Post-Impact Brain Support Protocol From Dr. Kabran Chapek, ND
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Supporting Brain Health After Impact
There are obviously many instances where people sustain a bump on the head and then move on with their lives. In his work with psychiatric patients, Dr. Kabran Chapek, ND found that to be a commonality among many patients. He now works at the Amen Clinics with Dr. Daniel Amen, MD, and has continued his focus on offering cutting edge diagnostics and naturopathic support.
In his 2020 book, Dr. Chapek offers a detailed clinical approach to supporting brain and neurological health after a head impact.
The top three goals of nutrient support post-impact are
- Support circulation
- Healthy inflammation balance
- Provide nutrients that support brain health
Nutrients Dr. Chapek recommends include NAC as a broad spectrum antioxidant, curcumin to support healthy inflammation, MCT for ketone production and BCAAs to support neurotransmitter balance (as they are likely disrupted) and nutrition support for the brain cells.
He then follows up with another week of nutrients at lower dosing to provide ongoing support. His book goes into detail about dietary management, as well as adjunctive therapies which can also be helpful.
The Post-Impact Brain Support Protocol is based on the person being able to swallow pills. Younger children can take liquids and powders including MCT oil, BCAA powder, NAC powder and vitamin C powder or chewables. Pediatric product recommendations are provided in a separate pediatric brain support protocol.
Dr. Chapek recommends keeping these nutrients handy in the medicine cabinet.
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References
NAC:
Hoffer ME, Balaban C, Slade MD, Tsao JW, Hoffer B. PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e54163. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0054163
Curcumin:
Laird MD, Sukumari-Ramesh S, Swift AE, Meiler SE, Vender JR, Dhandapani KM. . J Neurochem. 2010;113(3):637-648. doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.06630.x
BCAA:
Jeter CB, Hergenroeder GW, Ward NH 3rd, Moore AN, Dash PK. J Neurotrauma. 2013;30(8):671-679. doi:10.1089/neu.2012.2491
Omega-3s:
Kumar PR, Essa MM, Al-Adawi S, et al. J Tradit Complement Med. 2014;4(2):89-92. doi:10.4103/2225-4110.130374
Michael-Titus AT, Priestley JV. Trends Neurosci. 2014;37(1):30-38. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2013.10.005
Fasting/MCT/Ketones:
THEMATIC REVIEW, THEMATIC REVIEW SERIES: CALORIE RESTRICTION AND KETOGENIC DIETS| VOLUME 55, ISSUE 12, P2450-2457, DECEMBER 01, 2014
Mayumi L. Prins, Joyce H. Matsumoto
Open AccessDOI:https://doi.org/10.1194/jlr.R046706
Dr. Kabran Chapek has been a staff physician at Amen Clinics since 2013. As a graduate of Bastyr University in the Seattle area, he is an expert in the use of functional and integrative treatments and collaborates extensively with many of the Amen Clinic physicians. He has a special interest in the assessment and treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. Dr. Chapek is the founding president of the Psychiatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians, an affiliate group of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
