Brain Health Initiative
Today, Edible Sarasota Editor, Tracy Freeman, announced a collaboration to support access, availability, and adoption of healthy food and lifestyle options in the Suncoast region led by the Brain Health Initiative (BHI). The Florida food and beverage supply chain from agriculture to aquaculture, to restaurants and retail, as well as an international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, public and community health, political, academic, and other leaders, are coming together with BHI-affiliated faculty, students, and scholars for this purpose.
The diverse group of stakeholders in this collaboration is evolving and includes the Brain Health Initiative, The World Economic Forum, students of the University of South Florida Judy Genshaft Honors College, the University of Florida’s Chair of the Department of Neurology, Dr. Mike Jaffee, Scott Angle, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Florida farmers of agriculture and aquaculture, food artisans, the School District of Manatee County, Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, Charter Schools USA, Department of Health of Manatee and Sarasota Counties, and multiple others. One of the goals of this multi-pronged collaboration is to shine the spotlight on the region’s vast resources and to create models that can be replicated, to increase health and well-being outcomes at the individual, family, and greater community levels.
Dr. Stephanie Peabody, Executive Director and Founder of the Brain Health Initiative, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, emphasized that "when it comes to people and planet health and well-being, from the sea, soil, and seed, apiary, dairy, poultry, ranch, and livestock, it is about molecules to metabolism, which is much more than the trending concept of farm to fork. Together, we are committed to researching the impacts of certain lifestyle behaviors and nutrients on the structure and function of the human brain across the lifespan and to identifying opportunities and barriers to providing access and influencing consumers to adopt brain-healthy foods and ways of living. This effort pushes us further toward the goal of creating Brain Healthy Communities and bridging the gap between lifespan and brain span. Florida is abundant with innovative collaborators, front-line health and lifestyle implementers, and ingredients essential for this critical brain health collaboration.”
“As a leader in agricultural research and education our job is to assure that our state’s food supply is abundant, safe, and healthy,” noted J. Scott Angle, Senior Vice President of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services. “With a better understanding of those components of food that improve brain health, we can direct our plant breeding efforts to enhance concentrations of those compounds in the food we grow, supply, cook, and eat.”
To contribute to the effort, Dr. Peabody along with BHI Medical Director, Dr. Uma Naidoo, BHI Faculty Chef Barton Seaver, and Dr. Shelley Carson launched the world's first Nutritional Neuroscience academic course, Food is Medicine for Brain Health and Performance at Harvard this semester. In addition, BHI faculty have launched the inaugural Lifestyle Medicine for Brain Health and Performance dual enrollment course this semester at the University of South Florida’s Judy Genshaft Honors College. Students from the courses will shine the spotlight on the Suncoast related to the many resources to support brain-healthy habits and food choices in the region.
“We are delighted to partner with the Brain Health Initiative to bring this innovative research and community impact program to our students,” says Dr. Cayla Lanier, Assistant Dean of the University of South Florida’s Judy Genshaft Honors College. “A focus on lifestyle interventions for brain health is an interdisciplinary approach to health and well-being that aligns nicely with our college values of medical humanities and building sustainable futures. Further, the engagement with so many community partners adds value to the student experience as they see real-world implications for their class research projects.”
As part of these academic courses, Harvard undergraduate and graduate students, as well as the University of South Florida Judy Genshaft Honors College students, BHI Brain Health Scholars , and high schools students from the School District of Manatee County and Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy will gain a deeper understanding of the science and implications of a brain-healthy lifestyle, including nutrition, physical activity, and emotional well-being, on brain health and overall wellness. Students will also develop a toolkit that will enable them to apply the information learned to their own well-being choices with confidence and competence and to inspire community stakeholders (e.g., restaurants, regional farmers markets, organic farms, and retailers) to promote and protect brain health.
As an example, students and Scholars will have the opportunity to work and learn with Suncoast chefs and industry experts to create a unique certified Brain Healthy Menu selection at each restaurant and to facilitate a series of Brain Healthy Dinner Parties throughout the region. The students and Scholars will also have the opportunity to observe different environments using an evidence-based brain health lens and make recommendations to establishments to enhance brain health. (e.g., hospitals, campuses, nature preserves, schools, youth development programs, workplaces, and active aging communities).
Ed Chiles, Owner of the Chiles Hospitality stated, “As a longtime restaurateur in the Suncoast region, I am excited that our three waterfront restaurants and our Gamble Creek Farm will collaborate with the BHI Faculty, Students, and Scholars to create evidence-based experiences to promote and protect the brain–mind–body health for our guests and workforce. Our goal is to inspire other like-minded restaurants, farms, markets, industry, culinary training programs, retailers, and other stakeholders to join this most important movement to support brain health.”
Mike Jaffee, MD, Chair Department of Neurology UF College of Medicine, states that he is “proud to collaborate in research and impactful projects with BHI to support Scholars and students working with researchers and industry partners to optimize brain health and performance across the lifespan.“
The World Economic Forum, through its New Frontiers of Nutrition and Future of Personalized Well-being initiatives, has identified the BHI and the Suncoast region as strategic collaborators to build and pilot eco-systems of change to promote societal health and resilience outcomes, with an explicit focus on brain health and wellness, for all ages. The focus is on improving consumer health and well-being by increasing healthy lifestyle behaviors by 2035 so that fewer people, of all generations, experience lifestyle-related diseases, including brain illness.
Andy Moose of The World Economic Forum shared that "together the residents, workforce, and visitors of this region, alongside these students and Scholars, will explore the real-world barriers and bridges to increasing healthy lifestyle and food choices toward the goal of improving overall well-being outcomes.”
Tracy Freeman concluded, "There is no doubt that brain health is of critical importance to the human population. To shift the needle in adopting a healthy lifestyle and food practices, collaboration is essential. The Suncoast region is fortunate to have the opportunity to take a lead with BHI researchers in the field of Neuroscience and collaborators from across the region and globally to come together to draw attention to a growing national movement that encourages people, of all ages, to live a more healthy life."
About Edible Sarasota
Through Edible Sarasota’s printed publication, website, and events, we aim to connect consumers with local growers, retailers, chefs, and food artisans, enabling those relationships to grow and thrive in a healthful, and economically viable way. We are part of a growing national movement throughout this country that is encouraging people to eat more locally-grown and locally-produced foods.
About the Brain Health Initiative (www.brainhealthinitiative.org)
The Brain Health Initiative, Inc. (BHI), a 501(c)(3) global non-profit, uses a cutting-edge approach to protecting brain health, promoting brain performance, and preventing and fighting brain illness across the lifespan. The BHI is on a mission to build brain-healthy communities, cultures that promote brain-healthy lifestyles, foster protective factors, and address risk factors, thereby improving brain health and optimizing brain performance outcomes while addressing disparities at the individual, family, and community level. BHI is activating the next generation of brain health advocates and is a leader in brain health engagement, research, innovation, and education.
Stand UP for Brain Health
OPTIMIZE Brain Performance
DISRUPT Brain Illness
Be Brain Healthy: Be Brain Powerful
Become an Ambassador of Brain Health
Brain Health IS Health
Brain Health MATTERS and LIFESTYLE Makes a DIFFERENCE
