Brain Maker Book Summary - Brain Maker Book explained in key points
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Brain Maker summary

The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect your Brain – for Life

4.3 (201 ratings)
20 mins

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Brain Maker by Dr. David Perlmutter explores how our gut microbes influence brain health and offers practical advice on how to support this connection through diet and lifestyle choices.

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    Brain Maker
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    Your gut microbes can have a considerable impact on the size of your waistline.

    The human gut is colonized by tons and tons of bacteria. A thought that’s not only strange, but also perhaps a little gross. Yet here’s another strange fact: these colonies play a huge role in your health.

    Let’s start with how much you weigh. Interestingly, the type of bacteria you’ve got in your gut can determine whether you stay slim or become obese.

    Two groups of bacteria are accountable for some 90 percent of your gut’s microbiome – firmicutes and bacteroidetes.

    While scientists don’t know the “ideal” ratio of these groups, they do know that when you have more firmicutes than bacteroidetes, you can suffer from increased inflammation and potentially from obesity.

    Firmicutes are expert at extracting energy from the food you eat, which means that they help you consume more calories. In contrast, bacteroidetes aren’t so much involved with calorie extraction but work to break down plant fibers and starches.

    Harvard researchers examined the connection of obesity and a person’s microbiome, focusing on two groups: people living in Western countries and in Africa. Considering that obesity is virtually non-existent in Africa, any differences in microbiome were viewed as notable.  

    And what researchers found was indeed notable. Africans had more bacteroidetes in their gut, while Westerners had more calorie-extracting firmicutes. So having more firmicutes may be at least partly responsible for the obesity epidemic in the West.

    Your microbes not only help to keep you slim (or fat) but also help support your liver. Many foods contain environmental toxins; it’s the liver’s job to get rid of these once in your body.

    Yet a healthy gut can also support the liver in its work, which is why the gut is often called the body’s “second liver.”

    Gut microbes help to neutralize toxins that reach the intestines, acting as a first line of defense. In doing so, the microbes take a bit of pressure off the liver, keeping it healthier!

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    What is Brain Maker about?

    Brain Maker (2015) explains the connection between your health and your microbiome – the bacteria in your gut. It shows you how even diseases that affect the brain such as Alzheimer’s are actually influenced by your microbiome. Importantly, you’ll learn how making some simple dietary decisions can help you keep disease at bay and make yourself healthier.

    Brain Maker Review

    Brain Maker (2015) explores the vital connection between gut health and brain health, offering insightful guidance for a healthier mind and body. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • Packed with groundbreaking research and scientific studies, it provides readers with a deeper understanding of the gut-brain connection and its impact on overall well-being.
    • Through practical tips and strategies, the book empowers individuals to make informed lifestyle choices that promote positive gut health and enhance cognitive function.
    • With its fascinating revelations about the role of the microbiome in mental health, the book captivates readers and challenges conventional wisdom, ensuring an engaging and thought-provoking read.

    Best quote from Brain Maker

    Death begins in the colon. – Elie Mechnikov

    —Dr. David Perlmutter with Kristin Loberg
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    Who should read Brain Maker?

    • People wanting to improve their health
    • Parents of children with health problems or conditions such as autism
    • Medical practitioners and nutritionists interested in alternative approaches to health

    About the Author

    Dr. David Perlmutter is a neurologist and the president of the Perlmutter Health Center in Florida. He is the author of the bestselling book Grain Brain. Additionally, he has written for the Huffington Post, the Daily Beast as well as for medical publications such as the Journal of Neurosurgery.

    Kristin Loberg is a writer and editor, and has been a contributing author for many bestselling books, including Rule #1 (with Phil Town), The End of Illness (with David Agus) and Grain Brain (with David Perlmutter). Loberg also holds writing workshops at the University of California at Los Angeles.

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    Brain Maker FAQs 

    What is the main message of Brain Maker?

    Taking care of our gut health is crucial for optimal brain function and overall well-being.

    How long does it take to read Brain Maker?

    Reading Brain Maker can take several hours, but the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Brain Maker a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Brain Maker is worth reading for its valuable insights on the gut-brain connection and practical steps for improving our overall health.

    Who is the author of Brain Maker?

    Brain Maker is written by Dr. David Perlmutter with Kristin Loberg.

    What to read after Brain Maker?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Brain Maker, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Brain Wash by David Perlmutter
    • Gut by Giulia Enders
    • Grain Brain by David Perlmutter
    • Wheat Belly by William Davis
    • The Vitamin Solution by Romy Block and Arielle Levitan
    • Do You Believe in Magic? by Paul A. Offit
    • Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain by Partha Nandi
    • In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
    • How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
    • Fiber Fueled by Will Bulsiewicz