a transition between being asleep and being awake, and it only lasts about 5 or 10 minutes. In this stage, your muscle activity slows down, though you might twitch occasionally, and you can be easily awakened and even somewhat aware of your surroundings. You're actually asleep, but you're just in that lightest stage of sleep.  Stage N2 is moderate sleep, and this accounts for about 50 percent of total sleep time. During stage N2 sleep, your body cools down. The temperature actually gets lower, and your heart rate slows, and your brain waves slow down, and this is so important for memory consolidation.
In fact, stage N2 sleep has a huge impact on your ability to learn, remember, and retain new information. The cognitive impact also includes decision making skills. Without adequate stage in to sleep, Memories don't get consolidated, and processing speed is slowed down, and so this causes increased difficulty with complex cognitive tasks.
Lack of adequate sleep doesn't just affect your cognitive ability, though. It also affects mood. It makes us more susceptible to the effects of stress, both physically and emotionally. And emotionally.  Poor sleep disrupts emotional regulation, so we're more reactive.  The next time someone's voice goes up a couple of octaves in response to something you said, maybe, just maybe, They didn't sleep well last night. 
I don't recommend mentioning it.  Even more serious than becoming a soprano during a conversation, without good sleep, people have an increased risk of mood disorders like depression and anxiety. And at the very least, the symptoms of anxiety are heightened without adequate shut eye. And listen, everyone reacts to having their buttons pushed, but when the work of sleep is on strike, our emotional resilience is kaput. 
 And the fruit of the spirit just goes right out the window. No peace, no patience, no kindness, no goodness, and definitely no gentleness.  Now, emotional reactions can be dangerous, but the physical health consequences of poor sleep can be deadly. Without good quality sleep, the immune system is weaker, metabolism is wrecked, Inflammation skyrockets and even hormones get out of whack.
We need sleep for healing and recovery every single time the earth revolves around the sun. Think of your brain as a computer. You know, it has to be charged in order to function. Without recharging through sleep, there are several neurologic effects on your brain. Those grouchy neurons in your head quit communicating effectively.
This leads to impaired synaptic plasticity. The dampening of the pathways in the brain to adapt and rewire themselves. It causes the brain to filter and organize information much less effectively. This leads to decreased productivity, more errors, and accidents.
This process is crucial for emotional learning, adaptation, and developing resilience to emotional challenges. And don't we all have emotional challenges?  Stage N2 sleep is critical for overall cognitive and physical restoration. Chronic deficiency can lead to cumulative negative effects on mental and physical well being.
Now before you put your head down on your desk for a little nap, Now, let's move on to the deepest subject, stage N3, or deep sleep. This one is essential for feeling refreshed. And here's the deal, you can't really skip over stage N1 and stage 2 to get there.  You can probably guess that this stage of deep sleep is the most restorative.
It's harder to wake up during N3. It's so critical for physical recovery,  strengthening the immune system and promoting growth and repair of tissues.  You know how they always do road work at night? Well, your brain kind of does the same thing. And just like highway repair, it's never ending.
Now, let's shift gears a little bit and talk about REM sleep. The brain undergoes a sophisticated process of emotional memory integration. And this just isn't passive storage, but it's an active recalibration of all of your emotional experiences.  And as implied by its name rapid eye movement. The eyes move rapidly beneath the eyelids and the brain is actually highly active, but the body is temporarily paralyzed.  
This part of the sleep cycle is critical for cognitive functions like memory consolidation, emotional regulation, learning, and creative problem solving. I mean, have you ever woken up in the morning and just had a better perspective on things?   I certainly have. But while your eyes are dancing, your brain is sorting and processing emotional experiences. And this is what leads us to be more clear headed and in control of our emotions during the day. And without it, you're probably going to wind up on Santa's naughty list.  So, how does all this work?
Well, that little maintenance crew in your brain goes to work in your prefrontal cortex. When the work of sleep is disrupted, emotional processing is impaired, which causes heightened emotional reactivity  and the reduced ability to manage stress.  No wonder we get irritable when we're sleep deprived.  Even more serious, during this phase of sleep, traumatic or intensely emotional memories are processed, and they're gradually detached from their immediate emotional intensity.
So think about that. If they don't get detached, you just keep reliving it over and over with all of the emotional intensity attached.  That's miserable.  The brain essentially sorts out these emotional experiences and helps reduce their psychological impact.
And that prevents us from being overwhelmed and it keeps us resilient.  Now that you understand how this neurochemical rebalancing of sleep has a direct impact on mood, Let's step into the lab for a sec and just look at a little bit of sleep chemistry.
You see, sleep keeps neurotransmitters and hormones in balance to stabilize mood. Everybody's always worried about their hormones being out of balance. Well, how about trying a good night's sleep? Things like serotonin, the happy hormone, cortisol, the stress hormone, and dopamine, the motivating and pleasure hormone.
All get regulated during sleep. What happens is, sleep replenishes the serotonin and dopamine while clearing out the excess cortisol.  When these neurochemicals are out of balance, due to poor sleep, there's more inflammation in the brain.   And that can increase anxiety and depressive symptoms. In fact, studies show that chronic sleepyheads are ten times more likely to experience symptoms of depression. 
So, there's this little cleanup crew in the brain that's supposed to haul all of those inflammatory proteins to the dump. We call that the glymphatic system. But without good sleep at night,  they  don't get an opportunity to come in and clean up all those messes created during the day.
As a result, there are more mood swings and more mood disorders. And here's the deal. It doesn't take a lot of sleep deprivation to cause a pile up. Even mild sleep deprivation can affect emotions. Just one night of poor sleep can increase negative emotional reactivity by up to 60%.  
 The bottom line is that sleep is so much more than rest. It's actually hard work. It's an active and very complex process coordinated by the amygdala. which is the brain's emotional processing center, as well as the prefrontal cortex, and that's where we make rational decisions. Or if we're sleep deprived, it's where we make irrational decisions. 
The brain's nightly housekeeping crew, which occurs most effectively during deep sleep, helps maintain and restore emotional control. It's necessary to reset communication patterns, and reduce impulsive outbursts.  
 Think of it as a nightly emotional tune up for your brain, helping you process, adapt, and maintain psychological balance. And we all need balance, don't we? But like everything in life, this is no quick fix. Adults go through four to five complete sleep cycles every night, and each one of them lasts about 90 to 120 minutes. In other words, it takes some time to get there.
 REM sleep tends to be shorter early on in the night and gets longer as the night goes on. It can last up to an hour. So, if you're feeling big feels that are out of proportion to the situation, take a look at your sleep quantity and quality. 
Maybe your crankiness is a result of imbalance caused by lack of good sleep,  or depression, anxiety, or plain old stress that impacts sleep which interferes with that critical maintenance that goes on during shut eye.  Are you struggling with this area of your health?  If you have trouble with spinning thoughts that keep you from lying down in perfect peace, then grab a sleep freebie from my website.
 This cheat sheet will help get you started turning off your mind so you can turn on restorative sleep. There's a link in the show notes or you can just head on over to my website www. healthylooksgreatonyou.com and look for the sleep freebie. If you want to feel rested, restored, and refreshed during the day, you need a good night's sleep.  
It will help you feel in control of your emotions instead of them tricking you into making mountains out of molehills. Getting enough shut eye is crucial for your health, and healthy looks great on you.  
    RESOURCES:
Cheat sheet to TURN OFF YOUR MIND AND TURN ON RESTORATIVE SLEEP
Healthy Looks Great on You 
Good food for good mood
Move for better mood
How alcohol, sugar and caffeine affect mood
Navigating connections during the holidays
From loneliness to belonging
 
 

From loneliness to belonging

Do you ever feel like you have no one in your life?  Even if you spent the holidays with family or friends, maybe you've decided that you're okay with isolation. Today we're going to discover why it's not okay to be alone and some practical ways to connect with others to improve your physical health and overall quality of life. 
Episode 147 from loneliness to belonging with Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper.
 It's easy to believe you're the only one, and think that others are leading perfect social lives, while you're sitting at home, feeling isolated. Loneliness is considered an epidemic, and it affects people of all ages and all backgrounds, But when you're isolated, it's hard to know that what you're feeling is common.
 So even if you feel alone in your feelings, remember, you're not. Let's take the argument that you're the only one feeling this way off the table and talk about loneliness and how common it is. It is a human emotion that does not define your worth. People often internalize their loneliness as a personal failure or flaw, but it's not. 
There's a loneliness cycle. I'm okay by myself, followed by isolation, which then fosters a fear of being misunderstood or dismissed, and then that prevents you from opening up about loneliness.  Isolation can actually feel comfortable and safe.  There are lies we believe, like no one cares or I'm fine on my own and I don't need anyone. 
Even God said it's not good for man to be alone. We are created to be in community with others and prolonged loneliness can have significant consequences on your health. So I'm going to give you some practical tips on connecting with others. And listen, it's never too late. Certain ages and stages are harder than others, but meaningful relationships are possible. 
After I got really sick, and then I got divorced, and then there was a pandemic, I felt lonely. And I didn't want to admit it. It seemed like a weak word to tell people, I'm lonely. But I was.  But you know what? When you admit it, Sharing your feelings can lead to unexpected support and understanding. 
C. S. Lewis said, "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, What? You too? I thought I was the only one."  And that's what loneliness can do to you. Now, before I give you a prescription for connection, let's go to Mini Medical School for a quick overview. And if you have not heard my previous episode on loneliness, I would recommend it and I'll put a link in the show notes. And also, if this episode is a little heavy, listen to last week's. It was funny. 
Chronic loneliness is linked to increased inflammation in the body, and that can damage your blood vessels and lead to cardiovascular diseases and increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and even dementia.  Loneliness also increases cortisol levels, and it also damages blood vessels and weakens the immune system.
And all of this can impair cognitive function. The amygdala gets sensitized and communicates with the prefrontal cortex. This is where we make decisions about our social behavior and It shows reduced activity when we're lonely and that is why it can impair cognitive function and decision making. And the nucleus accumbens, which is the brain's reward center, becomes less responsive, making activities that once brought you joy feel less rewarding.  
The impact on your physical health is significant as well. Social isolation and loneliness are linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The lack of social engagement can lead to unhealthy lifestyles, such as sitting in front of the TV, not being active, and eating junk. Loneliness can elevate your blood pressure, causing hypertension, and the stress response triggered by loneliness can lead to long term heart issues. Chronic loneliness can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and illness.
Cortisol, the stress hormone is the culprit  and chronic inflammation contributes to a lot of different health conditions including autoimmune diseases  Loneliness can impact your quality of life leading to feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction. Lack of social connectedness affects your mental and physical well being. Social isolation and loneliness can impact your health as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Your lifespan can actually be shortened by loneliness. It's also linked to an increased incidence of depression and anxiety, which can lead to persistent worry and sadness. And, of course, the most serious thing is an increased risk of suicide. Social isolation is also linked to a higher risk of mortality associated with cardiovascular disease as well as cancer.  Overall, there's a 29 percent increased risk of dying early if you're lonely.
You can be around people and still be lonely.  It's the quality of connections that matters, not the quantity. So seek out relationships with depth and meaning. 
But even brief, positive encounters with people can release oxytocin. And that makes you feel good. So, try to be intentional about connecting with people, even in little short bursts. Speak to the clerk at the grocery store. Have a conversation while you're waiting in line. Smile at people and shake hands when you can. Even those small little doses can make a difference.
Loneliness can be a temporary phase, But chronic loneliness requires proactive steps to overcome. Don't ignore loneliness because it has serious issues for your health. And asking for help is a sign of strength and not weakness. It actually takes courage to acknowledge loneliness. So if you're feeling lonely, admit it and just recognize it's part of being human.  And if you are lonely, what you need is people. 
I know, kind of a no brainer. So, where are there people? Well, there are people in classes. So, could you maybe take a class? Here are some ideas. Take a dance class. This is such a fun way to get some exercise and meet people. Or maybe take an art class where you paint together and tap into that creativity. You can even take a class at a community college or university and learn about something like history. That would be a great way to meet some people.  There are cooking classes and interior design classes and pottery classes where you put your hands in the clay together. But, here's the deal, don't take a private lesson. You know, that kind of defeats the purpose. But any new hobby, usually you can find a class where you will meet other people who are at your same skill level. 
So that brings me to my second idea. Join a club. Something like a running club. Women can run or couch to 5K are beginner runners who work together for a common goal. And the key word there is together. When you have a sense of accomplishment, that can really help form a strong bond between you. Or just go to any kind of fitness class and meet other people. But don't think you can come in late and leave early and stare at the floor and meet anyone. 
You're going to have to put yourself out there. And interact with people and it may not work the first time or the second time or the third time be persistent  Don't give up. It's so important for your health Maybe join a quilting club if you're so inclined or if you can sing join the church choir. Bible study is a great way to meet people. There are also master gardener groups that are well connected. Hiking clubs that get out in nature. So there's added benefit there too.  
And you want to know what's all the rage right now? Pickleball. Learn to play pickleball and I can promise you, you will meet people. Another popular thing right now is Mahjong. And I don't have a clue how to play it but they say it's really fun and it uses your brain so that's super important. The same can be said about playing bridge. So find a bridge club. And if you don't have a hobby or a skill or anything like that that interests you then maybe a book club is the answer. I bet you could find a local book club or you could start your own.  
I just moved to a new town about a year ago and I'm in a new bunko group. My old bunco group played together for nearly three decades. Here's the thing about bunco, you gotta have 12 people to play. So if you can't play, you have to get a sub, which ensures that there are always 12 people there. It helps maintain the cohesiveness of the group. And I think bunco is a great way to form connections. In my group, we've celebrated babies and grandbabies and weddings and graduations. And we've mourned loss and supported each other through illness and surgery. So grab some dice, set up some card tables, and invite some people over to play Bunko. And you just might find your tribe that way.  
During my season of intense loneliness, I started the Interesting People Dinner Series. I lived alone  and I would just invite a group of people to sit around the table and have dinner. People who maybe didn't know each other. And we had some of the most interesting conversations. 
And here's a super simple idea. I recently interviewed Kathi Lipp about her new book called Sabbath Soup. And she says you can always just send a message to someone and say, I made too much soup. Can I bring it over?  Taking soup or any type of food is a great way to connect with your neighbors.   I'd love to hear what your ideas are for connection. Make sure you're on my email list and just reply to one of the emails and let me know what you've found to connect with others. And give yourself some grace. It's not easy. Sometimes it takes time and effort and it can be super discouraging, but it's worth the effort because loneliness has such an impact on your health and social connectedness will make you healthier, and healthy looks great on you. 
The Deadliness of the Loneliness Epidemic
Navigating Connections During the Holidays
Sabbath Soup
Browse all episodes 

Navigating connections during the holidays

The holidays are coming fast. I hope you're looking forward to gathering around the table, but sometimes family conflicts can Social anxiety and just the pressure to meet expectations can make you feel a sense of dread rather than anticipation.
Stay tuned for practical tips on navigating connections through the holidays.  This is episode 146, Navigating Connections During the Holidays.  Holiday stress is real.  I'll bring the sweet potatoes, you bring the cranberry sauce, and someone, I'm not naming names, will bring a grudge, an attitude, or some equally distasteful dish. It can be challenging when we bring all our different personalities around the table.
 Whether it's family, co workers, or friend groups, it's enough to make you dread social gatherings. But it doesn't have to be that way. Today you'll learn some practical tips to help you navigate holiday gatherings so you get that boost of oxytocin that makes you feel oh, so good. By the end of this episode, you'll be prepared to handle whatever is served this year. Except maybe fruitcake. No.   But I hope you'll look forward to gatherings in anticipation and not dread. 
What is your family tradition? In my family, we joke that if we ever do something one time, my mom will say it's a tradition and she will want to do it that way from then on. And listen, this is a double edged sword. On one hand, traditions are comfortable. We know what we're doing, when we're doing it, where we're going, and there is no need for discussion or decisions.
And that can be nice. No pressure, right?  Well, the problem is, things always change. Kids grow up and get married. Or, people move away and have to take time off work to travel home. Or get divorced and kids have to split their time with each parent. Trust me, I know about these things. And to be honest, sometimes it still makes me mad. But I know it's even harder for my grown kids. Feeling the pull of obligation is no fun. So, I try to be flexible to ease their stress. And some of you may not have family or a close knit group to celebrate with.
And that can magnify your loneliness. Isolation during the holidays is especially painful, and I've been there too. My kids live far away, and I was single for many years. And though I'm blessed to have a very loving family that get along, it's not the same as it used to be when I set up card tables throughout the house, complete with tablecloths and centerpieces in my grandmother's beautiful China. 
Now, maybe you're one of those people who likes paper plates. I'm going to tell you the truth. It just hurts me. I mean, what is China for if it's not for special occasions?  Okay, here's what I just did. I inserted my expectations and my vision for the ideal holiday right here in the middle of the podcast.   While some of you think there's incredible beauty in just walking to the trash can after a big dinner and dumping it all without having waterlogged hands from washing all those dishes.
And that, my friends, is a perfect example of conflicting expectations. No wonder it's stressful. We just got crossways and I'm the only one doing the talking. Well, yes, and you see, that can be a problem too. Listen, stress during the holidays is nearly universal. In fact, it's reported that the majority of adults deal with an extra dose of stress during the holidays.
For people who already struggle with their mental health, this can be serious.  Depression and anxiety can reach critical levels.  Loneliness during the holidays is often worse than loneliness on a pretty summer day. And loneliness increases the risk of heart disease, dementia, high blood pressure, stroke, and premature death. 
While we're on the subject of physical health, let's go to mini medical school and walk through some areas of the brain where we feel dread and anticipation. And yes, It's in the same location, the amygdala. It's a little almond shaped part of the brain that's located deep in the temporal lobe and it's part of the limbic system.
And this means that it's intricately involved in processing memory and emotion. And boy, oh boy, don't those two things go together like turkey and dressing.  Here's what happens. You know that Aunt Edna has been invited to dinner. Aunt Edna, who criticizes what you cooked, your weight, and the color of your shirt.
That, Aunt Edna. You remember her, don't you? Well, your amygdala certainly does, so it sends signals to other parts of the brain, like the hypothalamus, which mobilizes the troops and dumps cortisol and epinephrine into your system.  We call it the fight or flight response, but your mama isn't going to let you fly away and she's certainly not going to let you fight Aunt Edna.
So you'll just have to sit there, heart pounding, palms sweating, and teeth clenched in dread.  But remember, anticipation is experienced in the exact same part of the brain and the amygdala plays a crucial role in that. in our responses, tapping into our memories from past holidays filled with either conflict or delight. 
Knowing neuroanatomy isn't going to help you navigate holiday dinners, so what are we to do?  First of all, don't ever let people push the buttons they installed. You know what I mean, they say this, you do that, rewind, repeat. Happens every time. In fact, you can see everyone's face right from the start.
You've seen this play out before, I'm sure. So instead of dreading it, anticipate it. And, rehearse a different response.  She says, have you thought about trying a new diet? Or, I cannot believe you voted for,  Or, did your husband ever find a job so he could support you?  Without a plan, there's usually a reaction and sometimes it's nuclear.
Either sulled up and not talking or saying the exact same thing you said last year. Word for word.  But that's not going to happen this year. Why? Because you're going to have the tools to redirect the conversation. First of all, push pause. Remember lining up dominoes as a kid? You'd tap the first one and watch the chain reaction.
And that is exactly what Aunt Edna is doing. She's tapping the dominoes, ready to see them fall. But, if you put just a little more space between her comment and your response, then you have the power to interrupt the cascade.  Try taking a deep breath in this space. In through your mouth, out through your nose, that's it, one more time.
Now, smile.  It's unexpected. Throws everyone off balance. I dare ya.  Now, you're ready to respond because you've prepared a script for this in advance.  You knew she'd bring it up. She always does. But this time, you've rehearsed a different response, and you're ready.  Don't forget, your response is kind and it decompresses the tension. 
See? Wasn't that easy?  No?  Okay, keep rewriting and rehearsing your response until you get it down.  And try asking questions. This is a non threatening form of conversation that can steer things in a different direction. You see, when you ask a question, multiple areas of your brain start to engage.
You start viewing the topic from a different angle and exploring different perspectives and you get a surge of serotonin, the happy hormone. The person being asked a question is now in the driver's seat and it feels good with serotonin relaxing the brain, which results in thinking more clearly and having better insight and understanding.
of the whole picture. Now, that really was easier, wasn't it?  Need more neurotransmitter weapons? Well, when you ask a question, the areas of the brain that are associated with reward and pleasure light up. Because curiosity is activated.  And, to top things off, dopamine is released. And that's better than whipped cream on pumpkin pie. 
Oh, you don't like pumpkin pie? Well, you probably don't like my shirt either, but we're not going to discuss that at the dinner table.  But think about it. When someone asks you a question, it interrupts the negative highway that your brain is traveling down and that's And that can help with anxiety and stress and change the direction of your emotions.
When we're trying to answer a question, we self reflect. And we get a grip on our emotions and run away thoughts. And the end result is better emotional regulation.  Asking questions helps you create openness and positive emotional connections with others.   And that releases oxytocin and love fills your home along with the aroma of roasting sweet potatoes.  Strong social connections increase our chances of longevity and boost our immune system by reducing inflammation, which is responsible for lots of negative health conditions.  It's also associated with mental health benefits.
Lowering anxiety and depression, and boosting self esteem, empathy, and trust.  It all works to create a positive feedback loop. And it's not just about having people around, it's about the quality of those connections and how they contribute to our overall quality of life. 
So, next time you find yourself reacting, take a deep breath, smile, Rely on your rehearsed response and ask genuine questions. And listen, if they aren't genuine, you've defeated the purpose. And the purpose is a better sense of mental and emotional well being for all.  Let's don't stop there. Let's look at some of the other pillars of lifestyle medicine and how they can help you make a holiday memorable.
In a good way.  I hope you're going into this holiday season with some good health habits like good quality sleep, regular activity, and nutritious eating. And listen, it's not too late to start. There are some resources for you in the show notes to help, including an episode about how food affects mood. So let's take a peek in the oven.
Many traditional holiday foods are packed with vitamins and minerals. Things like sweet potatoes and green beans. Also pumpkin, Brussels sprouts and cranberry add color and nutrients. On the other hand, fatty foods and rich sweet foods can lead to a sugar induced roller coaster of emotions. And overindulgence in caffeine, sugar, and alcohol don't help either.
And neither do foods that are too high in salt. And all of this is more of a challenge if you're a stress eater. The best advice I can give you is, fill up on the good stuff, and then enjoy all of your favorite foods in moderation.  Cook your sweet potatoes without heaps of butter and sugar and top with black beans instead. 
I'm sharing a recipe with my email followers, so sign up today if you aren't on my list. And maybe leave off 3 pounds of cheese in the vegetable casseroles and just enjoy the taste of the vegetables instead.  It's easy to just eat mindlessly, but instead, savor your food,
making conscious choices to maintain your health and mental well being.  And get up and move around. Incorporating physical activity into your holiday routine will give you an instant boost. Try it. You'll actually have more energy. Physical activity helps you manage stress and improves mood by releasing endorphins and lowering cortisol. 
And you know what else helps? A good night's sleep. And here's the deal. Many people get less than adequate sleep, especially during the holidays. Well, let's face it, some people just constantly struggle, and if this is you, you're going to want to sign up to receive three simple steps to create the perfect sleep sanctuary. It's a good way to get started getting your Z's 
When you don't sleep, you can't regulate your emotions as well.  And we all know what happens when Aunt Edna pushes your buttons, and you're sleep deprived. Handling holiday stress is hard enough without the added challenge of trying to function after tossing and turning all night. Decision making, problem solving, and memory are all part of the process.
You are all impacted by poor sleep. Don't test your limits of dealing with difficult people and situations by staying up too late. You'll be better able to control your reaction, plan and focus with a good night's rest. Plus, without sleep, your immune system is weaker and a few germs are sure to be on the guest list at parties and holiday gatherings. 
Bronchitis?  Ain't nobody got time for that.  I don't mean to make it sound like getting together is hard. It's hard. I mean, it can be, but it can also be super rewarding. Social interaction is crucial for good health. It's worth the effort. So stay connected to family and your community.
During the holidays, there are extra opportunities to engage with church and philanthropic activities. And that goes a long way in reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.  But listen, you can't please everyone, so stop trying.  Spend some quality time with people who bring out the best in you. Enjoy the moments and be grateful.
 Gratitude goes a long way in bringing joy to the season. If you're focused on thankfulness, you'll be more resilient and less susceptible to stress because it lowers cortisol levels. Gratitude strengthens relationships, and you get a boost of oxytocin as a bonus.  If you missed the episode on gratitude, there are some practical tips there that I think you'll find useful.
So I put a link in the show notes, but also make sure you're on my email list because I created a lovely card to use to express your gratitude for others. And I believe this one action has the power to transform your holiday gathering. Be sure and sign up today. I hope you'll take a moment to reflect on this past year and shift your focus to all the blessings that you've had.
And even if you're struggling, take a hike, literally, get out in nature. You might be surprised at the difference being in God's creation makes. And lastly, manage your expectations.   That starts with clear communication in advance. But don't  think your plans are concrete. Things happen. Be flexible and let go of perfection.
Trying to control all the details will make you and everyone around you miserable. The holidays can certainly bring mixed feelings and extra helpings of stress. So, set some boundaries for yourself when you need to. My oldest daughter turned 35 this week, and I remember when she was born, just a little bit before Thanksgiving. Our pediatrician recommended that we not travel even the 30 minutes to feast with family. And listen, after the delivery that I had, I was just fine with that,  but my in laws showed up anyway with leftovers in Tupperware containers and they passed my little baby around from person to person.
I was exhausted emotionally, physically, and mentally. And the last thing I needed was wall to wall people in my tiny little apartment. So guess what I did?  I went to bed and I took my baby with me. Yep, it might have been 6 p. m., but I was at my limit and I knew it and that is how everyone got out unharmed.
So give yourself permission to shut the door and lay down if you need to.  And remember to be flexible. Thanksgiving 2020 fell in the middle of the COVID pandemic. I was chief medical officer of a hospital and the toll the virus took on my little community was enough to give me pause about hosting my elderly parents, Toddler grandbaby, and everyone in between.
So guess what I did? I covered my patio tables with tablecloths, hauled my dining room chairs outside, and carefully put china and silverware at each place setting. Because we weren't going to use paper plates. Fortunately, it was a balmy day and we sat together as families. And here's the deal.
Thanksgiving's run together in my memory But that one stands out. So embrace the opportunity to be flexible. You might just make a lasting memory, rather than allowing an inconvenience to ruin the season.  But if you have particularly difficult challenges, It might help to visit with a counselor to help you navigate your dread.
Because if you prepare, you can look forward to the holidays with a jolly, healthy attitude. 
And remember, if you missed last week's episode, I highly recommend it. Of course, there's a link in the show notes, and if you're on my email list, you'll be getting that downloadable card to help you focus on the positives and be grateful for the people in your life. And you know, if you have difficult people in your life, Be thankful you have people in your life.
Pray about it, show compassion, empathy, patience and appreciation, and see if it doesn't change the atmosphere. If you can go into the holidays with a healthy attitude, it can be a blessing for you and your family, and healthy looks great on you.  
   
 
 

How gratitude changes your brain

 It's that time of year. 30 days of thankfulness and a whole month focused on gratitude. Does it ever feel like life isn't so great as everyone else's? Well, stay tuned, friends. I'm going to show you the way to a grateful heart and how it changes your brain.
I don't know about you, but I always check my Facebook memories.  It's a repository of the seasons of my life, both good and bad.  And I remember one November, I accepted the challenge to post 30 days of thankfulness.  And about this time of the month, I posted, "Today, I am thankful that I resisted the urge to run over someone in the grocery store with my cart."
Nothing like a little honesty. Let's be real. Sometimes, the holidays can make you feel down and anxious. There's cooking and shopping and parties to go to.  Or, maybe not, and that's equally depressing.  This has everything to do with your health. Not only is social connectedness super important but gratitude can literally change your brain.
So, instead of fantasizing about ramming that person who irritated you in the grocery store, how about a changed heart?  Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.  So, that's a pretty good diagnostic tool about where you are right now. And listen, if you're struggling, you're in the right place.
I've been there and I can help you see the bright side. But first, let's go to mini medical school and learn some brain anatomy and physiology. And by the way, if you want to meet some cutthroat people, hmm, med school is the place. But, we won't dwell on that.
I've had the privilege of working with so many wonderful doctors and nurses during my career, and I'm grateful for it.  Let's start in the middle of the brain. Now move down below the thalamus, but above the brain stem, and you'll find an area of the brain called the ventral tegmental area.  Now why are we here in this deep place in the brain?
Well, you see, This area of our brain is our built in reward center. It's involved in not only reward and pleasure, but also motivation, emotional regulation, learning and cognition, which is a fancy word for thinking. Hopefully, if you've been listening to this podcast for very long, some of this is going to sound familiar.
 The ventral tegmental area contains dopaminergic neurons.  That just means nerve cells that make and release  dopamine. Yes, good old dopamine. That fuels our sensation of pleasure, motivates us to seek more and feel that good reward. 
If you've missed some of the recent episodes of Mood, you might want to go back and listen to them. And, by the way, don't miss another episode. Sign up for the email list, and I'll send them straight to your inbox, so all you have to do is push play.  You know where the ventral tegmental area is, what it does.
Now, what does that have to do with gratitude? Think of it as buried treasure. Deep in the brain, this connection of pathways is a treasure trove of pleasure. Dopamine gets released when you practice gratitude, and it just feels good to be grateful.
 A friend of mine always told her children, put that in your treasure chest of memories. I think that's good advice. In other words, make deposits so you'll have something special to pull out. This reward circuitry is like buried treasure with connections to other structures in the brain called the mesolimbic pathway. 
This network includes the nucleus accumbens, the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, and the hippocampus.  Okay, before we get lost, Suffice it to say, gratitude activates the ventral tegmental area to release dopamine to the nucleus accumbens. And listen, you're gonna like it. In fact, your brain will like it so much, it'll make you want to do it over and over again.
And just think, being grateful is what activates it.  Gratitude can lead to better mental health, including less depression and anxiety. Overall, emotional well being tends to be higher in people who practice gratitude. Let's face it, when we focus on being thankful, it changes our perspective and helps us be happier, or at least have more positive emotions than negative ones.
Gratitude can also improve sleep quality, which of course affects mood. I mean, who isn't grouchy when they don't get enough shut eye? Sleep is so important, but it can be complicated. And if you struggle to get a good night's sleep, I have some resources for you. Check it out in the show notes.  When you have an attitude of gratitude, it also affects your relationships.
People who are focused on what's right, instead of what's wrong, tend to have stronger bonds with friends and spouses and any romantic relationship.  There's more of a sense of trust, connection, and commitment. And social connectedness is one of the pillars of lifestyle medicine because it's crucial for good health, both physical and emotional.
In fact, the effects on physical health are so significant.
People who are full of gratitude tend to have a stronger immune system, as well as lower blood pressure.  Gratitude makes us more resilient, so we can control our emotions when we are faced with stress and trauma.  Now, I'm going to give you some practical ways to start practicing gratitude. But first, a little neurochemistry. 
Gratitude has the power to reduce cortisol levels. Now, who remembers what cortisol is nicknamed?  If you said the stress hormone, you get an A.  Gratitude helps us relax and be more calm and peaceful. In the episode on how food affects mood, I nicknamed all the neurotransmitters to help you remember. And if you forgot or missed that episode, there's a link in the show notes, but all of them are involved in regulating mood and all of them are affected by gratitude. 
Gratitude causes your brain to release dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and reward. This makes us feel happy and satisfied. And guess what happens then? Well, you feel grateful. And that sets it all in motion again.  In health, we often talk about a vicious cycle.  This is a victorious cycle. 
Serotonin levels also increase with gratitude. And remember, serotonin is the happy hormone. It helps alleviate anxiety and improves mood and makes us feel calm. Yes, I'll take some of that, please.  Oxytocin is also released when we feel grateful, especially in social situations. And remember, oxytocin   is the love hormone.
So when we're grateful, levels go up, that strengthens trust, and trust is the foundation of any relationship. So more oxytocin means more connectedness, And that's great for your health.   Another benefit is the release of endorphins. And those are those natural painkillers that lower stress and make you just feel good all over.
And just think, you don't even have to run a marathon to get a runner's high. Now that's something to be grateful for. Okay, now that I've convinced you that gratitude is a mood booster, let's talk about some practical things you can do. But first  You have to shift your focus. If you focus on things that are good, that you can be grateful for, then you can practice gratitude. 
And it may take some practice like anything else.  
Once you've shifted your perspective, and you're looking for things to be grateful for, you'll find them. And here's how you can practice gratitude.
1. Count your blessings out loud to yourself.  There is something powerful about saying it. When I was so sick, I could hardly walk and my life was crumbling around me. This practice was a lifesaver.  Listen, I was at the edge of despair, but every morning before dawn, I'd drag myself to the front porch and sit there and count my blessings out loud, starting with Thank you Lord that I was born healthy, because many are not.
Now this is scientifically proven to improve your life, and one of the studies was even on people with neuromuscular diseases.  The autoimmune disease that I have that caused my illness was a neuromuscular disease and I thought that was pretty cool. 
2. Talk about it with others. Tell other people what you're grateful for and thank them for being in your life.And trust me, they'll want to be around you more if you're focused on the good in life.  Now listen, this is not Pollyanna pretend everything is okay when it isn't. That's called toxic positivity. You need friends in your life who can help you shoulder your burdens. That's real connection. But, if you constantly vomit your story of woes on people, they're not going to want to be around you. And you need to shift your focus. Express your gratitude for friends who help you through the hard times. 
3. Write it down for yourself. Keep a gratitude journal. Write down at least three things every day that you're thankful for, and preferably do this first thing in the morning to start your day with your brain circuitry working for you rather than against you. Studies show that this helps lower depression and alleviate stress and it's associated with positive emotions, life satisfaction, and optimism. And we all need a dose of hope, don't we?  Keeping a bedtime gratitude journal is a great way to improve sleep. This is a fantastic way to start and end the day. 
4. Write it down for others.  Literally send thank you notes or even just a text message to people in your life who you care about. Writing gratitude letters has been proven to improve your health.  And not only that, it will improve the lives of those people who are in your world.  So what are you thankful for?  Here's the deal. One of the areas of the brain in this loop is the prefrontal  cortex. 
This is the area of the brain right behind your forehead where we make decisions, solve problems, and control our emotions.  Think about it.  See what I did there? If you're going to think about it, you're going to think about it in your prefrontal cortex.  
And gratitude enhances the brain's ability to see the world with a positive outlook and improve mood and emotional regulation. All of that happens right there. And gratitude helps your thinking brain dig into that treasure chest in the middle of the brain to activate all those pathways to release feel good chemicals.
The ventral tegmental area will start cranking out dopamine and activate the nucleus accumbens and that floods you with the warm fuzzies.  And then it motivates you to live that way. It becomes a habit. But here's the deal.  You have to choose it.  And, why wouldn't you choose it?     I hope by understanding the neurochemistry of gratitude, You're ready to put it into practice and improve your mental and physical well being, as well as your relationships. Remember, it's all a matter of focus.  Incorporate gratitude into your daily routine with prayer, journaling, and expressing thanks to others.
In fact, I have my own thankfulness challenge for you.  Now, I don't know if you send out Christmas cards, But, how about sending out an actual thank you card to someone just because?  This year, I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner, and I'll have a card for everyone around the table. And, if my family is tuning in, maybe they'll have some too. 
Wouldn't it be nice to give and receive thank you cards for Thanksgiving and all year round? 
And if you're up for more of a challenge, here's an idea from one of my listeners. A gratitude jar. Start on New Year's Day with some type of jar, and every time you're thankful for someone,  put a little note in the jar. And then at the end of the year, send it to them. I got one of these notes one time, and it was so meaningful. It blessed both of us.  
If you're on my email list, I'll send out a lovely card that you can download and give to those you care about. And if you aren't, it's not too late. I'll send it out every week until Thanksgiving.  You can sign up at www.healthylooksgreatonyou. com  
Download it and pass it on. Give it a try and see if it improves your mood and your health. Because healthy looks great on you.    
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How food affects mood refresher

How caffeine, sugar, and alcohol affect mood

  Mood swings. Things they can trap you in an endless rotation of anxiety, the blues and a big old energy crash. But how do you break out of the cycle and stabilize your mood? Stay tuned.
   I'm Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper. I practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 20 years until I landed on the other side of the sheets as a very sick patient. When my own body betrayed me, I took a handful of pills to manage my disease and another handful to counteract the side effects. My health was out of control.
Through surgery, medications, and lots of prayers, I regained my strength only to face another diagnosis.  My doctor challenged me to make radical changes through lifestyle medicine. Now I feel great and I want to help you make changes that make a difference. Healthy Looks Great On You podcast takes you to mini medical school so you can learn the power of lifestyle medicine.
If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition, I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health. Because healthy looks great on you. 
 This is episode 1 44. How caffeine, alcohol and sugar affect mood.   
The problem with mood swings is that they trick you into turning to things that feed them instead of helping you get out of the cycle.  Ah, I guess you could say that moodiness is hungry and greedy.  When we feel down or anxious, we "need" something to feel good or heck even feel close to normal. Think about it. 
Do you ever grab an extra dose of caffeine to feel more energized. A glass of wine to feel more relaxed. Or do you just treat yourself to a little dessert or a snack to boost your spirits.  Today in mini medical school, let's do some dissection. Except there won't be. Any nasty formaldehyde involved.
Do kids even still do that in school? I remember getting that little kit with a dull scalpel, some forceps that wouldn't grab tissue and scissors fit for kindergartener.
We had all get a white mouse stiff and stinky. I don't know about you, but that sure brings back some memories. And I'm sure of one thing you either loved it or hated it. Ah, I'll give you one guess about me. Yeah, it was fascinating to peel back the layers of skin and muscle and fascia. Okay, enough review of history. 
Let start peeling back the layers of how caffeine, sugar and alcohol affect mood.  I'm going to start with my drug of choice. Caffeine. And this one is really pretty complex because here's the deal. There are a lot of studies that show that coffee and tea have significant health benefits.  So please hear me. 
I am not telling you to avoid them. Today, we're just discussing the role that caffeine plays to influence mood.  And like many relationships. Caffeine's relationship with mood and mental health is complicated.  We all know that caffeine can boost our energy, help us focus and motivate us to tackle that to do list. And if you're like me, you can't even function until you've drained a couple of cups of coffee in the morning. And listen. That's not a problem, unless you're stuck somewhere in a coffee desert. Once I went on a mission trip and the women stayed in a bunk house on one side and the men stayed on the other. And here's the part that's really unfair. The kitchen and therefore the coffee pot, were on the men's side and it was absolutely off limits until the lights came on. Now we were two times zones away, so my early bird self was wide eyed and bushy tailed at 3:00 AM.  I managed to lay there for a couple of hours, but by five am, which was two hours past my normal waking time, I was desperate. And when I say desperate, I mean, desperate. Fortunately, I never travel without a little sleeve of instant coffee.  Yeah, I know. The problem is all I  had was a bottle of room temperature water that I had sipped out of the day before.   
 Yes I did. I emptied those glorious grounds into that plastic bottle and started shaking it.  One of the ladies literally opened one eye and said,  You have a problem, don't you.  Maybe.  But as a general rule, regularly consuming coffee or tea is not a problem. Unless you start using caffeine reactively for energy dips, deadlines, or excessive fatigue. 
  The truth is. Is 90% of all adults in the entire world consume caffeine daily.  Before we move on, let's go to the classroom and study caffeine.
The benefits come from polyphenols, catechins and flavonoids
here's how it works. It amps up the nervous system, both the central and peripheral nervous system, by blocking the adenosine receptors and that in turn causes the release of neurotransmitters that excite the nervous system. 
And individuals who regularly drink coffee and tea, actually perform better
on cognitive performance test. They can have a better reaction time. 
And they can have better processing of what they see. 
Caffeine makes you more alert, gives you mental energy, helps you concentrate.   And yeah, it helps when you're fatigued and your're sleep deprived. 
And it can eliminate headache. And that's why it's actually included in some headache medications, but that can be a vicious cycle and you can get a withdrawal headache. 
When you drink caffeine, it can also make you more nervous, more sweaty. It can interfere with your sleep. It can make you irritable.  And sometimes it can even elicit a panic attack.  Especially in people who already have some anxiety or are susceptible to the effects of caffeine. 
Now safe levels are considered to be 400 milligrams a day. Heavy coffee use is considered to be more than five cups of coffee a day.  It can increase your heart rate. And it can aggravate symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease because of its acidity.  And timing matters too.
The half-life of a cup of coffee is about five to six hours. Meaning that if you drink coffee at three o'clock in the afternoon, it will affect you at 9:00 PM.  
 And also you can develop some tolerance, so that it takes more and more to get the same effect. You know,  too much of a good thing always is a bad thing. Normally I drink two cups of coffee every morning, black, by the way, that's  a total of 280 milligrams. My husband makes it the night before. 
So it's at my fingertips as soon as I slip my feet into my house shoes and walk into the kitchen. But the other day, he forgot to make the coffee.  When I woke up the pot was dry.  Instead of making a pot of coffee, I popped in K cup so I could instantly get my fix, then I did it again because it was five 20 in the morning and he didn't have to go to work until late that day. But when he got up and brewed a pot it's smelled so inviting. I thought.  I'll just have one more cup. 
Now, normally I don't consider myself prone to anxiety, but my life has been invaded. By termites. Yes termites. Apparently they'd been chewing on my house for awhile. I'm talking through the window frame downstairs, the window frame upstairs and all the way to the studs. The front of my house  has been boarded up. 
My dining room table has been in the entryway. And there have been people inside my house, sawing hammering and vacuuming for more than a week.  Oh, on top of that, my neighbor has a big project going on and they decided to repave my street. The smell of fresh asphalt, the fact  that the garbage trucks couldn't get through to pick up my trash and the sound of beeping trucks and people working was enough to drive anyone nuts.  But you want to know what the final straw was for me?  That third cup of coffee. I sweated. 
I snapped. Even at my sweet mother.  Maybe you haven't noticed that dramatic of an effect. But maybe you just haven't made the connection. And there is no doubt that caffeine can trigger anxiety. And make existing anxiety worse.  And it affects sleep 100% of the time. You may fall asleep, but studies show that the quality of your sleep is undeniably affected by caffeine.  And speaking of sleep,
if this is something you are interested in, or if you struggle with it you're going to want to make sure you're on my email list because I have some exciting things coming soon about sleep. There is a link in the show notes to sign up to get the emails, or you can go to my website, www healthy looks great on you dot. Com.
 Lack of sleep has a profound impact on your health. In fact the risk of dementia and stroke are markedly increased if you don't get seven hours a night. 
 And here's another thing, if you're exhausted, what you need is rest, not something that masks your fatigue and pushes you to do the opposite of what your body needs. 
Occasionally it doesn't hurt to get a little extra boost from a cup of coffee or tea. And I'm addicted to caffeine without it, my head hurts, my brain shuts down. And I will hurt you.  Like many substances, there is a dependency cycle. Now I have no desire to cut back on coffee, but. I do recognize that two cups is enough. No more. No less, because if I indulge in more, you might not want to be around me.  I know that my circadian rhythm is in sync with this consumption between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM.  It's important for everyone to have a cutoff time and it should be no later than 2:00 PM, because if you think you can drink a cup of coffee and go straight to bed and sleep.  You're fooling yourself because the quality of your sleep is affected even when you don't realize it.  
And to be clear, although there are health benefits to black coffee and unsweet tea, there are no benefits to sugar sweetened, caffeinated beverages.  
 I'm talking about mountain Dew, Coke, Dr. Pepper, and. I guess if you live somewhere where it's socially acceptable, Pepsi.
And listen. The biggest. The source of added sugar in the U.S. Diet is drinking it.  I'm talking
soft drinks, energy drinks sports drinks, even things like vitamin water. They have a lot of sugar in them and it's a lot of unnecessary calories and that can cause weight gain and type two diabetes, which increases your risk for heart. Disease and stroke. 
And the connection is really very strong. 
There's a, there's an increased risk of dying early, especially. Specially from heart disease. How much more? Well, if you drink. Two or more a day it's actually over 30% higher. And it's worse if you're a woman.   Energy drinks usually contain around 200. Milligrams. So a couple of those is pushing the limits. 
If you're drinking too much caffeine or sugar sweetened beverages. You may have to wean slowly to avoid withdrawal.  Start by switching to half caff
or drinking only half of your soda. 
It's important to make mindful adjustments and try not to use caffeine to medicate fatigue. Be aware of how caffeine affects your mood and sleep. And be sure to hydrate with water.  Food helps too, especially getting some protein in your stomach because coffee on an empty stomach can be very acidic. It can also. Interact with medications affecting absorption. 
So be sure and talk to your pharmacist or doctor about that.  So, what do you do when you get that afternoon slump.  Well,  it up and move. Often people feel fatigued in the afternoon because they're sitting or maybe they're just bored. So try getting your blood pumping to give you a boost of energy. And make sure and get sunlight in the morning to ensure that your circadian rhythm is optimized.  That means having good sleep hygiene.  And remember if your body is screaming for rest, rather than overriding your body's signals with caffeine learn to work with your natural energy rhythms. 
  Before we move on to sugar's impact on mood, let's talk about alcohol.
And adult beverage can make you relax and give you relief from feeling tense. It can even make you feel happy. But then it turns on you making anxiety and depression worse. It even depletes your serotonin levels. And it has a huge impact on your circadian rhythm disrupting sleep, which only makes matters worse. It's a double-edged sword. 
You have to drink to relax then you need to drink to relax. Alcohol is a temporary escape from stress. And it tricks you into thinking it will help you unwind and sleep better. But it doesn't.  Using alcohol as a coping tool for stress, anxiety,
or social situations. Can lead to dependence.  Now in the short term, it boosts gaba, which is a calming neurotransmitter. That's why you feel relaxed and it increases dopamine, which is that reward hormone that makes you feel temporary pleasure.   It reduces activity in the part of your brain called the prefrontal cortex. That's where the worry cycle spins and spins. So it settles that down.  And then it disrupts glutamate which impairs your judgment. And then it has a rebound effect. 
GABA levels, drop anxiety increases.  And cortisol goes up. 
There's an inflammatory response in the body that affects mood. And it has a long-term impact on mental health, depleting serotonin which increases the risk of depression. And the natural stress response system is disrupted. 
Overall, it weakens your resilience to life stressors by changing the brain's reward circuitry. And creating a dependency cycle for emotional regulation.  So, what do you do? Well, it might help to keep a diary. Like see what your mood is in relation to your intake of alcohol. Awareness is key. And note the three R's. What is the reason you're drinking? 
What is the response to drinking and what is the result to drinking. And maybe track your sleep quality too.  Practical steps would be established some drink free times. 
And see if that makes a difference.  And sometimes you have to create a new ritual. Instead of responding to those triggers by fixing a drink.
 Here's the scary thing.
Excessive alcohol use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States now.
And yet it's the most common substance used among people aged 12 and over in the United States, in fact, 85% of all adults drink alcohol. And the effects are worse in women.  You have to learn radical acceptance and radical honesty  and learn to sit with uncomfortable emotions.  And don't forget those natural endorphin boosters, like exercise and laughter and music.  And learn stress management techniques like breathing and meditation and prayer.  Building your emotional regulation skills  will keep you from using alcohol.  to control your mood. Because, you know, it doesn't work. Alcohol actually borrows happiness from tomorrow. So building natural resilience, let's you.  own your joy today.  Okay, now let's talk about sugar.  Who hasn't felt blah, and reached for a sweet treat t to reward yourself.  Honestly, this gets ingrained in kids at an early age. I mean. What did you hand out to the trick-or-treaters at your door? And worse than once a year, we send our kids to church on Sunday and they feed them donuts, goldfish and apple juice. 
And then we wonder why they have a meltdown in the car on the way home. It's a great way to ruin a Sunday, whether you're a kid or a grown-up.  Sugar puts you on an emotional rollercoaster. You get the thrill of a quick release of dopamine. And followed by a drop in blood sugar, which causes a sugar crash: irritability, fatigue and mood swings. And it's not just external. 
There is a lot of research on sugar and inflammation and what it does to the brain, not just for short term mental health, but for long-term cognitive function.  Here's what happens. There's a rapid spike in blood sugar and you get an immediate lift in your mood and energy. Then there's an insulin surge, which causes blood sugar to crash.  That triggers the dopamine reward system in the same way that any addictive substance does. It causes that inflammation and affects brain chemistry. 
It can cause a craving cycle.  And then you can get into an emotional eating pattern that gets reinforced by all of this.  The long-term effect can be an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Not to mention disrupting the gut microbiome because of all the effects of neurotransmitter production. 
And when you eat food, that's not good for you, it takes the place of food that is good for you. So you can get nutrient depletion and that certainly affects mental health. 
So what's a person to do. Number one -understand your triggers. 
Know what triggers you to reach for caffeine or alcohol or sugar to treat your mood.  And really be aware of emotional eating patterns. Or drinking patterns. There are certain times of the day when we're more vulnerable to these things than others. So rather than reaching for a drink or going to the pantry to treat your mood,  develop other habits that are better, like exercise, social connectedness and even just laughter.
In the end, you'll be happier and you'll probably live longer. 
 Recognize the connection that alcohol, and sugar and caffeine have on your mood and look for hidden sugar sources because this one can really sneak up on you. 
Make sure you're getting a diet that's rich in fruits and vegetables and whole grains, so that you have a healthy gut microbiome. There are some other episodes you may want to listen to, to get a more detailed review of this. 
Make sure that you have tools to regulate your emotions and to manage your stress. You might need to make gradual adjustments to find alternatives and establish new routines and sustainable habits. But in the end, your energy levels will be stable, you will be genuinely relaxed and you'll have emotional balance. 
It's better to regulate your mood.  naturally, so you feel healthy.  And healthy looks great on you. 
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