The 30-Day Alzheimer's Solution: The Revolutionary Cookbook and Nutrition Program to Boost Brain Power, Prevent Alzheimer's, and Enhance Your Life with Over 75 Delicious Recipes
The most scientifically rigorous, results-driven cookbook and nutrition program on the planet, featuring over 75 recipes designed specifically to prevent Alzheimer's disease, and protect and enhance your amazing brain.
Awarding-winning neurologists Dean Sherzai, MD and Ayesha Sherzai, MD have spent decades studying neuro-degenerative disease as Co-Directors of the Alzheimer's Prevention Program at Loma Linda University Hospital. Together, they created a targeted nutrition program with one goal in to prevent Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and cognitive decline in their patients. The results of their program have been astounding. It starts by implementing their "Neuro Nine" foods into your diet every single day. In just thirty days, and with the help of clear guidelines and 75+ easy and delicious meals you'll find in this book, The 30-Day Alzheimer's Solution, you can boost the power of your brain, protect it from illness, and jumpstart total body health, including weight loss and improved sensory ability and mobility.
The 30-Day Alzheimer's Solutionis the first action-oriented cookbook for preventing Alzheimer's disease and delivering results like improved mental agility, short- and long-term memory, sharpness, and attention. Let this be the first 30 days of the rest of your life.
Dean Sherzai, MD, PhD, is Co-Director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Program at Loma Linda University Health, where he was previously the Director of the Memory and Aging Center as well as Director of Research. During his years at Loma Linda, a Blue Zone community where residents live measurably longer and healthier lives, he was the lead scientist studying the effects of healthy living on cognitive aging. Dean trained in Neurology at Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed fellowships in neurodegenerative disease and dementia at the National Institutes of Health and UC-San Diego, where he studied under Dr. Leon Thal, one of the world’s most renowned dementia researchers, and Dr. Dilip Jeste, the world’s foremost specialist in cognitive aging. He also holds a PhD in Healthcare Leadership with a focus on community health, and a Masters in Public Health from Loma Linda University, where his research focused on the prevention of cognitive decline through lifestyle changes. Dean has won several awards and published numerous scientific papers, including comprehensive reviews on nutrition and neurodegenerative disease and a recent meta-analysis of cognitive training and memory improvement.
There's so much to love about this book, it's hard to even know where to begin. The credentials and credibility of the authors are impeccable. Contrary to so many self-proclaimed gurus in the field of health and wellbeing, Ayesha and Dean Sherzai have the training, expertise, and experience to give reliable advice on the subject of brain disease prevention and health. They rely on scientific evidence and explain in compelling and clear language the whys and hows of optimizing brain health. I also love that their message is a joyful and hopeful one. Their proposed steps to wellbeing are not grounded in deprivation and drudgery, but in reconnecting with vibrant wholesome foods, family, and deeper meaning in life. Given the sobering statistics of how many people are expected to suffer from Alzheimers as they get older, it is tremendously empowering and gratifying to have a roadmap to mitigate such risks.
After 4+ years on a strict ketogenic diet, new research has convinced me there is a better way, and this book seems to fill that role. The Sherzais' diet is similar to the MIND diet, but vegan, and no wine. The recipes initially looked difficult, but are not, I just need some new items in the pantry. The overnight oatmeal is delicious and fulfills many of the daily requirements. Those who are seriously concerned about brain health already will be doing the exercise, sleep and stress reduction programs. The hardest thing is that there is no way to eat in any restaurant, ever!
Meh, well researched and believable results, but implementing the changes to your diet are an all or nothing proposition, that seems very difficult to do! Recipe ingredients seemed very repetitive questioning how much variety there would be in flavor. Lots of "exotic" ingredients and finally the majority of recipes only make enough for 3 servings. For 2 people, you end up with a little left over or for a family of four not enough for a meal.
Great book packed with nutritional information whether you wish to follow the diet they include within this book or not. One essential recommendation is easily followed by all : 8-10 glasses of water daily from the faucet...not mineral/vitamin water. Lots of really helpful advice in one book. One major change for many of us would be to lose the regular consumption of seafood. Oh well.
Update: Just made the Omega Muffins and they are delish! Instructions add baking temp perfect. I have an electric oven and sometimes I have to tweak recipes. Not this one. Excited to try more recipes
Nothing jazzes me more than healthy eating/living. So needless to say I REALLY liked this simple easy to read approach on how to beat Alzheimer's with the research to back it up. The authors present a doctor approved program with nutrion and lifestyle guidance. The book is broken up into 3 sections, 1) A Proven Plan, 2) What to eat, 3) The Neuro Plan:30 along along with recipes. The recipes here look simple and delicious, most with appetizing pictures.
Wohoo! Finally started and finished the intro in this cookbook! It was a large section of information dealing with the science (in layman's terms) behind eating a plant based diet and its health benefits with dementia/Alzheimer's. I was convinced and convicted, but, I mean, I still ate a beef burger last night... I think I'll try to incorporate the salads into our diet this summer. They say 20-30 minute recipes... Maybe they take me an hour+ because it's my first time making these recipes? Anyone else with this cookbook want to speak into that? Full disclosure: I haven't done the entire 30 day challenge.
I really liked the first 80 pages...which explains why diet is so important along with their research. I think that is neat in a cookbook. The recipes are ok, seem simple to make (not overly complicated). Overall I like the cookbook and do think cutting out processed food and eating like this cookbook states is the right thing to do for our bodies and health.
This book is more accessible than their previous book, The Alzheimer's Solution, but has the same great program for reducing the incidence of Alzheimer's. It is a more basic, step by step approach with lots of recipes. I haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but plan to do so.
I bought it mainly for the recipes with its beautiful photographs. I just wish they showed where or which brands to get certain specialty Middle-Eastern items such as edible rose water (I had to google and shop around for a week to find one that looks like it’s edible, not facial ones), bulgur, etc. The recipes are delicious! I love it
BOOK REVIEW - The 30-Day Alzheimer’s Solution, The Definitive Food and Lifestyle Guide to Preventing Cognitive Decline, by Dean Sherzai & Ayesha Sherzai (09.18.25)
My wife and I have been eating a mostly plant-based diet for several years now. So, there was not much new information in the book that we are not aware of. This book is mostly a practical, actionable guide: a plan for readers to apply diet and lifestyle strategies that the authors argue can reduce the risk of cognitive decline or even reverse early changes. The Sherzais are neurologists with decades of work in Alzheimer’s prevention, so the book is grounded in medical research, but oriented toward what ordinary people can do day by day.
The authors introduce a concept of “Neuro Nine” foods—nine food types that should be included in one’s daily diet for optimal brain-nutrition. It integrates diet with other lifestyle pillars: exercise, sleep, stress management, purpose, social connection etc. They don’t just describe what to eat; they provide the tools, recipes, structure. The narrative is hopeful: Alzheimer’s is not inevitable; significant prevention is possible with the right interventions.
One of the central dietary recommendations is to shift toward a whole-food, plant-based approach (or heavily plant-forward). Lots of vegetables (especially leafy greens), fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds. Minimizing or avoiding processed foods, excess sugar, refined grains, unhealthy fats. Including “Neuro Nine” foods daily—these are specific plant-based or brain-healthy foods (for example, foods rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, fiber, etc.).
About 6 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s in the U.S. By 2050, if preventive measures are not widely adopted, that number could exceed 16 million. In 2020, the direct care costs in the U.S. for dementia were ~$305 billion, with indirect costs (caregivers, etc.) an additional ~$240 billion. If nothing changes, costs could reach $1.1 trillion by 2050.
In a study of older adults (average age 74), those who adhered to the healthiest plant-based diet had a 28.4% slower overall cognitive decline compared to peers whose plant-based diet was less healthy or who ate more animal/fatty foods. For that same group, perceptual speed decline (how fast people process what they see/hear) was slowed by 49.3%, and episodic memory decline by 44.2%.
The Sherzais, suggest that up to 60% of dementia might be preventable through lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, sleep, etc.). Data shows that only around 1% of Americans currently meet the heart-healthy diet targets set by the American Heart Association.
This is an inspiring, well-researched, practical book. It offers a hopeful message: that Alzheimer’s risk can often be significantly reduced, not through pills, but through diet and lifestyle. For someone interested in brain health, and willing to make changes, this is a strong guide.
First I want to say that this book is filled with wonderful information! It is one of several books that has been a part of a major change in my lifestyle. My grandmother had alzheimer's and I always just knew that I would eventually get it. After a lot of research and so much solid information I got from this book I now feel I have control over my life. The change in my lifestyle has not been without challenges and I do the best I can but the longer I do it the easier it gets. For so many years I took supplements to try to increase my chances of not getting Alzheimer's now I know I can reduce my chances by over 80% and probably 90%+ by following what I learned. Eating a whole food plant based diet has made me feel amazing! I started with reading an ebook version but then decided to buy the book because it is easier for me when I am browsing recipes to just flip through the pages and mark with tabs which recipes I want to try. I have tried several and so far they have all been delicious - but I do need to admit I'm not one to follow recipes exactly I tend to through in additional seasonings.
There's a lot of sensible information in this book and many interesting plant-based meals as well. It's a concern that there is no nutritional analysis on the meals so although they are nutritious and satisfying, the recipes don't provide the detailed nutritional breakdown information many of us would expect from medical doctors and scientists. The other concern is that many of the ingredients they deem essential to a healthy neurological diet are virtually impossible to obtain fresh in many non-California regions except in a very short time in the summer and fall where we depend on trucks to move produce north (and east) before the produce spoils. Accessibility is always a concern for good fresh produce in colder regions, but it also makes it virtually impossible for people on fixed and lower incomes to make these kind of radical changes to their diets, even if they could find the ingredients. More affordable and accessible options could have been included to make the book more 'appetizing' to all readers and therefore be more widely accepted.
Perhaps I’m not the best person to review this book as I’m probably not the target audience(?)
I didn’t realize this was an accompaniment to a previously published book, so I’ll need to read “The Alzheimer’s Solution” in addition to this one. The first section of the book explains the reasoning behind the rules of the 30 day challenge, which sometimes felt a bit “sales-pitchy.” An example might be “you’ve heard chicken is good for you but it’s actually bad for your cognitive health,” without much expansion. Are all readers ready to throw out previously thought of healthy habits and embrace only the ones in this book? Maybe, maybe not. The book also touted soy as healthy, which is rather controversial at present time.
The recipes looked ok, except for maybe the chickpea omelette. I’m willing to give it a shot but I feel like an omelette made out of garbanzo beans won’t fool anyone.
I checked out this book because of the recipes and was not disappointed.
The book is more than recipes, it talks about ways to fight cognitive decline and why they work. The book highlights a 30-day plan that includes physical activity and foods to eat to improve your brain activity. The book also talks about the foods to avoid to help prevent alzheimers.
The recipes in this book are veggie-packed and flavorful. There are pictures of some of the recipes which I find really helpful. A lot of the recipes are also vegan, which I didn't expect. Some include things like veggie-meats as a meat alternative, but some are straight-up vegetables. There's a variety of sweet and savory flavors throughout this book. There's foods for every meal as well as sauces and dressings.
I read a lot about brain health and this is a great book for the anyone interested in everyday changes that can reduce up to 90% of the Alzheimer cases. Written by two neurologists who specialize in how lifestyle affects our aging brain. The first half of this book gives a nice summary of lifestyle modifications and diet changes essential to avoid not only dementia, but most other chronic disease, as well. It includes a 30 day challenge and some wonderful plant-based recipes beautifully photographed. Love the Neuro 9 foods we should be eating every day and the reasons to include their list of 20 brain superfoods in our diets.
Filled with healthy lifestyle advice and so many delicious recipes. Love that there's a 30-day plan, not just for meals, but for activities such as exercise, relaxation, and restoration.
Some of the recipes have ingredients that are not available at small grocery stores (such liquid aminos and nutritional yeast), and none of the recipes are quick or simple. In fact, I already follow a WFPB/Mediterranean diet and exercise and meditate several times a week, and even I find this 30-day plan intimidating. But I do like a challenge, especially a health challenge, so I might just try it. Even if I don't, I did get a lot of great advice from this book and many, many delicious recipes.
Short and sweet. Research based recipe for good brain health. Nutrition wise there was not much difference to plant based whole foods way of eating - the same diet that decreases the odds of getting heart disease, cancer, etc. also gives you your best brain.
Other parts of the recipe are exercice, socializing, sleep and using your brain in a good stress way - striving for life goals is an example of that.
And the concept is based on the idea that if you follow the recipe for 30 days, you will create lasting habits. Sounds like a concept for a good life in general, not only for your brain.
Two main parts - the explanation of the method and then the recipes. Easily understood, well written, apparently well researched first half.
Recipes look delicious.
Coming from a vegetarian keto, this isn’t a huge change for me. Am I missing something here, or is this just…vegan (minus refined everything)? Sure seems it. Ironically, I never wanted to bother with vegan (no ice cream—-no, thank you), but post-keto, maybe I could do it. I can cheer for monk fruit in recipes now.
I like the 30 day plan outlined. A plan is helpful for most.
I really wanted to like this but was sadly disappointed. There is a lot of good information here for someone new to eating WFPB, but I've read quite a few of these books and was looking for something more advanced. It's written by doctors so I expected and wanted more of the science behind WFPB eating. Recipes are ok, a few were great (Cheesy tempeh and sweet potato casserole, Sweet potato bean burgers - delish!) Most i've seen before in some variation. So not a lot of surprises here for me. I think this is a good introduction to plant based eating and the reasons behind why you should.
I like the program the authors' have laid out. It lines up well with other brain health articles I've read. The explanation about why to make these lifestyle changes is presented clearly. The photos and recipes are fantastic.
My only issue is that many of the changes are very new to the American diet/lifestyle and it would be good to have a 30-day lead-in the 30-day Neuro Plan, a step-by-step approach of changes to make so you get more comfortable with the changes the Plan requires you to make.
I read this and followed up with Gut Check by Gundry. They are both about fixing the brain, but Gundry is very focused on it starting in the gut, which this book says the same thing since it is what we put in our gut that affects our brain. However these two books are in opposite corners for what they suggest to do to help the brain. It was very frustrating and I only felt some peace after following up both books with Outlive. So if you are looking for a book to help guide you—skip straight to Outlive.
Even though I will not be following the 30-day plan, I found the information invaluable. The writers suggest that we apply the acronym NEURO as we attempt to prevent cognitive decline: Nutrition, Exercise, Unwind, Restore (sleep), and Optimize (multidomain, multifunctional activities). Additionally, the authors present different recipes for those who decide to follow the nutritional portion of the plan.
This is a wonderful book if you are trying to improve your memory and energy levels. The 30-day vegan diet is easy to follow and there are recipes to help you find new ways of eating. The first half of the book discusses the science behind preventing Alzheimer's and the second half has recipes. I would have given it 5 stars if there were a little more variety in them. I found some YouTube videos by Dr. Ayesha Sherzai and her daughter which made cooking a lot of fun.
This is great! I admire the Sherzai's research, community work, and NEURO (Nutrition, Exercise, Unwind, Restore, Optimize) program. The nutrition is 100% whole foods plant-based (WFBP), both research and clinically based. It's so exciting to know how much authority we each possess to enhance and nourish our brains! The recipes look amazing but perhaps more for special occasions than everyday meals (I cook simply).
Good information about diet and the way different foods affect brain health. This is a vegan diet with details about which foods are best and which to avoid and why. The recipes look very good. I love a cookbook with appealing photos of the recipes. There are many I want to try including that beautiful frozen dessert pie on the cover! I read the audio version and was able to get a download of the food lists and the recipes with photos. Nice plus!
... And the rest of the recipes kept me reading. I'm looking forward to trying most of these. It reminds me of How Not to Diet and Forks Over Knives, but there is EVOO in some of the recipes so it's not 100% WFPB but a great resource for healthy cooking.
Useful if you’re just getting aquatinted with plant based foods as functional medicine but the book comes off a bit too preachy and without citing it’s evidence enough for me to feel like I would recommend it to patients. I know these authors are evidenced driven but they didn’t share the evidence. They just shared their credentials as reason enough we should take their word for it.
The information is excellent, the plan is detailed, and the science is solid. The recipes are about half the book, so there aren't as many as I was hoping for. This is built around a vegan diet (some oil so not completely WFPB), so you can easily expand on these and the basic plan with other vegan recipes.
Reading in an app is very difficult. There is a list of good, bad and neutral foods, but can't really find again in the kindle app-- very difficult to navigate.
The recipes look good but not able to find again easily like in a book