Family history of Alzheimers? Read this!

This book shares much information with "Wheat Belly" by Wm. Davis and "What Makes us Fat" and "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taub, but Dr. Perlmutter focuses more on the effects of a high carb, low fat diet on the brain. Conditions like diabetes are discussed thoroughly but in the context of explaining how these diseases impact the brain.

This book was timely for me. I adopted a wheat free/ low carb eating plan in April of 2012 after reading "Wheat Belly" and my "set point" weight dropped by 16 lbs in just a few weeks. This was despite the fact that I already had what most would consider a healthy diet. But, because I cook for family members who have not adopted these eating habits, I became lazy about preparing separate foods and saw my weight creep up a few pounds and some of the other health improvements falter in the last few weeks. This book was an excellent refresher course for grain free and low carb eating as well as a jarring wakeup call about the ways eating habits change our brains. Alzheimer's has a frighteningly high frequency among women in my family, so I am encouraged to learn that I have at least some control about the future health of my brain. Dr. Perlmutter's advice differs in a few ways from Dr. Davis. Dr. Perlmutter recommends fasting and recognizes a correlation between low calorie consumption with greater brain health. This book also says it's okay to cheat now and then. Most of the other books caution readers against cheating, likening carb consumption to dependence on addictive drugs. This is the case I have found to be true. Cold turkey for "carbaholics" is easer than relying on will power and moderation.

I like that this audio book is accompanied by a PDF featuring some the statistics, recipes, etc.

If you have read other books on this topic, I recommend reading this book as well because it focuses heavily on the neurological impact of gluten and carbs. On the other hand, if you have not read "Wheat Belly" and "What Makes us Fat", I recommend these in addition to "Grain Brain" as these books go into more detail about the evolution of the grains we eat today and the illogical processes that resulted in much of the dangerous "conventional wisdom" that many health professionals view as holy writ today.

Narrator does a nice job.

230 people found this helpful

Please ignore those who have not read the book!

Any additional comments?

This is an important work. Please ignore those who say "skeptical" without reading it. For example one reviewer claims he is confused as to why Dairy is not recommended. Well, it is. He also cites a book about cholesterol being healthy, which is a fact the book concurs with. I would not be surprised if that review was someone just working for the competing "diet book."
As someone who read the book and followed the food recommendations I can attest they are life altering. I am below my high school weight and my mind is sharper than it has been in years.
The book explains, with medical research to back it, why common foods are harmful not only for your body generally but to your brain specifically. The sad truth is there are monied interests wanting us to keep eating grains, carbs and "low fat" processed goods and that is the only reason these harmful foods are even around.
Can't live without "carbs," Wrong. I can barely live with the fact I have been eating carbs all this time.
If you are scanning reviews, please read this book and listen to the science. You will be convinced and if you follow the food ideas you will be transformed.
The more people that do the sooner the carb industry can become extinct.

212 people found this helpful

Too Good to be True?

I tend to take all of these things with a grain of salt (salt - is that healthy this week? Probably not)

I completely believe that “you are what you eat” but there are SO MANY different theories out there about doing it “the right way” that who do you ultimately believe? This doctor says A, another doctor swears by B, and yet another says C is the key to health and long life… so who’s the liar? (and are they all doctors?) Do you just go with whoever sounds the most credible and who presented their hypothesis in the most factual way? and if so, did you fact-check their research? How can you REALLY be sure it’s all correct? And of course… who funded them? Am I really getting both sides of the argument?

Regarding this book in particular, I can’t help but feel that he is selling fear and the miracle pill to solve everything. “Even if you have no symptoms, you can be at high risk… unless you do as I say” “Do you suffer from any of these symptoms? ____________ (insert endless list of ailments), well read on because I have the cure!” – there is an element of false hope in there somewhere. I’m not saying he is lying, or wrong, or anything like that – it’s just that the tone of his book seems a little foreboding and ominous. Perhaps he is just trying to express how serious the issue is, but to me it just left me feeling doomed.

Personally, I really believe that no one method will have the same impact or work in the same way in different people’s bodies. I think the answer is somewhere in the middle where the zillions of nutrition theories intersect; I don’t think there is such a thing as a “universal answer” aside from: put the fork down and go for a walk!

In conclusion I would say it’s an informative book, it’s all very interesting … but pass the salt.

116 people found this helpful

Skeptical

Any additional comments?

I've read wheat belly, why we get fat (Gary taubes), and fat chance (Robert lustig) and this book is the weakest of the group of similar low carb books. This book states over and over that there is an association between Alzheimer's and wheat, but association does not equal cause and effect. Cause requires a randomized controlled trial, while associations could have nothing to do with cause and effect. For example, a propensity to develop Alzheimer's may lead to a hunger for carbs. Or hunger for carbs may lead to both eating more carbs and separately lead to Alzheimer's. In other words in order to prove cause and effect you would need to randomize people to either a high carb diet or low carb diet and see the incidences of Alzheimer's. If such a study exist is he doesn't mention it.

He mentions that you should give up dairy but gives no evidence to why this is in any way related to grain/gluten or even scientifically why dairy is bad. Ive reviewed the literature on dairy and I believe milk products to be ideal foods (cheese, milk, whey protein). The book, "the great cholesterol myth" does a more convincing job illustrating why cholesterol is not bad for you.

Grain brain gets off point by too often making non evidence based recommendations. Stating that studies show this or that without giving enough info to find and scrutinize these studies is not convincing. He makes a case for exercise helping the brain, but I didn't hear any journal names, authors, years of publication, or even the methodology of the studies. I will return this book and get my money back.

Not only should you not buy this book, but beware of his claims on supplements. Sure, grains may be not great for you, but to eliminate all carbs is not possible nor necessary to lose weight (he does day that 60 carbs per day are allowed). Read the boom, "mindless eating" by Brian Wansink if you want a more evidence based diet book with more reasonable recommendations.

116 people found this helpful

Do you love your Brain or your Bread?

My Mother and her sisters all had Alzheimer's. We thought it was just "those crazy Italians". It was that side of the family that loved the pastas, breads, and pastry. There is also a great deal of depression "on that side of the family". Now I see why. This book has changed my kitchen, my breakfast, lunch and dinner plates. I have dropped 12 pounds so far and feel so much better. Depression and Alzheimer's takes your loved ones away bit by bit, and day by day, there is no cure AFTER you get it, but it is PREVENTABLE. Thank you Dr. Perlmutter for giving us hope and tools to avoid these slow and pervasive thieves called sugar and carbohydrates.

92 people found this helpful

Eye Opening

An incredible book based on a lifestyle change unlike any other out there. It goes against traditional dietary concepts that once applied to your daily living, your health,body and brain take on a whole new positive outcome. I've been in this program for quit a while and I got rid of all my neuro medication and other pills for physical pains. I am at the healthiest I've ever been. And my waist line went down 3 sizes. I'm a slim 31 men's waist at 49. My abs are beginning to show. That's the bonus. But the best of all is the brain. My days now are with a take-charge attitude. I'm at my best most of the time. And the energy is crazy. I highly recommend and dare you to make the change. It's worth it for your health.

56 people found this helpful

A Must Read Book For Brain Health

This book is the perfect companion to Dr Perlmutter's book Brain Maker, one of my favorite recent health titles. Grain Brain carefully and clearly presents the reasons why everyone needs to make drastic and life altering changes to the way we view food and illness. The cause and effect link that Dr Perlmutter proposes undoes long held beliefs in the health care world about the relationship between diet and disease. Important life altering information is presented which will propel most readers into permanent dietary change. If you are looking for a way to change the way you eat and feel Grain Brain is the perfect place to start. Excellent and fantastic information.

52 people found this helpful

I am glad that I read this

I am impressed that Dr Perlmutter is a medical doctor who appreciates and is erudite in matters of nutrition. He is a member of several nutrition associations. His book is very pithy and offers actionable protocols. The main thrust is about blood sugar levels as a result of eating gluten, sugars and carbs. I am interested in health and nutrition, tolerate gluten fine and am able to eat whatever I want and stay thin. However, after reading this book and out of respect for Dr Perlmutter's body of work and experiences that he relates, I have decided to have as little gluten in my diet as possible. I don't eat much sugar or carbs to begin with however, I am not buying gluten free bread, crackers etc. It has been an easy transition. I've also cut back on fruit and fruit juice dramatically, preferring vegetables. I try to have about 1 serving of fruit each day. I am also adjusting my supplements according to his recommendations. I am going to add turmeric and resveratrol. Dr Perlmutter explains why statins are not good for you, the link between gluten and some brain diseases and why patients on a low-fat diet are at especially high risk. I found this to be a very interesting and compelling read.

48 people found this helpful

As more people know this, less people will be sick

What did you love best about Grain Brain?

The first half was heavy on medical tests and studies and biological information. Such as what certain foods affect what in the body. That laid out the problem, with enough real life cases the doctor had helped to make it all relevant.

The second half was What To Do About It. What to eat, what not to eat, more about why.

What did you like best about this story?

Problem . . . Solution

Which character – as performed by Peter Ganim – was your favorite?

This is a non-fiction medical/nutritional health book. I enjoy books read by the author, and Peter Ganim has a nice voice, but there were a few places where it was a little over-the-top with the gravelly paternalistic authoritarian tone. Maybe a little more friendly tone would be nice. Listen to William Shatner or Tom Campbell for built-in friendliness.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I'm going to buy this book as a hardcopy for easier reference to go back to find certain points made. And, this will be a great gift for people I care about. Especially for anyone I may end up putting a diaper on in their old age. Better that they eat right now and save us all from that fate!

45 people found this helpful

For me this book changed my life

I listened to this audio, it made a lot of sense & I took action immediately.
Now Gluten free for 2 weeks, I have lost around 5 kilos, my allergies hay fever has disappeared, my eyes have cleared up, no more black rings & I feel fantastic.

I thought it was going to be hard to give up normal bread and cookies but I haven't missed them in the slightest. When you get the benefits that flow on by not eating Gluten, There is no looking back, no cravings, no side effects. WIN WIN WIN !!!

35 people found this helpful