Brain Maker audiobook cover - The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect your Brain – for Life

Brain Maker

The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect your Brain – for Life

Dr. David Perlmutter with Kristin Loberg

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Health & NutritionMindfulness & HappinessScience

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Brain Maker
Gut-Brain Connection+
Weight & Metabolism+
Inflammation Triggers+
Autism Spectrum Disorder+
Dietary & Environmental Dangers+
Healing & Maintenance+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 10
According to the text, how do firmicutes contribute to obesity compared to bacteroidetes?
  • A. Firmicutes break down plant fibers, while bacteroidetes store fat in the liver.
  • B. Firmicutes are expert at extracting energy and calories from food, whereas bacteroidetes break down starches and fibers.
  • C. Firmicutes trigger the release of insulin, while bacteroidetes suppress the appetite.
  • D. Firmicutes destroy the gut lining, causing toxins to leak into the bloodstream.
Question 2 of 10
What occurs in the body when high blood sugar leads to a state called glycation?
  • A. Sugar binds to proteins or fats, causing a buildup of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that trigger inflammation.
  • B. The liver becomes overwhelmed and converts excess sugar directly into firmicutes bacteria.
  • C. The blood-brain barrier is strengthened, preventing harmful bacteria from entering the brain.
  • D. The body increases its production of lactobacillus to neutralize the toxic sugar levels.
Question 3 of 10
Why is inflammation of the brain described as a 'silent sufferer' compared to skin inflammation?
  • A. Brain inflammation only occurs during sleep when the body's pain receptors are deactivated.
  • B. The brain lacks its own pain receptors, meaning a lot of damage can occur before symptoms are noticed.
  • C. Brain inflammation is immediately neutralized by the blood-brain barrier before it causes pain.
  • D. The gut microbiome suppresses pain signals traveling from the brain to the nervous system.
Question 4 of 10
How did a stool analysis help explain the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms of a 10-year-old boy named Jason?
  • A. It revealed an overabundance of bacteroidetes caused by a high-fructose diet.
  • B. It showed that he was suffering from an undetected gluten sensitivity that inflamed his brain.
  • C. It demonstrated that he had almost no beneficial lactobacillus bacteria, likely due to multiple courses of antibiotics as a baby.
  • D. It indicated a high level of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) from processed foods.
Question 5 of 10
Even though fructose has the lowest glycemic index (GI) of all sugars, why is consuming too much of it harmful?
  • A. It destroys the protective layer of cells in the intestines, leading to a leaky gut.
  • B. It is related to insulin resistance and places heavy stress on the liver, which metabolizes it primarily into fat.
  • C. It aggressively feeds firmicutes, causing an immediate spike in blood sugar levels.
  • D. It binds with gluten to create advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the bloodstream.
Question 6 of 10
Aside from treating sick animals, what is a major reason farmers pump antibiotics into healthy livestock?
  • A. To prevent the animals from developing leaky gut syndrome.
  • B. To increase the animals' production of vitamin B12.
  • C. To neutralize environmental toxins like BPA in the animals' feed.
  • D. To make the animals grow larger and fatter.
Question 7 of 10
Which of the following is a known negative effect of Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical commonly found in plastics and cash receipts?
  • A. It disrupts the body's hormonal balance and alters the gut microbiome.
  • B. It triggers a severe allergic reaction similar to celiac disease.
  • C. It permanently destroys the liver's ability to process fructose.
  • D. It creates an impenetrable barrier in the gut that prevents nutrient absorption.
Question 8 of 10
According to the text, what is one of the health benefits of intermittent fasting?
  • A. It permanently eliminates firmicutes from the digestive tract.
  • B. It increases insulin sensitivity and promotes bacterial growth connected to a longer life.
  • C. It prevents the liver from metabolizing fructose into fat.
  • D. It stimulates the production of BPA-neutralizing enzymes in the gut.
Question 9 of 10
What is curcumin, and how does it benefit the body?
  • A. An organic compound found in turmeric that can improve glucose metabolism and stabilize blood sugar.
  • B. A type of beneficial bacteria found in coconut oil that fights brain inflammation.
  • C. A byproduct of lactic acid fermentation that helps the body absorb vitamin B12.
  • D. An enzyme in the liver that breaks down environmental toxins like BPA.
Question 10 of 10
Why does the book recommend filtering your drinking water?
  • A. To remove excess fructose that is often added to municipal water supplies.
  • B. To eliminate gluten cross-contamination from agricultural runoff.
  • C. To filter out chemicals like chlorine, which are harmful to your gut microbiome.
  • D. To increase the concentration of natural probiotics found in tap water.

Brain Maker — Full Chapter Overview

Brain Maker Summary & Overview

Brain Maker (2015) explains the connection between your health and your microbiome – the bacteria in your gut. It shows you how even diseases that affect the brain such as Alzheimer’s are actually influenced by your microbiome. Importantly, you’ll learn how making some simple dietary decisions can help you keep disease at bay and make yourself healthier.

Who Should Listen to Brain Maker?

  • People wanting to improve their health
  • Parents of children with health problems or conditions such as autism
  • Medical practitioners and nutritionists interested in alternative approaches to health

About the Author: Dr. David Perlmutter with Kristin Loberg

Dr. David Perlmutter is a neurologist and the president of the Perlmutter Health Center in Florida. He is the author of the bestselling book Grain Brain. Additionally, he has written for the Huffington Post, the Daily Beast as well as for medical publications such as the Journal of Neurosurgery.

Kristin Loberg is a writer and editor, and has been a contributing author for many bestselling books, including Rule #1 (with Phil Town), The End of Illness (with David Agus) and Grain Brain (with David Perlmutter). Loberg also holds writing workshops at the University of California at Los Angeles.

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