2 Minute Monday

Hi Reader, today marks the start of what I am calling - 2 Minute Monday. This is going to be a Monday morning staple and the goal is to give you a quick tidbit or two about your brain health, what you can do, new studies, anything I think is worthwhile really. And everyone can take two minutes out of their day to learn something (its good for your brain too 😉)

Hope you enjoy!

Last week I went home to visit my mom in memory care. I don't really know what I expected or if I even expected anything for that matter. She has been declining in some abilities, some have oddly gotten better, but the confusion still gets worse and worse. My dad has said that when people visit my mom only really lasts about an hour before it is apparent she doesn't really care if you stay or not which is odd because it is the opposite from when I was there last.

The visit was... unremarkable. Not that it needed to be but it was an hour and a half of me trying to do things with her just for her to wander off or not know what I was saying. She wasn't upset that much as we walked around, but she was just... mmm not there all the way?

But, as hard as it is, I am trying to only remember one thing from the visit - her face and how it lit up with the biggest smile when she saw me walk in. It does matter that I went. I know that, but only in those small moments. So it is important to remember and hold my perception steady on that moment.

Something that I have been geeking out on recently that needs to be paid attention to - ketones.

You've likely heard of the keto diet especially when talking weight loss. Likely you've seen me talking about the KetoFLEX diet from the ReCODE program.

The keto diet isn't just about fat consumption and no carbs (i mean it is but people usually miss the point) it is about producing ketones. If you aren't producing ketones, the keto diet itself is pointless.

And ketones are starting to show up more and more as powerhouses for your brain, and more mitochondrial function and metabolic health. A recent small study of 55 people tested to see which diet, metabolically, had the greatest results. They took one group and put them on a low fat vegan diet, another on a normal carb Mediterranean diet, and a third on a keto diet. The weight loss was all the same because its about calories in vs calories out. But what they tested was after 10% bodyfat loss was their metabolic health markers.

What they found was that the keto diet had greater cardiometabolic benefits, decreased greater fatty liver disease and improved liver metabolism greater than the other approaches.

This does NOT mean to go out and start eating red meat and butter. That is not what a keto diet is, and most people who attempt a keto diet fail without guidance because they do not know if they are producing ketones! The people on the study had a dietician directing them and they were eating fruits and vegetables, cheese, eggs, meat and fish.

​You can read more here.​

Thanks for reading another edition of 2 Minute Monday. If you learned something - let me know!

If you are taking care of your brain health - good for you!

And if you need help, you know where to find me!

Much love and have a good week,

Tyler

Try my favorite brain health supplement for 20% off: Conserve​
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PS
My goal is to bring awareness and agency to you, to the world, about what is possible when preventing dementia and protecting your brain. I hope that shines through in all my content!