#88: Fasting for ADD/ADHD and Mental Energy, with Marisa Moon

#88: Fasting for Adult ADD/ADHD and Mental Energy (full video of this episode/interview here: https://youtu.be/-wnG91Ewnwg or tinyurl.com/FOWyoutube) Brief Summary and Bio: Today I’m sharing the interview I had on The Fasting for Freedom Summit in early 2020, where I shared my theory on Intermittent Fasting for the ADHD Adult and Distracted Brains. We discuss my own ADHD diagnosis, how our brains differ from neurotypical brains, and how fasting helps me with mental energy. I go into more of the supporting evidence I have collected over time, and I also share my brain mapping results with Dr. Sam Effarah which demonstrated that my ADD symptoms were indeed worse after I broke my fast. You’ll want to listen to this one no matter who you are because it really is incredible all the benefits we gain from fasting, and the way it improves mental energy is undeniable. Host: Marisa Moon is a Certified Primal Health Coach and host of The Foundation of Wellness podcast. Marisa fuses together health coaching and life coaching to provide unique insights with a personable approach—all of which is inspired by the principles of ancestral health. Her distinctive coaching style is totally relatable, and it helps others put an end to the confusion about what’s healthy today and finally achieve results that last. Marisa is becoming known for her flexible Intermittent Fasting approach, and she shares this in her online course Intermittent Fasting Freedom, and on the LIFE Fasting Tracker mobile app. >>> Join me inside my facebook group: “The Foundation of Wellness - a Refreshing Diet & Lifestyle Chat”. Go to > facebook.com/groups/FOWpodcast Disclaimer: Consult with your doctor or functional medicine practitioner before trying any of the remedies or dietary interventions mentioned on The Foundation of Wellness podcast. This information and recording is for informational and educational purposes only. For professional Inquiries contact host Marisa Moon, marisa@ marisamoon.com >> Toxin-Free Low-Sugar and Keto-friendly Natural WINE?? Yes you can drink your wine and still lose weight. This old-fashioned wine is good for you and the Earth. Grab a free bottle of Dry Farm Wines with your first subscription order here: www.dryfarmwines.com/fowpodcast SHOW NOTES: RESOURCES mentioned in this episode: - Brain Mapping w/ Dr. Sam Effarah at Synapse Chicago: https://synapsechicago.com/ - Headache Nutritionist Susannah Juteau, theheadachenutritionist.com - Grab Marisa’s fasting guide with coaching emails: marisamoon.com/iffreedom Marisa’s website: marisamoon.com LIKE our podcast on Facebook: facebook.com/FoundationofWellnessPodcast Follow us on Instagram: @foundationofwellness_podcast, https://www.instagram.com/foundationofwellness_podcast JOIN Marisa’s Facebook Group “The Foundation of Wellness”: facebook.com/groups/FOWpodcast Points of Discussion: -What got Marisa into fasting 6 years ago - diagnosed with inattentive ADD at age 26 and late diagnosis is common in females - The brain and your digestion each demand lots of energy/resources - Exercise suppresses ADHD? - How is the ADHD brain different from a neuro-typical brain? - ADD brains have reduced glucose uptake (esp. females and adults) - The importance of mitochondria - What are executive functions? - Why does fasting benefit the ADHD brain? - How does fasting affect mental energy? - Fasting has almost the same benefits of exercise - mitochondrial biogenesis, neurogenesis, mitophagy, and autophagy - mitochondria are most densely packed in the advanced prefrontal cortex in the brain - boost in norepinephrine, dopamine, blood flow - exercise is a proven therapy for ADHD - fasting is easier to commit to for ADHD’ers compared to exercise - fasting is typically immediately rewarding - Be sure to optimize sleep and stress before attempting daily fasts over 12 hours - Marisa expresses the importance of flexible fasting - Fasting and Ketones - The brain and mitochondria love ketones - estimated 20-30% more mental energy - mitochondria work more efficiently on ketones - children’s hospitals implementing ketogenic diets - keto diet not easy to sustain - fasting gets you into ketosis daily without eating a keto diet - metabolic switching - Fasting for women vs men - pay attention to menstruation and ovulation - modern stress can be higher for women today - 12 hours is a good baseline safe for all - Nutrition matters even with fasting - healthy fats and animal based cholesterol strengthens myelin - healthy myelin helps transmit brain messages up to 100x faster - Fasting is so much easier with nutrient-dense foods - 21-day reduced carbohydrate transition is usually enough to prime your metabolism for fasting - free fasting guide: marisamoon.com/iffreedom (The RESET Manual) Intro/Exit Music  - "Ukulele Whistle" by Scott Holmes