Most famous for his books, international best sellers Grain Brain and Brain Maker, the wildly popular author and neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter presents a unique take on disease prevention and plenty of cutting edge nutritional advice on numerous subjects. Essentially, Perlmutter lectures, writes and discusses his perspectives on various dietary and lifestyle choices which can possibly prevent illnesses such as dementia, ADHD, depression, Alzheimer’s, and other forms of brain disease. The main tenets of his advice center on aerobic exercise and a gluten free diet with lower carbohydrate and higher fat content.
Who is Dr. Perlmutter?
Grain Brain, published in 2013, threw Perlmutter into the spotlight with his controversial claim that “carbs are destroying your brain.” He doesn’t mean just the notoriously unhealthy forms of carbs here either — Perlmutter means all of them, even whole grains, lead to health problems like chronic headaches, dementia, anxiety, even possibly autism and others. He advises that bread and fruit need to take a back seat to certain fats and cholesterols for the sake of brain health, and offers the hope that new brain cells can be grown at any age following the right medical and nutritional guidance.
In 2015’s Brain Maker, Perlmutter draws attention to new research which targets the gut for its role in the health of the brain. Permutter stresses that gut health effects brain health in that the state of the body’s unique microbiome (organisms living in your body, which according to Perlmutter “outnumber your own cells by ten to one”) dictate the state of the brain and potential for brain-related conditions in an extraordinary way.
What Makes Him Worth Listening To?
According to his Facebook page, Dr. David Perlmutter, M.D., FACN, ABIHM is a board-certified neurologist, member of the Board of Directors of the American College of Nutrition, and currently maintains a private practice in Naples, Florida. Having received his MD from the University of Miami School of Medicine, Perlmutter has been featured on CNN, NPR, 20/20, Fox News, Larry King Live, The Today Show, Forbes, Time, The Atlantic, and the Wall Street Journal, among numerous others, and is a leading lecturer at various symposia sponsored by such medical institutions as Harvard University, Scripps Institute, Columbia University and the University of Arizona.
A bearer of many awards including the Leonard G. Rowntree Research Award, the 2002 Linus Pauling Award, and the 2010 Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American College of Nutrition, Perlmutter has not only written best sellers but also extensive medical literature. His research and writing has been featured in The Journal of Neurosurgery, Journal of Applied Nutrition, The Southern Medical Journal and the Archives of Neurology to name a few.
There’s Always A Downside
But not everyone sees Perlmutter’s advice as wise. Some critics claim his guidance on topics like gluten and vaccines are suspect, and follow up by questioning his contributions to the scientific community and medical journals. To add more, they accuse his nutritional advice as running counter to the current approaches stated in most neurological literature, renounce much of his research and unusual medical techniques, as well as questioning his connections to dietary supplement companies. But Perlmutter is undeterred. His response to such criticism included statements such as his 2014 tweet, “Each progressive spirit is opposed by a thousand mediocre minds appointed to guard the past,” considering himself in one book not unlike Galileo who was also initially criticized for his theories.
Further Information
In any case, Perlmutter continues onward, offering additional books for purchase like The Better Brain Book, Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten, Power Up Your Brain, The Grain Brain Cookbook, and The Neuroscience of Enlightenment. Perlmutter also offers a blog, video archives of his advice, a website section devoted to his own recommendations on scientific reading, weekly interviews with other practitioners and leaders in health and wellness called The Empowering Neurologist, and an updated list of foods to avoid, increase and recipes to use for optimal health. Finally, Perlmutter provides additional information on condition-specific areas of focus, lifestyle awareness and nutritional guidance pertinent to a variety of illnesses and challenges.
Anyone interested in more information can subscribe to Dr. Perlmutter’s email list or send inquiries (although nothing about personal medical advice can be provided over the message system) here. Upcoming airings of Perlmutter’s Whole Life Plan series are listed by location and date here, with the plan itself explained in this short, informative video.
