
Rational Wellness Podcast
The Microglia are a Key to Brain Health with Dr. David Perlmutter | Rational Wellness Podcast 475
Dr. David Perlmutter on Microglia, Metabolism, and a New Paradigm for Neurodegenerative Disease Dr. Ben Weitz introduces the Rational Wellness Podcast and interviews neurologist and author Dr. David Perlmutter about his upcoming book, Brain Defenders, describing a neuroscience shift from neuron-centered thinking to the brain's immune cells (glia/microglia) as key drivers of neurodegeneration. Perlmutter argues microglial polarization (supportive M2 vs destructive M1) is upstream of protein accumulations like beta-amyloid, alpha-synuclein, and phosphorylated tau, and is strongly influenced by lifestyle-driven metabolic health (blood sugar, insulin resistance, lipids, blood pressure), systemic inflammation, gut dysbiosis, and blood–brain barrier integrity. They discuss prevention, multimodal treatment approaches (e.g., Bredesen and Ornish/Tanzi), mitochondrial dysfunction, exercise, supplements (olive oil polyphenols, vitamin D, CoQ10, urolithin A, spermidine, dihydromyricetin, rosmarinic acid), and emerging drug strategies including TREM2 targeting and GLP-1 agonists, noting benefits and risks. 00:00 Show Intro 01:02 Meet David Perlmutter 03:04 Microglia Paradigm Shift 05:21 Beyond Amyloid Drugs 09:08 Multimodal Reversal Evidence 13:34 Neurons vs Microglia Basics 16:46 Gut Inflammation Link 19:24 Blood Brain Barrier Aging 21:22 Mitochondria Microglia Switch 25:52 Why Diseases Differ Epigenetics 29:54 Tau Is Downstream Too 31:40 Brain Defender Diet Metabolism 35:14 GLP1s For Parkinsons 42:57 Diet Types CGM Keto Fiber 48:46 Supplements For Microglia 52:04 Rapamycin NAD Hype Check 54:34 Wrap Up Preorder Book 55:03 Podcast Outro Dr. David Perlmutter, board-certified neurologist, six-time New York Times bestselling author, with some of his most popular books being Brain Grain, Brain Maker and Drop Acid and his new book, Brain Defenders. His website is DrPerlmutter.com . Dr. Ben Weitz is available for Functional Nutrition consultations specializing in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders like IBS/SIBO and Reflux and also Cardiometabolic Risk Factors like elevated lipids, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure. Dr. Weitz has also successfully helped many patients with managing their weight and improving their athletic performance, as well as sports chiropractic work by calling his Santa Monica office 310-395-3111.




