Rating: 
Summary: Ordinary food for a Miracle Brain
Review: Review of Your Miracle Brain. Jean Carper. NY: Harper Collins, 2000. 378 pp. This is a book I have not only recommended to my friends, I have also been known to snare strangers in the supermarket, telling them about the value of spinach and strawberries in improving memory function. Jean Carper's audience is the pregnant woman who wants to insure optimum brain growth for her child, the caregiver of an Alzheimer's sufferer, and everyone in between. However, the book seems most directed toward the middle-aged person who wishes to prevent brain deterioration in later years and even to ensure some present growth. In contrast to what scientists have thought until recently, one's brain is capable of development one's entire lifetime. New studies show that one's diet can have an immediate effect on brain function, mood, and behavior. Carper tells us that if an elderly brain is undamaged by disease, its ability to store, process, and retrieve new information may be slowed by only a minimal 10% after age 70. Carper's book is divided into 4 sections which discuss: 1) the recent research into brain function, 2) what to eat to keep your brain young, 3) what supplements to take, and 4) how to keep your arteries clear. By far the largest section -- nearly half the book -- and the one readers will probably be most interested in, is the second. Here the author details the effect on one's brain of various fats, sugars, antioxidants, and caffeine. Each section is divided into "thought bites" of a page or two which are readily found from the Table of Contents. Example are: "Is it Aging or is it Alzheimer's?" "Olive Oil saves Memory," "Fish: a Powerful Antidepressant," "Breast Feeding Makes Smarter Kids," "Chocolate as Brain Food," "Can Caffeine Boost Memory?" "Astonishing Ways to Avoid and Survive a Stroke." Sidebars include more detail on individual topics, and tables summarize material for further reference. Examples of tables include a list of foods with Omega-3, a list of foods with their glycemic index, a list of vegetables and fruits with their antioxidant content, and foods to eat to escape a stroke. The only part of the book I found less credible and well-researched was the author's theory that since our brains developed in the Neolithic Age and adapted to a Stone Age diet, so we should try to approximate that diet today. I question that our brains have not evolved since the change to eating domesticated grains which occurred 10,000 years ago. Additionally, what knowledge does Carper have that Stone Age man was healthy? How many were malnourished? Wasn't their life span so short that the question of nourishing aged brains never occurred? And what about aborigines today? Are they eating a Neolithic diet? How healthy are they? Although the above theory is not convincing, yet her suggestions for foods and supplements to feed one's brain for maximum efficiency are well-supported by numerous studies, most very recent and utilizing large population samples. Carper sums up her material by listing ten top strategies one needs to achieve a "miracle brain." Her suggestions are not unheard of from other sources, and much of her research material can be found elsewhere, but it is well-collected, summarized, and presented here in a writing style that is accessible and non-pedantic. I plan to keep this book close at hand and put its many valid suggestions into practice. Barbara Mackey, Ph.D.
Rating:
Summary: RESOUNDING THUMBS UP
Review: That this book is anything but the best seller to beat all best sellers reaches astonishment. Every person on the planet ought, needs to, has to read this book, the issue being quality of life through improvement of cognitive functioning. The good (great) news: the knowledge presented here will improve the way you think. Carper moves into an apparent vacuum in the medical community which appears to me bent on keeping the lid on amazing new discoveries. But this book gives a full account. Ms. Carper summarizes the lastest scientific information on nutrition and brain research. With regard to each specific area she discusses the knowledge available; the mechanics, the dosage; expected results; etc. She cites the studies in support, but alas leaves the reader to discover the problems. We are presented with a number of reputable scientists, doctors and brain researchers. This one conducting studies on Omega 3; that one on Vitamin C; the next one on alpha lipoic acid and so on. The way Carper presents, each of these researchers has a pet project usually limited to a single dimension, and the number of persons she cites who put all this into a program is zero, this is left to medical writer Carper--a commentary on the state of our science. Ms. Carper does present her own conclusionary chapter--without citing any research on the conclusions probably because we are currently without--but we are left to wonder and decide for ourselves whether we should be doing and taking everything or just some. She fails to include a chapter on what is unknown, the possible harmful effects of various combos, etc. ONE THING THOUGH IS CLEAR. THERE IS A LOT ABOUT THE BRAIN THAT IS UNKNOWN TO MOST PEOPLE, HERE PRESENTED, AND THUS A RESOUNDING THUMBS UP!
Rating:
Summary: RESOUNDING THUMBS UP
Review: That this book is anything but the best seller to beat all best sellers reaches astonishment. Every person on the planet ought, needs to, has to read this book, the issue being quality of life through improvement of cognitive functioning. The good (great) news: the knowledge presented here will improve the way you think. Carper moves into an apparent vacuum in the medical community which appears to me bent on keeping the lid on amazing new discoveries. But this book gives a full account. Ms. Carper summarizes the lastest scientific information on nutrition and brain research. With regard to each specific area she discusses the knowledge available; the mechanics, the dosage; expected results; etc. She cites the studies in support, but alas leaves the reader to discover the problems. We are presented with a number of reputable scientists, doctors and brain researchers. This one conducting studies on Omega 3; that one on Vitamin C; the next one on alpha lipoic acid and so on. The way Carper presents, each of these researchers has a pet project usually limited to a single dimension, and the number of persons she cites who put all this into a program is zero, this is left to medical writer Carper--a commentary on the state of our science. Ms. Carper does present her own conclusionary chapter--without citing any research on the conclusions probably because we are currently without--but we are left to wonder and decide for ourselves whether we should be doing and taking everything or just some. She fails to include a chapter on what is unknown, the possible harmful effects of various combos, etc. ONE THING THOUGH IS CLEAR. THERE IS A LOT ABOUT THE BRAIN THAT IS UNKNOWN TO MOST PEOPLE, HERE PRESENTED, AND THUS A RESOUNDING THUMBS UP!
Rating:
Summary: Your Miracle Brain
Review: The book was extremely informative and well documented. Ms. Carper writes in a responsible fashion; in other words, she does not make statements that are not supported by research findings. The book provides hope for people of all ages who care about preserving that wonderful organ--the human brain.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional Research
Review: This book has shown me how my own super computer is wired and how to optimize its performance. Jean Carper extensively quotes distinguished professionals and makes reference to many reputable studies. Standing alone, you may question these sources. As a cumulative presentation, it certainly packs a punch. I bought fish oil capsules (containing dha and epa) after my first day reading this book. Read the book and you will understand why.
Rating:
Summary: Superb guide to your brain, health, nutrition, lifestyle
Review: This book is a treasure chest of extremely valuable information on how to preserve your mental capabilities and to protect yourself from disease with the right diet and the right supplements and amounts of them. Did you know that people taking vitamin C or E supplements are shown in general NOT to develop Alzheimer's? Did you know that blueberries, strawberries and spinach are brain-savers? Did you know that you can control and possibly prevent insulin resistence by eating a low "glycemic index" diet. Did you know that eating foods equalling 5500 ORACs a day will protect your memory and motor control? (A cup of black tea brewed for five minutes contains 1200 ORACs.) Did you know that vigorous walking for an hour, five days a week will lower your risk of stroke by about half (p. 331), as will fruits and veggies and tea (p. 323)?
Jean Carper discusses the importance of Omega-3 oils in fish for pregnant women who want to optimize their children's mental capacities, as well as for the rest of us. She discusses the B vitamins, folic acid and the other, and their vital importance.
She gets down to specifics with doses to take and appropriate combinations.
I heartily recommend this book. If you buy only one book this year, buy this one.
The writing is energetic and enjoyable. The glycemic index and ORAC tables contain invaluable compilations for charting an optimal daily diet. I posted copies on my refrigerator door!
I've given this book to several people, all of whom cherish it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Well-written
Review: This book is very informative, another job well-done by Jean Carper. It's a must read for everyone interested in how to nourish the brain. It offers exciting news on the benefits of nutrients like Omega-3 fish oil, vitamin C and E in preventing or lessening brain-related disorders like Alzeimer's disease, schizophrenia, memory loss etc. I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: Mind your brain
Review: This is the third Jean Carper book I have read, and I was delighted to find so much new information to help postpone the effects aging. Like most of us, I have always assumed the conventional belief that the aging brain simply deteriorates. This is not true. Not only does Ms. Carper's new book examine the latest scientific evidence showing how simplistic that notion is, but she goes on to identify many of the practical things each of us can do to develop new health habits that will improve our mental functions. "Your Miracle Brain" will certainly be a best seller, but more importantly, it will transform the way our minds think about our brains.
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Summary: Unabridged version?
Review: With many audio books, one may feel happy to have an abridged version so that busy people can get the gist without the verbosity. The present book, if you have read it, is an exception. Read by the author, it is excellent. I only wish there could be an unabridged version too so that I can pass that on to friends for them to listen while driving or travelling without missing what has been left out.
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