The Better Brain: Overcome Anxiety, Combat Depression, and Reduce ADHD and Stress with Nutrition Hardcover – April 20, 2021

The Better Brain looks like a simple book about mental health, but by the first chapter, you will probably be completely stunned. I know I was.This book not only explains with multiple clear and concise studies and stories how people, who suffer from completely varied mental illnesses, can heal with better nutrition and suppliments, it also explains in horrific detail why people who are currently suffering, never learn about these simple steps to improve their mental health.I myself haven't had any of my bipolar symptoms for over 9 months, at the time of this review, I have also witnessed others heal from other psychiatric conditions thanks to nutrient dense foods by using the principles of this book in my private practice.To say the every mental health practitioner should read this book, is the greatest understatement of all time. The fact that this book and all of the peer reviewed scientific research has been ignored for years while people continue to die and suffer from severe psychological disorders, is the worse kind of professional negligence imaginable. I myself will strive as long as I have breath, to champion Bonnie's and Julia's book and tell everyone I meet that there is hope.Please read this book, and help as many others as possible 🙏

I have read about a dozen books on mental health and nutrition in the past year or so. The Better Brain, is the best of all of these. Although I learned a lot from all the other books I have read, they all focused on diet - which is great - and should be a foundation of all health - physical and mental, and is also recommended as such by the authors, Bonnie Kaplan and Julia Rucklidge. However, diet is often not enough (and is sometimes too daunting as a first step) for those struggling with serious mental health conditions and are unable or unwilling to use pharmaceuticals. The MORE, is what makes THE BETTER BRAIN so unique and helpful. It is filled with numerous studies using a balanced blend of micronutrients. The results seem sometimes miraculous when ALL the necessary brain nutrients are supplied. I am on my second read. These authors are on a mission to offer real science showing the benefits of complete nutrition for brain health which will hopefully lead to more alternatives that professionals can be confident in supporting.

I gained very useful information from this book and it was well written and easy to understand. One of the vitamins that are discussed in this book I decided to go ahead and try and it has been a great benefit to me. If you struggle with anxiety, depression, etc. and are someone who doesn't want to end up on anti-depressants, this would be a great read for you to see more natural ways you can try to overcome the challenges you are facing.

The Better Brain advances the controversial thesis that lack of proper nutrition is a large factor, if not the key factor, in the growth in mental health related disorders throughout the Western world. According to the authors, those complaining of behavioral health problems, ranging from depression to psychosis, would benefit first from having a proper diet, then from trying nutritional supplements and only turn to psychiatric medication as a last resort.Intuitively, the idea makes sense. If heart and metabolic health are strongly affected by the food we intake why should the brain be any different? And the authors provide a wide variety of peer reviewed research to advance their controversial claims.Moreover, along with their call for a revolution in mental health care, the authors provide a panoply of practical suggestions for those convinced by their arguments. Everything from what recipes to cook to which nutritional supplements to buy is provided.And while I’m not completely convinced by the book’s arguments the authors are careful to recommend that anyone on psychiatric medication consult their therapist before beginning these therapies. So I don’t think any harm will come to readers and, if the authors are right, there could be significant benefit.Personally, I think the authors downplay the role societal factors like the diminishing role of the family, social isolation and the harmful effects of social media have had on Western cultures. But that is the opinion of someone who makes his living assessing the efficacy of pharmaceuticals. Perhaps I’m too biased to give the author’s thesis a fair hearing.Despite this disagreement, it’s good to be open minded about resolving the growing mental health crisis in the West and the authors provide a reasonable and well argued for viewpoint. Highly recommended both for professionals and those seeking non-pharmaceutical methods to boost their mental health.

The Better Brain provides an excellent, compelling and comprehensive summary of the need to rethink our treatment of the mental health epidemic our world faces. The initial step in the treatment of mental illness must focus on providing a good quality nutritional plan with a multivitamin/minerals supplement before prescribing serious medication. Better Brain provides example after example as so many patients making a full recovery after simply providing enhanced natural vitamins and supplements. There is no downside to encouraging patients to eat healthy Whole Foods, eliminate processed foods and incorporate critical vitamins and minerals in our diet. These can prove more useful than the serious psych medications which sometimes do more harm than good.