Bottom Line's Mind Boosting Secrets: Natural Supplements That Enhance Your Mind, Memory and Mood

When St. Martin's Press first published Dr. Ray Sahelian's MIND BOOSTERS in 2000, readers and critics alike expressed their appreciation for the book's helpful and readable explication of how various nutrients and dietary supplements impact specific aspects of brain functionality. Bottom Line Books has now republished the text in a sturdier, enlarged, and retitled hardcover edition. While the rather cheesy cover art and sensationalistic title may repell some bookstore browsers, don't be fooled: MIND BOOSTING SECRETS is actually an outstanding resource for readers wishing to evaluate the effects of dietary supplements, unburdened by shrill product promotion. Sahelian not only educates readers about supplements, but also increases consumer savviness by helping people to evaluate manufacturers' claims. The text is very well structured. Whether you want to treat a specific malady or increase your general knowledge of neurochemistry, you'll find the information swiftly and easily. The 22 chapters are grouped into six major sections: 1. Using Your Brain to Boost Your Mind (Best practices for self-maintenance and overall wellness) 2. Your Brain - An Owner's Guide (Introduction to neurophysiology and neurochemistry) 3. Lifestyle Habits for a Long-Lasting Brain (Holistisc considerations for lifelong health) 4. A Practical Guide to Mind-Boosting Supplements (Brain fats, choline, vitamins, methyl donors, nootropics, herbs, hormones, and more) 5. Staying Smart After School (Recommended supplement regimens prioritized by adult age group and other factors) 6. Natural Prescriptions for Depression, Vision Enhancement, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease (Speaks for itself) Dr. Sahelian also respectfully provides his readers with detailed appendices, including a Glossary, a Bibliography, and a References section to name a few. The lists of References and Acknowledgements generally cites researchers and papers published in highly-regarded scientific journals, not reports from labs funded exclusively by pharmaceutical companies and supplement vendors. When evaluating supplements, it is crucially important to consider the source of laboratory reports. Ray Sahelian, MD has provided us with a refreshing and objective reference work that remains true to holistic medicine without completely eschewing synthetic pharmaceuticals. Although he endorses positive lifestyle changes such as stress reduction and physical exercise for good mental health, Sahelian unfortunately stops short of acknowledging the more acute therapies of clinical neurofeedback and acupuncture; given the implicit scope of the book, these therapies deserve at least a passing mention.