What’s up with the body, Doc?

READING through an academic paper can sometimes be a challenge.

That’s why Creswick-based author Dr Roy Hardman has aimed to deliver his research into health in a more fun and accessible way.

Dr Hardman has released two children’s books, and a non-fiction title, in collaboration with Geelong’s Dr Melissa Formica, based on his 2018 thesis looking at the impact of everyday diet and activity on the onset of dementia.

He said he wants the findings of his studies to be easy for everyone to understand.

“The amount of information and research that academics do is internalised and only read by other academics,” he said.

“My question is, why don’t we have a situation where that information is passed out to the community? How can they benefit?

“The research was about changing cognitive outcomes through Mediterranean-style diet, and low-intensity regular exercise, even if that’s walking 20 minutes a day.”

Dr Hardman has a background in pharmaceuticals and biochemistry, and received his doctorate at Swinburne University’s Centre for Human Psychopharmacology.

Alongside Dr Formica, he has packaged parts of the research into two children’s books titled My Brain is my Best Friend and My Brain has made Friends with my Guts.

They’ve also released a book called Recipe for a Healthy Brain, which is aimed at conveying the findings to a general adult demographic.

Produced locally by Shawline Publishing, the books can be found at Skipton Street’s The Independent Bookstore as well as online.

Dr Hardman said he plans to add to his children’s series with Dr Formica next year, and that they collaborate well.

“She did her undergrad in psychology. I did mine in science. We have a different way of thinking, and her ability to simplify my ideas and deliver a thesis for children is incredible,” he said.

“The first book is about diet, the second is mind-body interaction where we introduce the idea of microbiomes to children. Recipe is a summary of both our theses.

“The next children’s book will be about the circulation of food between the brain, guts and heart, and the last one will be an overall perspective of a growing, healthy body.”