I highly recommend this book not only to people who are at the risk of getting brain disorders but also to the young generations. This book contains all the information that we have to know whenever we eat something. Readers can get advices on diet/food intake from this book without going to doctors. And those advices are not only linked to getting healthy but also to preventing the dementia or any other brain disorders. Dr. David Perlmutter does not just throw some ideas to the readers; rather he explains why it happens or how to stop it. He also explains the relation between the nutrient and brain disorder that what chemical and biological factors of nutrient are actually causing the illness. I think everyone should read this book at least once because we all depend on the food intake. The earlier you know, the more you can prevent the brain diseases.
In the introduction of this book, Dr. Perlmutter includes self-assessment page where the readers can define what are their risk factors for getting brain disorders. He also explains that he would provide information useful for the following brain illness: ADHD, anxiety, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, dementia, etc. He states that he would prove to the readers about how daily habit affects the function and long-term health of brain.
Part 1, "The Whole Grain Truth", discusses about the common ingredients such as wheat and fats that are both friends and enemies of the brain. It is divided into six chapters, the first three chapters discusses about the inflammation process, the role of gluten, carbohydrates and fats in inflammation, and the inflammation as the heart of brain disease. He also covers psychological and behavioral disorders that food choices can change an individual genetic characteristic and eventually leads to the brain illness. In the last chapter of part 1, the author focuses on how the gluten can impinge the long-term health and functions of the brain; people should keep breads away from them.
Part 2, "The Grain Brain Rehab", mainly discusses about the science beyond the habits that support a healthy brain. Divided into three chapters, he explores the relationship of nutrition and supplements, exercise, and sleep to brain disorders individually. He recommends the dietary habits that people should follow for healthy brain: the daily exercise routine to have better genes in the brain: the sleep routine to maintain stable hormone levels.
In the part 3, "Say Good-Bye to Grain Brain", the author actually recommends a month-long program with the meal plan, recipes, and weekly goal. He, in details, provides what should be taken everyday, and what must be forbidden for intake during lifetime. This recipe and diet plan would lead people to change their diet habits and help keep healthy brain consistently.
In this book, the style and structure is simple and easy to follow. First, Dr. Perlmutter follows the structure of having a proposal, evidences and recommendations. He first proposes how each nutrient and daily habits can affect the health of brain. Then, he provides evidence to support his thesis by explaining the chemical and biological mechanism of each food intake and the effect of sleep and exercise. Finally, he gives a recommendation on how to avoid brain illness in the future with his own version of meal plan, recipe, and weekly goals. Therefore, people with no scientific background can all understand what the author is trying to explain. Also, whenever he introduces new biochemical concepts, he explains in-depth so that readers will not get lost. In the beginning of each chapter, he gives an overview of what will be in there. For example, in chapter 6, he gives all the list of changes that sugars can trigger in the short-term basis: behavior, seize control of focus and concentration, tic disorders and mood conditions such as depression. In terms of the style, I was able to observe the author's effort of trying to make a connection with the readers by questioning and stating his past daily habits. The readers would fully respond only if they have the same experience as the discussion topic of the author. However, there were not enough pictures or graphs that could assist the readers to understand the context. The font size and spacing was viewable. The headings were appropriately positioned and fully caught the attention of readers.
I read this book to find out the relationship between diet and Alzheimer's disease. The book covered this topic with appropriate volume but the book itself actually gave full information about the effect of each nutrient and supplements on the health of brain. First, he proved that the inflammation would lead to the cause of Alzheimer's disease because of "toxic sugar inflicts"(pg. 29). The insulin resistance from sugar, "sparks the formation of those infamous plaques that are present in diseased brains", especially in Alzheimer's disease (pg. 30). Because these plaques would buildup and take place of normal brain cells, the diabetes patient will have higher chance of getting Alzheimer's disease. It was interesting to see how diabetes and Alzheimer's disease was related together. I have read several research articles about their relationship but it was interesting to find out how food intake can be a key connector between these two diseases. In the later chapter, he also discusses about the increased risk of Alzheimer's disease due to diabetes. Since diabetes are also caused by high intake of carbs and sugars, it will definitely increase the risk of Alzheimer by increasing the inflammation and triggering the formation of insoluble protein plaques.
He also included a report, published in 2005, to indicate the relationship between the cholesterol level and cognitive ability. As Alzheimer's diseased patients have very low cognitive ability, I believed that high cholesterol level would actually decrease the cognition. However, he stated "people who had the highest cholesterol levels scored higher on cognitive tests than those with lower levels"(pg. 34). It was interesting to find out that there has to be a "protective factor" from cholesterol that can maintain the cognitive skills.
He then defines the elevations of cytokine as the hallmarks of the Alzheimer's disease. Gluten "increases the production of inflammatory cytokines" and such inflammation can actually prevent the production of soluble proteins and deposition of unnecessary cells in the brain, increasing the formation of insoluble plaques.
This book is definitely giving an advice to lose wheat and maintain low sugar level in our body. The intake of grain is actually increasing the risk of many brain disorders including ADHD, severe depression, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, etc. I would recommend this book even to the patient so that they do not have to solely depend on the medication, rather they should try a new lifestyle as Dr. Perlmutter recommends in the last chapter. This book is also recommended for young generation who has enough time to prevent the brain illness by reading this book and altering their diet plan. For potential readers, I would recommend to write current daily food intake before reading this book. By analyzing what you have eaten everyday based on this book, you would be able to find out your own risk factors to brain disorders. Also, try to read this book with whole family. Your daily food intake highly depends on family members, thus to get altered in a short term you must change your family's lifestyle.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
There is a newer edition of this item:
Frequently bought together
This item: Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar--Your Brain's Silent Killers
$12.97
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Dec 17
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
+
$16.50
In Stock
+
$16.54
In Stock
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
- The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan: Boost Brain Performance, Lose Weight, and Achieve Optimal HealthHardcover$10.99 shippingGet it as soon as Monday, Dec 16Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
- Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar - Your Brain's Silent KillersPaperback$9.98 shippingGet it as soon as Thursday, Dec 19Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Popular Highlights in this book
The fundamental role of LDL in the brain, again, is to capture life-giving cholesterol and transport it to the neuron, where it performs critically important functions.Highlighted by 669 Kindle readers- Sugar molecules attach themselves to LDL and change the molecule’s shape, rendering it less useful while increasing free radical production.Highlighted by 639 Kindle readers
- The gene that turns on BDNF is activated by a variety of lifestyle habits, including physical exercise, caloric restriction, following a ketogenic diet, and the addition of certain nutrients like curcumin and the omega-3 fat DHA.Highlighted by 543 Kindle readers
About the author
Excellently written & plenty of references!
As a retail pharmacist and a mom of a child with type 1 diabetes (managing with low carb/high protein), I LOVE this book! Dr Perlmutter has done a great job! Recommend for EVERYONE to read. We all should be asking ourselves who stands to gain from our high carb diets and chronic diseases. Big pharma and Big food.
Top reviews from other countries
Christine S.
excellent book! highly recommend! for better bodies and brains, and well being!
Reviewed in Canada on January 17, 2023
Ruben
Great book, very insightful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2024Eduardo Ramirez
LIBRO IMPORTANTE QUE TODOS DEBIERAMOS LEER Y ENTENDER.
Reviewed in Mexico on July 25, 2021
