Debra Shapiro

When insulin resistance takes hold—whether due to diet, lifestyle, or metabolic dysfunction—it can accelerate brain aging, impair memory, and even contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. So, what can we do to protect our brains? This mindbodygreen.com article explores the insulin-Alzheimer’s connection and the metabolic strategies that could help safeguard brain health: https://lnkd.in/ekXVKijC Grateful to Abby Moore for the thoughtful interview! #Alzheimers #InsulinResistance

189

7 Comments

HHS is now "reforming medical education" to teach nutrition, at the same time cutting our nutritional support systems. We've long tried to have programs, like food as medicine, paid for. So let's say I "prescribe" a diet to a patient (which we do), what happens if they can't afford it? Is the barrier my knowledge? Or is it the systems? Perhaps we could start with supporting what we know works. Leverage food as medicine programs. Make healthy eating cheaper. Address food deserts. Moreover, when I round in the NICU ... yes, I know a lot of about neonatal nutrition ... but not as much as the dietician that I round with. How about we make experts in nutrition, like dieticians, more accessible? https://lnkd.in/euk24QDa

480

72 Comments

Psychedelics are here to stay. The real question isn’t if these substances will become part of mainstream culture, but how. As the case report in BMC Psychiatry makes clear, there can be serious and long-lasting consequences when training is offered by unqualified individuals outside of properly structured programs. Psychedelics are potent tools for transformation—physically, psychologically, and even spiritually. However, they require respectful handling and a deep foundation of knowledge. Indigenous cultures around the globe have been using these substances for centuries in ritualized contexts, with carefully passed-down guidance and communal safeguards. We have much to learn from these traditions if we want to integrate psychedelics into modern therapy and society responsibly. To ensure safety and maximize benefits: 1. Proper Training: Professionals who wish to offer psychedelic-assisted therapy need legitimate, evidence-based instruction that blends modern clinical research with longstanding indigenous wisdom. 2. Clear Ethical Guidelines: Those administering or facilitating experiences must understand the risks and potential benefits, with robust training in set, setting, contraindications, and harm reduction strategies. 3. Respect for Indigenous Knowledge: Indigenous communities have rich, nuanced frameworks for using these substances. Collaboration and humility toward their expertise can help us shape respectful, effective programs. 4. Regulatory Oversight: Through approved research protocols, licensing, and ongoing supervision, regulatory bodies can reduce harm and ensure that only qualified practitioners offer psychedelic-assisted therapy. Ultimately, psychedelics have vast potential for healing, personal growth, and understanding consciousness. Yet, like any potent intervention, they demand skill, prudence, and respect. By creating thorough, evidence-based training pathways—and honoring the legacies of cultures that have pioneered the safe use of psychedelics—we can collectively move forward in a way that upholds safety, dignity, and the promise of these powerful tools. Responsible stewardship, rigorous training, and genuine collaboration between modern science and indigenous wisdom will help ensure that psychedelics become a valuable—rather than harmful—part of our cultural and clinical landscape. Full article: https://lnkd.in/dkqYzqW6

209

40 Comments

You've heard that menopause is simply the natural decline in hormones that comes with age. But what if there's more to the story? What it menopause is also a metabolic event, driven by inflammation, stress, and a decline in mitochondrial energy production? A recent review makes the case that in ovarian tissue, mitochondrial dysfunction can trigger inflammation, which then accelerates ovarian aging and hormone decline. In other words, menopause may not simply be an inevitable hormonal shutdown, but a downstream effect of energy failure and chronic inflammation. What your doctor doesn't discuss • That menopause isn't purely an endocrine event—it may be a metabolic & inflammatory cascade in ovarian tissue. • That your mitochondria in your ovaries matter, and their failure might trigger the cascade that ends reproductive function. • That hormone decline can be a symptom of a deeper energy/inflammation imbalance, not the root cause of symptoms. • That there may be a window to intervene before the last follicle is lost if you support mitochondrial resilience and modulate inflammation. • The only available interventions aren't just "hormones vs nothing," there might be metabolic + mitochondrial tools as adjuncts. Mitochondria → Inflammation → Ovarian Decline • Mitochondrial dysfunction in ovarian cells leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS), leakage of mitochondrial content (mtDNA, etc.), and release of mtDAMPs, which are danger signals. • Those signals activate innate immune pathways (e.g. NLRP3 inflammasome, cGAS/STING, NF-KD, producing chronic, low-grade inflammation in ovarian tissue. • That inflammatory environment impairs follicle survival, hormone synthesis, and ovarian function, accelerating depletion of ovarian reserve and hastening menopause. • A vicious feedback loop forms: hormone decline (especially the pro-metabolic hormones) further weakens mitochondrial function and worsens inflammation-leading to deeper dysfunction. • The authors suggest that if we could interrupt this loop by boosting mitochondrial health and reducing inflammation-then the menopause trajectory might be modulated. They also list potential therapeutic targets: NAD+ boosters (e.g. nicotinamide riboside), mitochondrial biogenesis activators, mitophagy enhancers, inflammasome inhibitors, antioxidants, and modulators of cellular metabolism. Other options that may help improve mitochondrial respiration: • Aspirin • DHEA • Progesterone • Pregnenolone • Thyroid I believe true menopause care must include: • Things that promote mitochondrial respiration (nutrition, thyroid, progesterone) • PUFA/inflammation control (reducing oxidative and prostaglandin stress) • Mitochondrial repair strategies (NAD+ boosters, mitophagy enhancers, antioxidants, etc.) • Pro-metabolic hormone support timed properly: to impove your energy production.

29

8 Comments

🔴 Cannabis & Pain Management: A Tipping Point? For decades, we’ve relied on opioids for pain relief—despite the addiction crisis and diminishing effectiveness over time. ✅ New Yale research just identified a game-changer: cannabinoids CBD, CBG & CBN inhibit Nav1.8, a key pain-signaling protein. ✅ CBG, in particular, shows strong potential as a non-addictive alternative to opioids. ✅ Published in PNAS, this study is pushing cannabis into the medical mainstream. 💡 Question: Is the healthcare industry finally ready to embrace cannabinoids? Article: https://bit.ly/4hmILEu My Blog: https://bit.ly/40LeZm1 Study: https://bit.ly/3EmOpYM #PainRelief #CannabisScience #OpioidCrisis

42

4 Comments

Even as a busy NP, staying current and well-informed doesn’t have to cost a cent. Here are 3 free resources every NP should know about: 1️⃣ Waco Guide – A trusted, evidence-based summaries platform for psychopharmacology in primary care and psychiatric settings. Offers concise medication guidelines, dosing guidelines, and clinical pearls to guide safe and effective prescribing. 2️⃣ Clinical Care Options-A hub for free continuing education, case-based learning, and expert-led updates on psychiatric treatment advances—helping you stay current while earning CEs. 3️⃣ Open Evidence – A user-friendly platform for quickly finding and reviewing up-to-date clinical research, systematic reviews, and evidence summaries to support informed decision-making. Which of these have you tried, and which one are you adding to your toolbox today? #psychnpnewgrad #psychnpcareer #npinterviews #psychnpsalary #psychnpmentor

37

7 Comments

🦠 Dysbiosis: The Hidden Epidemic We’re Not Talking About We often hear about gut health, but do we really understand what happens when things go wrong? Dysbiosis—an imbalance in gut microbiota—doesn’t just cause bloating or digestive discomfort. It’s now linked to metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, mental health conditions, and even infertility. 🔬 Did you know? • 90% of serotonin (the “happiness” neurotransmitter) is produced in the gut—dysbiosis can contribute to anxiety and depression. • A disrupted gut microbiome can trigger chronic inflammation, increasing the risk of conditions like PCOS, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. • Skin issues like acne, eczema, and psoriasis? They often have roots in gut imbalances. • Unexplained fatigue or brain fog? Dysbiosis can impair nutrient absorption, leaving you feeling drained despite eating “healthy.” The good news? Dysbiosis isn’t permanent. Through targeted nutrition, probiotics, prebiotics, and naturopathic interventions, we can rebuild a healthier microbiome and restore balance. 🩺 A few months ago, I worked with a patient, let’s call her ms-x Ms-X was 32, a marketing executive, and had been dealing with relentless bloating, stubborn acne, and unpredictable mood swings for years. She had tried everything—elimination diets, gut cleanses, expensive supplements—but nothing worked long-term. Doctors told her it was just “stress” or “hormonal,” and she was handed yet another prescription. When I dug deeper, I found clear signs of gut dysbiosis: ❌ She was constantly bloated, no matter what she ate. ❌ She had frequent brain fog and an afternoon energy crash. ❌ She struggled with anxiety that seemed to come out of nowhere. ❌ Her skin flared up every time she ate certain foods. So I built a personalized gut-healing plan: ✅ A microbiome-balancing protocol with targeted probiotics & prebiotics. ✅ Anti-inflammatory nutrition to heal the gut lining. ✅ A specific reintroduction strategy for trigger foods. ✅ Stress modulation techniques (because the gut-brain connection is REAL). The results? By week 4, the bloating was gone. By week 6, her energy levels were back, and the brain fog had lifted. By week 8, her skin had cleared up, and her mood swings had stabilized. She told me, “For the first time in years, I feel like myself again.” This is why gut health isn’t just a trend—it’s the foundation of overall well-being, immunity, and longevity. If you’re struggling with unexplained symptoms, maybe the answer isn’t in another pill, but in your gut. What’s your go-to gut health strategy? Let’s discuss in the comments! #GutHealth #Dysbiosis #Microbiome #Naturopathy #FunctionalMedicine #HolisticHealth

37

5 Comments