Brain Maker
Ratings2
Average rating3.5
15
Ratings2
Average rating3.5
Debilitating brain disorders are on the rise-from children diagnosed with autism and ADHD to adults developing dementia at younger ages than ever before. But a medical revolution is underway that can solve this problem: Astonishing new research is revealing that the health of your brain is, to an extraordinary degree, dictated by the state of your microbiome - the vast population of organisms that live in your body and outnumber your own cells ten to one. What's taking place in your intestines today is determining your risk for any number of brain-related conditions.
In BRAIN MAKER, Dr. Perlmutter explains the potent interplay between intestinal microbes and the brain, describing how the microbiome develops from birth and evolves based on lifestyle choices, how it can become "sick," and how nurturing gut health through a few easy strategies can alter your brain's destiny for the better. With simple dietary recommendations and a highly practical program of six steps to improving gut ecology, BRAIN MAKER opens the door to unprecedented brain health potential.
Reviews with the most likes.
As I am struggling with gut issues, and want to care for my brain too, this was a really interesting read. The microbiome is so important to our health, and so threatened by many modern practices (modern Western diet, the overuse of antibiotics, pesticides, and more.) It seems clear this is an area that must be further researched, and hopefully where revolutionary changes can be made to improve health in body and mind.
I find Perlmutter's assurance that his diet is easy to follow for everyone unrealistic. It is time consuming and resource draining, as I am finding now trying to follow a similar protocol. Not everyone has access to all the ingredients, not everyone can afford all that organic food, not everyone has time or space to make all those homemade fermented foods. No doubt everyone can make steps in a healthier direction, but it's just advertising and a demonstration of rich-urban-person privilege to claim it's going to be easy.
Perlmutter also mentioned stress, along with diet and environmental input, as a major factor influencing the gut microbiome. However, he does not follow this up, nor take into account psychological and relational influences on mood and attention disorders, which are strongly correlated with trauma and stressful experiences. This is a gaping hole in the topic that needs to be filled.
