The Better Brain Book [Hardcover]

David Perlmutter (Author), Carol Colman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 19, 2004

Loss of memory and acuity is not a natural part of aging, and celebrated neurologist David Perlmutter, M.D., shows readers how easy it is to regain and maintain clarity.

Most people can see the signs in their lives-they can't remember where they put their keys; they forget who they're calling mid-dial; shopping lists are the only things that give them an indication of why they've entered a store. However, these are not normal signs of aging. They are the symptoms of a distressed brain, one on its way to more serious conditions that can leave the individual unable to care for him- or herself later in life.

The Better Brain Book provides all the tools any reader will need for rejuvenating the mind, whether they've become forgetful and less able to focus at work, or are trying to help a loved one who has suffered a serious illness. This helpful guide helps you to:

€ discover hidden brain toxins in your medicine cabinet, your household products, and the food you eat;
€ learn how to bring back clarity and mental vigor; and
€ find out what your doctor won't tell you about preventing and treating stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurological conditions.

In addition, The Better Brain Book offers a unique three-tiered food and supplement program that helps heal damage and restore youthful sharpness and memory, as well as specific exercises for keeping the mind alert. (You'll never lose your keys again!)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Playing into our culture's obsession with maintaining youthfulness, neurologist Perlmutter and coauthor Colman say the "typical" signs of brain aging—losing your keys, forgetting appointments, having trouble multitasking—aren't necessarily inevitable and are actually preventable. They divide their book into three tiers: factors affecting mental function, tools for developing a better brain and specific brain disorders. Perlmutter, who runs a Florida health center, is quite concerned with showing how brain aging can be prevented and clarity can be regained by making dietary adjustments. He and Colman also warn of the dangers of using prescription or OTC drugs that may be "interfering with your brain's ability to function at optimal levels." From stomach acid suppressors to antidepressants, medications lower brain antioxidants, they say, leaving dangerous free radicals room to roam. Perlmutter and Colman recommend the usual supplemental solutions, but also pay attention to new memory rejuvenating therapies like hormone replacement. There's also an illuminating chapter on the brain toxins present in the average daily diet (e.g., aluminum and mercury), with advice on how to eliminate them. Although the authors sometimes favor an alarmist tone, their book is an informative explanation of how the brain ages and how it can be protected, and it presents novel, practical ideas.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Dr. David Perlmutter tells you exactly how to prevent the effects of stress and 'aging' on your brain." -- Christiane Northrup, MD, August 2004

"This book provides excellent advice for enhancing memory and preserving mental function throughout life. I highly recommend it." -- Julian Whitaker, MD, Editor, Health & Healing and Founder, Whitaker Wellness Institute

"This is the first book I've seen that addresses factors that can influence brain health for better or worse." -- Andrew Weil, MD, August 2004

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover; 1 edition (August 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157322278X
• ISBN-13: 978-1573222785
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,612 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > Self-Help > Memory Improvement

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better Brain, Better Me!, January 21, 2012

By 

Shelley Eckell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Better Brain Book (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this book 2 1/2 years ago, loved it then, still love it now! I don't remember how much detail the author gave on nootropics but it was after reading this book I began my quest to sharpen my mind and improve my overall cognitive functioning. This book is inspiring as it is factual, in my opinion.

Besides following the exercises clearly outlined in this book, I also began researching and eventually taking a combination of nutritional supplements called nootropics. The great thing about nootropics is that, by and large, they're utterly harmless; they're meant to boost mental functioning such as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration with little to no side effects -regardless of dosage.

They were first discovered 30+ years ago and were used to treat serious medical conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ADHD. Then after scientists began recommending them as cognitive enhancers to the public, they started to become a very popular brain supplement.

It is really quite amazing actually. Colors are brighter, music sounds better; I feel like I became smarter. Caffeine has become a thing of the past for me as well, don't need it anymore. I read more, I've actually read more books in the past year than I have in the past 15 years, I kid you not! I've been waking up every morning without fail for 2 years now feeling absolutely amazing. My suggestion to anyone looking to improve their brain function is to:

1) look into some type of natural brain supplement, everyone is different so do your own research like I did and decide for yourself if it's a good idea. Here are few good one's to get you started;

Piracetam Powder (500 Grams)

25 Grams Oxiracetam Bulk Powder 5 times stronger than Piracetam

2) and of course read this book, which was my personal inspiration and the beginning of my journey to a better me;

The Better Brain Book

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compares to Ornish, June 9, 2007

By 

Alfred Zacher (Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Better Brain Book (Mass Market Paperback)

This book clearly presents an alternative resolution for memory loss and dimentia. It reflects a breakthrough in this area of medicine that rivals the insights into heart disease that Dr Ornish provided.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our "bible" for Better Brains!, May 15, 2009

By 

Jill Heyn - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Better Brain Book (Mass Market Paperback)

My Mother has Alzheimer's and my family considers THE BETTER BRAIN BOOK our "bible". I am doing everything I can to improve my brain health and avoid this terrible disease. I give this book to everyone I know that has a family member with Alzheimer's, BUT, I reccomend this book to EVERYONE!