The Brain Food Podcast

In this new episode, we're diving deep with the extraordinary Dr. Natalie Keirns, a postdoctoral research fellow studying cardiovascular behavioral medicine. Dr. Keirns earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Oklahoma State University in 2023 and her research is nothing short of groundbreaking. Get ready to be dazzled as we uncover the intricate links between psychosocial stress and cardiometabolic disease, and explore Dr. Keirns' revolutionary psycho-behavioral approaches to disease prevention. What's truly captivating is Dr. Keirns' investigation into how weight stigma stress impacts our physical health. We'll delve into concepts like internal weight stigma and the surprising effects on blood cortisol levels, while learning how to safeguard our mental well-being. So buckle up, listeners! Today's episode isn't just about knowledge—it's about empowerment and reclaiming control over our health journey. Join us for an inspiring and informative conversation with the remarkable Dr. Natalie Keirns!

It’s been a while…. But I am back with an amazing guest who I am so lucky to call one of my friends: Ellen Amico. After graduating with a major in psychobiology and a minor in food studies from UCLA, Ellen is now attending USC to pursue her master's of science in nutrition, healthspan, and longevity at USC. After both struggling with one herself and working at an eating disorder treatment center in Beverly Hills, Ellen has incredible advice to share on how to find a healthy balance of healthy habits and nutrition in our everyday lives. Get ready to hear an incredible episode talking about personal journeys and mindset switches to breaking down seemingly complex healthy habits into simple steps to make them long-lasting!

Join me in my first episode of 2023 in my conversation with Dr. Janet Tomiyama, a psychology professor at UCLA who also is the head of the Dieting, Stress, and Health lab at UCLA. Her research interest focuses on the harmful health consequences of stress, dieting, and fat shaming, and has even been covered in the media. Today we are going to be discussing one of her studies that were mentioned in the Washington Post which covered how we can actually re-train our brains to crave healthier alternatives when we are stressed. We cover how our bodies change during times of stress, how it affects our brains, and what we can do to combat it with an adaptive coping mechanism.

In this episode, I am so excited to be speaking with someone who shares the same college atmosphere as I'm sure many of you listeners do! I am speaking with Leah Roga, another student at UCLA who shares a student's perspective on her own fitness and health journey. We talk all things gym, nutrition, reverse dieting, and how to balance it all!

Welcome back to another episode after a while, and I promise we are hitting the ground running!! Today, I am speaking with Dr. Lauren Hofschneider, who is actually my health psychology professor at UCLA. She takes a psychophysiological perspective in her research to investigate how factors, such as stress, subjective social status, and perceptions of scarcity, shape food choice overall. In this episode, we cover the psychological basis of eating behaviors, as Dr. Hofschneider connects what she has uncovered about food scarcity to dieting behaviors. Get ready for an incredible episode!

In today’s episode, we cover everything you need to know about probiotics, and there is no one better to speak on the subject than Dr. Tien Dong. Dr. Dong is a gastroenterologist at UCLA who is also the PI of his own lab. His research is focused on evaluating the impact of the brain-gut microbiome axis on obesity and fatty liver disease. Dr. Dong is actually currently embarking on an exciting project of his own where he is working on creating his own probiotic blend! Get ready for an exciting episode to have all your questions about probiotics answered.

In today’s episode, we cover a topic we have yet to regarding its effects on health, and it is an understatement to say it is a huge passion of mine. Join in as I speak with Michelle Guan, a medical student at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA regarding the research she did on the effect physical activity has on the microbiome. To say Michelle is extraordinary is not enough to describe her- she graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a degree in psychobiology and a minor in biomedical research. After graduating, she worked for a year as a clinical research associate at Cedars Sinai in the field of gastrointestinal cancers, which sparked her interest in GI. Throughout medical school, Michelle has worked on research projects understanding how lifestyle factors alter the brain-gut microbiome axis to contribute to increased susceptibility to obesity and also changes in mental health. She has presented her work at multiple national conferences and is planning on pursuing a career in gastroenterology, all before her fourth year in medical school! Join in for this incredible episode combining two passions of mine with an incredibly educated and talented guest!!

In this special episode of the Brain Food Podcast, I am so excited to be partnering up and working with Sahaas for Cause, a non-profit organization that focuses on creating impactful programs to stabilize the lives of the South Asian community.. Our main goal with this project is to engage south Asian community members in tobacco control efforts with an emphasis on advancing policy or systems change and increasing awareness about tobacco or tobacco-related products after a CEA study was done showing how many youth younger than age 14 would start smoking e-cigarettes without the knowledge of its harmful side effects. Today I am speaking with Dr. Hemant Kulkarni a Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Sheffield Children's Hospital in the UK. His clinical interests include general respiratory, ciliary brush biopsies, sleep-disordered breathing, and long-term ventilation, making him an incredible speaker on the subject of the effects of tobacco. More information regarding Sahaas for Cause!: https://www.saahasforcause.org/

In this new episode of the Brain Food Podcast, we cover all things INFLAMMATORY. “Inflammatory” and “anti-inflammatory” are among the most common buzz words in the health world today. Join me as I speak with Staci Shacter, MS, a registered dietitian, and licensed nutritionist who specializes in providing tips for various conditions linked to inflammation with her delicious recipes and lifestyle changes. If you have been looking for the tools to be successful in transitioning to a healthy lifestyle, listen in! We cover the foods which promote physical and mental wellbeing, how food can directly affect your mood, and how to curb cravings. Staci even has a book, The Meat & Potatoes of a Healthy Meal Plan…no bun intended, which you can find anywhere books are sold, as well as a blog where she posts all her recipes and tips!! Both are linked below. Staci’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Meat-Potatoes-healthy-meal-intended/dp/1540486672 Staci’s Blog: https://www.stacisplate.com/ The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson: https://markmanson.net/books/subtle-art#:~:text=The%20Subtle%20Art%20of%20Not%20Giving%20a%20F*ck%20is,opposite%20of%20every%20other%20book.

Welcome back to my incredibly informative episode with Dr. Gupta. Listen in to part two of this episode for more information on how to combat food addiction and what eating certain foods does to your gut! If you haven’t already, go listen to part one! The Naked Brain: https://ournakedbrain.com/ Eat Smarter by Shawn Stevenson: https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Smarter-Metabolism-Upgrade-Transform/dp/B08RSK9GJL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GEONYDAVZLB5&keywords=eat+smarter&qid=1654275241&s=books&sprefix=eat+smarte%2Cstripbooks%2C134&sr=1-1

In this first episode of a two-part series, we cover a topic very personally connected to me as my guest, Dr. Gupta, shares a passion quite similar to mine in her endeavors to find how food can be used as medicine while investigating the scientific mechanisms of the brain-gut connection. Dr. Arpana (Annie) Gupta, has completed a Ph.D. degree in psychology, followed by an APA accredited clinical internship. Her line of research focuses on the interactions between environmental and biological factors in shaping phenotypes associated with obesity, combing the two systems of the brain and the gut in order to better understand the mechanisms of altered ingestive behaviors. Get ready to hear all about how what you eat can affect levels of food addiction, from your dopamine receptors to your microbiome diversity, and find out how you can use food to help restore the brain-gut microbiome axis to help counteract obesity and food addiction. The Naked Brain: https://ournakedbrain.com/

Join me in episode 8 of the Brain Food Podcast as I speak with Lauren Cunningham, a recipe developer, and integrative health coach who was inspired to help others learn the importance of nutrition in overall health through her rollercoaster journey with Crohn’s Disease. We cover foods that trigger inflammation, how processed foods in the Western diet can lead to IBS symptoms, and how it is in fact possible to live a healthier lifestyle in the midst of busy, young adult life. You can find Lauren on Instagram at @laur_cunningham and some of her incredible recipes and contact information on her website laurencunningham.co !!

Welcome back to part 2 of my incredible conversation with Dr. French! In this episode, we continue our discussion of holistic health. Dr. French emphasizes the importance of nutritional content over calorie counting and how important keeping a plan for yourself is. She also shares many of the healthy habits she includes in her daily life and shares her advice on how to look at health to create a sustainable, balanced lifestyle rather than a short-term intervention. The book recommendation this week: The Microbiome Solution by Dr. Robyne Chutkan. Learn more about Dr. Anu French at her website! https://www.anufrench.com/

Have you ever thought to yourself that you want to become healthier, sleep better, or be more productive while balancing a fun, social life? In the first of a two-part episode, I speak with Dr. Anu French, a holistic pediatrician, about all aspects of health she has advised her patients: nutrition, sleep, balance, how to manage stress, and mindfulness. We discuss the importance of sleep, being present in the moment as a means to reduce stress, and how to create habits that balance the fun and healthy parts of life.

Back again with another incredible episode after a bit of a break! In this shorter episode, we cover a subject I have not yet explored on this podcast. I am speaking with Payal Sawney, a mental health clinician with a master's in social work and psychiatry. She has worked in both India and the United States, giving her a unique perspective of mental health through a cross-cultural lens. We speak about the disparities in health administration and mental health awareness that exists globally, as well as how our lifestyle factors influence our mental health.

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Annette Stollsteimer, a licensed Doctor of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine. She specializes in helping patients regain physical and emotional health by alleviating symptoms associated with allergies and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Annette addresses the physical, chemical, and emotional levels of the body, uniquely showing how our mindset and lifestyle can directly affect us physically. We discuss her experience helping patients overcome allergies and sensitivities, including those of individuals with IBS. Get ready for an incredible episode!!

In this episode, I speak with Nancee Jaffee, Master of Science in nutrition and lead registered dietitian at the UCLA division of digestive diseases. Her love and passion for nutrition stem from her own experience living with Celiac Disease. In this episode we talk about the gluten-free diet, whether or not it truly is healthier, common health misconceptions, and how to live a balanced, healthy life without sacrificing the joyous aspects.

Ever wondered why people say you are what you eat? Join me as I speak with Kim Holbert, board certified nurse practitioner, avid weightlifter, and wellness coach. She tells us her story growing up with an eating disorder, her passion for weightlifting, and her leap of faith she took in her career. We discuss how what we eat directly controls our mental health as well as both physical and emotional strength, and even how the over- prescription of certain drugs could be the cause of chronic diseases as the leading forms of death in the United States. Kim has such a passion for motivating others, and it definitely shines in this episode. You do not want to miss it!! Kim's instagram: @sophrosynehealth_coaching Kim's Blog: https://www.sophrosynehealthcoaching.com/

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Jonathan Jacobs, an extremely knowledgable gastroenterologist who specializes in the microbiome gut-brain axis and its association with gastrointestinal disorders. We discuss all things microbiome and gut health, from how our microbiome can affect our cravings to how dysbiosis can increase the risk for diseases such as obesity and inflammatory bowel disease. Want to know what antibiotics actually do to our microbiome and wether or not probiotics are truly effective? Tune in to find out.

Welcome to Brain Food! My name is Isha Das and in this short episode I tell you a bit about me and why I started this podcast.