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Supercharge Your Brain: How to Maintain a Healthy Brain Throughout Your Life

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'Some people improve mentally with age - here's how you can be one of them.' Mail on Sunday'More than a game-changer, this book's a no-brainer for anyone who wants to optimise their brain.' Piers MorganWith a new chapter on Covid and the Brain, this is the definitive guide to keeping your brain healthy for a long and lucid life, by one of the world's leading scientists in the field of brain health and ageing.The brain is our most vital and complex organ. It controls and coordinates our actions, thoughts and interactions with the world around us. It is the source of personality, of our sense of self, and it shapes every aspect of our human experience.Yet most of us know precious little about how our brains actually work, or what we can do to optimise their performance. Whilst cognitive decline is the biggest long-term health worry for many of us, practical knowledge of how to look after our brain is thin on the ground.In this ground-breaking new book, leading expert Professor James Goodwin explains how simple strategies concerning exercise, diet, social life and sleep can transform your brain health paradigm, and shows how you can keep your brain youthful and stay sharp across your life. Combining the latest scientific research with insightful storytelling and practical advice, Supercharge Your Brain reveals everything you need to know about how your brain functions, and what you can do to keep it in peak condition.

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2021

103 people are currently reading
705 people want to read

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James Goodwin

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Адриана К..
238 reviews17 followers
June 3, 2024
Тази книга на Джеймс Гудуин ми бе безкрайно интересна и четох с голямо удоволствие до самия край.

Със сигурност човешкият мозък е една необятна и неизчерпаема вселена, която е била, е и ще бъде плод на огромен брой изследвания, а благодарение на новите и все по-сериозни технологии, може би ще научаваме и опознаваме все повече силата и възможностите му.
Оказва се, че 50% от нашата интелигентност в зрялата ни възраст отговаря на тази, която сме притежавали в детството си, 1/4 има връзка с нашето ДНК, а цели ¾ се определят от средата и начина ни на живот, от това с какво се занимаваме.

Спортът и като цяло всяка физическа активност са ключови за здравето на нашия мозък и когнитивни способности. Впечатляваща е връзката между здравето на червата ни и цялостното функциониране на мозъка – излиза, че 90% от серотонина (познат като „хормона на щастието“) се пораждат именно в червата от трилиони бактерии. От това следва, че храната, която приемаме има особено важно въздействие и върху това как ще се чувстваме.

Изключително интересно за мен бе, че в книгата се споменава, че добавянето на определени видове бактерии към диетата, може да подобри състояния на безпокойство и антисоциално поведение при хора с аутизъм и дефицити в социално поведение - Пол Патерсън е човекът, който открива връзката между аутизма и чревните бактерии. При около 40 и 90% от всички деца с аутизъм се наблюдават и стомашно–чревни симптоми. Съставът на нашата микрофлора може да повлияе на податливостта на човек към тревожността и депресията, дори и болестта на Паркинсон.

Друг интересен факт е, че дъвченето на дъвка подобрява непосредствената и дълготрайна памет, а самотата може да има тежки последици за мозъка ни като има сведения, че тя има отношение с промени в мозъчната структура. От друга страна позитивната нагласа и хубави мисли могат да удължат живота ни с повече от 7 години, а редовните аеробни физически упражнения могат да подмладят мозъка с 2 години! Така че тренировките както за ума, така и за тялото са много важни. Има и забележителни изследвания за влиянието на секса за мозъчното здраве, важността на съня, ролята на изкуството за благополучието на нашия мозък

Много увлекателно написана книга и в същото време даваща информация, базирана на научни изследвания, тестове, има и различни примери, графики, но достъпно и образователно поднесени на читателя. Основното послание, което авторът се опитва да предаде чрез тази книга, е да предизвикваме мозъка си постоянно с нови преживявания и умения, дори предизвикателства и опасности, за да поддържаме ума си остър. Завършвам с един особено любопитен факт: „Как спят водните бозайници, ако трябва да останат будни, за да дишат?… Само едната половина от мозъка на делфина спи, като противоположното око е затворено."
Profile Image for Muhammad Noor.
93 reviews4 followers
September 24, 2022
A good summary of theories that have been out there. Nothing new really but still worth a quick read as a reminder of all the items for brain longevity in one package.
1 review
May 8, 2021
For many years, I've bought several how to improve self help books about the brain (and other body parts), and compared to other brainy books, Professor Goodwin's is most detailed, uniquely includes fine art images, quality graphic illustrations and scientific graphs. Goodwin's book is a most worthy purchase and relevant read.
Profile Image for Gjermund Bjaanes.
13 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2023
This is not a fast read (not because the book is long), but it is still amazing! Great, evidence-backed information and tips on how to take care of your brain.
Profile Image for Czytelniczy zamęt.
182 reviews2 followers
May 5, 2022
Dr James Goodwin jest doradcą Globalnej Rady ds. Zdrowia Mózgu, kierownikiem katedry w Exeter Inuwersity Medical School oraz profesorem fizjologii na Loughborough University.

Na początku książka wprowadza nas w temat mózgu – jego budowę, podstawę funkcjonowania, czynniki wpływające na nasze IQ. I to jest część przy której trzeba się mocno skupić, żeby potem zapamiętać co jest czym. Im dalej tym łatwiej i przyjemniej.

Kolejne rozdziały książki opisują poszczególne aspekty wpływające na kondycję naszego mózgu, jak np. witaminy, sen, aktywność fizyczna. Znajdziemy tutaj też informacje jak kiedyś lekarze podchodzili do zdrowia tego narządu, jakie badania były przeprowadzane, żeby zgłębić jego tajniki. Przedstawione są również przekonania co do prawidłowego postępowania, a których zasadność obaliły badania późniejsze. Jest to bardzo merytoryczna i dobrze napisana książka, wszystko jest poparte badaniami. Na końcu poradnika znajdziemy ponad 20 stron źródeł do wspomnianych badań oraz artykułów.

Nie jest to kolejna książka influencerki pt. "Jak być fit?". Tutaj mamy wartościową książkę, która powiem szczerze trochę zmieniła moje patrzenie na życie, na aktywność fizyczną, na to co jem. Jest tu bardzo dużo wskazówek co robić gdy mamy problemy np. z bezsennością, otępieniem. Każdy temat ma swoje podsumowania. Niektóre tematy są powtarzane, ale wydaje mi się, że to specjalny zabieg, aby wiadomości nam się utrwaliły. Jest to książka ogólna, przede wszystkim o mózgu, ale jest tutaj opisanych tyle rzeczy, które wpływają na naszą długowieczność i życie w zdrowiu, iż sądzę, że każdy znajdzie coś dla siebie.

Pozycja obowiązkowa dla dbających o zdrowie.
Profile Image for Booknięta.
276 reviews4 followers
May 16, 2022
Zupełnie nie miałam pojęcia po jaką książkę sięgam, oczekiwałam nawet, że będzie to lanie wody o motywacji, dzięki której możemy doładować swój mózg. I niezmiernie się cieszę, że moje domysły były mylne. Trafiłam na książkę, która jest warta polecenia i zachęcam do niej każdego, nawet jeżeli procesy życiowe naszego organizmu nie bardzo Ciebie ciekawią. Uwierz, już po wstępie zmienisz zdanie i pojawi się chęć coś w swoim życiu poprzestawiać.
Mózg jest odpowiedzialny za wszystko co się z nami dzieje. Każdy krok i każda myśl jest pod jego kontrolą, niestety z wiekiem funkcjonalność może zawodzić i to od nas zależy czy będziemy się starali te zdolności poprawić czy utrzymać na właściwym poziomie. Nie tylko genetyka warunkuje co mamy w głowie, ale też codzienne czynności, takie jak odżywianie, aktywność fizyczna, higiena snu, podtrzymywanie kontaktów towarzyskich i nawet odczuwanie szczęścia. Wiele rzeczy dzieje się bez większych przemyśleń, a takie małe zmiany jak na przykład mniej siedzenia przy biurku i większa ilość wody prowadzą do dużych przemian. To co jemy, pijemy, oglądamy, uprawiamy i spożywamy ma duży wpływ nie tylko na samopoczucie dziś czy jutro, ale też na długość życia i pogodną starość. Brzmi całkiem nieźle, prawda? James Goodwin umieścił niemal wszystkie sposoby na poprawę jakości życia w jednej książce. Nie są to po prostu porady, wszystko jest oparte na badaniach, a luźny styl sprawia, że chce się wierzyć w to co czytamy. Ja uwierzyłam i już coś w moim mózgu się zmienia, a o skuteczności zmian powiem za jakieś 50 lat, w szczęśliwej i spokojnej starości.
Profile Image for ForestHowl.
7 reviews
June 8, 2022
This book reads so much like a website it makes it less enjoyable to read. Though some of the information was novel to me, and the updated covid chapter helps keep the book’s relevance, I found it flitting between topics in quite a blunt manner. The ‘boxes’ utilised throughout add to this feeling of a website or online book rather than a bool. Additionally the summary boxes at the end of each chapter somewhat are negated by their large size sometimes. I feel like most of this book is repeating itself, and potential readers would be much better off reading other neuroscience books either more generally or for each topic specifically.
Profile Image for Theresa Nardi.
177 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2022
Absolutely the best book I have read this year. Goodwin does a masterful job of synthesizing what science does and does not know, what they think they know and what they might know (memo: science is iterative, not absolute) and distills it’s down to practical, actionable and common sense advice. He writes in a clean spare style with a wry sense of humor. Love love love it!
Profile Image for Tania Vassileva.
2 reviews
March 23, 2024
This is one of the most useful books that every single person needs to read. Full of great advice on sleep, nutrition, and plenty of tips to keep your brain sharp and healthy. I will always keep a hard copy handy to reference back to. If you're looking for a phenomenal gift idea for a book lover you should get this book.
Profile Image for Sid Smallman.
111 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2025
brainy advice

The book may come across as more of the same recommendations we expect from health related works, exercise, diet etc., but the are many fascinating and valuable insights to be gleaned from it…
159 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2022
Well written and properly referenced. Obviously I wish the lessons were sit on the sofa watching tv and eating chocolate to keep your brain healthy but that sadly isn’t the case!
Profile Image for Alexandra Gerea.
31 reviews9 followers
July 3, 2022
Really nice book, great tips for improving your health, your mind and your brain's health, and it's backed by science. I think evrerybody should read this.
2 reviews
August 4, 2022
interesting but rambling

This feels like a self help book from the 90s. There’s some good advice but a lot of rambling filler to overly convince the reader.
Profile Image for Pamela.
141 reviews6 followers
August 19, 2022
Ciekawa książka na temat działania mózgu.
Profile Image for Katie Dishkova.
24 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2024
Изключителна книга. Много образователна, впечатляваща и доста вдъхновяваща.:)
7 reviews
February 2, 2025
Provides science behind a lot of common sense.
A reading for everyone. We all have a brain and could use it better!
Profile Image for Daniel Grau.
4 reviews
September 15, 2022
Enjoyed the tips on keeping the brain at optimum performance but was looking for more advice on how we can best protect it from certain ailments associated with older age. Skimmed over the COVID section.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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