Michelle Braun - High-Octane Brain: 5 Science-Based Steps to Sharpen Your Memory and Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimers

Although not everyone thinks about the future, in the life of an Olympic athlete we are always looking to the future, sometimes even four years ahead. Our brain and bodies now and in the future are our best tools, and when they dont work 100 percent we are in trouble. If we just treat our brain and body with the proper care, we may outlive our projected time frames. Given my mom had dementia and passed away in 2004 at the age of 86, I hope I can outlive her and be healthy at the time of my passing. Michelle shares with you how to take great care of your brain now and in the future, not just to lower the risk of Alzheimers, but for better overall health and well-being!

Bonnie Blair, five-time Olympic gold medalist

Dr. Braun has written a life-changer, a life-enhancer. In clear, commonsense language with scientific facts, she is proving there is finally a way to fight Alzheimers. Now [there is] hope where there was none.

Martin J. Schreiber, former governor of Wisconsin and author of My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimers Caregiver

Dr. Michelle Braun is at the forefront of the exciting and promising field of brain health, and her new book, High-Octane Brain, empowers us all to steer our own aging path using a simple five-step program designed to engage brain health promoting behaviors to reduce dementia risk. Through a mixture of expert interviews, case examples, and practical suggestions, Braun uses her remarkable insights and crystal-clear writing style to convincingly argue that healthy aging is within our reach if we take the opportunity we all have to make healthy lifestyle choices. Written in a way that is inspiring to both lay and professional audiences, High-Octane Brain fills the tank with simple tools that allow users to implement her program and to measure progress. It is a must have for those of us who work with aging populations, and those of us who want to invest in a more active, engaged, and healthy future for ourselves.

Russell M. Bauer, PhD, ABPP, Preeminence Term Professor, University of Florida; Director, Brain Rehabilitation Research Center of Excellence, Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center

An emerging field of neuroscience points to the importance of a healthy lifestyle in reducing the risk of Alzheimers . Dr. Michelle Braun illustrates in a clear and concise style strategies to maximize brain health and stave off Alzheimers. Unlike other brain-wellness publications, this book is based on solid scientific evidence, amply documented in the different chapters dealing with nutrition, physical activity, cognitive stimulation, stress reduction and sleep. At the same time, the material is brought to life through interviews with experts, case illustrations, summary tables and takeaway points that make this book an engaging read for the general public. In a time when there are still no pharmacological cures for Alzheimers, this book shows us a path towards healthy brain aging: a book invaluable not only to the clinician, but to all of us aiming to enhance our brain health and quality of life in our later years.

Piero G. Antuono, MD, Professor of Neurology and Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin; Member, Medical and Scientific Advisory Panel, Alzheimers Disease International

Medical science has lessened the impact of many previously fatal diseases, but alas, not Alzheimers, which threatens to overwhelm our health and long-term care systems and devastate more and more families. In the face of this crisis, Dr. Michelle Braun offers us a way in our everyday lives to confront Alzheimers head-on, and cheers us on into believing we can succeed. In the process, she deftly straddles the complex worlds of neuroanatomy and brain science, condenses it all into concise lifestyle advice, and presents it in steps that are engaging, doable, and fun. Readers that follow her game plan will live much more enjoyable lives not to mention the three-pound blob of tissue in your skull that makes you who you are will thank you profusely!

Tom Hlavacek, Retired Executive Director, Alzheimers Association Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter

Dr. Michelle Braun

Foreword by Dr. Karen Postal

STERLING and the distinctive Sterling logo are registered trademarks of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

2020 Michelle Braun

Foreword 2020 Karen Postal

Cover 2020 Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.

This publication is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide or replace medical diagnosis or treatment or be a substitute to consulting with licensed medical or health-care providers. The publisher shall not be liable or responsible in any respect for any adverse effects, consequence, loss or damage of any type resulting or arising from, directly or indirectly, any use or application of any content in this publication. Any trademarks are the property of their respective owners, are used for editorial purposes only, and the publisher makes no claim of ownership and shall acquire no right, title or interest in such trademarks by virtue of this publication.

ISBN 978-1-4549-3779-1

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Cover design by Igor Satanovsky

Interior design by Gavin C. Motnyk

Picture Credits - see

Dedication

To Adam and Halle: the inspiration for my High-Octane Brain journey.

Contents

Foreword:
Dr. Karen Postal, Harvard Medical School

PART I
THE NEW GAME-CHANGING RULES OF BRAIN AGING

PART II
5 STEPS TO A HIGH-OCTANE BRAIN: THE EXCELS METHOD

PART III
HIGH-OCTANE BRAIN ROLE MODELS

List of Figures and Tables