Book Review: Brain Energy

Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health--and Improving Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD, and More by Christopher M. Palmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book proposes that mental disorders are metabolic disorders of the brain and that successful treatments likely work by affecting metabolism.

The book has three parts: Part I: Connecting the Dots, Part II: Brain Energy, and Part III: Causes and Solutions. I recommend this book to someone eager to dive deep into understanding mental health treatments and how this theory of brain energy may be the key.

In chapter 15, Contributing Cause: Food, Fasting, and Your Gut, the author states that diet plays a significant role in metabolism and mitochondrial health. It is important to assess nutritional status, address deficiencies, remove allergens, avoid trans fatty acids, remove junk food, and fix insulin resistance. “There is also evidence that fasting, intermittent fasting, and fasting-mimicking diets [ketogenic] may play a role in treating mental disorders” (p. 248).

Brain Energy Theory: “Mental disorders are metabolic disorders of the brain. Although most people think of metabolism as burning calories, it’s much more than that. Metabolism affects the structure and function of all cells in the human body. Regulators of metabolism include many things, such as epigenetics, hormones, neurotransmitters, and inflammation. Mitochondria are the master regulators of metabolism, and they play a role in controlling the factors just listed. When mitochondria aren’t working properly, at least some of the cells in your body or brain won’t function properly” (pp. 162-163).

Although this proposed metabolism theory and its impact on mental health are complex, the author incorporates analogies, chapter summaries, and case studies to illustrate the concepts. If you are not well-versed in the field of mental health, you will learn a lot. The author’s tone and passion offer hope to those who have a mental illness.

The book is technical; the dense information may be too much for the average person. Some may expect more detailed recommendations and how-to steps.

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View this review on LinkedIn.

Book Review: Keep Sharp

The author starts with the basic facts about the brain: how it works, how it ages, signs of serious decline, and debunking known myths. Then Dr. Gupta shares five strategies to protect your brain function: move, discover, relax, nourish, connect. There is a 12-week program to carry out the recommended steps and strategies. The last section of the book examines the challenges of diagnosing and treating brain diseases, including insights on navigating finances and emotions.

I would recommend this book if you are looking to learn more about the brain, dementia, and prevention. It is not a scientific, deep dive into Alzheimer's disease.

Check out my full book review on LinkedIn.

Gupta, S. (2021). Keep sharp: Build a better brain at any age. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Book Review: Run for Your Life

Check out my review on LinkedIn, Run for Your Life, by Mark Cucuzzella, MD. I really enjoyed this book. It is a wealth of information about how to move better, whether that is walking, jogging, or racing. The author, Dr. Cucuzzella, is a physician, athlete, creator of the U.S. Air Force Efficient Running Program, and owner of a running store. The book provides instruction on better posture, walking, running, form, footwear, nutrition, training, and more.

Cucuzzella, M., MD. (2018). Run for your life: How to run, walk, and move without pain or injury and achieve a sense of well-being and joy. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Book Review: Food--What the Heck Should I Eat?, by Mark Hyman, MD

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Comprehensive, without being too overwhelming, Mark Hyman, MD, recommends a 10-day detox plan and then the Pegan Diet for life. The 13 pillars of the Pegan Diet include: (1) Stay away from sugar. (2) Eat mostly plants. (3) Easy on fruits. (4) Stay away from pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and GMO foods. (5) Eat foods containing healthy fats. (6) Stay away from most vegetable, nut, and seed oils. (7) Avoid or limit dairy. (8) Think of meat and animal products as condiments. (9) Eat sustainably raised or harvested low-mercury fish. (10) Avoid gluten. (11) Eat gluten-free whole grains sparingly. (12) Eat beans only once in a while. (13) Get tested to personalize your approach. 

The book is chock full of research citations to support his plan. It is well-structured and nice if you want to jump around based on interests and issues. Read my full review, including key takeaways on LinkedIn.

Hyman, M. (2018). Food: What the heck should I eat? New York: Little, Brown and Company.