Page 56 - Fall2011

All Thumbs Book Reviews

Stop Alzheimer’s Now! of Alzheimer’s disease and first develop in the
By Bruce Fife, ND hippocampus, a structure deep in the brain that
Piccadilly Books, Ltd., 2011 helps to encode memories, and in areas of the
cerebral cortex that are essential in thinking and
I was privileged to receive a free copy of this making decisions.
book and became absorbed in its easy-to-under- We are all now aware of the devastating ef-
stand, yet dense explanation of the prevention, fects of chronic inflammation. Dr. Fife notes that
and even in some cases, reversal of several of our in postmortem analysis, inflammation always
most devastating neurodegenerative disorders. appears to be present in the brains of those who
Dr. Fife not only discusses Alzheimer’s dis- die of neurodegenerative disorders. Chronic
ease, but also covers Parkinson’s, ALS, multiple inflammation may even contribute to the prob-
sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative disorders lem, but it is not the cause of neurodegeneration.
such as epilepsy. He documents celebrities for Fife challenges us with several questions: What
whom help comes too late: Charlton Heston, causes inflammation? What causes oxidative
Rita Hayworth, Michael J. Fox, and other popu- stress? What disrupts glucose metabolism? He
lar personalities who have unfortunately either claims that while genetics may play a role in
succumbed to or continue to face the challenges some cases, by far the major influences involve a
of living with these degenerative disorders. We combination of diet, trauma, drugs, stress, toxins
know that neither money nor fame can bring and infection. Dr. Fife covers each of these is-
about prevention or reversal of these frightening sues and more in extraordinary detail, providing
conditions. Dr. Fife, however, outlines a possible many useful visual aids to help us understand
way out of disaster if we start early enough to this complex subject.
intercept these diseases before they become ir- The keynote portion of the book is centered
reversible. on how we can prevent or reverse these disorders
To begin with, Dr. Fife addresses premature by using information reaped from Dr. Fife’s now
aging and neurodegeneration, covering aspects famous studies of one of the most humble, yet
that cause these conditions. Fife presents new power-packed foods known to man: coconut oil.
information for readers, including details about In addition to the excellent information on this
free radicals, Advanced Glycation End Products, single food, Dr. Fife—otherwise affectionately
and Dietary Advanced Glycation End Products. known as “Dr. Coconut”—goes on to integrate
These substances, called AGEs, are everywhere its use with the many health benefits associated
Ketones and in our diets, and yes, even in so-called healthy with the neuroprotective effects of ketones and

medium- diets. Something I did not know until I read this medium-chain fatty acids in our diet.
book is that AGEs form not only inside our bod-

Ketones and medium-chain fatty acids are
chain fatty ies but outside them as well. When you roast a two of the precious substances that cross the
acids are two chicken in the oven, you are creating glycated brain barrier. Dr. Fife describes the influence
of the proteins in the browned chicken skin. When of ketones as potent neuroprotective substances
proteins and sugars are cooked together at high that can ease inflammation, oxidative stress,
precious temperatures in the absence of water, AGEs are disturbed glucose metabolism and excitotoxicity.
substances formed. This and much more on AGEs is thor- Medium-chain fatty acids, which are plentiful in
that cross the oughly covered. coconut oil, produce more ketones than normal

Dr. Fife clearly explains that abnormal dietary fat composed of long-chain triglycerides,
brain barrier. proteins and plaque tangles are characteristics and are more efficiently absorbed and prefer-
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