Michael J. Brown, BCPS, BCPP, Pharmacist

Brief Introduction/Tell Us About yourself (where you are from, etc)

My name is Michael J. Brown and I am a Clinical Pharmacist board certified in psychiatry and pharmacotherapy. I am also the owner of Sunshine Nutraceuticals which distributes high-quality, plant-based supplements designed to promote healthy living.   I currently reside in Portland, Oregon.    

Why did you decide to pursue a career in nutrition?  

How did you become passionate about healthy eating? 

I was once overweight and extremely unhealthy.  I ate the wrong foods, drank too much alcohol, and avoided exercise.  I decided to change my lifestyle after my second daughter was born.  I have since changed my routine, lost 60 pounds, and have enjoyed teaching others to do the same.  I feel better than I ever have, and feel compelled to help others achieve their goals. 

What kind of training did you undergo/certification you received? 

I became a pharmacist in 1988, and have been a practicing pharmacist for thirty-one years.  I have become board certified in pharmacotherapy and psychiatry.  I have a special interest in nutrition and specifically in the use of nutraceuticals to help people live a happy, healthy lifestyle.

What do people look for in a nutritionist or dietician?

I think communication is important as well as trust.  The information relayed must be easy to understand and evidence-based.

If you could persuade people to change three things about their diet, what would they be?

Eat more whole foods.  Processed foods are full of chemicals that can be harmful to your body.  Whole foods are cleaner, healthier, and will make you feel much better.  I believe this to be the most important change people can make.

Drink more water.  Water helps clean out the body and remove toxins from the bloodstream.  It also helps keeps your body hydrated, is good for the brain, kidneys, and other organs. 

Avoid fast food!  I cannot emphasize this enough.  Fast food is usually full of unhealthy fat and contains too many calories.  Take the time to prepare your own meals using whole food ingredients. 

What would you make as a quick and healthy dinner option, if you have 30 minutes of preparation time? 

Vegetarian curry stir-fry.  This is one of the healthiest, nutritious meals you can make.  The turmeric in the curry has many health benefits and you can use organic vegetables and sweet potatoes as ingredients.  I suggest using olive or coconut oil.

What is your favorite snack?

I make Whole30 compliant snack bars containing only organic dates, cashews, almonds, and dried blueberries.  These are sweet and very healthy.

What nutrition trends are you paying attention to in 2020? 

I plan to eat more plant-based, whole foods.  I am also interested in various supplements including turmeric, ashwagandha, and other herbs.  I am planning to improve on the gut-brain axis and have spent many hours researching this topic. This includes the use of probiotics as well as avoiding certain foods.

Plant based living is becoming more and more popular. When eating a mostly plant based / vegetarian diet, are there certain foods to focus on to make sure we’re getting enough nutrients and protein?

There are many important sources of protein that are plant based including:

- Broccoli

- Spinach

- Kale

- Sweet Potatoes

- Beans

- Almonds

- Cashews

- Quinoa

- Walnuts

- Chickpeas

- Oatmeal

- Non-Dairy Kinds of milk

There are many others, but these are the ones I tend to focus on.  As far as nutrients, I recommend green leaf lettuce, bell peppers, carrots, parsnips, mushrooms, and other peppers (cayenne, jalapeno, etc), in addition to the foods listed above.

Speaking of plant based, what are some of the benefits of drinking chlorophyll water / benefits of liquid chlorophyll? 

There are many benefits to liquid chlorophyll.  This supplement has been used to fight body odor.  It may also be effective in fighting some types of infection and improve the microbiome of the gut.  There is also some evidence to suggest chlorophyll may have anti-cancer effects.  Chlorophyll water can help detox the body.  

What’s one of your favorite organic/natural supplements or vitamins you recommended? 

My recommendation is vitamins and supplements from Sunshine Nutraceuticals.  These products are all made in the USA using premium ingredients.  Some of the best choices are turmeric, ceylon cinnamon, krill oil, and probiotic-40.  

Any favorite health / nutrition podcasts or books you recommend to our readers?

My favorite books on nutrition and supplements are:

- Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch

- Fortify your Life by Tieraona Low Dog, MD

- The Health Professional's Guide to Dietary Supplements by Shawn M. Talbot and Kerry Highes

- The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook by James A. Duke, Ph.D.

Where can our readers find you? (Instagram, Facebook, etc)