Shake up your brain health

I’m not exactly the world’s biggest advocate of drinking milk. Quite the opposite in fact. But I am always in search of natural ways to protect your brain. So I admit I was curious when I read a headline recently touting “Milk could be good for your brain.”

As usual, the headline was only a small fraction of the real story.

Researchers looked at 60 people who described their recent diets, and found a positive correlation between dairy consumption and levels of a naturally occurring antioxidant, called glutathione, in the brain.

Glutathione helps promote brain health by protecting against oxidative stress (which is the culprit behind a number of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease).

No doubt—this IS an exciting discovery. But there’s a much healthier, more effective way to boost glutathione levels than drinking milk, and I’ve told you about it many times before.

I’m talking, of course, about whey protein.

In fact, I told you previously about a 2007 Canadian study that showed supplementing with whey protein for just two weeks raised glutathione levels by 24 percent.

Just remember there are a few things to consider when choosing a whey protein product. Look for one that has 8 grams of carbs or less per serving. And mix it with plain water. If you like a thicker consistency, add some ice cubes and mix it up in a blender. You can add a tablespoon of macadamia nut oil for a healthy boost of inflammation-fighting monounsaturated fatty acids.

For more on the benefits of whey protein, you can also search the archives on my website, www.drpescatore.com. Simply enter “whey” in the search box in the upper right corner of the home page.

Sources:

“Milk could be good for your brain.” ScienceDaily, 3/24/15

“Dairy intake is associated with brain glutathione concentration in older adults,” Am J Clin Nutr 2015; 101(2):287-93