Welcome to The Health & Fitness Show with Tracy.

This episode explores an often-overlooked connection between oral health, brain health, and stroke risk.

Most people think brain health starts with exercise or medication — but research now shows that teeth, gums, and oral inflammation play a role in brain and vascular health.

Gum disease and chronic dental infections don’t stay in the mouth. Inflammation and bacteria can enter the bloodstream, affect blood vessels, and impact circulation to the brain. Studies have linked poor oral health to increased risk of ischemic stroke, vascular brain changes, and long-term brain health concerns.

In this episode, I discuss:
• How oral health affects the brain
• Why inflammation matters for stroke risk and recovery
• What current research is showing
• Practical steps to support both brain and oral health

This episode is part of The Health & Fitness Show with Tracy and is available as both a video and a podcast episode on major podcast platforms.

This information is intended for education and awareness and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personal medical guidance.
▶️ This video is educational and not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personal medical guidance.

For More Support for Stroke Recovery, Balance, and Safe Movement

I create educational videos to help stroke survivors, caregivers, and professionals understand movement, balance, and recovery with clarity and confidence.

🔹 Learn more & resources:
🌐 Website: https://www.tracymarkley.com

🔹 Books by Tracy L. Markley:
📘 Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/tracymarkley

🔹 Community & continued support:
🤝 Membership / Programs: https://www.tracymarkley.com/membership
🎓 Courses: http://www.tracymarkley.com/cec-courses

Sign up for Tracy's Free Stroke Recovery Newsletter:
https://www.tracymarkley.com/form/newsletter-sign-up

These videos are for educational purposes and are not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before starting any exercise program.

#TracyMarkley
#StrokeRecovery
#BrainHealth
#StrokePrevention
#OralHealth
#GumDisease
#TeethAndBrain
#Inflammation
#BrainCare
#VascularHealth
#StrokeSurvivors
#HealthyAging
#DementiaPrevention

Support the show

When Someone Says They’re Lonely: What to Do, and NOT to Do | Holiday Grief, Kindness & Brain Health

Loneliness is one of the most misunderstood emotional experiences, especially during the holidays, seasons of grief, and major life transitions. In this episode, Tracy Markley shares clear guidance on how to respond when someone says they feel lonely and explains what not to do so you don’t unintentionally make their loneliness worse.

Tracy talks about how grief, holiday overwhelm, and emotional overload affect the brain and nervous system. She explains why kindness has a real impact on brain health, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. You will hear supportive insights on how loneliness influences physical and cognitive health, how to communicate compassionately, and what real emotional validation looks like.

This conversation is created to help anyone who feels lonely, anyone supporting someone through loneliness or grief, and anyone wanting to understand emotional health in a deeper, more meaningful way. You are not alone, and you do not have to navigate loneliness without support.

#Loneliness #HolidayGrief #MentalWellness #BrainHealth #KindnessMatters #GriefSupport #EmotionalHealth #HolidayStress #ConnectionMatters #Compassion #MentalHealthAwareness #SupportAndHealing #YouAreNotAlone #StrokeRecovery #TracyMarkley #HealingJourney #NervousSystemRegulation #HeartHealth #WellnessTools #HolisticHealing #HopeAndHealing #CaregiverSupport #HolidaySeason2025 #MindBodyConnection #EmotionalSupport #BrainFitness #SelfAwareness #HealthyCommunication #HelpOthers #PersonalGrowthJourney

Support the show

Welcome to Stroke Recovery: Therapy Ended? Now What? — an educational podcast series by Tracy L. Markley designed to help stroke survivors, caregivers, and professionals better understand the body, the brain, and the recovery process long after formal therapy ends.

Each episode focuses on one essential area of stroke recovery, blending neuroscience, movement education, functional training, safety guidance, and real-life insight from Tracy’s decades of experience specializing in stroke, balance, gait, proprioception, and the brain–body connection.

This series is based on Tracy’s award-winning work with stroke survivors around the world and her book Stroke Recovery: What Now? When Physical Therapy Ends But Your Recovery Continues. Her mission is to empower survivors at every stage — from newly home to years into recovery.

IN THIS SERIES, YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT:

• Muscles, biomechanics, and movement patterns
• Proprioception, spatial awareness, and body connection
• Brain injury basics and how to care for the healing brain
• Balance training, stability, and fall prevention
• Walking gait, posture, and leg alignment
• Spasticity, drop foot, bracing, and safety strategies
• Strength training, fascia, flexibility, and mobility
• Memory, vision challenges, reading difficulties, and peripheral vision
• Communication and cognitive struggles after stroke
• Pain management, fatigue, and realistic recovery expectations
• Home-exercise ideas and equipment recommendations
• How to choose the right trainer or recovery professional
• Emotional recovery, confidence building, and support systems
• Neuroplasticity and what improves it
• Caregiver education and family guidance
• And many more recovery essentials throughout the series

No matter where you are in your recovery journey — early, mid, or long-term — these episodes help you understand your body more clearly and provide the tools you need to continue improving safely and effectively.

Website (resources, articles, membership library):
www.TracyMarkley.com

Amazon Author Page:
www.Amazon.com/author/tracymarkley

Membership Library (workouts, Pilates, balance training, stroke-recovery videos):
www.tracymarkley.com/membership

Support the show