The third and final section of The Edge Effect by Eric R. Braverman, MD, helps the reader to learn how to deal with specific illnesses or symptoms you may be experiencing, both in the brain and in the body. Braverman explains how your body ages and gives detailed instructions on what you can do to enhance brain function.  

One of the most powerful concepts taught in this section is the “Rainbow Diet.” Up to this point he has clearly demonstrated through data and case studies just how powerful diet is – and just what foods you need to include to relieve specific symptoms and diseases from which you suffer. The striking fact is that you have such power and control of your brain and body health with diet alone.

The key to good brain and body health is to keep all four natures in balance:

“The basic nature diet strategy to remember is that dopamine is boosted by high-protein diet with fruit sugars; eggs, caviar, sardines, fish oils, and olive oil all raise acetylcholine. GABA is increased with vegetables, and serotonin is boosted by poultry and complex carbohydrates.”

Braverman’s Rainbow Diet incorporates all the different colors of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet – into the meals that you consume.

“Foods with a variety of colors have different nutrients, and no one supplement is equal to all the great nutrients you can get from fresh foods.”

A rainbow has seven colors and not one of them is white, hence the advice to avoid foods made from white flour such as pasta, white rice, bread, salt, and sugar.

Braverman demonstrates a case study in which he placed a patient on the Rainbow Diet as well as a nutrient program consisting of fish oils, evening primrose oil, niacin, and the hypertension multivitamin that he sells. In three weeks his cholesterol fell from 234 to 130. His blood pressure normalized at 120/70. Six weeks later he had a cholesterol of 114, and his blood pressure dropped further. Pretty amazing results.

The remainder of the chapters in this final section address what to do for specific symptoms and disease processes, how to improve your memory, how to modify negative aspects of your nature, and how to “master the edge effect for lasting health.”

The overriding takeaway from Braveman’s work for me is the realization of how much power we each have from basic tools that we take for granted…diet, lifestyle, environment, and hormone balancing.

Back to the original complaint that led to the writing of this series of articles was the #1 complaint that bring women to Dr. Gabhart…a problem with memory cognition. Now we know there are simple tools we can employ to fix that problem for good. Thank you for helping all of us, Dr. Braverman.

The Edge Effect teaches us how to identify, then associate our earliest symptoms of brain neurotransmitter deficiency in order to direct ourselves toward the easiest, least damaging and most effective interventions. 

 To review, there are four neurotransmitters or “natures,” dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and serotonin.

 Each of us has a “dominant nature” and a “nature deficiency.” The results of my “Braverman Nature Assessment” demonstrated my   dominant nature is acetylcholine (see http://rosiebrownrn.com/optimizing-our-dominant-nature/), and my nature deficiency is serotonin.

For each of the nature deficiencies, Dr. Braverman provides ranges to determine if you have minor, moderate, or severe deficiency.  My serotonin deficiency falls in the moderate range. The Edge Effect lists detailed information for symptoms specific to each of the four natures. In my case, it is completely amazing how I see myself in the detailed description for serotonin deficiency.

Dr. Braverman then provides a detailed case study of someone with the specific nature deficiency – and what happens to them when they seek counsel in the typical medical model.  See if this description sounds familiar:

 “The doctor at first does not seem to be overly concerned. You’re just one of his many patients afflicted by the modern world: working too much and playing too hard. He believes that your symptoms are all related to anxiety, and he gives you medication to combat it, along with sleeping pills. He reminds you to start taking care of yourself and lose some weight. He recommends a high-protein, low carbohydrate diet.”

From there, Dr. Braverman describes the cascade of breakdown in the body when the deficiency is left unchecked.  In contrast, he demonstrates how easily the imbalance can be corrected, particularly in the early stages.

For example, Dr. Braverman teaches that the easiest and most natural way to keep your serotonin nature balanced is by making better food choices when you eat.

“The goal of the serotonin-balancing diet is to ensure that the body has enough tryptophan, an amino acid that can be converted to serotonin in the body. By ingesting enough tryptophan, you’ll soon be able to discard any sleeping pill you’ve been taking.”

Dr. Braverman provides individualized instruction for each of the nature deficiencies so that you know exactly what to do to get back into balance by making specific diet, lifestyle, supplement, etc., changes.

The next article will summarize the key components of the third and final section of the book, “Balancing Your Brain in Sickness and Health.”

This series of brain chemistry articles began with the identification of the number one complaint that women voice when coming to see Dr. Gabhart: loss of mental cognition.

The work of Dr. Eric R. Braverman, author of The Edge Effect, clearly shows us that we are able to keep our brain in tip top condition. Today’s article begins the review of exactly how we do that.

Answering a series of true-false questions found in the book demonstrated that my dominant nature is acetylcholine nature.  Part II of his book is divided into four chapters, each chapter detailing specific information on how to strengthen the four individual natures.

Dr. Braverman suggests to first turn to the chapter for your individual nature. Since mine is acetylcholine, I will use it as an example so you can get a feel for the type of advice that is given.

Right off the top, it is uncanny to read pages of information that absolutely nails my personality. How on earth did his test do that? The personality profile he details is right on target for me.

Likewise, his description of how I feel when I have too much acetylcholine vs when I am out of balance and have acetylcholine deficiency is also staggering. The description is perfectly descriptive of how I feel in each of those conditions.

Dr. Braverman lists acetylcholine-related symptoms and the medical conditions that can and will occur if the deficiency is left unchecked. The second part of the chapter details what I can do to balance my acetylcholine nature.

It is comforting to read precise instructions on what I can do to maintain balance in my acetylcholine nature in each of the following six categories:

1)      Hormones

2)      Supplements

3)      Diet

4)      Vitamins and supplements

5)      Lifestyle

6)      Environment

My test scores did not indicate any current deficiency. However, if there had been deficiency, Dr. Braverman also supplies specific guidance for medications and electrical  treatment in addition to information in the above listed categories.

The same instructional guidance is given for the other three natures: dopamine, GABA, and serotonin. The next article in the series will address the “deficient nature” and how that plays into your overall balance.

The twenty-minute profile, the “Braverman Nature Assessment” found in his book, The Edge Effect,  created quite a revelation for me this weekend.

The premise behind Dr. Braverman’s work is that the combination of the biochemicals dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and serotonin controls how you think, how you feel, and how you behave.

“Your dominant biochemical, which is the one your brain produces in the greatest quantity, governs the other three. Identifying your dominant biochemical, and in turn your dominant nature, is the key to self-discovery.”

Even more intriguing is the following assertion:

“It is also important to know which biochemicals you are lacking, or not producing in sufficient quantities. These deficiencies are the direct causes of many medical problems. Knowing how to restore either your dominant nature or your secondary natures is the way to begin regaining your edge.”

Answering a series of true-false questions found in the book demonstrated that my dominant nature is acetylcholine nature and my most deficient nature, the one that is most likely to lead to illness, is serotonin deficiency.

Braverman’s testing reflects minor, moderate, or major deficits.  

“Minor deficits are the early warning signs of health problems. Minor and Moderate deficits can be treated without medications and usually respond to a combination of natural/nutritional, hormonal, and lifestyle changes.”

“Major deficits warrant medical treatment and should be addressed immediately. These conditions most likely require medications; nutritional, hormonal, and lifestyle changes are usually not enough to address them.”

Once you complete your personal assessment, the first step is to recognize and enhance your dominant nature through nature-specific programs, which Braverman outlines. Once you have completed this component for your dominant nature, the next step is to begin to get your most deficient nature into balance.

The remainder of the book focuses on showing us how to optimize our dominant nature, reverse any deficiencies, and keep the four neurotransmitters balanced for lasting health. Learn more about these segments in the next article.

“Make no mistake: if you put in the proper effort, you can rebuild your health and reverse brain aging,” reports Dr. Eric R. Braverman.

“Using my unique approach, you will be able to work with your doctor to design an individual treatment program based on one or a combination of the seven types of therapies: medications, hormones, vitamins and supplements, diet, lifestyle, environment, and technology.”

In reviewing his work, it is refreshing to see that Dr. Braverman uses prescription drugs very carefully, and for as short a time as possible. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the more gentler of the seven therapies.

For example, diet is a significant component of overall health and wellness. We perhaps don’t realize that every single thing we put in our mouth first affects our brain. Dr. Braverman teaches that there are specific amino acids that affect each of the four neurotransmitters, which are dopamine, asetylcholine, GABA, and Serotonin.

“Once you identify a deficiency in one or more biochemicals, you need to consume the best foods for those specific neurotransmitters.  For example, combine the recommendations for dopamine and acetylcholine for maximum brain power, or combine the GABA and serotonin diets for calming effects.”

In terms of hormones, Dr. Braverman emphasizes that ninety percent of all hormones are produced in or regulated by the brain. A key component of his therapies involves the use of natural, bioidentical hormones.

Lifestyle changes impact neurotransmitter function. For example, stress causes the body to produce more dopamine. A nature walk heightens GABA. Weight-bearing exercise builds dopamine. More aerobic activity such as running or swimming supports the other three neurotransmitters.

The environment significantly impacts the neurotransmitters.  Lead decreases GABA. Cigarette smoking decreases dopamine. Fluorescent bulbs and aluminum in cookware decrease acetylcholine. Pesticides decrease serotonin.

Dr. Braverman teaches, “The next step on your path to wellness is to identify your primary nature and learn to work with the biochemical that governs it. Once you have defined your nature, you can begin the healing process.”

The next article in this series will focus on how to define your nature.

It is no new news that we begin to lose our edge by the time we turn forty. The literature all seems to sing the same song. What is new news to me is the impact of biochemical deficiencies that creep up over time, deficiencies which can be prevented, according to the work of Eric R. Braverman, MD.

As we age, we learn to live with minor biochemical deficiencies. Braverman states, “If you notice you are losing your edge, you are probably experiencing deficiencies in your biochemistry. However, you can regain your edge by mastering your brain chemistry and putting yourself on the path back to health.”

What an empowering message: no, we don’t have to learn to live with problems related to biochemical deficiencies.

In reviewing the list of physical illness that can be avoided, there appear many that are commonly listed as symptoms of hormone imbalance:

• Arthritis
• Cholesterol elevation
• Cognitive thinking difficulty
• Depression
• Memory Loss
• Obesity
• Osteoporosis
• Sexual dysfunction

Why do these deficiencies happen?

1)      As we age, our bodies produce fewer of the hormones that regulate neurotransmitter production, throwing off a balance so delicate it can easily be upset simply by changing the output of one hormone.

2)      Imbalances are affected by the day-to-day stressors of life.

3)      Imbalances are affected by the choices we make regarding what we eat.

Per Dr. Braverman, “Over time, our brain will not be able to compensate for these consistent, seemingly minor assaults, and we develop what I refer to as a sprained brain.”

The body is an amazing machine. It will work tirelessly to compensate for mistreatment. However, over time if the problems are not corrected, the body will show wear, similar to the analogy Braverman uses of unbalanced tires. Eventually, the car will become harder to steer, and the brakes will wear out faster. “Ignored, what would normally be just a simple matter of adjusting the wheel balance can lead to major expenses for new tires, brakes, shocks, and steering alignment.”

In this age of pharmaceutical dominance, when a symptom pops up, we tend to go to the doctor and something is given to relieve the symptom. But what about the root cause?

 If not addressed, it won’t be long before another symptom pops up. The quick fix is not a fix at all. Instead of quick fixes, Braverman teaches us that there are effective treatments that can reverse the symptoms of what he calls the “sprained brain.” More about that tomorrow.

Last week I wrote the first of a series of articles regarding the number one complaint that women voice when coming to see Dr. Gabhart, who specializes in hormone balancing: loss of mental cognition. See http://rosiebrownrn.com/are-you-losing-your-edge/ and www.whitneygabhartnd.com.

In continuing my study of the work of Eric R. Braverman, M.D., there is so much hope contained in his following statement:

“These medical, neurological, and psychiatric conditions related to loss of brain speed can cascade into obesity, anxiety, depression, psychosis, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s Disease; 50 percent of Americans will have developed some degree of impairment from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease by age eighty, and 80 percent will do so by ninety. Fortunately, most of these diseases are preventable once you learn to keep your brain in top condition.”

What the research is demonstrating is that most psychiatric problems are not caused by emotional factors, but rather by brain chemicals. Brain biochemical imbalances appear to be the cause of disease.

When a person is living, there is electricity conducted and processed through the brain. At death, the electricity ceases to flow. “The brain’s electrical function as it processes biochemicals is the basis of brain health.”

The key to effective electricity flow are four “biochemical neurotransmitters”:

1)      Dopamine

2)      Acetylcholine

3)      GABA

4)      Serotonin

Dr. Braverman teaches, “Today we know that good health requires that for any given body function, all four neurotransmitters must be processed in a specific order and in precise amounts.”

A common symptom that women with hormone imbalance experience is “foggy thinking” or the inability to remember things. 

My own personal  experience validates Dr. Braverman’s work : “Lapses in memory are not an inevitable consequence of aging. They are a concrete indication of brain chemical deficiencies, and they can be reversed.” 

I know, Dr. Gabhart knows, and all the women she has helped know, yes, foggy thinking can be reversed.

Tomorrow’s article will focus on the question, “Why do we have unbalanced brains?”

Dr. Gabhart and I had a conversation yesterday about the number one complaint that women voice when coming to see her: loss of mental cognition.

Interestingly enough, I told her that just the day before I had my annual physical. I told my doctor that among the list of signs and symptoms indicating a problem with my thyroid, my inability to remember things was the most distressing and the most scary to me.  She responded, “See what I mean?”

She went on to say that the topic of mental stability/mental cognition must clearly be covered in our upcoming book. She advised me to study the work of Eric R. Braverman, MD, author of The Edge Effect. She advised that this book is very technical, but said it would be a great resource. I would then be challenged to break it down into common language that the ordinary person can understand. Alright, game on!

Barnes & Noble provided me with a copy yesterday, so away we go. The statement on the front cover is attention grabbing: “Reverse or Prevent Alzheimer’s. Aging, Memory Loss, Weight Gain, Sexual Dysfunction, and More.”

Dr. Nicholas Perricone, author of The Wrinkle Cure and The Perricone Promise gave the following endorsement: “With his emphasis on brain chemistry and electricity, Dr. Braverman leads the way in preventing brain aging. In this anti-aging century, get on the path to total health and feel as good as you look.”

Scanning through the Table of Contents, guess which was the first chapter I jumped to? The one titled, “Are You Losing Your Edge?”

 I find the intro to this chapter fascinating:

“Living at your peak – when every day is a good day at work, when enjoyment comes easily, and when you feel strong and healthy – can be directly traced to a balanced brain. This occurs when all four of your primary biochemicals (dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and serotonin) are transmitting properly and in the right proportions, your four electrical functions are working at optimal levels, the power supply is strong, brain speed is fast, rhythm is constant, and your brain is in sync. At this point you are experiencing the Edge Effect.

However, if you are feeling ill, and have physical complaints, you know intuitively that something is wrong. Regardless of the symptoms, the solution is to go to the source: Your brain chemistry. If your brain chemistry is unbalanced, your body will be unbalanced.”

What appears next about children is fascinating:

“A low-dopamine child might exhibit symptoms of ADD. A low-acetylcholine child may have learning disorders. A low-GABA child could have impulsive or violent tendencies, and a low-serotonin child might be moody or depressed.”

I think my brain is going to like being stretched to learn about this “Edge Effect.”  :  ) Want to hang out with me in the upcoming weeks? I love to learn then teach others. Together we can put that old “mental cognition” complaint to rest!  :  )