Dr. Jay Gattis

12/27/2025

The effect of saffron supplementation on indices of oxidative stress, inflammation, mental health, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Zahra Hajhashemy et al. Food Funct. 2025.

Abstract
Background: Regarding the antioxidant content of saffron, it could be beneficial for diseases linked to oxidative stress, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). However, there were limited human studies on the efficacy of saffron supplements on PD. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this subject. Method: The current study is a triple-blind, randomized, parallel clinical trial, which investigated the effect of 100 mg d-1 saffron powder or placebo on 92 patients with PD for 12 weeks. The analyses were conducted based on an intention-to-treat approach.



Results: The age and BMI (mean ± SE) were 68.36 ± 1.0 years and 27.09 ± 0.45 kg m-2, respectively. Comparing the mean changes of the saffron and placebo groups confirmed significant favorable effects of saffron on C-reactive protein (CRP) values (adjusted mean difference: -3.84 mg L-1 and 95% CI: -5.61, -2.08; PANCOVA < 0.001), distress (adjusted mean difference: -4.40 and 95% CI: -8.43, -0.37; PANCOVA= 0.03), anxiety (adjusted mean difference: -4.75 and 95% CI: -8.30, -1.20; PANCOVA = 0.009), depression (adjusted mean difference: -4.58 and 95% CI: -8.34, -0.81; PANCOVA = 0.01), cognitive status (adjusted mean difference: 0.78 and 95% CI: 0.16, 1.40; PANCOVA = 0.01), sleep quality (adjusted mean difference: 14.76 and 95% CI: 3.20, 26.32; PANCOVA = 0.01), fatigue (adjusted mean difference: -9.20 and 95% CI: -13.76, -4.65; PANCOVA < 0.001) and indices of quality of life including mobility (adjusted mean difference: -6.43 and 95% CI: -12.32, -0.54; PANCOVA = 0.03), daily activity (adjusted mean difference: -6.62 and 95% CI: -12.89, -0.34; PANCOVA = 0.03), cognitive impairment (adjusted mean difference: -8.07 and 95% CI: -14.39, -1.75; PANCOVA = 0.01), bodily discomfort (adjusted mean difference: -7.50 and 95% CI: -13.93, -1.06; PANCOVA = 0.02), and Parkinson's Disease Summary Index (PDSI) (adjusted mean difference: -4.86 and 95% CI: -7.48, -2.25; PANCOVA< 0.001). Additionally, the saffron group in comparison with the placebo group showed marginal decreases in the values of malondialdehyde (adjusted mean difference: -0.32 nmol mL-1 and 95% CI: -0.69, 0.03; PANCOVA = 0.07). No side effect was observed in the groups.



Conclusion: The current analysis confirmed the efficacy of 100 mg d-1 saffron supplementation in patients with PD for 12 weeks. So, saffron supplementation could be a beneficial adjuvant therapy in the management of PD.

12/16/2025

The next stage is here. I’m assembling these Concussion First Aid kits for Christmas gifts.

12/10/2025

Study suggests lithium deficiency may explain Alzheimer’s disease and low-dose lithium orotate supplement may be the key to treatment. Tap to read more! https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/new-hope-for-alzheimers-study-says-lithium-may-reverse-aging-brain/

12/01/2025

More good stuff from Dr. Amen and Tana Amen. 🤩

Podcast Episode · Change Your Brain Every Day · 12/01/2025 · 37m

11/20/2025

Pocket Size Concussion First Aid reference cards. Prints to Index card size. Link in the Comments which will print nicely to front and back of a single page if you have a printer that prints both sides.

11/20/2025

Consider supporting this bill by advocating with your congressperson.
https://biausa.org/public-affairs/public-awareness/news/2025-traumatic-brain-injury-reauthorization-act-update #

Last year, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) made the passage of the Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2024 (TBI Act) our highest legislative priority. We are […]

11/13/2025

https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2025/11/10/blood-test-concussions-severity-study/6211762802917/

A text analyzing brain-related biomarkers in the blood shows promise for measuring the severity of concussions in teenagers, researchers said.

11/05/2025

# # 🚨 **Concussion First Aid: Don’t Forget CREATINE!** 🚨

🧠 *Protect your brain’s energy supply after a head injury.*

When the brain takes a hit, it’s not just bruised — it’s **starved for energy.**
After impact, the **neurometabolic cascade** creates what researchers call an **energy crisis**, where neurons can’t make enough ATP to recover or repair themselves.

That’s where **Creatine** comes in. It’s one of the brain’s *emergency energy buffers* — helping to restore cellular power and keep neurons alive during the critical early window after trauma.

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# # # ⚡ Why Creatine Belongs in Every “Travel Kit”

Creatine helps **bypass the concussion energy deficit**, working alongside other energy-support nutrients like **BCAAs** and **Ketones**.
Together, they fuel the brain through the first vulnerable phase — when timing matters most.

**Recommended Immediate Dose:**
🕐 *As soon as possible after suspected head injury (ideally within 1–3 hours):*
➡️ **2 scoops (≈10 g) of Creatine powder**

**Follow-Up Recovery:**
🏠 *Continue for 7 days post-injury:*
➡️ **5 g twice daily**

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# # # 🧬 **Key Research Supporting Creatine in TBI Recovery**

1️⃣ **Clinical Study in Children and Adolescents**
Creatine supplementation (0.4 g/kg/day for 6 months) in young TBI patients significantly **reduced post-traumatic amnesia, improved cognition, communication, and self-care** compared with controls.
📖 *Sakellaris G, et al.* (2006). *Prevention of complications related to traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents with creatine administration.* *J Trauma*, 61(2), 322–329.
👉 (https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ta.0000230269.46108.d5)

2️⃣ **Experimental Animal Study — Mitochondrial Protection**
Pre-injury and early post-injury creatine loading **reduced cortical damage by up to 50 %** and preserved mitochondrial function following TBI.
📖 *Sullivan PG et al.* (2000). *Dietary supplement creatine protects against traumatic brain injury.* *Annals of Neurology*, 48(5), 723–729.
👉 [PubMed ID: 11079535](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11079535/)

3️⃣ **Mechanistic Review on mTBI and Brain Energy**
Creatine’s cellular role directly overlaps the **bioenergetic failure observed in mild TBI**; authors highlight its promise as a safe, accessible neuroprotective agent.
📖 *Dean PJ et al.* (2017). *Potential for use of creatine supplementation following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).* *Concussion*, 2(2).
👉 [PMC 6094347](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6094347/)

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# # # ⚠️ Professional Guidance

Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Early intervention, guided by expert advice, gives the brain its best chance at recovery.

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💡 *Energy is the currency of healing.*
Don’t let your brain run out of fuel after impact.

11/02/2025

# # 🧠 **Concussion First Aid: Why You Need Vitamin C NOW!** 🍊

If you suspect a **concussion** or mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), **immediate action is critical.**
Within minutes, the brain enters a *neurometabolic cascade*—a storm of ionic imbalance, oxidative stress, mitochondrial energy failure, and inflammation.

**Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)** belongs in every **Concussion First Aid Kit** because it directly targets several of these damaging cascades to preserve brain cells and speed recovery.

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# # # ⚡ **How Vitamin C Impacts the Neurometabolic Cascade**

1. **🧯 Quenches Free Radicals (Oxidative Stress Control)**
After injury, the brain “rusts from the inside.” Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) attack membranes and mitochondria.
Vitamin C rapidly **neutralizes these radicals**, regenerates **Vitamin E**, and helps stop the chain reaction of lipid peroxidation that drives secondary brain injury. 【Di Pietro et al., 2020】

2. **💧 Reduces Swelling & Protects the Blood–Brain Barrier**
Early studies show Vitamin C helps maintain **tight-junction proteins** (occludin, claudin-5) and **collagen IV**, reducing blood–brain barrier leakage and **cerebral edema**—one of the most dangerous post-impact complications. 【Lin et al., 2010】

3. **🔄 Synergistic Protection with Vitamin E**
Being **water-soluble**, Vitamin C works inside cells, while Vitamin E (fat-soluble) protects membranes. Together, they create a **comprehensive antioxidant network** that shields both lipid and aqueous compartments of brain tissue. 【Razmkon et al., 2011】

4. **⚙️ Supports Mitochondrial Energy Recovery**
During the acute energy crisis, neurons can’t use glucose efficiently. Vitamin C preserves **mitochondrial enzymes** and supports metabolic recovery—limiting the downstream cell death seen in the neurometabolic cascade. 【Giza & Hovda, 2014】

5. **📉 Prevents Vitamin C Depletion Seen After TBI**
Plasma Vitamin C levels drop dramatically within hours after brain injury, leaving the tissue defenseless. Early repletion helps restore antioxidant capacity when the brain needs it most. 【Polidori et al., 2001】

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# # # 🕒 **Timing & Dosage**

For adults: **2 capsules of 1,000 mg Vitamin C** taken *as soon as possible* after a suspected concussion—**ideally within the first 1–3 hours**—may help blunt oxidative stress while medical evaluation is obtained.
*(Adjunctive support only; not a substitute for emergency care.)*

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# # # 🧬 **Summary**

Vitamin C helps stabilize the chaos that follows a concussion by:

* Neutralizing oxidative stress 🔥
* Reducing brain swelling 💧
* Reinforcing the BBB 🧱
* Supporting cellular energy ⚡
* Teaming with Vitamin E for dual-phase protection 🧩

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From Concussion Rescue by Dr. Kabran Chapek
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# # # 📚 **Relevant Research**

Di Pietro, V., Yakoub, K. M., Caruso, G., et al. (2020). Antioxidant therapies in traumatic brain injury. *Antioxidants, 9*(3), 206. (https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9030206)

Erdman, J. W., Oria, M., & Pillsbury, L. (Eds.). (2011). *Nutrition and traumatic brain injury* (Ch. 7: Antioxidants). National Academies Press.

Giza, C. C., & Hovda, D. A. (2014). The new neurometabolic cascade of concussion. *Neurosurgery, 75*(S4), S24–S33. (https://doi.org/10.1227/NEU.0000000000000505)

Lin, J.-L., Huang, Y.-J., & Wang, H.-S. (2010). Ascorbic acid prevents blood–brain barrier disruption and sensory deficits after experimental brain injury. *Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 30*(6), 1121–1136. (https://doi.org/10.1038/jcbfm.2009.281)

Polidori, M. C., Mecocci, P., & Frei, B. (2001). Plasma vitamin C levels are decreased and correlated with brain damage in patients with intracranial hemorrhage or head trauma. *Stroke, 32*(4), 898–902. (https://doi.org/10.1161/01.STR.32.4.898)

Razmkon, A., Sadidi, A., Sherafat-Kazemzadeh, E., Mehrafshan, A., Jamali, M., Malekpour, B., & Saghafinia, M. (2011). Administration of vitamin C and vitamin E in severe head injury: A randomized double-blind controlled trial. *Clinical Neurosurgery, 58*, 133–137.

⚠️ **Disclaimer:** This post is for *educational purposes only*.
It is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional immediately after a head injury or before starting any new supplement regimen.

11/01/2025

Hopefully this will lead to clinical interventions to help with memory decline.

Virginia Tech scientists found that age-related memory loss stems from molecular changes in the brain. Memory decline might not be just a natural part of aging. Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered that it is connected to particular molecular changes in the brain, and that fine-tuning these

10/30/2025

I made a thing on Concussion First Aid. Let me know what you think.

Based on the necessity of early intervention. Following a TBI, the brain undergoes a rapid, detrimental neurometabolic cascade. This protocol uses multiple, non-toxic nutrients simultaneously to reduce inflammation, provide antioxidant protection, and supply alternative energy sources to the injured...