"Brain Food - The secrets of nurtruring the most important organ of all. An exploration of the lifestyle and dietary interventions that support a sharp and happy mind."
WHO: Alex Dimitriu (Psychiatry & Sleep Specialist)
Alex Dimitriu, M.D. completed medical school and residency in psychiatry at SUNY Stony Brook, and continued his training at Stanford Medical Center with a fellowship in sleep medicine. He is currently in private practice in downtown Menlo Park. He sees patients with a wide variety of conditions, ranging from depression to anxiety, to insomnia and other sleep disorders. He practices an integrative model of psychiatry, which aims to improve various domains of people's lives. He has always believed in the power of the mind, and the power of the spirit to heal the body. He consistently encourages integrated solutions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and brief therapeutic interventions towards a multimodal approach to treatment.
Since living in Northern California, Dr. Dimitriu has fallen in love with the people, natural beauty and energy of the Bay area. He is married and is the father of two beautiful young children. In his spare time, Alex is a lover of art, music and the outdoors. He enjoys live music, kiteboarding, and sailing. He grew up programming an Apple IIe, and enjoys flying RC planes with his son.
At SOUL Food Salon, Dr. Dimitriu discussed how our brains are the fundamental basis of everything we see, feel, recall and experience. In our busy lives, between family and work, it is so easy to overlook this essential organ that makes us who we are. We looked at how our brains develop and work, and proceeded to a more general discussion of the dietary and lifestyle habits to keep our minds sharp, happy, and healthy.
Dr. Dimitriu is currently in
Private Practice in Menlo Park
1225 Crane Street, Suite 205 Phone: 650-326-5888 Email: alex@doctoralex.com Website: www.doctoralex.com
Notes from the salon:
The Brain weighs about 3 pounds.
20-25% of the calories we consume gets used in the brain.
Jill Bolte Taylor- TED talk: My stroke of insight
Synaptic connections in the brain change over time.
Brain maturation- synaptogenesis occurs until around puberty, 13 years.
10% decline in neurons as we age.
Myelination of the nervous system occurs until age 26.
Prefrontal cortex is the last area to myelinate.
BDNF- Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor: similar to Miracle Grow
Hippocampus (involved in short term memory and storing memories) relies on BDNF to encourage new neuronal growth.
Boosters for BDNF: exercise, change in sunlight, eat a healthy diet, restrict calories, learn new stuff, turmeric
High intensity exercise- increases BDNF
Green Tea: EGCG
More potent BDNF enhancer than resveratrol.
Decaf with a bag- decreases in lead
WATCH THE BRAIN FOOD VIDEO HERE: