The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

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One of the best ways to reduce oxidative stress lies in what we eat. Fruits such as berries, oranges, grapefruits and apples are excellent sources of antioxidants. Leafy green and cruciferous veg (broccoli, cabbage, spinach, kale) are great too, as are onions, carrots, tomatoes, squash and artichokes. Extra-virgin olive oil is loaded with anti-inflammatory vitamin E. Brazil nuts are the best source of selenium, but it’s also in rice, oats, mushrooms and lentils. Step 4: Choose the right fats The XX Brain confronts this crisis by revealing how the two powerful X chromosomes that distinguish women from men impact the brain first and foremost and by focusing on a key brain-protective hormone: estrogen. Reality: Don’t believe that genes are destiny. Do believe that our medical health, our environment and the choices we make, are important. (p.17). The exception is for about 1-2% of people who are likely due to genetics to get early onset dementia. But that means about 98-99% of people are not in this group. (p.17)

Until now, medical research has focused on “bikini medicine,” assuming that women are essentially men with breasts and tubes. Yet women are far more likely than men to suffer from anxiety, depression, migraines, brain injuries, and strokes. They are also twice as likely to end their lives suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, even when their longer lifespans are taken into account. But in the past, the female brain has received astonishingly little attention and was rarely studied by medical researchers– resulting in a wealth of misinformation about women’s health.The XX Brainconfronts this crisis by revealing how the two powerful X chromosomes that distinguish women from men impact the brain first and foremost and by focusing on a key brain-protective hormone: estrogen. She suggests “targeted risk-reduction interventions” (p. 23 and 24) based on each patient’s risks which the author discusses in chapter 3. Menopause happens when a woman has her last menstrual period and is no longer fertile – usually around her forties or fifties – although a woman who’s had a hysterectomy will experience menopause sooner.

This extraordinary book gives women cutting-edge, research-based advice on what they particularly need to know to keep their brains functioning at maximum capacity.Highly recommended!” —JJ Virgin, New York Times bestselling author of The Virgin DietWomen with Alzheimer’s outnumber men with Alzheimer’s. Men have a greater risk of Parkinson’s, while men and women have an approximate equal risk of stroke. (p.21)

Whenever someone asks what is the single most important thing to do is to sustain their brain, I always give the same answer: Do not eat processed foods, especially those that contain trans fats. Women’s brains have unique risk factors for dementia that until now have been ignored by science. Lisa Mosconi’s path-breaking work changes this paradigm to show women how they specifically can protect and enhance brain function throughout life. Essential reading!” —Max Lugavere, New York Times bestselling author of Genius Foods Examination of this myth: under more examination the main reasons why men live shorter lives have been in the past: alcoholism, smoking, gun violence, road accidents and poor diet. (p.19) And also implied on p.20, is occupational stress. And chapter 1 ends with a paragraph explaining that transwomen and the aging brain is not well researched. (p.14) Does not mention that women without children and their aging brains is not well researched, so why are they not mentioned? Women with children: differences associated with processing and responding to social signals. (p.46). Women with children develop a sleep debt (p. 48) and often experience “reduced performance on memory tests that place a high demand on free recall and working memory”. Memory difficulties worsen depending on the number of children. (p.47).

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The XX Brain builds from the recognition that women's brains age distinctly from men's, due mostly to the decline of a key brain-protective hormone: estrogen. There was other useful information and I took many notes. Here are some of my notes, for your information. The XX Brain is an exciting and empowering read for all women. Dr. Mosconi provides actionable advice to protect your brain and thrive throughout your lifetime! I highly recommend making your brain a priority now and taking charge before the inevitable hormonal shifts of perimenopause. In this book, Dr. Mosconi will show you how." —Dr. Jolene Brighten, NMD, author of Beyond the Pill Alcohol and coffee are influential when it comes to women’s health, and not in the best of ways. Studies have shown that alcohol can increase the risk of hot flashes and, for some women, of breast cancer; drinking too much alcohol encourages weight gain as well. There are two types of fiber — soluble and insoluble — and we need both. Soluble fiber comes from fruit, root vegetables, small leafy greens, most legumes, and pumpkin and squash. Insoluble fiber is found in large-leaf vegs (spinach, kale, chards); crunchy, leafy veg (radicchio, arugula) and cruciferous veg (broccoli, brussels sprouts). Sweet potatoes or yams (eaten with their skin), and whole grains (with their husks) also provide hydrating, filling fiber.

Inflammation: against bacteria, cancer, dental abscess for example (p.34 to 35). Presence of chronic inflammation related to cognitive decline (p. 32). Suggestion: Avoid things that increase inflammation and practice those things that decrease it. (p.35). Suggestions for this: eat well, exercise, rest and sleep, lose weight if needed, quit smoking. Reduce or eliminate exposure to toxins and get treatment if needed, if cholesterol is high – lower it, get treatment for harmful bacterial and for gum disease. The female neuroendocrine system: Pregnancy and the onset of menopause both have the potential to disrupt the balance of the female neuroendocrine system. Affected parts include: the thyroid, the thymus, the adrenals, the pancreas, the ovaries, the frontal cortex, the thalamus, the posterior cingulate cortex, the limbic cortex, the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, and the brain stem. Apart from the typical symptoms like hot flashes, the drop in estrogen has an enormous impact on the brain. Many women find they struggle with depression and anxiety. Some even experience bipolar or schizophrenic symptoms for the first time. On top of that, menopause makes women more susceptible to heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.I am so happy to finally read a book about the female brains by a female neurologist, nutritionist and PhD. It's about time!