Heal Your Gut, Save your Brain by Partha Nandi

HEAL YOUR GUT, SAVE YOUR BRAIN by Partha Nandi was published last Fall by the Mayo Clinic Press. This is a very accessible and informative work. Written by a gastroenterologist and clinical associate professor of medicine at Michigan State University, it first describes gut health and its importance. He then elaborates on the “Five Pillars:” nutrition, movement, community, spirituality, and purpose which impact overall well-being. Nandi also devotes several chapters to Strokes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, describing for each how gut health contributes and how one can change the course of the disease, as well as suggesting a few applicable recipes. While many of his comments (e.g., more omega-3 fatty acids are associated with lower risk; more animal fats are linked to increased disease risk) echo other resources about good nutrition, those with pre-disposition towards one of these diseases may find his comments helpful, especially as an incentive to take early action.