Episode #16 : The Dangers of Brain Injuries: How to Protect Yourself

Episode Summary:

In this riveting episode of Functional Health Radio, Dr. Kristin Hieshetter delves deeply into an issue that she fervently advocates for—the prevention and treatment of brain injuries. The episode begins with a worrying reflection on the declining life expectancy in the United States, linking it to both a rise in chronic diseases among children and the seemingly stagnant success in healing heart disease and cancer. Dr. Hieshetter challenges the status quo by questioning the effectiveness of the current healthcare system despite its high costs.

Dr. Hieshetter subsequently transitions into a comprehensive discussion about the widespread implications of brain injuries, specifically Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), drawing from insightful resources which she critically examines. She emphasizes the importance of immediate and continued care post-injury, the potential for ongoing cognitive and emotional issues, and magnifies the alarming connection between brain injuries and a host of societal problems. Her clear, evidence-based approach provides both a dire warning and a beacon of hope, suggesting interventions that could change outcomes dramatically.

Key Takeaways:

•             Dr. Kristin Hieshetter zeroes in on the serious implications of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other brain injuries.

•             Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is linked to alarming rates of cognitive decline, behavioral issues, and increased risk of dementia.

•             Early and repetitive exposure to contact sports can advance the onset of neurobehavioral symptoms in children.

•             Specific interventions such as diet adjustments, low-level laser therapy, and certain supplements can significantly aid in brain injury recovery and prevention.

•             Dr. Hieshetter advocates for greater awareness and a proactive stance in addressing brain injuries from a functional health perspective.

Notable Quotes:

•             “We are walking around in the most amazing, intelligent, responsive, adapting, and aware system in the world, the human body.”

•             “Every year younger that participants began to play football, it resulted in reported onset of cognitive and behavioral mood symptoms, 2.5 years.”

•             “It’s what we’re being told here in these spaces, these spaces that aren’t funded by anybody.”

•             “I believe we can do this and we have to do it together.”

•             “Let’s look at what we can do to get ahead of all of these things that are plaguing our youth and keep them as healthy as we possibly can.”

Resources:

•             Book: “Truth Doesn’t Have a Side” by Dr. Bennett Omalu

•             NIH-Funded Study on Age of First Exposure to Tackle Football and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

•             JAMA Article: Association of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury With and Without Loss of Consciousness with Dementia in US Military Veterans

•             Internet Journal of Neurology: Transcranial Low-Level Laser Therapy for Brain Injury

Be sure to listen to the full episode of Functional Health Radio with Dr. Kristin Hieshetter for an illuminating dive into the critical issue of brain injuries and what we can do to safeguard our most precious asset. Stay tuned for more episodes that bring the truths of functional health into the light.