Advertise on podcast: The Brain Health Kitchen Podcast

In this episode of the Brain Health Kitchen podcast, Dr. Annie Fenn is joined by Dr. Lauren Streicher, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a leading expert in menopause medicine. Together, they explore what happens to the brain during perimenopause and menopause, including brain fog, hot flashes, sleep disruption, and the role of hormone therapy. They discuss why brain fog during perimenopause is usually not a sign of dementia, what the research does and does not show about estrogen and Alzheimer’s prevention, why hot flashes deserve real medical attention, and how to think about testosterone with more caution and less hype. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Lauren Streicher 07:21 Menopause and the brain 12:22 Brain fog, sleep, and hot flashes 19:45 Hormone therapy and timing 25:55 Starting hormone therapy after 60 34:45 Testosterone, libido, and side effects 45:03 Can hormone therapy prevent Alzheimer’s? Links Mentioned Brain Health Kitchen on Substack https://brainhealthkitchen.substack.com Dr. Lauren Streicher’s Substack, Menopause Insider https://drstreicher.substack.com Dr. Lauren Streicher’s website https://drstreicher.com Come Again: Sexuality and Orgasm https://drstreicher.com/comeagain The Menopause Society https://menopause.org SWAN Study (Study of Women Across the Nation):  https://www.swanstudy.org NeuroReserve https://neuroreserve.com Better Brain https://betterbrain.com/annie Dr. Lauren Streicher on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drstreich

What does your gut have to do with mood, anxiety, and long-term brain health? In this episode, Dr. Annie Fenn talks with Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a neurogastroenterologist and gut-brain researcher, about what the gut-brain connection really is, what science supports, and what your symptoms may be trying to tell you. They cover why stress can trigger gut symptoms so quickly, how the gut’s own nervous system affects the brain, why travel constipation is so common, how the microbiome influences inflammation, and what emerging research suggests about Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and colorectal cancer risk. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the gut-brain connection 02:07 Trisha’s background in neurogastroenterology 05:34 What counts as “normal” bowel habits 08:56 Periods, hormones, and gut symptoms 13:44 Travel constipation and gut circadian rhythm 20:01 How stress affects the gut 26:09 The gut as a second brain 37:00 Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and the gut 44:20 The microbiome, fermented foods, and inflammation 55:57 Colorectal cancer risk in younger adults Links Host: Brain Health Kitchen / Annie Fenn https://brainhealthkitchen.substack.com/ Guest: Dr. Trisha Pasricha https://research.bidmc.org/gut-brain/people/team-member-1 BIDMC Institute of Gut-Brain Research https://research.bidmc.org/gut-brain/ Book: You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776380/youve-been-pooping-all-wrong-by-trisha-pasricha-md-mph/ (PenguinRandomhouse.com)

Everyone wants a supplement for brain health—but most don’t do what they promise. In this free preview of our first Ask Annie episode, Dr. Annie Fenn breaks down which supplements are actually backed by science, which ones are overhyped, and how to build a smarter, more personalized routine. The goal is not to take more. It’s to take the right things, in the right dose, for the right reason. If you'd like to listen to the full episode, come join our community as a paid subscriber at brainhealthkitchen.substack.com. Chapters00:00 The problem with brain supplement hype 02:15 Food first—and why supplements come second 04:30 How to build a smarter supplement routine 06:00 The key labs to check before you start 09:30 Vitamin D: simple, but easy to get wrong 12:00 Omega-3s: the most important (and most messed up) supplement 14:00 B vitamins: the hidden deficiency that affects your brain 19:00 Magnesium: what actually works for sleep and the brain 30:30 Creatine: why everyone is suddenly talking about it 38:00 Flavonoids: the brain nutrients you should eat, not pill 41:30 What’s promising (but not proven yet) 49:30 Multivitamins: insurance policy or unnecessary? 51:50 NAD, peptides, and the longevity hype machine 56:00 When to take supplements (and what to take with food) 59:30 What Annie actually takes—and keeps simple Links & ResourcesBrain Health Kitchen Substack https://brainhealthkitchen.substack.com Annie’s 2026 Brain Supplement Guide: need to link these Annie’s Food Pyramid SponsorsNeuroReserve Maker of Relevate and Revanta, brain-focused formulations designed to support cognitive health. neuroreserve.com Better Brain A personalized brain health program with advanced lab testing, coaching, and tailored recommendations. betterbrain.com

In this episode of Brain Health Kitchen, Dr. Annie Fenn talks with neuroscientist Dr. Tommy Wood about what it really takes to build a healthier brain across the lifespan. They discuss Tommy’s new book, The Stimulated Mind, the concept of cognitive “headroom,” why exercise may be the most powerful tool we have for brain health, how muscle mass and metabolic health shape cognitive aging, and why small, consistent habits matter more than extreme wellness trends. They also get into nutrition, protein, memory, overstimulation, and Tommy’s rapid-fire rankings of popular brain health trends. Dr. Tommy Wood is an associate professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Washington, co-creator of Better Brain Fitness on Substack, and author of The Stimulated Mind. Host: Dr. Annie Fenn Co-host: Jenny Shilling Guest: Dr. Tommy Wood Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Tommy Wood 04:06 Why dementia prevention became the focus of his work 06:47 The idea of cognitive “headroom” 11:35 Alzheimer’s, amyloid, and the bigger picture 15:17 Exercise, muscle, and the brain 19:33 Protein, muscle mass, and aging well 25:03 Exercise snacks and breaking up sedentary time 41:47 Tommy’s 3S model: stimulus, supply, support 48:32 Memory, attention, and overstimulation 54:44 Tommy rates popular brain health wellness trends Links Mentioned Dr. Tommy Wood https://www.drtommywood.com/ The Stimulated Mind https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/751292/the-stimulated-mind-by-dr-tommy-wood/ Better Brain Fitness Substack https://hdrmdocs.substack.com/ Brain Health Kitchen Substack https://brainhealthkitchen.substack.com/ Better Brain https://www.betterbrain.com/ NeuroReserve https://neuroreserve.com/ Sponsor Links Better Brain with Annie’s link https://www.betterbrain.com/annie NeuroReserve https://neuroreserve.com/ Code: BHKPodcast

In this episode of the Brain Health Kitchen Podcast, Dr. Annie Fenn sits down with neurologist and public health advocate Dr. Ray Dorsey to explore the growing global burden of Parkinson’s disease—and what we can do to prevent it. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Dorsey explains how Parkinson’s is increasingly understood as a largely preventable disease driven by environmental exposures, including pesticides, industrial chemicals, air pollution, and contaminated water. The conversation explores how the disease may begin outside the brain and what individuals, communities, and policymakers can do to reduce risk. Dr. Dorsey also shares practical steps from his new book The Parkinson’s Plan, offering actionable strategies to protect brain health across the lifespan. Why Parkinson’s disease is rising dramatically worldwideThe environmental and man-made causes of Parkinson’sEarly warning signs and the gut–brain connectionHow pesticides, air pollution, food, and water exposures increase riskThe Parkinson’s 25: practical lifestyle steps to reduce riskThe role of exercise in prevention and slowing disease progressionWhy early childhood exposures matter for lifelong brain healthPolicy and public health solutions to reduce toxic exposuresResources & LinksBooks The Parkinson’s Plan: A New Path to Prevention and Treatment https://pdplan.org/ (The Parkinson's Plan)Brain Health Kitchen Brain Health Kitchen website https://brainhealthkitchen.comBrain Health Kitchen Substack https://brainhealthkitchen.substack.comSponsors Neuroreserve https://neuroreserve.com/ BetterBrain https://www.betterbrain.com/ Connect with Dr. Ray DorseyInstagram LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-dorsey-md-mba/ Twitter / X https://twitter.com/RayDorseyMD Connect with Dr. Annie FennWebsite https://brainhealthkitchen.substack.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniefennmd/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brainhealthkitchen/

Top 10 Neuroprotective Foods for Brain HealthDiscover the science-backed top foods that can support and protect your brain over decades. Join Dr. Annie Fenn and producer Jenny Shilling as they explore dietary strategies to enhance cognitive longevity and prevent neurodegenerative diseases. In this episode:What does "neuroprotective" really mean?Berries support cognitive function through anthocyaninsThe role of inflammationThe significance of leafy greensDiversity of vegetables and plant foods for microbiome healthHow fish and seafood provide crucial omega-3 fatty acidsThe benefits of healthy fats, particularly extra virgin olive oilBeans, legumes, nuts, and seedsImpact of coffee, teaPractical tips to start or improve your brain-healthy eating habits Resources & Links:Book: The Brain Health Kitchen: Preventing Alzheimer’s Through Food by Annie Fenn, MD; Artisan Books 2023. Brain Health Kitchen Website and NewsletterBrain Health Kitchen PyramidConsumption of Olive Oil and Risk of Total and Cause-Specific Mortality Among U.S. AdultsOmega-3 Fatty AcidsEating Fish May Protect the Brain From Air PollutionHow to Grow MicrogreensBrain Health Kitchen Extra Virgin Olive OilThe American Gut ProjectIs Your Coffee Habit Good For Your Brain?Coffee Brewing Dos and Don’tsGut Microbiota & DiversityConnect with Dr. Annie Fenn:WebsiteInstagramLinkedIn

Annie Fenn introduces her new podcast, The Brain Health Kitchen, which focuses on brain-healthy diet and practical tools for brain health. Takeaways Brain-healthy dietPractical tools for brain health Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Brain Health Kitchen Podcast