ranahabib's review
4.0
8.5/10 (may change as I am currently applying the contents to my life to see if it's true)
Perlmutter takes a bold stance arguing that a low carb, gluten free diet is the best diet for brain health. He claims that we should opt for a high fat, high protein diet to help increase the longevity of our life & reach optimal brain/body health (which I agree with).
While I already agree on his stance that sugar is horrible for our brain health, it took some convincing for me to see the truth about what gluten does to our body and brain (in the long run). I do have a complex relationship with gluten/wheat, so I found that reading this book has really helped me better understand WHY my body reacts to gluten/wheat the way that it does.
Perlmutter does a great job at simplifying complex concepts about how the human body works, which I really appreciate. He also does a really good job at providing sound, concrete research to help enhance his premise. I also really liked that he included meal plans and recipes in the back of the book.
His only down fall is that his writing has an air of superiority to it. He speaks in the affirmative that anyone who disagrees with him is completely wrong, disillusioned, or an idiot (which I don't agree with).
Perlmutter takes a bold stance arguing that a low carb, gluten free diet is the best diet for brain health. He claims that we should opt for a high fat, high protein diet to help increase the longevity of our life & reach optimal brain/body health (which I agree with).
While I already agree on his stance that sugar is horrible for our brain health, it took some convincing for me to see the truth about what gluten does to our body and brain (in the long run). I do have a complex relationship with gluten/wheat, so I found that reading this book has really helped me better understand WHY my body reacts to gluten/wheat the way that it does.
Perlmutter does a great job at simplifying complex concepts about how the human body works, which I really appreciate. He also does a really good job at providing sound, concrete research to help enhance his premise. I also really liked that he included meal plans and recipes in the back of the book.
His only down fall is that his writing has an air of superiority to it. He speaks in the affirmative that anyone who disagrees with him is completely wrong, disillusioned, or an idiot (which I don't agree with).
waxingquixotic's review
3.0
I don't even know why I read this. Listened to it. Whatever. It's 1:12am. I actually finished this like two weeks ago anyway.
Found it on Overdrive and needed something for the commute. I thought nonfiction might make me smarter, more informed, what have you. Instead it scared the hell outta me.
We all knew sugar, carbs, gluten, bread, candy, soda, etc. are all bad for us physically. This book breaks down how carbs, and grains especially, are eating away at our brains, giving us diabetes, and ultimately leading us down the terrifying road toward Alzheimer's and dementia.
The science of the book was fascinating. And, yeah, I get it. He's got an agenda so all of his research is biased since he wants to make his point, and there are other studies that provide conflicting information. I still liked how he focused on our brains and not our bodies to plead for us to eat more spinach and less brownies.
Then, it turned into a diet book and I sort of didn't care anymore. We have plenty of those already. I guess you can't really market this kind of book without a diet plan involved. I know what to eat and what not to eat, but I guess I can read a long food list again. And supplements. Lots of supplements.
Anyway, I like running. I love kombucha and almonds. I like grass-fed beef. But, man, I think the occasional pizza or nachos isn't going to hurt anyone. This is America! You can't take away our guns or our high fructose corn syrup!
I don't wanna live in a world where Frosted Flakes don't exist. They're grrrrrrrrreat!
And this book is just okay.
I hope all of you paleo vegan mediterranean vegetarian carnivores have a great night.
Found it on Overdrive and needed something for the commute. I thought nonfiction might make me smarter, more informed, what have you. Instead it scared the hell outta me.
We all knew sugar, carbs, gluten, bread, candy, soda, etc. are all bad for us physically. This book breaks down how carbs, and grains especially, are eating away at our brains, giving us diabetes, and ultimately leading us down the terrifying road toward Alzheimer's and dementia.
The science of the book was fascinating. And, yeah, I get it. He's got an agenda so all of his research is biased since he wants to make his point, and there are other studies that provide conflicting information. I still liked how he focused on our brains and not our bodies to plead for us to eat more spinach and less brownies.
Then, it turned into a diet book and I sort of didn't care anymore. We have plenty of those already. I guess you can't really market this kind of book without a diet plan involved. I know what to eat and what not to eat, but I guess I can read a long food list again. And supplements. Lots of supplements.
Anyway, I like running. I love kombucha and almonds. I like grass-fed beef. But, man, I think the occasional pizza or nachos isn't going to hurt anyone. This is America! You can't take away our guns or our high fructose corn syrup!
I don't wanna live in a world where Frosted Flakes don't exist. They're grrrrrrrrreat!
And this book is just okay.
I hope all of you paleo vegan mediterranean vegetarian carnivores have a great night.
gee_buttersnaps's review
2.0
AB 60% DNF. This book was alright. Too much “carbs are the absolute devil and every single disease on earth is caused by it”. As a runner I can’t perform optimally without carbs. I might read it again in the future when I’m more interested, but I was just bored with it currently.
adrienneambo's review
5.0
Really eye opening. As a Type 1 Diabetic, this is something I need to adopt. Readers who are diabetic should also consider reading Dr. Richard Bernstein's Diabetes Solution by Richard K. Bernstein. He also advocates a low carb lifestyle for blood sugar control. Under 40 carbs a day...I did it for two years and had an A1C in the mid 5% range. Falling off the bandwagon, now I am averaging in the 7% range. Under a low carb diet, I felt better and weighed 20 less pounds....the brain loss is scary and is making the decision to return to the diet advocated by Grain Brain...a "no brainer." LOL.
sandylovesbooks's review
3.0
I didn't get so much from this book. Most of it I already follow, and there was only 1 recipe I would try, but it calls for white wine, and I am not going to buy alcohol for one recipe. For someone who is looking for a reason not to eat grain or other products using grain, like bread, this is a great book to start with.
thesmuttyalex's review
5.0
Coherent, easy to read research on the food we eat and the way it affects our brain. I learned so much, and was inspired to change my diet. Dr Perlmutter discusses a variety of illnesses, physical and mental, which can find partial/full treatment in changing the diet to eliminate grains.