29. Your Brain Needs Fuel: What This New Study Could Mean for Mood, Memory & Mental Health

Could Blood Sugar, Insulin Resistance & Brain Energy Affect Your Mood, Memory & Mental Health? What if your brain simply isn't getting the fuel it needs to function at its best? Most people think of insulin resistance as a blood sugar problem. But what if it affects much more than your waistline? A newly published study in the growing field of metabolic psychiatry is exploring an exciting question: Could metabolism and brain energy play a role in mood, memory, and mental health? In this episode of Health Beyond Weight Loss, TaShawn Davis, RN—Registered Nurse with over 20 years of nursing experience, Holistic Health Coach, Speaker, and Author—shares her personal story of memory loss that led her to completely rethink nutrition, along with why many of her coaching clients report improvements in brain fog, mental clarity, focus, and memory while improving their metabolic health. You'll also learn why researchers are studying the relationship between blood sugar, insulin resistance, ketones, inflammation, mitochondria, and brain function, and why this emerging science is giving hope to many people seeking to better understand the connection between the brain and metabolism. If you've ever struggled with: Brain fog Forgetfulness Difficulty concentrating Mental fatigue Anxiety Low mood Insulin resistance Prediabetes Type 2 diabetes ...this episode is for you. In This Episode ✔️ Why TaShawn became concerned about her memory ✔️ The newly published research that caught her attention ✔️ What is Metabolic Psychiatry? ✔️ Why your brain needs so much energy ✔️ Could insulin resistance affect the brain? ✔️ Why ketones are receiving so much research attention ✔️ The surprising role of healthy fats and cholesterol in brain health ✔️ Why many coaching clients report improvements in brain fog and mental clarity ✔️ Practical questions to ask about your own metabolic health ✔️ A biblical perspective on caring for the mind God created Key Takeaways 🧠 Your brain is an organ—and like every organ, it requires energy to function. 🩸 Blood sugar regulation affects far more than diabetes. ⚡ Researchers are exploring how insulin resistance, inflammation, and mitochondrial health may influence brain function. 🥑 Healthy fats are important building blocks for the brain. 🙏 Your health matters because your purpose matters. FEATURED RESEARCH New Research in Metabolic Psychiatry This newly published paper discusses the rapidly growing field of metabolic psychiatry, which explores how metabolism, brain energy, and mitochondrial function may influence serious mental illness and cognitive health. While this research is still evolving, it highlights an exciting shift toward understanding the brain as a metabolically active organ. Schizophrenia Bulletin (2026) Metabolic Psychiatry and Brain Energy Research https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article-abstract/52/4/sbag082/8725541 Nutritional and Metabolic Psychiatry Dr. Georgia Ede, internationally recognized psychiatrist and author, has helped bring attention to how nutrition, metabolism, and brain function may be connected. Learn more: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/ 🎉 FREE LIVE EVENT Could Your Diabetes Be Reversible? FREE Metabolic Health Experience 📅 Sunday, July 12 🕓 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM 📍 Alafaya Branch Library 12000 E Colonial Dr. Orlando, FL 📺 Also Streaming LIVE on Facebook If you or someone you love has: ✔️ Type 2 Diabetes ✔️ Prediabetes ✔️ Insulin Resistance ✔️ Fatty Liver ✔️ Metabolic Syndrome ...join me for this free educational experience as we explore practical lifestyle strategies, the latest metabolic health research, and how understanding physiology can help you ask better questions about your health. 🎟️ Reserve your FREE seat: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/could-your-diabetes-be-reversible-a-free-metabolic-health-experience-tickets-1993213218392 🔥 Intensive Diabetes Reversal & Nurse Concierge Program Ready for personalized guidance? My Intensive Diabetes Reversal & Nurse Concierge Program provides one-on-one coaching designed to help you better understand your labs, blood sugar, nutrition, medications, and metabolic health. 🌐 Learn More https://www.healthbeyondweightloss.com 🎁 FREE Resource Download My FREE 3-Day Sugar Reset Guide Reduce cravings. Support healthy blood sugar. Take the first step toward better metabolic health. https://bit.ly/Healthbeyondweightlosssugarreset 📚 Celebrating One Year! This July marks the one-year anniversary of both of my books! If Sugar Deception or Uproot the Cravings has helped you better understand blood sugar, insulin resistance, brain health, or metabolic wellness, I'd be honored if you'd celebrate with me by leaving an Amazon review. 📘 Sugar Deception: How Carbs Quietly Damage Your Brain, Body & Hormones https://a.co/d/00gYUkHd 📗 Uproot the Cravings: A 21-Day Sugar Detox Devotional & Journal https://a.co/d/032qzChc 💚 Join Our Community Health Beyond Weight Loss: Metabolic Health & Insulin Resistance https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthbeyondweightloss Connect with TaShawn Davis, RN 🌐 Website https://www.healthbeyondweightloss.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TaShawnDavisRNHealthCoach Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tashawndavisrnhealthcoach About Health Beyond Weight Loss Health Beyond Weight Loss is a faith-based podcast helping people understand insulin resistance, blood sugar, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, brain fog, memory loss, metabolic health, fatigue, inflammation, hormones, and natural lifestyle strategies through practical, evidence-informed education. Hosted by TaShawn Davis, RN—Registered Nurse with over 20 years of nursing experience, Holistic Health Coach, Speaker, and Author—each episode combines physiology, peer-reviewed science, clinical experience, and biblical encouragement to help listeners understand the "why" behind their symptoms and make informed healthcare decisions. 🌎 Heard in 56 countries 🌍 Across 6 continents 🏆 Top 5% Globally Ranked Podcast 📈 Top-Ranked Health & Nutrition Podcast ⭐ Love the Podcast? If this episode encouraged you or helped you understand your brain in a new way, would you take a minute to leave a podcast review? Your reviews help more people discover Health Beyond Weight Loss and support our mission of helping 1 million people improve their metabolic health through education, hope, and practical lifestyle change. Thank you for helping spread hope—one conversation at a time. Your health. Your family. Your future. Because you are needed in this hour. Medical Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The discussion of emerging research in metabolic psychiatry is intended to inform listeners about current scientific investigation and should not replace individualized medical or mental health care. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical or mental health concerns.