Dr. Brian McGuckin, Laboratory Nutrition Chiropractic Internist

06/17/2026

Chicken, the amino acid tryptophan, and a happy brain.

Another reason for grilling. Chicken, the amino acid tryptophan, and a happy brain.

The meat in chicken and turkey is high in the amino acid tryptophan. When combined with a meal high in starches like potatoes, the intestines absorb tryptophan at a high rate.

6 ounces of chicken has 687 mg of tryptophan
https://www.myfooddata.com/articles/high-tryptophan-foods.php

The body then converts tryptophan into serotonin. Melatonin, which serotonin converts into, lets your brain relax so you can go to sleep.

And, serotonin has an additional benefit, making tryptophan (Sleep Guard from Perque) the better choice over melatonin supplementation. Serotonin helps the adrenal glands manage stress. It helps balance the brain’s signaling to the adrenal glands while we sleep. This is very important when trying to stay asleep through the night.
https://advancestudy.org/does-serotonin-reduce-cortisol/

Things you can do:

A. Enjoy summer and grill a chicken and maybe a turkey.
B. Walking really helps, as well as stretching before you go to bed.
C. Getting outside first thing in the morning. The green light from the sun going through the trees relaxes the brain.
D. Sleep Guard®️ from Perque®️ is 100% pure tryptophan.
E. Test

A very simple overnight urine test will measure your brain signaling amino acids called neurotransmitters. The goal of testing is to determine if stress levels have diminished your ability to cope, leading to anxiety, and affecting attention, focus, and stress management.

Names of neurotransmitters that are tested:

Serotonin helps with appetite, mood, and sleep.
GABA - Gamma amino butyric acid promotes calm. Important for anxiety, stress, and sleep.
Glutamate - Learning and memory.
PEA - Phenylethylamine - Promotes energy, elevates mood, and regulates attention.
Dopamine - the happy hormone neurotransmitter. This gives you the feeling of reward - happy.
Norepinephrine - Increases alertness, heart rate, and blood pressure during stress.
Epinephrine - Elevates with stress, stimulating the brain.
Norepinephrine / Epinephrine ratio
Creatinine - This will elevate with prolonged memorized stress.
The issue is the brain memorizing a stress pattern, leading to anxiety, mood, and the inability to lose weight.

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmra012941

The reason for testing and talking.
Listening + Testing = Understanding and solutions
Call - just a conversation. I'll tell you if I can be of help.

https://stan.store/drbrianmcguckin - Cookbook and digestive self help.
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https://www.drmcguckin-frankfort.com/blog/
Email: [email protected]

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

Thanking Patty for the beautiful flowers. These are Damask roses.

04/30/2026

I am so happy you are a regular newsletter reader. My goal is your physical best: more energy, minimal health issues, and longevity without chronic illness. So, thank you for eating healthier and overall taking better care of yourself. What you know, I want to share with your family and friends.

Free 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION for your family and friends.

If you have any family or friends new to the office, who are not at their best, I am offering a free consultation. I would be happy to talk in person, by phone, or via video call for 15 minutes to regain hope in solving their health puzzle.

When I did testing 35 years ago, it was always the food reactions that were the primary culprit. Today, hidden chemical exposures are the number one cause of chronic health problems. An example conversation I have on the cause of inflammation is breathing unleaded gasoline fumes. The chemicals do not leave the cells when omega-3 essential oils are low, leading to health problems. I had a conversation yesterday concerning cleaning chemicals that were causing coughing, mimicking asthma.

Tell your family and friends, you have to be a detective to solve the puzzle.

To help cover the cost of gas coming to the office - 10% off supplements at the visit!

For May, supplements ordered at the time of the office visit will be 10% off their regular price! Office visit purchases only. Let us know a few days before your visit what supplements you will need.

Spring is here, and it’s time for sandals and flip-flops.

The cure for sore feet from non-supporting flip-flops and sandals is laser-fitted arches.

Foot Levelers is offering $75.00 off most 2nd pair orthotics or sandals.

Stay healthy,

Dr Brian McGuckin
Laboratory & Nutrition
Chiropractic Internist
Health Coach
Appointments: (779) 324-5741
Visit Website

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04/01/2026

Happy April 1st. No fools just a fun challenge. What is the black food under the egg? I am excited to find out how many people get it right.

03/24/2026

Acy Joints and Stiffness? Might be the additives in your food!

03/24/2026

This video is about the additives in food causing or adding to stiffness and achy joints.

Dr. McGuckin

03/24/2026

Feeling better is something we're all working toward, and you don't have to overhaul your life to get started. Sometimes the journey begins right in the grocery aisle! A few simple changes to what lands in your cart can make a real difference.

This video is about additives in the food we buy.

Natural Solutions That Work.

03/17/2026

For the few who do not enjoy Corned Beef and Cabbage.

ST PATRICK'S DAY CODFISH

1 IB cod fish
10 oz bag of frozen peas
1 Avocado
1/2 IB pasta with texture to hold the green sauce. Preferably Racconto brand.
3 cloves garlic
1 bunch green onions
Sherry vinegar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea salt
Fresh ground black pepper

In a small pot of boiling water add the frozen peas and cook for 2 min. remove from water and add to a blender.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a sauce pan with roughly chopped garlic. Stir under low to medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes, add to blender.

To the blender add:

Add on teaspoon of salt and two grinds of black pepper (1/4 tsp).
3 tablespoons of water
1 tablespoon of sherry vinegar
1 avocado

Pulse blend until fully mixed. Set aside.

Bring salted water to boil for the noodles. While waiting cut the green onions into small pieces separating the white part from the green. Discard leafy stalks. Whites will be sautéd and put on the fish, the green will be added to the pasta.

Add 4 tablespoons each of sherry vinegar and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a sauce pan. Add in the white part of the onion and sauté for two minutes under medium heat. Remove onions and vinegar/oil mixture, set aside. The onion and liquid will go on top of the fish when ready to plate.

In the same pan add 4 tablespoons of sherry vinegar and enough water to cover the bottom of the pan by1/8 inch. The goal is to poach the fish under medium heat.

Add the fish, it will take about 10-15 minutes depending on thickness. Do not use a lid, let the fish cook from the bottom up, add more water as needed., less is best to keep the flavor of the fish. The fish will begin to turn white and can be separated easily with a fork when cooked through.

While waiting on the fish the water will have begun to boil for the pasta. Salt the water and cook the pasta to a semi firm density. Remove and add to a bowl, mix the pea/avocado mixture. Once mixed add the green onion segments.

Plate the noodle mixture and place the cooked fish on top.
Garnish with paprika and a light sprinkle of salt.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

01/30/2026

Why Bone Density Fails (and How to Rebuild Strong Bone Naturally

Most people think bone loss is just about calcium—but that’s not how bone is actually made. In this video, I’ll show you the detective process we use to figure out why bone density is failing—and exactly how to rebuild bone from the inside out