The Brain Trust Program: A Scientifically Based Three-Part Plan to Improve Memory, Elevate Mood, EnhanceAttention, Alleviate Migraine and Menopausal Symptoms, and Boost Mental by Larry McCleary

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I read books like this because I think the information will help someone I know, and yet, these are the people who will never read the book based on my recommendation nor will they listen to my short version of its recommendations.

The best I can do is incorporate into my own life its advice to eat a well-balanced diet with healthy fats and oils, such as medium-chain triglycerides oil, flaxseed oil, and the DHA found in fish oils. Challenge myself to exercise in new ways and explore new topics to learn. The book has mental exercises to do each day. It suggests you use mnemonics to memorize lists.

Yes, I recommend this book for the general reader for explains terms well. If the unfamiliar words bother you when a recommendation is made, simply take the book with you to your local health food store and knowlegdable clerks can help find products for you.



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Feed Your Brain, Lose Your Belly: A Brain Surgeon Reveals the Weight-Loss Secrets of the Brain-Belly Connection by Larry McCleary, MD

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


An ad for this book on www.goodreads.com website caught my attention just when I was in the process of setting up my Food & Exercise Diary for the DASH diet. I was intrigued by the synopsis and the reviews. I borrowed a copy from my library.

I have a hobbyist's interest in neuroscience so I had no problem following his hypothesis and logic for suggesting that a high carbohydrate-low fat diet might continue to contribute to a high enough level of insulin that glucose may be stored faster and released slower from its stores giving a hunger signal that encourages eating before the meal's calories are expended. McCleary suggests that a food plan with 25% carbohydrates from the lower end of the Glycemic Index, 55% Fat from things such as ground flax seeds, flaxseed oil, or coconut oil, and 20% protein which I can choose from salmon, nuts, and beans for my preference. It was not difficult to change the settings in my Food and Exercise Diary software. I can continue to use the healthy foods in my refrigerator and pantry. My only additional purchase was coconut oil. I think I don't feel as hungery as I did with the 55% carbohydrates, 27% fat and 23% protein of the DASH diet, plus the restriction of nuts, seeds, and legumes to 3 times on the DASH diet a week was too harsh for my meat-free preference. This FYBLYB diet had a clinical trial for only 6-weeks, and control group 2 (FYBLRB diet without supplement) averaged a 5 pound weight-loss during those 6 weeks. As I write this review, I have only been on it for 1 week with a 1 pound weight-loss.

The recommended exercise is basic. Walk for 30 minutes three times daily and use a pedometer to keep track of steps throughout the day. Basic weight-bearing exercises are to be done two or three times daily. Simple stretches round out the exercise program.

The one objection I have to this book is its recommendation to supplement the diet and exercise with McCleary's proprietary supplement called Vita-Loss which retails for $69.95/month supply and available at his website. I rate this only 3 stars for I don't know if I will be able to stay with its guidelines for the length of time I need to return to my healthy weight. If I get there, it will get one or two more stars.



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I also should give a shout out to the website for the weightloss software I use, Food and Exercise Diary