Business Class: Dr. David Perlmutter of “Grain Brain” — “Trust your gut”
By Randall Kenneth Jones
Originally published in the Naples Daily News
Monday, May 19, 2014
The “gut” has gotten a lot of attention over the years. For example, we know it’s possible to “spill our guts” and “bust a gut.” We have also learned to embrace our “gut feelings” and/or “gut reactions.”
Plus, for some of the more juvenile thinkers among us, we have even been known to “hate someone’s guts.”
However, after I met with acclaimed neurologist and #1 New York Times bestselling author Dr. David Perlmutter, I came to another possible conclusion: failing to care for our gut could result in our gut metaphorically hating us right back.
Perlmutter is the celebrated author of Grain Brain, The Surprising Truth About Wheat, Carbs and Sugar – Your Brain’s Silent Killers.
Having spent 32 consecutive weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list, Grain Brain is in its 15th printing and is now published in 21 countries.
Perlmutter’s revolutionary Grain Brain assessment: “Carbs are destroying our brain—not just unhealthy carbs but even healthy ones such as whole grains can cause dementia, ADHD, anxiety, chronic headaches, depression, and much more.”
A Board-Certified Neurologist and Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, Perlmutter is a frequent lecturer at such prestigious medical institutions as Columbia University, Scripps Institute, New York University and Harvard University.
His high-profile work has led to appearances on 20/20, Larry King Live, CNN, Fox News, Fox and Friends, The Today Show, Oprah, and The CBS Early Show. In addition, he serves a medical advisor on The Dr. Oz Show.
To Dr. David Perlmutter: “gut” matters—in more ways than one.
After all, countless medical professionals and business people have credited the careful balance of skill, experience, vision and “gut” with their ability to succeed.
“The gut has now been called the body’s ‘second brain’ as it has such a profound effect on mood and cognition as was recently revealed in Scientific American,” says Perlmutter, “When it comes to decision-making, there’s a lot of science behind the idea of following your gut feelings.”
In his work as a neurologist and his actions as a business professional, Perlmutter has no problem “going against the grain” and challenging traditional beliefs: “Clearly, I had a sense to move on to other things. I have never been satisfied with status quo.”
It could be said his gut reaction to a profession seemingly focused on “treating symptoms” resulted in the science explored in Grain Brain.
He adds, “Medicine is reactive and puts out the fire. I say bring in the Fire Marshall ahead of time to make sure the outlets aren’t going to explode.”
Grain Brain is simply one example of Perlmutter’s gutsy “Fire Marshall” attitude at work.
Clearly, gut trusting and “what if” thinking enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship. Consider the business columnist who proactively engaged a medical expert, Perlmutter-aficionado Dr. Cade Copeland, as a credibility-enhancing interview companion.
Copeland’s reaction: “I’ve always said we should pay more attention to our health future than our history. Dr. Perlmutter’s pioneering voice—connecting cutting-edge research and real-life results—are ultimately changing lives and the system we know today.”
If success is truly a combination of data and instinct, then learning when and how to “trust your gut” is critically important. Nevertheless, to Dr. David Perlmutter, none of this matters if your gut can’t trust you back.
Marketer, publicist, business humorist, professional-courtesy advocate, branded-content writer, creative-development consultant, and entertaining motivational speaker Randall Kenneth Jones is the creator of RediscoverCourtesy.org and the president of MindZoo, a marketing communications firm in Naples, Florida.
Photos: TOP — Grain Brain Book Cover; Photo #2 — Dr. David Perlmutter; Photo #3 — Grain Brain Book Cover; Photo #4 — Dr. Cade Copeland, Dr. David Perlmutter, Randall Kenneth Jones; BOTTOM — Randall Kenneth Jones.
