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Brendon Fallon is the host and executive producer of NTD's "Vital Signs," a health show that zooms in on the important matters of health that come up in everyday life—connecting the dots across the broad canvas of our holistic wellbeing.


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Discover trending health videos for body, mind, and soul on Vital Signs. Explore important matters of everyday health, from better sleep to virus immunity

Vital Signs

The Viruses Scientists Fear Most—Ebola, Hantavirus, & H5N1 With ICU Doctor Roger Seheult

Flip ADHD: 5 ’Strategic Unfocus’ Tools from a Harvard Neuroscientist

Mindfulness: Why Your Mind Runs Wild—First Steps to Taking Control

Tune out Anxiety, Hone Focus Through Wearable Vibration–Neuroscientist

3-Step ‘NY Firefighter’ Trauma, Burnout Relief Exercises—James Gordon MD

ADHD: Feed Kids These Foods, Avoid These—Harvard Psychiatrist Uma Naidoo

Beyond Serotonin, What Causes Depression? 7 Habits to Boost Mood

Tips to Rein in Rage to Rescue Relationships | Brad Jacobs MD

7 Core Supplements to Boost Strength, Weight Loss After 60 | Doug Spiel, MD

Fix the Gut Cause of Vaginal Infection, Bloating, IBS | Adeeti Gupta MD

Virus Carried by 50 Percent of Adults Could Alter Breast, Prostate, Colon Cancer

Anti-Cancer: Plants vs Meds in Activating Immune Shield

How to Starve Cancer Cells– Carnivore Doctor

Use Home Hydrotherapy to Combat Flu, Next Big Virus

Good Bacteria Against Breast Cancer and IBS

What Silent Diet Factor Grows Cancer? Genes vs. Lifestyle for Cancer Risk | Dr. Jason Fung

How to Boost Cancer Immunity and How Cancer ‘Thinks’ Like a Virus | Dr. Jason Fung

Fixing the Hidden ‘Gut Factor’ in Women’s Hormone Health—Reduce UTI, STD, Depression

Counter Colon Cancer, Colitis, Irritable Bowel by Eating This Homemade Yogurt

Anti-Cancer Force of the Microbiome, Immune-Boosting Rapamycin, Chemo-Kinesiology

Alzheimer’s: Lost Molecules from Food that Slow Brain Aging | Austin Perlmutter MD

Alzheimer’s: 12 Vitamins, Foods, Exercises for Brain Metabolism | David Perlmutter MD

Glutathione Found Low in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s–How the Body Heals the Mind | Joseph Maroon MD

Shift Immune Cells from Attack to Brain-Defense Mode | David Perlmutter MD

7 Anti-Alzheimer’s Nutrients and How to Take Them—A Brain Surgeon’s Guide

Ways to Protect Infant, Fetal Brains from Toxins–Cut ADHD, Autism Risk 2

Cut ADHD, Autism Risk From Cooking Oils, Wheat, and Cheese

Why ADHD Brains Jump Around

How Twins’ Autism Shifted After Detox of Home, Diet, Lifestyle

Can Super Nutrient NMN Counter Brain Fog, Fatigue of mRNA Vax? Anti-Age Benefits?

Hidden Ingredient Causing Migraine, Obesity—Neurosurgeon

Peptides, Finding Purpose, and Powerful Habits – Keys to Longevity | Bob Goldman MD

Which Protein, Fats for Brain Health? What’s Missing from the New Pyramid? | David Perlmutter MD

If High LDL Doesn’t Signal Heart Risk, What Does?–Critical Blood Tests

How to Reboot Your Immune Sys to Stop Allergies, Arthritis, Gut Issues | Jeffrey Bland PhD

Risk vs Benefit: Constipation, Gout, Kidney Stones on Zero Carb | Carnivore MD

Long-Life Humans: What was their Secret? | Anthony Chaffee MD

Elderberry Versus Elderflower Against Colds, Flu, and COVID

Key Signs of Kidney Disease and Steps to Prevent It

Top Myopia Treatments: Natural Remedy, Medicine, Lifestyle | Dr. Rani Banik

Nurture Gut Flora — Sauerkraut’s 5 Key Benefits

Nitrogen Plasma: Skin Treatment Hope for Acne Scars, Wrinkles, Sagging?

Diet Switch: Hormone, Weight Loss, Brain Health Benefits | Bella Ma

Why Women Must Build Muscle — Best Protein, Exercises | JJ Virgin

Vinegar, Rye, Steel-Cut Oats, and other Fat Busters | Jason Fung MD

Curb Hunger Hormones to Lose Weight Drug Free | Jason Fung MD

Ease Arthritis: Supplements to Surgery | Orthopedic Surgeon

Cut Kidney Inflammation Risk via the Fasting Mimicking Diet | Dr. Jason Fung

Why the ‘Biggest Losers’ Regained Weight | Dr. Jason Fung

Why Are We Fatter Now Than in the 70s? | Dr. Jason Fung

Depression has long been framed as a chemical imbalance – a simple matter of serotonin too low, mood too low. But the rabbit hole goes much deeper.

It goes without saying that mental health, like other dimensions of the body – the gut, metabolism, and immunity, can suffer illness, said internal medicine physician Dr. Austin Perlmutter.

“But now we're starting to understand that all these systems are interconnected,” he added.

From this standpoint, Perlmutter joined “Vital Signs” to highlight deeper, systemic causes of depression and avenues to optimizing mental health.

For instance, emerging research suggests inflammation can<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20043983/"> induce depressive symptoms</a> in real time; while metabolic dysfunction – including insulin resistance – may alter brain signaling. Even air pollution and indoor toxins appear linked to cognitive decline and mood disorders.

In terms of the immune system, Perlmutter, points to how immune cells in the brain, known as microglia, respond to chronic stress and environmental signals, potentially reshaping mood and behavior.

“The photons that a person takes in through their eyes coming from that TV screen, can increase stress in the brain,” he said.

“When you rev up stress pathways in the brain chronically, that can actually activate the danger signal in the brain's immune cells.”

Neuroplasticity is often used to explain how people ‘get stuck’ in negative thought patterns of depression. Equally, this ability of the brain to ‘rewire itself’ gives hope for getting ‘unstuck.’ Perlmutter, said this is one reason why exercise, resistance training in particular,<a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004366.pub7/full"> may rival traditional therapies</a> in improving depression outcomes.

Whereas, the gut-brain axis – the two-way communication system between gut and brain – highlights the value of diet to mental health. The Mediterranean pattern diet, in particular, is linked to<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11852352/%0A%0Ahttps://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)01305-4?utm_source=chatgpt.com%0A%0Ahttps://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000214677%0A%0Ahttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522000612%0A%0Ahttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19885299/%0A%0Ahttps://insight.jci.org/articles/view/161498%0A%0Ahttps://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004366.pub7/full%0A%0Ahttps://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db443.pdf%0A%0Ahttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26361052/%0A%0Ahttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00722/full%0A%0Ahttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(25)00118-4/fulltext?utm_source=chatgpt.com%0A%0Ahttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-020-00886-8%0A%0Ahttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335516301449?via=ihub"> measurable improvements</a> in depressive symptoms, while more restrictive approaches like ketogenic diets remain under investigation.

Moreover, Perlmutter reminds us that everyday inputs – the air we breathe, the media we consume, the social isolation we tolerate – quietly program the brain over time.

In this respect, depression is not simply a brain disorder. It may be a whole-body signal – one shaped by metabolism, immunity, environment, and behavior – and one that demands a broader solution.

Up Next:

Watch<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/epochtv/ease-arthritis-supplements-to-surgery-orthopedic-surgeon-5965155"> Ease Arthritis</a> ⇒ supplements to regenerative surgery for damaged joints | Nick DiNubile MD

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Visit Dr. Perlmutter’s website<a href="https://www.austinperlmutter.com/"> here</a>

Get notice of new?Vital Signs videos:

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Dr. Perlmutter hosts the<a href="https://www.austinperlmutter.com/podcast"> Get the STUCK Out</a> podcast

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other popular?Vital Signs videos:

WATCH<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/epochtv/curb-hunger-hormones-to-lose-weight-drug-free-jason-fung-md-5993292"> Hunger Code 1</a> ⇒ how to curb the physical, emotional, and social drivers of hunger | Jason Fung MD

WATCH<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/epochtv/premiering-at-1-10-1200-pm-et-why-men-and-women-need-each-other-the-biochemistry-of-love-5968156"> Love Hormone</a> ⇒ From ‘cell to soul’ why men and women need each other | Molly Maloof MD

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Related/Referenced studies/reports:

<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11852352/">The Nun Study: Insights from 30 years of aging and dementia research - PMC</a>

<a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674%2825%2901305-4?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Psilocybin triggers an activity-dependent rewiring of large-scale cortical networks: Cell</a>

<a href="https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000214677">Associations of Lifetime Cognitive Enrichment With Incident Alzheimer Disease Dementia, Cognitive Aging, and Cognitive Resilience | Neurology</a>

<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20043983/">Inflammation and social experience: an inflammatory challenge induces feelings of social disconnection in addition to depressed mood - PubMed</a>

<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522000612">The effect of a Mediterranean diet on the symptoms of depression in young males (the “AMMEND: A Mediterranean Diet in MEN with Depression” study): a randomized controlled trial - ScienceDirect</a>

<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19885299/">Alzheimer's disease is type 3 diabetes-evidence reviewed - PubMed</a>

<a href="https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/161498">Exercise restores brain insulin sensitivity in sedentary adults who are overweight and obese</a>

<a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004366.pub7/full">Exercise for depression - Clegg, AJ - 2026 | Cochrane Library</a>

<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db443.pdf">NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 443 ■ August 2022</a>

<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26361052/">Psychology of Habit - PubMed</a>

<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00722/full">Urban Nature Experiences Reduce Stress in the Context of Daily Life Based on Salivary Biomarkers</a>

<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196%2825%2900118-4/fulltext?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Long-term air pollution exposure and incident dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis - The Lancet Planetary Health</a>

<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-020-00886-8">Volatile chemical emissions from car air fresheners | Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health | Springer Nature Link</a>

<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335516301449?via%3Dihub">Health and societal effects from exposure to fragranced consumer products - ScienceDirect</a>

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Vital Signs’ host, guests, and contributors offer general information on improving health and wellness. This is not intended as diagnosis or medical advice. You should consult your medical doctor or holistic doctor before enacting any suggested strategies for health and wellness improvement, including those in relation to preventing or treating specific diseases featured on this program.

Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views of NTD.

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