
Dr. David Perlmutter is a celebrity doctor, author, and advocate of low-carbohydrate diets and functional medicine. Perlmutter has received awards from the Institute for Functional Medicine, the National Nutritional Foods Association, the American College of Nutrition, and the Integrative Healthcare Symposium. He has also authored several books, including the New York Times bestseller Grain Brain, which promotes the idea that gluten causes neurological conditions. Perlmutter's work has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that he spreads misinformation about gluten-containing grains and provides dubious health advice. Despite the criticism, Perlmutter remains influential, and his books have been published in 32 languages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Profession | Celebrity doctor, author, low-carbohydrate diet advocate, promoter of functional medicine |
| Qualifications | Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine |
| Fellowships | American College of Nutrition |
| Awards | 2002 Linus Pauling Award, 2006 National Nutritional Foods Association Clinician Award, 2015 Communications and Media Award from the American College of Nutrition, 2019 Leadership Award from the Integrative Healthcare Symposium |
| Books | Grain Brain, Drop Acid, Brain Maker, The Grain Brain Cookbook, The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan, Brain Wash |
| Book sales | Books have been published in 32 languages and include several New York Times bestsellers |
| Diet type | Gluten-free, low-carbohydrate, paleolithic, Mediterranean |
| Diet features | High in healthy fats (e.g. olive oil, coconut oil, avocado), fermented foods (e.g. kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha), animal protein, vegetables, fruits, nuts, lower-carb alcohol (e.g. wine instead of beer) |
| Criticism | Dietitians, physicians, epidemiologists, microbiome experts, and other medical experts have criticized Perlmutter's diet for promoting misinformation about gluten and grains, and for making unsupported claims about the causes of chronic disease and the benefits of a gluten-free diet |
| Criticism sources | Nash and Slutzky (2014), David Katz (founding director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center), Jonathan Eisen (microbiome expert), Quackwatch |
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What You'll Learn

Criticism of Perlmutter's diet
Dr. David Perlmutter is a celebrity doctor, author, and advocate for low-carbohydrate diets. He has written several books, including the New York Times bestseller "Grain Brain", which promotes the idea that gluten causes neurological conditions. Perlmutter has been widely criticized by dietitians, physicians, and commentators for promoting misinformation about gluten-containing grains and whole grains, arguing that they are a main cause of many diseases, including brain disorders.
Perlmutter's endorsement of gluten-free and paleolithic diets has been criticized as it is not supported by anthropological research on the Pleistocene human diet. For example, Nash and Slutzky (2014) have written that "according to Grain Brain, much chronic disease originates in the widespread ingestion of carbohydrates, and these foodstuffs, rather than cholesterol or saturated fats, are the premier contributor to an unhealthy individual. Numerous recent studies, however, have provided high-level evidence to the contrary."
Epidemiologist David Katz, the founding director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, has criticized "Grain Brain", calling it a "silly book" and saying that "Perlmutter is way ahead of any justifiable conclusion". Katz also criticized Perlmutter's advice to parents, which goes against the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, that they should ask their pediatricians about scheduling childhood vaccinations separately.
Microbiome expert Jonathan Eisen also criticized Perlmutter's book "Brain Maker", saying, "To think we can magically heal diseases by changing to a gluten-free diet and taking some probiotics is idiotic... It resembles more the presentation of a snake-oil salesman than that of a person interested in actually figuring out how to help people."
Perlmutter has also been criticized for his opinion that hormonal birth control has long-term negative effects on women, and for profiting from questionable medical advice. He is listed by Quackwatch as a promoter of questionable health products. A 2020 paper in Palgrave Communications stated that Perlmutter "has received severe criticism from scientists about his claims that Alzheimer’s disease, depression, Parkinson’s disease, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be prevented by avoiding grains, or that the link between autism and vaccines is “ill-defined”".
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Perlmutter's qualifications
Dr. David Perlmutter is a celebrity doctor, author, low-carbohydrate diet advocate, and promoter of functional medicine. He is also a neurologist and five-time New York Times bestselling author. He has been interviewed on many nationally syndicated television programs, including 20/20, Larry King Live, CNN, Fox News, Fox and Friends, The Today Show, Oprah, The CBS Early Show, and CBS This Morning.
Dr. Perlmutter received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. He is the son of Irwin Perlmutter, a neurosurgeon in Miami.
Dr. Perlmutter has been widely criticized by dietitians and physicians for promoting misinformation about gluten-containing grains, including whole grains. His endorsement of gluten-free and paleolithic diets has been criticized by physicians and is not supported by anthropological research on the Pleistocene human diet. Epidemiologist David Katz, the founding director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Connecticut, has criticized his book "Grain Brain", calling it a "silly book" and saying that "Perlmutter is way ahead of any justifiable conclusion".
Despite this criticism, Dr. Perlmutter has received numerous awards, including the Linus Pauling Award for his innovative approaches to neurological disorders, the National Nutritional Foods Association Clinician of the Year Award, the Denham Harmon Award for his work in the application of free radical science to clinical medicine, the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American College of Nutrition, and the 2019 Global Leadership Award from the Integrative Healthcare Symposium.
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Perlmutter's books
Dr. David Perlmutter is a celebrity doctor, author, low-carbohydrate diet advocate, and promoter of functional medicine. He is a board-certified and renowned neurologist whose expertise includes gluten issues, brain health, and nutrition. Perlmutter has received the 2002 Linus Pauling Award from the Institute for Functional Medicine, the 2006 National Nutritional Foods Association Clinician Award, the 2015 "Communications and Media Award" from the American College of Nutrition, and the 2019 Leadership Award from the Integrative Healthcare Symposium.
- Grain Brain (2013): This book promotes the concept that gluten causes neurological conditions and argues that whole grains are a main cause of many diseases. It was a #1 New York Times bestseller and has sold over 1 million copies. However, it has faced criticism from physicians, commentators, and epidemiologists, who argue that it spreads misinformation and is not supported by anthropological research.
- Brain Maker: This book has been criticized by microbiome expert Jonathan Eisen, who called the idea that "we can magically heal diseases by changing to a gluten-free diet and taking some probiotics" idiotic.
- The Grain Brain Cookbook
- The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan
- Brain Wash: Co-written with Austin Perlmutter, M.D.
- Drop Acid (2022): This book focuses on the negative health consequences of excess uric acid and teaches strategies to manage its levels.
Perlmutter has also been listed by Quackwatch as a promoter of questionable health products. His advice on childhood vaccinations and hormonal birth control has been criticized by medical experts as contrary to advice from reputable health organizations.
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Gluten-free and low-carb diets
Dr. David Perlmutter is a celebrity doctor, author, and advocate of low-carbohydrate and gluten-free diets. He has written several books, including the New York Times bestseller "Grain Brain", promoting the idea that gluten causes neurological conditions and chronic illnesses. Perlmutter has received criticism from physicians, dietitians, and commentators, who argue that he spreads misinformation about gluten-containing grains.
On the other hand, a low-carb diet focuses on limiting the intake of carbohydrates, especially those found in foods like sugars, bread, and pasta. Low-carb diets, such as keto, paleo, and Atkins, tend to be naturally lower in gluten since gluten is commonly found in carbohydrate-rich foods. However, gluten-free diets are not always low in carbohydrates, as gluten-free foods can include high-carb options like fruits, vegetables, rice, and quinoa.
Combining a gluten-free and low-carb diet can be challenging, as it restricts a wide range of food options. It is important to ensure that the diet is properly planned to avoid potential nutrient deficiencies and health risks. While some people may benefit from these diets, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes.
Dr. Perlmutter's endorsement of gluten-free and low-carb diets has sparked controversy. While some may find his recommendations helpful, others argue that his claims are not supported by scientific research. It is essential to approach dietary advice with caution and to consider individual needs and medical advice when making dietary choices.
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Perlmutter's other opinions
Dr. David Perlmutter is a celebrity doctor, author, low-carbohydrate diet advocate, and promoter of functional medicine. He is also a fellow of the American College of Nutrition. Perlmutter has received the 2002 Linus Pauling Award from the Institute for Functional Medicine, the 2006 National Nutritional Foods Association Clinician Award, the 2015 "Communications and Media Award" from the American College of Nutrition, and the 2019 Leadership Award from the Integrative Healthcare Symposium.
Perlmutter has also faced criticism from other physicians, dietitians, and commentators for promoting misinformation about gluten-containing grains, including whole grains, which he argues are a main cause of many diseases, including brain disorders. His endorsement of gluten-free and paleolithic diets has been criticized as not being supported by anthropological research on the Pleistocene human diet. For example, Nash and Slutzky (2014) have written that "according to Grain Brain, much chronic disease originates in the widespread ingestion of carbohydrates, and these foodstuffs, rather than cholesterol or saturated fats, are the premier contributor to an unhealthy individual. Numerous recent studies, however, have provided high-level evidence to the contrary."
Epidemiologist David Katz, the founding director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center at Griffin Hospital in Derby, CT, has criticized Grain Brain, calling it a "silly book" and saying that "Perlmutter is way ahead of any justifiable conclusion". Perlmutter's opinion that hormonal birth control has long-term negative effects on women has also been criticized by medical experts. Microbiome expert Jonathan Eisen criticized Brain Maker in blunt terms:
> "To think we can magically heal diseases by changing to a gluten-free diet and taking some probiotics is idiotic... It resembles more the presentation of a snake-oil salesman than that of a person interested in actually figuring out how to help people."
Perlmutter's advice to parents that they should ask their pediatricians about scheduling childhood vaccinations separately is contrary to advice from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Perlmutter is listed by Quackwatch as a promoter of questionable health products.
Despite the criticism, Perlmutter is considered by some as one of the leading lights in medicine today, illuminating the path for solving chronic illnesses. His books have been published in 32 languages, including the New York Times bestseller Grain Brain, Brain Maker, The Grain Brain Cookbook, The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan, and Brain Wash. His latest book, Drop Acid, focuses on the negative health consequences of excess uric acid.
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Frequently asked questions
Dr. Perlmutter is a renowned neurologist and a celebrity doctor. He has received the Linus Pauling Award from the Institute for Functional Medicine, the National Nutritional Foods Association Clinician Award, the "Communications and Media Award" from the American College of Nutrition, and the Leadership Award from the Integrative Healthcare Symposium. However, he has also been criticized by dietitians, physicians, and commentators for promoting misinformation about gluten-containing grains and for his endorsement of gluten-free and paleolithic diets, which are not supported by anthropological research.
Dr. Perlmutter advocates for a low-carbohydrate, gluten-free, and high-fat diet. He believes that gluten contributes to a host of health conditions and that removing it from the diet will improve health and performance. He also emphasizes the importance of healthy fats, such as olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado, and recommends a Mediterranean diet for better health and weight loss.
Dr. Perlmutter's diet focuses on reducing carbohydrate and gluten intake, increasing healthy fats, and emphasizing nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, fruits, and animal proteins. He also recommends avoiding alcohol, especially beer, due to its gluten content, and suggests that dietary fat should be approached based on current scientific research rather than emotional factors.




























