Dr. David Perlmutter on Menopause, Metabolism & Protecting Your Brain

EP363 with Dr. David Perlmutter

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Women are far more likely than men to develop Alzheimer’s disease, and Dr. David Perlmutter believes one of the most important pieces of that story is metabolic health.

In this episode of Live Like a Girl, Dr. Perlmutter joins Dr. Mindy to explain what happens when the brain’s immune cells shift from protective to destructive, why menopause may increase vulnerability, and how blood sugar, insulin resistance, visceral fat, inflammation, mitochondrial health, and lifestyle all influence brain aging.

They also discuss HRT, GLP-1 medications, ketones, fasting, fiber, exercise, BNDF, sleep, and what women can begin doing in their 30s, 40s, and 50s to support long-term cognitive health.

In This Episode:

• Why women face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s

• How menopause may affect brain metabolism

• Why belly fat and insulin resistance matter for brain health

• The blood markers Dr. Perlmutter watches most closely

• What emerging research says about GLP-1 drugs and the brain

• The lifestyle habits Dr. Perlmutter prioritizes for prevention

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Resources Mentioned:

Resources Mentioned

• Brain Defenders by Dr. David Perlmutter

• Nonino et al. (2026): Amyloid-beta-targeting monoclonal antibodies for mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s dementia

• Ornish et al. (2024): Effects of intensive lifestyle changes on mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s dementia

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Meet the Guest

Dr. David Perlmutter

Dr. David Perlmutter

Dr. David Perlmutter is a Board-Certified Neurologist and six-time New York Times bestselling author whose work focuses on the intersection of neurology, nutrition, and brain health. A Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, he serves on its Board of Directors and on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. His books, including the #1 bestseller Grain Brain, have been published in 32 languages and sold over a million copies.

Dr. Perlmutter lectures globally at leading institutions and has been featured on major media outlets including 20/20, CNN, The Today Show, and Oprah. His contributions have earned him numerous national and international awards for clinical innovation and leadership. His upcoming book, Brain Defenders, focuses on the pivotal role of microglia, the brain’s immune cells, in protecting, repairing, and reprogramming the brain for lifelong resilience, and is now available for pre-order.

• Brain Defenders

• drperlmutter.com

• braindefenders.com

• Instagram: @davidperlmutter

• YouTube: @DavidPerlmutterMD

• X: @davidperlmutter

• LinkedIn: David Perlmutter MD

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This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or medical advice. Please consult a qualified professional about your individual situation.