Not only is it a metabolic problem for "the brain", but the metabolism and even MUSCLES themselves, are essential for our brain health. I can only recommend you (and your wife who is doing amazing work clearly!) look up "myokines" and their multitude of effects - although you probably already have been looking or heard of e.g. BDNF.
It is a shame that we have this problem, where all the power of medical recommendations lie with the GP/doctors. I personally and professionally think this is rather dumb, thus I cannot quite agree with your final conclusion.
What I think needs to be normalised is the fact that there are extremely highly qualified exercise experts, who can help literally any specific and clinical case. Exercise and sport scientists or kinesiologists just know so much more (in theory and practice!) then any doctor. Obviously, I am somewhat defending my profession here, so I will be biased. I am fully aware that there are many great doctors, psychologist etc. (like your wife!) out there who understand some of the exercise basics.
Another good in this direction is Dr Amen and his "BRIGHT MINDS" approach to brain health. I just love his attitude of "you cannot treat what you cannot see", and how he then build this approach.
Thank you for reminding me about the depth of significance for exercise!
Thank you! Appreciate the thoughts and will definitely check out those areas.
To clarify one piece, I'm not suggesting the doctors take over for the exercise experts. I think we need to figure out how to integrate exercise and wellness specialists into the standard of care so that primary care doctors can refer to them. and move to a world where these experts and interventions can be reimbursed by insurance.
saw your note about this and love your vision of multi-disciplinary “preventive health” centres!
I see, yes we are as aligned as I thought here. Sorry for my wonky interpretation.
I another timeline I think GP's/doctors simply have less power. I do not quite even like the "idea" of referrals. Yes, sure if the doctor thinks you should see someone than yes. But a more normalised state of "if I want to PREVENT something from happening, I better see exercise/sleep/psychology etc. specialist".
I know that is a lot to ask for, but in my dream scenario this is introduced during early primary school stages, and lives on continuously through that area in form of various health, fitness & wellbeing classes for our children.
I am trying to locally get something like this going, but it is inexpressibly tough for the general population to even remotely consider other ideas than the ones established (and widely accepted) bad health systems offer.
Great piece and great to see you back writing!
Thanks Alex!
Great pickup on this topic!
Not only is it a metabolic problem for "the brain", but the metabolism and even MUSCLES themselves, are essential for our brain health. I can only recommend you (and your wife who is doing amazing work clearly!) look up "myokines" and their multitude of effects - although you probably already have been looking or heard of e.g. BDNF.
It is a shame that we have this problem, where all the power of medical recommendations lie with the GP/doctors. I personally and professionally think this is rather dumb, thus I cannot quite agree with your final conclusion.
What I think needs to be normalised is the fact that there are extremely highly qualified exercise experts, who can help literally any specific and clinical case. Exercise and sport scientists or kinesiologists just know so much more (in theory and practice!) then any doctor. Obviously, I am somewhat defending my profession here, so I will be biased. I am fully aware that there are many great doctors, psychologist etc. (like your wife!) out there who understand some of the exercise basics.
Another good in this direction is Dr Amen and his "BRIGHT MINDS" approach to brain health. I just love his attitude of "you cannot treat what you cannot see", and how he then build this approach.
Thank you for reminding me about the depth of significance for exercise!
Thank you! Appreciate the thoughts and will definitely check out those areas.
To clarify one piece, I'm not suggesting the doctors take over for the exercise experts. I think we need to figure out how to integrate exercise and wellness specialists into the standard of care so that primary care doctors can refer to them. and move to a world where these experts and interventions can be reimbursed by insurance.
saw your note about this and love your vision of multi-disciplinary “preventive health” centres!
I see, yes we are as aligned as I thought here. Sorry for my wonky interpretation.
I another timeline I think GP's/doctors simply have less power. I do not quite even like the "idea" of referrals. Yes, sure if the doctor thinks you should see someone than yes. But a more normalised state of "if I want to PREVENT something from happening, I better see exercise/sleep/psychology etc. specialist".
I know that is a lot to ask for, but in my dream scenario this is introduced during early primary school stages, and lives on continuously through that area in form of various health, fitness & wellbeing classes for our children.
I am trying to locally get something like this going, but it is inexpressibly tough for the general population to even remotely consider other ideas than the ones established (and widely accepted) bad health systems offer.
Great to see you writing again, loved this piece!
thanks Jonny! it's felt really good to dust off the ole keyboard
Great post. That is a really good point. I didn’t think about it. Why i love substack