The Standard American Diet has dramatically changed over the past 70 years. We’ve moved from a whole foods diet to one loaded with ultra-processed food containing the deadly triad of excess sugar, high glycemic carbohydrates, and omega-6 fatty acidsOmega-6 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids – they cannot be made within the body so must be obtained from the diet. Most omega-6…. Consuming ultra-processed food leads to massive glucose spikes, which can deplete key neurotransmitters like serotoninSerotonin is a hormone found naturally in the brain and digestive tract. It is often referred to as the ‘happy hormone’ as it influences mood…. and dopamineDopamine is a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) found within the brain. It has a variety of influences on brain function including playing a role in regulating…. After every glucose spike, you also get an enormous drop in glucose below normal. Your brain evolved to read low glucose as an emerging famine pushing you to consume more food and putting your body into a fatThere are many different types of fats; polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, hydrogenated, saturated and trans fat. The body requires good fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated) in order to… storage mode where it will store extra fat at any level of caloric intake.
Due to this process:
- You can develop up to 22 brain dysfunction symptoms that overlap with traditional psychiatric disorders, creating massive diagnostic and therapeutic confusion.
- Your body can store excess fat at virtually any caloric intake, leading to significant obesity.
Let’s examine how Donald Trump might fit this pattern. I have not examined Trump, so my view is pure speculation. Based on my observations, I believe he has some degree of these CARB syndrome symptoms:
- Craving sweet and starchy food. Trump admits that he loves eating fast food. He also slathers his steak with ketchup, a condiment loaded with sugar.
- Abnormal hunger drives. Trump loves to snack and eats fast food and sweets throughout the day.
- Difficulty concentrating and focusing. Trump is notorious for shifting his thoughts quickly from one topic to another.
- Poor impulse control. When something pops into his mind, he runs with it. He often acts or speaks without thinking about the consequences of his actions.
- Excessive mood swings. Trump’s moods seem to be all over the place. He’s up one minute and down the next. His moods are like a roller coaster.
- Lack of empathy. Trump sometimes seems oblivious to the mental status of those around him.
- Internal restlessness and racing thoughts. Trump’s brain does seem to jump quickly from one idea to the next without much connection between the thoughts. He also appears to be restless and jumpy much of the time.
- Poor listening skills. Trump often seems to be focused on his thoughts to the point where he doesn’t hear or comprehend what others are trying to communicate.
- Insomnia. Trump apparently sleeps only 4-5 hours per night.
The good news is that Donald Trump and anyone else with signs of CARB syndrome can turn the ship around by following my guidelines:
- Eat a whole-food, Mediterranean-style diet and avoid consuming ultra-processed food.
- Reduce total food intake with intermittent fasting.
- Exercise regularly, including aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes and two days of strength training per week.
- Take a neurotransmitterA neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that carries signals between body cells. They are various types of neurotransmitters which play a major role in everyday… precursor supplement containing 5-HTP, L-Tyrosine and/or DL-phenylalanine and B vitamins, take enough high-quality omega-3 supplement to get your AA/EPA ratio between 1 and 3 to suppress excessive inflammation.
- Get at least 8-9 hours of sleep every night.
- Focus on maintaining strong social ties.
- Learn to practice mindfulness.
- Take niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) daily.
You may recognize these principles overlap with Dan Buettner’s Blue Zones principles as well as those of Patrick Holford and Food for the Brain. Sound health principles do tend to stand up to the test of time. It’s my hope that President Trump finds his way back to better brain function. I also wish you well on your journey to attaining optimal brain function!
William
William Wilson is a Board-Certified Family Physician with decades of clinical experience in multiple settings. He is devoted to preventing and reversing many common diseases plaguing modern societies, especially regarding the connection between diet and brain function. Several well-known scholars, including Paediatric Endocrinologist Robert Lustig and fructoseFructose is a simple sugar that occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables and their juices, as well as in honey…. expert Richard Johnson, have supported his views. Listen to his podcast, interviewed by Patrick Holford ‘How I Reversed Pre-dementia’.
Further Information
For relevant supplements Chill Food, Mood Food, Omega 3, No Blush Niacin (Vitamin B3) as well as Patrick Holford books on intermittent fasting, stress, sleep and more, go to HOLFORD Nutrition.
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