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Book Review: Brain Power Trust Plan

November 17, 2008

We’re prone to believe that as we get older, things just happen and our brains and bodies start to break down.  As with so many things in life, things usually don’t usually “just happen.”  There are causal mechanisms for why we get stronger or weaker, why we can lower or raise our chances of heart disease and cancer, or why we get into car accidents.  This idea coincides with observations from hunter-gatherer societies, where the elderly there experience “compressed morbidity,” or in layman’s terms, they don’t suffer from reduced quality of life before they expire.

The Brain Power Trust Plan puts forth some bold assertions that I think are worth listening to, if you don’t find the idea of wandering the halls of a nursing home attractive.  Obviously, the author doesn’t have all the answers, but his prescriptions dovetail nicely with CrossFit’s prescriptions for physical health.  In fact, the most insightful quote from the book is that “What is good for the body is good for the mind.”

Dr. McCleary was acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery and Director of the Neuroscience Research Program at the Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado, so he probably has some insight into the inner workings of the brain.

He starts the book with some anecdotal reports of people he helped with his plan–some of whom were seemingly on the verge of dementia.  Then, he explains the major parts of the brain and how they function.  After that, we get a chance to see if we are at risk for cognitive decline, some exercises to keep our brains nimble, and some supplements that he has found to help people.

The last section, which deals with common mental problems, like brain fog, menopausal hot flashes, and Alzheimer’s is probably the most fascinating and worth the price of the book.  One of CrossFit Oahu’s more stellar members has even had some success with the Doctor’s prescribed supplement cocktails.

The crux of many of these problems, just like the crux of every disorder associated with Metabolic Syndrome is the deleterious effects of insulin resistance.  Just like diabetics’ fat cells become insulin resistant to protect themselves from the pernicious effects of sugar, so do the brain’s cells.  It is this resistance that interferes with the brain’s supply of usable energy and leads to cognitive decline, dimming of the senses, and hot flashes.  Alzheimer’s Disease has even been coined “type 3 diabetes” by some researchers, since the lack of glucose to use as energy leads to “brown outs” in the brain.

His plan in a nutshell?  Keep actively thinking, exercise, increase insulin sensitivity (through exercise and a carbohydrate restricted diet) and get plenty of “healthy fats,” which are any fats besides trans-fats.  In a nutshell, be a good CrossFitter.

Post your thoughts on dementia, aging, or  being and staying quick-witted.  Has CrossFit had an effect on your mental or even emotional status?

–Nick