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A review by sethsb
Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your Brain for Life by David Perlmutter
2.0
David Perlmutter, MD, showcases patients he has helped, but, after all, he is a doctor. The book presents information that is taken from his practice, based on reasearch by others, and still seems to require further research regarding treatment fo Autism Spectrum Disorder, multiple sclerosis, and the idea that diabetes is an inflammatory disease.
Despite that, there is good information on diet. The gut-brain connection is irrefutable given the examples of how cognition is affected by foods damaging to healthy gut flora. What should we eat? A healthy diet includes high fiber foods (leafy greens), reduces carbohydrates (starch and sweets), and avoids gluten and fructose. That means no bread and no soft drinks. Gluten free diets are necessary for people with celiac disease, and children who have ASD or ADHD. Bacteria found in yogurt are a good sign of a healthy body and immune system. When someone's digestive tract is absent of good bacteria, they are higher in bad bacteria, and the microbe imbalance can cause the body's immune system to turn on itself. These observations are in line with the recent findings across all medicine, showing that the modern western diet is slowly killing us with processed foods.
Don't be surprised when the author tells you he's been ringing the alarm bell for years and belabors the point that he was right all along. I compare it to Outlive by Peter Attia, which is similar in purpose and structure. The audiobook narrator, Peter Ganim, has a pretentious tone that matches the author's writing. These are frustrating page-turners, I should add, because I keep coming back to this category for more.
Despite that, there is good information on diet. The gut-brain connection is irrefutable given the examples of how cognition is affected by foods damaging to healthy gut flora. What should we eat? A healthy diet includes high fiber foods (leafy greens), reduces carbohydrates (starch and sweets), and avoids gluten and fructose. That means no bread and no soft drinks. Gluten free diets are necessary for people with celiac disease, and children who have ASD or ADHD. Bacteria found in yogurt are a good sign of a healthy body and immune system. When someone's digestive tract is absent of good bacteria, they are higher in bad bacteria, and the microbe imbalance can cause the body's immune system to turn on itself. These observations are in line with the recent findings across all medicine, showing that the modern western diet is slowly killing us with processed foods.
Don't be surprised when the author tells you he's been ringing the alarm bell for years and belabors the point that he was right all along. I compare it to Outlive by Peter Attia, which is similar in purpose and structure. The audiobook narrator, Peter Ganim, has a pretentious tone that matches the author's writing. These are frustrating page-turners, I should add, because I keep coming back to this category for more.