Your Brain On... Diabetes

Your Brain On... Diabetes

From Your Brain On by Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai

July 23, 2025 · 1h 54m · Season 5 · Episode 10

About this episode

This episode explores the impact of diabetes on brain health and cognition, featuring expert insights and personal stories.

Behind the staggering statistics on global diabetes prevalence are millions of individuals with different stories, struggles, and solutions. In this episode, we explore how diabetes affects your brain, body, and cognition, and how it can be prevented, managed, and (in many cases) reversed. We share some powerful personal stories from the clinic, bust some persistent food myths, and learn why diabetes is as much a neurological emergency as a metabolic one. Plus, we speak to three leading experts who are changing the way we treat diabetes: BRENDA DAVIS, RD: renowned dietitian and global authority on plant-based nutrition. DR. MICHELLE MCMACKEN, MD: Executive Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals, Associate Professor at NYU, and public health leader. DR. THEODORE FRIEDMAN: Professor and Chair of Internal Medicine at Charles Drew University. In this episode, we discuss: • The difference between Type 1, Type 2, and prediabetes • How diabetes can contribute to cognitive decline • The role of lipotoxicity and intramuscular fat in insulin resistance • Why "cutting carbs" isn't the full story (and how to focus on food quality) • How public health systems…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Ayesha Sherzai, Dr. Dean Sherzai

Guests: BRENDA DAVIS, DR. MICHELLE MCMACKEN, DR. THEODORE FRIEDMAN

Topics covered

  • diabetes
  • brain health
  • cognitive decline
  • nutrition
  • public health
  • metabolic health

Keywords

  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • prediabetes
  • insulin resistance
  • lifestyle change
  • glucose monitoring
  • plant-based nutrition

Sponsors

NEURO World

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NYC Health + Hospitals, NYU, Charles Drew University

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