'This is a fascinating book, by a leading researcher, covering one of the most exciting areas of modern nutritional research - how what we eat impacts our gut and brain. The combination of personal stories and cutting edge science is a real winner.' Michael Mosley You feel how you eat. We accept that the quality of our diet affects the health of our heart and liver. S 'This is a fascinating book, by a leading researcher, covering one of the most exciting areas of modern nutritional research - how what we eat impacts our gut and brain. The combination of personal stories and cutting edge science is a real winner.' Michael Mosley You feel how you eat. We accept that the quality of our diet affects the health of our heart and liver. So why wouldn't diet - good or bad - affect the health of our brain? This is the question that Australian scientist Felice Jacka set out to answer. Having suffered depression and anxiety as a young woman, she wanted to understand the role diet plays in our overall mental and brain health. What she found through her own research and that of other eminent scientists worldwide will revolutionise the way we think about what we eat and how we care for our brains. * Obesity and depression are two major causes of disease and disability across the globe, and each influences the other. *Food does affect mood: highly processed foods increase depression risk, while a balanced, whole-food diet can prevent depression and improve mood. *A healthy diet improves gut health, and in turn health microbiota (gut bacteria) promote brain health and keep our weight in check. *A healthy diet improves brain performance at all ages, from school-age kids to their work-stressed parents. *The Mediterranean diet is linked to lower rates of Alzheimer's disease and general cognitive decline in older people. Professor Jacka, who leads the field of Nutritional Psychiatry research globally, provides not just the most recent scientific evidence but also a range of simple, practical solutions for improving the way we eat on a daily basis, including meal plans and a range of delicious recipes. This is not a diet book. This is a guide to the good habits that will protect your most precious organ, improve your quality of life and optimise mental and brain health across your lifespan. PRAISE FOR BRAIN CHANGER 'Jacka is leading the way in providing evidence-based approaches that are rooted in cutting-edge science to transform how we think about mental health.' Professor John Cryan
Brain Changer: The Good Mental Health Diet
'This is a fascinating book, by a leading researcher, covering one of the most exciting areas of modern nutritional research - how what we eat impacts our gut and brain. The combination of personal stories and cutting edge science is a real winner.' Michael Mosley You feel how you eat. We accept that the quality of our diet affects the health of our heart and liver. S 'This is a fascinating book, by a leading researcher, covering one of the most exciting areas of modern nutritional research - how what we eat impacts our gut and brain. The combination of personal stories and cutting edge science is a real winner.' Michael Mosley You feel how you eat. We accept that the quality of our diet affects the health of our heart and liver. So why wouldn't diet - good or bad - affect the health of our brain? This is the question that Australian scientist Felice Jacka set out to answer. Having suffered depression and anxiety as a young woman, she wanted to understand the role diet plays in our overall mental and brain health. What she found through her own research and that of other eminent scientists worldwide will revolutionise the way we think about what we eat and how we care for our brains. * Obesity and depression are two major causes of disease and disability across the globe, and each influences the other. *Food does affect mood: highly processed foods increase depression risk, while a balanced, whole-food diet can prevent depression and improve mood. *A healthy diet improves gut health, and in turn health microbiota (gut bacteria) promote brain health and keep our weight in check. *A healthy diet improves brain performance at all ages, from school-age kids to their work-stressed parents. *The Mediterranean diet is linked to lower rates of Alzheimer's disease and general cognitive decline in older people. Professor Jacka, who leads the field of Nutritional Psychiatry research globally, provides not just the most recent scientific evidence but also a range of simple, practical solutions for improving the way we eat on a daily basis, including meal plans and a range of delicious recipes. This is not a diet book. This is a guide to the good habits that will protect your most precious organ, improve your quality of life and optimise mental and brain health across your lifespan. PRAISE FOR BRAIN CHANGER 'Jacka is leading the way in providing evidence-based approaches that are rooted in cutting-edge science to transform how we think about mental health.' Professor John Cryan
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valeria cazzetta –
I've discovered this book through a brilliant podcast between the author and Ella Mills from the Deliciously Ella podcast and as much as I love to read and learn everything related to health this book was not what I was expecting it to be. I am not denigrating the brilliant work from the author but reading it didn't come out easy for me, mostly because the book seems like an endless article of statistics and studies coming from a health magazine. Is it because I already have a good diet, don't d I've discovered this book through a brilliant podcast between the author and Ella Mills from the Deliciously Ella podcast and as much as I love to read and learn everything related to health this book was not what I was expecting it to be. I am not denigrating the brilliant work from the author but reading it didn't come out easy for me, mostly because the book seems like an endless article of statistics and studies coming from a health magazine. Is it because I already have a good diet, don't drink alcool, hate fastfood that I didn't feel like this book was meant for me ? ... Perhaps. The discoveries are brilliant of course, but I was more looking for a book with tips (like on chapter 11) than on studies, researches made all around the globe. Nonetheless the book has to be read, absolutely, because the percentages of bad dietary habits and obesity are freightening !
Halina Connelly –
Food for thought.
Giovanna Walker –
Thought provoking. I first hear Felice Jacka speak at Festival21 and she mentioned her study (which I'd never heard of). I was super curious. I wasn't sure how easy to read her book would be, but when I got a copy I was pleasantly surprised. Felice uses the technical scientific language, but also breaks it down into easy to understand language. I was interested to read about the studies, and also great to see it is written by an Australian - even if many of the studies are based overseas. THIS I Thought provoking. I first hear Felice Jacka speak at Festival21 and she mentioned her study (which I'd never heard of). I was super curious. I wasn't sure how easy to read her book would be, but when I got a copy I was pleasantly surprised. Felice uses the technical scientific language, but also breaks it down into easy to understand language. I was interested to read about the studies, and also great to see it is written by an Australian - even if many of the studies are based overseas. THIS IS NOT A DIET BOOK. I put that in capitals in case you think it might be. It's about variety of food, and there are a few recipes at the back, and I like how they are for just 1 or 2 people, less waste! Fresher food! There is so much information out there - hello media & 'personalities' - keep in mind most of them have a vested interest in Big Food companies, who profit from keeping us confused. I would recommend the book, you may not read all the chapters (for example I didn't read the chapter on children, as I don't have any). However you will learn a lot, and become a more informed consumer - and that's a good thing! Plus support Aussies!
Amelia –
I heard the author on a podcast and was so intrigued by her research that I ordered this book, which is not published in the US. The overall message is that by improving diet, people with all sorts of conditions can improve their mental health. In general, the diet is the same that would be recommended for health in general: lots of vegetables, whole grains, legumes, some fermented dairy and vegetables, and fish a couple of times a week. The author also recommends eating small amounts of grass-f I heard the author on a podcast and was so intrigued by her research that I ordered this book, which is not published in the US. The overall message is that by improving diet, people with all sorts of conditions can improve their mental health. In general, the diet is the same that would be recommended for health in general: lots of vegetables, whole grains, legumes, some fermented dairy and vegetables, and fish a couple of times a week. The author also recommends eating small amounts of grass-fed beef, though she does not do it herself, being a mostly-vegetarian. Another interesting note is that the improved mood produced by a better diet is independent of weight loss. This is not a book about weight loss at all. The book's tone was chatty, interspersed with serious research, but at times I felt like it could have used a better editor. It was also disheartening to read from the US -- apparently our food system is very bad, and on top of that we don't have a government that's invested in keeping us healthy, which countries with more comprehensive public health systems do have.
Helen –
Eat a Mediterranean diet. It’s good for your physical and mental health. There. Done. Actually it was a well written and interesting book but I skimmed the background research and went straight for the dietary recommendations. Maybe I’m not being fair to the author. I’m sure I’m not. I’ve just upgraded my stars to reflect that my own laziness is not the fault of this very clever author who has devoted her scientific career to improving people’s health and wellbeing and who writes in an approacha Eat a Mediterranean diet. It’s good for your physical and mental health. There. Done. Actually it was a well written and interesting book but I skimmed the background research and went straight for the dietary recommendations. Maybe I’m not being fair to the author. I’m sure I’m not. I’ve just upgraded my stars to reflect that my own laziness is not the fault of this very clever author who has devoted her scientific career to improving people’s health and wellbeing and who writes in an approachable way.
Bianca –
This is a great book for understanding the current level of evidence regarding the importance of food on our mood, and therefore our life. I am very interested in food and health at the moment because I am currently struggling with food sensitivities. This book is one of the few written by an academic that draws heavily from the evidence-base, as a fellow scientist I loved it! I would recommend this book to anyone needing a logical/intellectual reason to change their diet. I think this book is pr This is a great book for understanding the current level of evidence regarding the importance of food on our mood, and therefore our life. I am very interested in food and health at the moment because I am currently struggling with food sensitivities. This book is one of the few written by an academic that draws heavily from the evidence-base, as a fellow scientist I loved it! I would recommend this book to anyone needing a logical/intellectual reason to change their diet. I think this book is primarily written for a lay audience, I loved the 'scientific' chapter!
Funda Ozdemir Celebi –
When it comes to diet and foods, there are many myths and tons of different opinions from different sources, which makes you end up confused, avoiding good food and consuming too much of something not necessarily so nutritious. Having read from an expert with scientific study results at hand, I have learned a ton. A must read, in my opinion. I also admire the author who attended college in her 30s again and went through all the academic path to study the effects of diet on mental health.
Alexandra Brooks –
Wow. This clearly researched and written book explains the relationship between the gut and brain, particularly the links between mental health issues like anxiety and depression and nutrition. Not hard going to follow along with, and there are clear summaries at the end of each chapter detailing what research has (and maybe hasn't yet) proven. Wow. This clearly researched and written book explains the relationship between the gut and brain, particularly the links between mental health issues like anxiety and depression and nutrition. Not hard going to follow along with, and there are clear summaries at the end of each chapter detailing what research has (and maybe hasn't yet) proven.
Anna –
Eye opening and research based. Felt it was a bit repetitive at times but I liked how she used a lot of studies and research to back up her points. Will definitely be incorporating it into my lifestyle!
Gigi –
Encontré interesante la forma de presentar como nuestra alimentación impacta en la salud mental. Es una buena lectura para meditar sobre lo que comemos diariamente.
Mookait –
A sensible, no nonsense book that has been well researched and is presented in an easy to understand way.
Natty –
Interesting read about the science around mental health and diet and how to form better habits to improve your mind and body
Sarah Roenfeldt –
Important stuff!
Caitlyn Hack –
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Martolis Pieters –