In “Grain Brain”, Dr David Perlmutter, the only board certified neurologist who also has the distinction of being a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, reviews and explains the large body of research showing the detrimental effect that grains and carbohydrates have on our brains.  In addition to explaining the research in easy-to-understand terms, Dr Perlmutter provides real life accounts of the benefits his patients have received after adopting his grain-free dietary recommendations.

Though the primary focus of “Grain Brain” is brain health, Dr Perlmutter also provides a large amount of information as to how grains and carbohydrates negatively impact other organs and bodily functions.  As most readers already know, grains and carbs increase fat production.  Dr Perlmutter explains how this over abundance of fat is shown to have detrimental neurological impact.

Among the studies cited in the book, Dr Perlmutter looks at the results of the Framingham Heart Study, the longest health study to date.  Dr George V. Mann, one of the prominent researchers in this study, concluded:

“The diet/heart hypothesis that suggests that a high intake of fat or cholesterol causes heart disease has been repeatedly shown to be wrong, and yet for complicated reasons of pride, profit, and prejudice, the hypothesis continues to be exploited by scientists, fund raising enterprise, and even governmental agencies.  The public is being deceived by the greatest health scam of the century.”

Dr Perlmutter offers evidence that pharmaceutical drugs, such as statins for lowering cholesterol, are linked to a variety of neurological disorders, including Alzheimers and Dementia.  In exploring this topic, Dr Perlmutter provides ample evidence that cholesterol is a necessary nutrient and that the overwhelming use of cholesterol lowering medications is correlated to higher incidence of brain disorders.  Quoting from the book:

“Statins prevent the liver from producing cholesterol.  This in turn limits brain growth and limits the production of new brain cells.”

Brain Grain” not only covers the things that are detrimental to our brain’s health, but also things that help our brains heal and grow throughout our life.  Included in items beneficial to the brain, is intermittent and prolonged fasting.  Dr Perlmutter explains that fasting leads to greater production of BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor).  BDNF promotes the growth and maintenance of dendrites and synapses, and also enhances the production and survival of new neurons from neural stem cells; the newly-generated neurons then integrate into the existing neural circuits.  In other words, fasting is good for your brain.

Grain Brain” is a must read for parents, medical professionals, and educators who are often looking for solutions for a myriad of mental or cognitive disorders.  This book is available in paperback and for Kindle from Amazon and the audio version is available from Audible.

Grain Brain Gluten Health

To view this book on Amazon, please click the image.

Other great titles from Dr David Perlmutter

Grain Brain Whole Life Plan
Grain Brain Cookbook
The Better Brain Book by Dr David Perlmutter

Sapphire Botanica is an independent affiliate for Amazon.  If you use the link from this page to purchase this book, Sapphire Botanica may receive a commission from Amazon.  This commission helps support the maintenance and on-going construction of this site.