“Wow, I’m getting so much done today!” I told my husband. I felt great and my mind was clicking on all cylinders. It didn’t take me long to recognize the reason for my anti-aging experience. That week I had changed my lunch routine to include a daily salad of dark leafy greens, fermented toppings, seeds, sprouts and a variety of other veggies, with a light oil and vinegar dressing. All my choices were deliberate based on my recent appointment with my functional medicine doctor. What stood out to me was how quickly my body responded to the change.

In our feature article, Brain-Savers: Smart Strategies for Preventing Dementia, David Perlmutter, M.D., a board-certified neurologist shares, “What goes on in the gut influences every manner of activity within the brain: the health of the brain, the functionality of the brain, the brain’s resistance to disease process and even mood.” My sisters and I have spent quite a bit of time in a memory care facility this year visiting my father. We are so blessed that he is being taken care of by such kind and knowledgeable people. While learning more about his condition we found that more than a third of global dementia cases are preventable, so adopting diet and lifestyle risk reduction measures is a “no-brainer.” To help you boost your brain health, we’ve included tips and local resources with our featured article.

One way to feed the brain is with the unique nutrients found in mushrooms. Discover the magic in these healthy (and delicious) fungi in Medicinal Mushrooms: Beyond Buttons and Portabellas. Also, in this issue we celebrate men with topics for their health. Find an insightful path to wellness in Nature’s Toolbox: The Key to Prostate Health, an up-to-date report on the latest approaches to treating and preventing some major problems associated with this tiny yet highly important gland. Consider how the story of your own father can influence your perspective of fatherhood in Fatherhood’s Pain and Glory. This month, I hope you enjoy the men in your life as we celebrate fatherhood.

Happy Father’s Day!

Kris Urquhart, Publisher