The Better Brain Book

August 30, 2004
Playing into our culture's obsession with maintaining youthfulness, neurologist Perlmutter and coauthor Colman say the "typical" signs of brain aging—losing your keys, forgetting appointments, having trouble multitasking—aren't necessarily inevitable and are actually preventable. They divide their book into three tiers: factors affecting mental function, tools for developing a better brain and specific brain disorders. Perlmutter, who runs a Florida health center, is quite concerned with showing how brain aging can be prevented and clarity can be regained by making dietary adjustments. He and Colman also warn of the dangers of using prescription or OTC drugs that may be "interfering with your brain's ability to function at optimal levels." From stomach acid suppressors to antidepressants, medications lower brain antioxidants, they say, leaving dangerous free radicals room to roam. Perlmutter and Colman recommend the usual supplemental solutions, but also pay attention to new memory rejuvenating therapies like hormone replacement. There's also an illuminating chapter on the brain toxins present in the average daily diet (e.g., aluminum and mercury), with advice on how to eliminate them. Although the authors sometimes favor an alarmist tone, their book is an informative explanation of how the brain ages and how it can be protected, and it presents novel, practical ideas.