Episode 150, we get the opportunity to interview Dr. Ricardo Komotar in between his numerous appointments. Ricardo tells us that he always wanted to be a brain surgeon from a very early age. The brain has always fascinated him. He explains that assessments and imaging can be useful in identifying potential problems in the brain, but too much screening can also be problematic. We also discuss various risk factors for tumor formation in the brain, with an emphasis on the role of nutrition, exercise and sleep for optimal brain function, health and longevity. The conversation also touches on the topics of traumatic brain injuries, dementia and new developments in the field of neurology. Dr. Komotar is Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. He graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in neuroscience from Duke University, spending a year at Oxford University in England to focus on neuropharmacology. He received his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine with highest honors and completed his internship and neurosurgical residency at Columbia University Medical Center/The Neurological Institute of New York, followed by a surgical neurooncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to specialize in brain tumors. As Director of the University of Miami Brain Tumor Initiative, Director of Surgical Neurooncology at the University of Miami, Director of the UM Neurosurgery Residency Program, and Director of the UM Surgical Neurooncology Fellowship Program, Dr. Komotar’s main clinical interests are surgical and radiosurgical (Gamma Knife) treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors, as well as meningiomas and pituitary lesions. Dr. Komotar is an internationally recognized leader in the field of brain tumors and performs nearly 800 procedures for these conditions each year using advanced cutting-edge surgical/radiosurgical techniques, making him one of the highest volume brain tumor surgeons in the world. You can find out more information on Dr. Ricardo Komotar below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricardokomotar/ Website: https://www.ricardokomotar.com/ The D&D Fitness Radio podcast is available at the following locations for downloadable audio, including: iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/d-d-fitness-radio-podcast/id1331724217 iHeart Radio – https://www.iheart.com/podcast/dd-fitness-radio-28797988/ Spreaker.com – https://www.spreaker.com/show/d-and-d-fitness-radios-show Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5Py2SSPA4mntNwYRm0Opri You can reach both Don and Derek at the following locations: Don Saladino: http://www.DonSaladino.com Twitter and Instagram - @DonSaladino YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/donsaladino Derek M. Hansen: http://www.SprintCoach.com Twitter and Instagram - @DerekMHansen YouTube - a...