$ 26
ASIN : B08F7S58JY Publisher : Harper (May 4, 2021) Publication date : May 4, 2021 Language : English File size : 8000 KB Text-to-Speech : Enabled Screen Reader : Supported Enhanced typesetting : Enabled X-Ray : […]
ASIN : B08F7S58JY
Publisher : Harper (May 4, 2021)
Publication date : May 4, 2021
Language : English
File size : 8000 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 416 pages
Page numbers source ISBN : B0B5NK3TY5
Best Sellers Rank: #1 in Cookbooks, Food & Wine (Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews: 4,739 ratings
| ASIN : | B08F7S58JY |
|---|---|
| Publisher : | Harper (May 4, 2021) |
| Publication date : | May 4, 2021 |
| Language : | English |
| File size : | 8000 KB |
| Text-to-Speech : | Enabled |
| Screen Reader : | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting : | Enabled |
| X-Ray : | Enabled |
| Word Wise : | Enabled |
| Print length : | 416 pages |
| Page numbers source ISBN : | B0B5NK3TY5 |
| Best Sellers Rank: | #1 in Cookbooks, Food & Wine (Kindle Store) |
| Customer Reviews: | 4,739 ratings |
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P Vilefort –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lures and Lies of the Food, Nutrition, and Medical communities
Excellent read and has some great background on the history of modern food industry and nutrition science. Calling it science is stretching the meaning of science though. The real research not sponsored by Big Food tell a much different story. Most all of the nutrition studies over the past 70 years from 1950 have shown that saturated fats and high cholesterol are not related in any way to heart or circulatory disease. In fact, the foods that we have been told we should be eating, such as carbohydrates, processed or not, show increased markers for heart and circulatory disease. The research is available but the majority of medical doctors never read any of it and know even less. Their primary source of information is Big Pharma not real science.One thing that surprises me is the author taught courses in Endocrinology but the endocrinologists I have seen professionally don’t know what they should know about treating things like diabetes or hormone replacement therapy. The medical community continues to use outdated laboratory tests to determine treatment protocols for cholesterol when the tests do not provide the information that can show that there is or is not a problem.
29 people found this helpful
Dr L.B. Wright –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Professor Lustig -true champion of peoples health.
I am a recently retired concerned family doctor for the past 40 years and although I have read only the first few chapters of his book, I know this story well as I have been following the discussed principles since 2003 and was blown away particularly when Dr Lustig delivered the sugar science in 2010. Let me assure you that he is correct in his presumptions. I have seen dramatic results with many of my patients -particularly diabetics who are very happy to take the nutritional route rather then all those medicines. Furthermore for the doctors out their, getting the patients started on this can be done in 20 minutes and handing them one piece of paper instructions. I admire Dr Lustig taking this strong approach and know what he is up against with the opposition he is encountering. I worked with 9 other doctors in a very busy practice for the last 10 years and they mostly don’t get it or more likely don’t believe they have the capacity to incorporate all this into their very busy lives. Don’t be naive when criticising Dr Lustig -he is a scientific endocrinologist from one of the top universities in the USA. He is obviously sincere and meticulous in the statistics he is quoting and very brave to be taking on the “powers” involved. If you interested in your health and have the responsibility of others in your care believe what you read in this book. From academic inclined, concerned family doctor -New Zealand.
414 people found this helpful
Old Salt –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful and well documented text book.
This book is truly eye opening and well documented. I truly enjoy the information and the reading.I have read many different books on this subject including on the microbiome and its role in our health.Don’t rely on your typical doctor or nutritionist to tell you this stuff — they don’t know about it. Most doctors are not trained in nutrition but only trained to dispense pills, use knives, or some such, but typically only “treat” symptoms and leave the cause unharmed. Even nutritionists think a calorie is a calorie, which is sad. I guess making people healthy would be bad for business. (No cynicism here — haha)We’ve been told to accept the “side effects” of modern medical drugs. I call that B.S. We can do better than that and it starts with diet, not pills. Of course this all takes work and time, much more than just excepting what we’re told without doing one’s homework. We need to make an investment in our health, not just glibly accept what the “authorities” tell us.Of course big food manufacturers don’t want you to know this data either, as it would be bad for business. Most food processors are there to make money, not to make us healthy.Buy this book and read it. But it is a text book, so it’s studying not light reading. You won’t regret it.
24 people found this helpful
DJJOHN –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book. A must read.
I found Dr. Lustig on You Tube. He was obviously articulate and really spoke openly and honestly about many topics but especially the main one targeted in this book. We live in an age of profit uber alas. It seems way too many people are motivated by the almighty dollar and not necessarily “the truth”. This man has the credentials (and the stones) to speak out about America’s (and pretty much of the world’s) horrendous, deadly fake food crisis. Buy it, read it and learn MORE. Then help to change things for the better. “Chronic diseases are not drug-able, but they are food-able”. “Protect the liver, Feed the gut”!
7 people found this helpful
WarBuzzard –
4.0 out of 5 stars
A remarkable piece of work
I wanted to start this review by saying that I love Dr. Lustig’s work – he is very clearly on the forefront of identifying a humongous public health crisis in America that will take the lives of countless Americans and ruin the happiness of many people associated with this notable public health threat.His scientific writing and understanding of the mechanisms behind the progression of the many persistent diseases is comprehensive. I have read a great deal of scientific literature, but have only a modicum of understanding of bioscience as this was not my field. His explanations of the highly complex interactions inside the cell were simplified enough to empower me to understand them. I presume a motivated layperson could plow through.My only distractions were: a desire to see a list of “Real Food” suggestions – a cookbook, if you will? And… a desire to have an editor slash through the persistent and distracting undercurrent of disdain for the politicians of one political party, as if they both aren’t beholden to the huge corporate lobbies.Four stars for the amazing factual data and personal experiences, backed by great scientific writing.
38 people found this helpful
Drew –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great book from Dr. Lustig
I’ve read all other books written by Dr. Lustig, and found this to be another great one. As with his previous books, he takes a really deep dive into food, nutrition and metabolism, and how the western diet is affected by business, markets, politics and capitalism. He really gets into the deep cellular details of metabolism, and how today’s foodstuffs are processed by our bodies – and often to our health’s detriment. He also offers good information on how to steer clear of today’s diet challenges. I found this book really interesting, and his really deep dives into the details great support; yet this book is not one that I could pick up and read cover-to-cover in one sitting.
20 people found this helpful
Eros Faust –
5.0 out of 5 stars
I’ve sent Multiple Copies to Relatives & Friends
I like it so much, I send it to people who could benefit from it.
2 people found this helpful
KRISTA SCOTT –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life changer
This book is must read. I had an epiphany while shopping for health insurance. The insurance purchased is significantly cheaper than what’s available on the marketplace. I asked my rep why? He said bc we are considered healthy, and the market place is done differently. I thought well if everyone’s insurance was this cheap then everyone could afford healthy food. Then I realized that when you buy cheap food, you pay later in doctors visits and prescriptions. A week or so later Dr. Lustig was the guest on the Huberman Lab podcast. The episode confirmed my suspicions. I needed more. I purchased this book. I’m down 4 lbs in 8 days. That podcast and this book has changed my life. My family is eating healthier as well. It’s a non-negotiable. Thank you Dr. Lustig!
19 people found this helpful
Jack Russell –
5.0 out of 5 stars
As described
As described, fast shipping!
Prospee –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life Saver
This book changed my life in more ways than I can enumerate. Great book!
2 people found this helpful
Daniel –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wakeup call
It is the most relevant book on the subject of diet and health…. EVER.Dr Lustig does NOT mince words when it comes to the often criminally and corrupt misconceptions on the subject of diet and health in the medical community and the population at large.We (all humans) have a problem SO monumentally large, that it will “bite” us long before climate change or WW3.It is chronic disease, which is ALL caused by bad diet… in one word… sugar.But to know the exact reasons, you MUST read the book. It will change your life.Dr Lustig is not a preacher or snake-oil salesman or some mystical guru. There is no incense burning here.He is a heavy weight specialist on metabolic health. A doctor and scientist with a first class pedigree.Unfortunately in the way are standing all the people who benefit of a sick population.Actually 80% of the US population over the age of 50 have one or more chronic illness.You will NOT cure your chronic illnesses unless you educate yourself on the issue. Your doctor will at best give you some pills to make the symptoms go away (if you are lucky), but none of it will cure the cause of your illness. To understand the reason, read the book. And if the overnight delivery of Amazon is still too long for you and you cannot wait… stop eating sugar and carbohydrates… NOW.
40 people found this helpful
Tallgirl –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Content. Not The Easiest Read
I’m not a reading scholar so I may not be the target audience. I got half way through on a trip. I found the information fascinating but I haven’t picked it back up because I didn’t find it overly engaging hope to finish it on my next trip. It has reignited my health journey.
10 people found this helpful
Jennifer –
3.0 out of 5 stars
I’m trying hard to love the book
I like Dr Lustig, and I had high hopes for the book based on reviews by enthusiastic friends. I had a hard time reading the first few chapters because there were instances in which he tried too hard to drive his point by restating in several creative ways. I literally fell asleep trying to make it through the chapter. Pick one way to say it and move on, please! I’m not sure why the editor didn’t pick up on this.Later on I found there were many anecdotal situations, and that was not what I was looking for. Cherry picking results isn’t what I need as a metabolically ill person. Maybe as a metabolically flexible healthcare provider it would be more helpful to me, but for practical application it’s not very useful.I quit reading it and dropped out of this month’s book club.
3 people found this helpful
JS –
5.0 out of 5 stars
trusted source wellness health for DRS and heath savvy
Doctors should appreciate it as a source to explain why they are in their current health care predicament.Wonder why you can only spend minutes with patients. Frustrated by not being able to actually cure anything. Now you are for the most part treating only symptoms with more and more pills. There are no cures or solutions likely on the horizon, only the promises and hopes. Not to mention the expense of that route anyway. No matter how fancy the test how does it affect outcomes. Rx model with regular prescription visits etc may be acceptable for some but may lead to “burnout” for those with the wider view. What if there was a wider view with clear explanations and a short accurate picture of our history how we got here (health care wise). The answer is not only to blame the patient. It might have answer the question “why not National Health Plan”. Great summary for everyone looking for trusted (as in no hidden agenda) source. It can supply excellent sources of real health info for people wanting to do all that they can. To plan a strategy for best control, mitigate symptoms. It may even help avoid diseases that many considered part of aging, heredity. It may also help people understand auto immune disease in regard to diet and to food sources. It helped me have a new level of understanding of my own health, and how it relates to the current state of scientific information. It also let me understand the minefield of misinformation that has been and is out there. Bad thing for some is that there is no links to special quick fixes, non-scientific, special foods diets, pills. Sorry no short answers. No quick fixes since they never worked anyway.
3 people found this helpful
W. Harbottle –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Real Food Required
The truth well spoken Dr. Robert Lustig. I was away on a trip nearly 12 years ago when it was discovered that I was diabetic, had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I had a TIA (mini stroke ), While even on this trip I quickly changed my diet to real food. It was quite difficult but I did it.Of course when I got home it was easy to slide living with others that refuse to believe and follow how I wanted to eat. A lot of my numbers went back up. I now continue to work towards health again by eating real food. There is so much more I’m learning about the variety of foods and how to cook them, so many different salads. Haven’t bought salad dressing in years.When you think about the industrial farming, grocery stores and the big pharma , think about this book, read it and realize it’s the only way to health.
25 people found this helpful
M Serra –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Lots of good info but to political.
I enjoyed the education on the dangers of processed food and the dangers of sugars. This was very informative. . Did not enjoy the politics at the end of the book. A little to much like big brother. History and ironically this book clearly show that any government involvement just makes it worse. Also, not sure everyone invested in the stock market is a bad person.I don’t know that I would read another one of his books because of the end it ruined the book for me and I dread the thought of being preached to again.
12 people found this helpful
Brenda –
5.0 out of 5 stars
This will increase your life
This book will change your life and if nothing else enlighten you on how the food industry is slowly killing us by making us all sick slowly. You might never beable to do everything Dr. Robert speak about but at lease you will know the truth.
2 people found this helpful
V. J. C. –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Important book with a few distractions
An important book that highlights much misinformation that continues to be bandied about regarding nutrition. I felt that the time demonizing the food industry and politicians (though there is plenty to scrutinize) detracted from the main message I got from the book: avoid highly processed food, sugar and eat more fiber. Saturated fat is not nearly as bad as excess carbohydrates/starch. The only reliable healthy beverage is water (but we knew that!). One chapter on the food industry “conspiracy” and their co-conspirators (politicians) would have been enough for me.
7 people found this helpful
Jamie –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Read especially Parents
Essential for an informed society about food, disease, processing. The research is remarkable. Helped me to understand what Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome is and the long term impact to our bodies. These are not just words about some strange disease someone else might have but realistically affecting the majority of people who eat fast food, packaged and pre-prepared food. Recommend for anyone whose diet includes these and think they eat real food.
8 people found this helpful
bonedoc –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Necessary information for EVERYONE in USA
I’m a physician and its a great book. I am pretty educated regarding nutrition/biochem but this taught me a lot. Very good contemporary information. BUT, I could do without the subliminal POLITICAL comments. This actually decreases credibility for me personally. I respect this author for his excellent knowledge and experience, but lose the anti TRUMP….Pro Obama, etc. messaging!!!!!!!! The info in this book should be TOTALLY POLITICALLY NEUTRAL!
65 people found this helpful
Laugh and Learn –
5.0 out of 5 stars
An eye opener
Keep doing what you doing Dr LUstig. We need to keep the noise loud in order to bring awareness to a lot of people and bring change to our food system.
3 people found this helpful
T.A. Fisher –
2.0 out of 5 stars
I struggled with this one
I’ve done a lot of research on health and nutrition over the years, for both personal and professional reasons. I debated on this book and I only bought it because it went on sale but I was curious and thought it would be useful for expanding my knowledge. However, I found the writing style was a struggle for me and kept me disengaged from what the author was saying. A lot of the information I already knew so wasn’t providing me anything new really, and then some of it was just a little beyond what I was interested in learning about. In sum, I’m sure lots of people love this book and find it helpful, but it just wasn’t what I was looking for.
Kirtland E Hobler –
5.0 out of 5 stars
The definitive scientific book on the dangers of fructose.
As a retired general surgeon and researcher in metabolic care of the surgical patient, I believe this book should be read by all medical practitioners. It is so clearly written that I also think it is suitable for anybody buying an eating food that has a label on it. It’s up to contain fructose and concentrations much higher than our livers are able to handle this drives our mitochondria excessively, and that produces oxidative stress. This causes an inability to make insufficient amounts, the molecular batteries that run the machinery of life, ATP, the metabolic disorders that result include adult onset diabetes, coronary and cerebral thrombosis, inflammatory disorders like arthritis and new, allergies, and importantly, dementia. The scientific evidence laid out in this book is very complete and should be the basis for needed reform.
52 people found this helpful
Daniel Vaughan –
5.0 out of 5 stars
good to know the science
I bought the book after listening to Dr. Lustig on the Huberman podcast which I really enjoyed, but left me with the feeling that I needed to understand better the science. This book delivered on the science, and of course, not being a chemist, biologist or doctor, many times it’s a leap of faith. I trust the author since acknowledges many times throughout the book what has been causally established and what is still correlation.That said, I want to reinforce the point that trusting the contents is a leap of faith. For every academic paper saying that A is good for your health you’ll find ten that claim the opposite. This looks to me like sound science, but I’m no specialist.
13 people found this helpful
CHET C. –
4.0 out of 5 stars
The medical part was excellent!
I liked the history of food and disease through the years. I did not like political war he has with Republicans! This book mentions Real Food and page after page of nothing on it. If Real Food is the answer then a book with places to buy it, recipes, and examples of how it has helped people. I want to learn but I also want info I can use in my life and improve my life with better help.
30 people found this helpful
DV –
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not worth reading
Lustig attempts to give an account of what a good diet may be based on published research. However, there are many gaps in the published literature because simple propositions related to diet are expensive to study. He has a model of the endocrine system and its associated biochemistry that he relies on.He makes simplistic recommendations like “eat fruits.” Eating fruits is at the very top of his list in many interviews.Although fruits with fiber may pass through the large intestine more slowly, feeding the gut microbiome and resulting in less absorption, fruits are spiked with sugar and can cause large sugar/insulin spikes. With 50% of the American adults either diabetic or prediabetic, his advice is highly irresponsible. Sugar/insulin spikes cause irreparable damage to blood vessels, the retina, kidneys, nerves, and other parts of the body.Lustig is on record saying that sugar spikes are okay.Lustig gets lost in scientific minutiae and leaves the reader confused. You are better off listening to Dr Casey Means for scientifically well-informed guidance.
Owen Shaifer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
much of the book gets into the history of the low fat high carb movement
Much of the book gets into some history of how the low-fat high carb movement got started and what a beast it has become. It speaks of heroes and pioneers that went up against the low-fat high carb industry and fought the good fight. if you want to learn more on how to eat the metabolic healthy low carbohydrate high fat diet and learn about the research that supports it then a book like “Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease–and How to Fight It by Benjamin Bikman” would be more on target. Still knowing the things in Metabolical can give you confidence to stick with your healthy eating knowing what advice good and what advice is bad. The low carb high fat made me well and the low-fat high carb diet made me sick.
25 people found this helpful
Little Giant Az –
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read.
Could be a life changing book for many folks. I know that Dr. Lustig will be changing my eating habits.
2 people found this helpful
Vee Wardwell –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Author knows what he’s talking about.
Yes, it’s depressing, but you can’t fix the problem if you don’t know what it is. It’s not at all political, except in the part government plays in not taking obvious steps to fix it. (Follow the money?)The only thing he does that annoys me is mention something once, ascribe initials to it, and use the initials for the rest of the book, as in non-communicable diseases, like diabetes, becoming NCD forever. But it’s worth dealing with that to get the information. Which we all need
One person found this helpful
Lorrie K. Scordilis –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Believe This Author
This book prompted me to get a wellness check: Turns out I did have a metabolic issue, even though most individuals would think that I had a healthy lifestyle. Thank you, Dr. Lustig, for getting me on the right track to a healthier future!
3 people found this helpful
Sandra –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Changed my eating habits!
Wonderfully written and I couldn’t put it down. I knew a lot of the information but he took it a step further with his book. He is a definite hero for writing this book and educating us as to what has been going on with our food. Changed my life.
5 people found this helpful
FrancescaFrancesca –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truth Speaks for Itself
Metabolical happens to be one of the best science-backed nutrition related text I’ve read in a while.What I appreciate most is that it isn’t filled with fluff, innuendo, or bias opinions. No, this is just raw truth about the dangers of the food product industry, and how it is harming people.If you are interested in really learning about how to improve your health or help others do the same, this is definitely a book you want to add to your bookshelf.
6 people found this helpful
Kaatje –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great research, confusing conclusions
I bought this book mostly for the ‘8 metabolic pathways’ he promised in a video. I did not find these terribly helpful – and it’s really just 3 mechanisms, which add up to 8 (2*2*2).However, the main point the author makes is that processed food is poison. I won’t argue with that. He has a point, though mostly he reiterates the arguments against eating added sugar that made up one of his previous books.He also reminds us that being overweight isn’t the only health metric out there. You can have a healthy weight and still have significant metabolic issues.Where I don’t think his arguments are very strong is when he tries to argue that the healthy vegans and the keto people are both equally right (and wrong). He makes it clear that the meat in our food supply has – even when it’s not highly processed – serious issues. He also makes a good point for keto being (for most people) unsustainable. He ignores the evidence that it is also – in the long term – unhealthy. On the vegan side: the impossible burger isn’t very healthy, nor very environmentally sustainable. But the healthy vegan (whole food plant based) camp would argue that most ‘meat replacements’ are only slightly better than meat anyhow.Where he’s most confusing however, is in his advocacy of high-fiber foods. It’s no wonder his readers ask: are beans high fiber? (the answer is: yes, they’re among the healthiest foods you can eat) – because this is not a practical nutrition book.It’s a well researched, angry book that argues against big food, big pharma, big agriculture as well as the (US) government. It tells us what NOT to eat, but not what we should be eating instead (yes, real food – but what IS real food?).On the whole: a useful book if you need to be convinced to cut out Twinkies from your diet. Also a good summary of what makes processed food so bad. If you’re a policy maker: please read this book.If you’re a normal person looking for a sustainable healthy way of eating – look into the ‘Mediterranean diet’ or ‘the blue zones’. Mostly plants, a bit of meat, dairy and fish on the side – no processed foods. If you’re ready to try something even more radical: ‘Whole Food Plant Based’ cuts out all animal products as well as processed foods.Do get a good cookbook and do learn about intermittent fasting (aka time restricted eating) to get yourself off your processed food addiction.This book may help motivate you to change your eating habits, but it won’t help you get there.
275 people found this helpful
Sue Ware –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don’t Die Early Because of Bad Food
This book is written by a well-established Medical Doctor and addresses the issues of Big Food and Big Pharma and how they are deliberately destroying our bodies with what they have done for years. It is all about greed, money, and power…NOT about our health. Dr. Lustig’s motto is “It is not the food…it is what they have done to our food”…and Big Pharma is supported by the illness in humans caused by this bad food. A MUST read if you are interested in your health, longevity, and future activities. I recommend this for ALL people!
2 people found this helpful
Dr. C.H.E. Sadaphal –
4.0 out of 5 stars
(4.25 stars) If fake food is the cause of the chronic disease pandemic, Real Food is the solution.
Metabolical’s main thesis is that there is a consumable poison (processed food) that promotes illness and slowly destroys people bite by bite. What is troublesome is that this poison is often engineered to taste great and in many cases is addictive. Even more troublesome is that Big Food and Big Pharma are engaged in an immoral partnership where the former makes the poison (with subsidies) while the latter prescribes medication that manages symptoms but never addresses the root of the problem (because you can’t drug away a bad diet). Processed, fake food thus creates a market of chronically sick people who are sold overpriced medication that never gets them back to health (that would be bad for business). Big Government is also culpable because it knows and yet fails to act, thus letting people die.That’s the bad news. The good news is that many chronic debilitating diseases are “foodable” and can be reversed by eliminating processed foods and consuming Real Food that “feeds the liver” and “protects the gut.” There is therefore hope (for example) for obese individuals who never seem to be able to drop the weight, patients with autoimmune disorders, diabetics, those with heart disease and individuals who suffer from ADHD and depression. As the author posits, if fake food got us into this mess, unprocessed Real Food can get us out.Speaking as a concerned citizen and a father, I would recommend this book to any person who is concerned about their life span, their health span or the well-being of their loved ones. Quite frankly, if you read this book you will likely neither look at food the same again nor eat the same way again. Speaking as medical doctor, I concur with Dr. Lustig that modern medicine is part of the problem. Subsequently, it comes as no surprise that many in the medical community may be resistant to many of the paradigm-shifting facts in this book because there is a massive interest to keep the paradigm as is. Unfortunately, the “science” in many instances is not objective and neutral but rather is influenced by study sponsors and those who view people as commodities. The paradigm must change because if we stick with what we’ve been doing people will merely get sicker, fatter and more miserable.Metabolical is overflowing with information and data to chew on. You’ll want to have plenty of highlighters and a notebook ready to go as you work your way through the pages. The footnotes are so voluminous they are not included with the print book. However, all are available on the author’s website complete with hyperlinks.This book has an urgent message that is desperately needed. Read it, be educated and empowered. Ultimately if you do not take responsibility for your health, no one else will.
54 people found this helpful
Louis Noodleman –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent and comprehensive review of how our current diet promotes chronic illness
Focusing on the last 60 years Dr Lustig shows how processed food and high added sugar create and promote chronic diseases particularly metabolic diseases including diabetes and heart disease. Some scientific results are new to me, for example that saturated fat is not bad, and calorie counting is not effective. A call to action both personal and political is included. The scientific background is great for me but some readers will want to skip sections.
7 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Need to know!!
I am so happy to have found this book. You might feel like you are taking a college medical course at times, but hang in there,the truth is worth it. I grew up on fast food. So did my mom, so did her mom. I started to make changes my senior year of highschool. I am one of the only members of my family to not suffer from diabetes, obesity, or a heart condition. I also met my boyfriend who grew up completely different than I did. He introduced me to real food. My health did a 360. I went from having a headcold every other month and struggling with asthma to going entire years without getting sick or just getting sick once a year. I became very suspicious of processed food. For over 10 yrs I’ve been on the case soaking up as much information as possible. This book has confirmed much of what i learned and opened my eyes to so much more. I used to cheat every now and then maybe once in every 2 months and have a french fry/fast food meal out, or say oh well I’m on vacation. This book makes me want to never eat another trans fat in my lifetime. Everyone should know whats in this book! Protect your liver! Feed your brain! Stay away from the junk, no one can afford a medical emergency these days. So SPEND YOUR MONEY where it counts. Lets make a cultural shift and live healthier lives. Health IS WealthThank you Dr Robert H Lustig
34 people found this helpful
AY –
4.0 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
I was doing the 75 soft challenge and wanted to read something that kept me going on the healthy journey. This book definitely did not disappoint.It was the longest book I’ve read in the last few years, so it took me a long time to finish, but finally finished yesterday!! First book of the year 2024 completed. ✔️I’d rate it a 4.5/5 and if you don’t mind medical terminology being sprinkled around a lot, I’d definitely recommend. This absolutely opened my eyes on the food industry in this country. I didn’t realize just how much politics are involved.Cons: There were probably 2 or 3 chapters that I didn’t particularly care for, and a few jokes that I didn’t quite get.If you’re in between the physical vs kindle version, I’d do kindle because you’ll likely have a lot of highlighting to do!It’s great that he doesn’t promote a specific diet or way of life. His overarching theme is that 1) sugar is aweful for you and 2) processed foods are, too. In fact, they aren’t even “foods”.He backs up everything with science, studies and logic, which you’ll appreciate.
27 people found this helpful
Er Apfel –
5.0 out of 5 stars
A book full of data about the important subject of nutrition and health. Greatelly suggested.
I have been following Dr. Lustig since 2019. I read “Fat Chance, “a book that changed my nutrition life and health. I already read 50% of the book, which amazed me all you can learn. It was written as you were talking to him and getting the empirical explanation of every fact. I am a fan of him because of the impact he has in my life. But I will repeat something I learned from him: I believe in god, and everyone else needs to present data. It is all about data and the way you incorporate it into your life. Good luck
5 people found this helpful
Ted Tyler –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Take the Low-hanging Fruit
Lustig says: “Eat real food and not processed food”. Several reviewers have raised the question: So what is real food? The definition I like use is simply this: Real Food is food that has minimum processing is low in sugar and is high in fiber. Lustig spends much time on the evils of various industries. He claims that, like the Tobacco industry, the Food and Pharmaceutical industries are motivated by profit! Could that really be true? Who would have thought? But his points are valid. The food industry produces a lot of unhealthy food which results in a lot of sick people with metabolic syndrome. Then the pharmaceutical industries profit from these sick people and our health system gradually becomes overwhelmed. The book does not focus on what we should eat. For that, you would need his “Fat Chance Cookbook”.
5 people found this helpful
John Armstrong –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read!
I am not finished with the book yet but it’s an easy read for average people. Really eye opening! I recommend if you’re concerned about health for you and your family. Lot of funny business going on in the world with Food and Drugs
10 people found this helpful
Cecpizarro –
5.0 out of 5 stars
You should read this book!
I’ve been learning more and more about how food impacts our bodies and brain, and this book is one of the best sources of credible information from an impressive doctor, Robert Lustig. I am so in awe of the research and thorough analysis gone into this book, and I highly recommend reading it. I’ve gifted it to many of my friends, including physicians, for whom I believe this book is a must read.I read and studied carefully the book, writing notes and doing research on my own along the way as I read more and more. I am not a doctor (I studied applied math) and was able to grasp the concepts of metabolic health and why we gain weight or have other issues based on the food we eat. This book has been an eye opener for me, and I wish I’d known this since the time I was a teenager (while I am 60 now, I have nonetheless changed my eating habits based on this book). Thank you, Dr Lustig, not only for all the work you put together to write this book, but for all your advocacy in spreading the word, and in going against the current. I wish the world had more people like yourself.
19 people found this helpful
TaTReviews –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well researched, solid critique of the processed food industry and nutrition culture.
I’ve been following the science behind nutrition for a long time – more than 25 years of lay research. This has included reading the various players on all sides of the fat/sugar/carb debates as well as studying science and physiology. Dr. Lustig stands out to me as someone with solid research and valid ideas – even if you disagree with him on actual politics and food policy. There is something here for nearly everyone, but I fear that some of this book gets a bit bogged down in detailed science and research – especially toward the end. Now, I like this kinda stuff, so it didn’t bother me too much. However, if you’re looking for a lot of practical how-to advice, that’s not really what this book is about. There is some. There are general guidelines, but the book is more about how we are being led astray by various political battles and biases in the food processing, diet, and medical communities. If I could sum this book up in short order I’d say that your best bet is to eat cooked and raw food closest to its original state and be very wary of any health claims and labels. Those are virtually useless if not downright dangerous. Also, you should limit/omit sugar and processed polyunsaturated oils, flour, protein isolates, and preservatives. As far as how to do that cheaply and easily while navigating the many influences of modern culture – that’s mostly going to be up to you, but there is growing support for this kind of thinking – it’s just not mainstream. It also might never be, because there are too many competing interests, and our current food systems are deeply flawed. Food additives, chemicals, pesticides, and pollution threaten our wellbeing. Some of it is in our individual hands, but much of it is not. That’s where voting with your feet will come into play.The only thing I saw missing from this book – and maybe I overlooked it – was the obvious connection between antidepressants and insulin resistance. With more and more people being prescribed antidepressants, we will also see more insulin resistance/ impaired insulin functioning. You’ll have to look up those studies yourself for the proof. It’s easy to do, just like it’s easy to find studies linking pollution to such things.Lustig does talk about many other medications’ and pollutions’ effects on this. And, as a biochemist and pediatric endocrinologist, he makes a strong case for his conclusions. I also like that he does not advocate for one specific diet for everyone. He shows how we may be prone to varying diseases based on certain genetics, behaviors, and sensitivities as well as environments. And food is part of our environment.A great book, with a lot to offer. I’ve seen folks rabidly try to discredit this Dr., but I think it’s mostly sour grapes and political bias from folks who stand to profit immensely by keeping things confusing as they deflect, distract, and deny culpability. Don’t be a pawn in their game if you can help it. Take care of yourself and others.
215 people found this helpful
Stephanie Alena –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome book
I have periods where I eat healthy and periods where I eat frivolously. I find one of the best ways to get back on track is to read some of a book like this. It makes you really aware of the fact that what you blithely put in your mouth has real consequences.When you have constipation, heartburn, high blood pressure, dry eyes, arthritis, insomnia, etc. you think it’s a natural part of growing older. Think again.I used to work with a guy who ate grilled food and french fries every day. With a big sheepish smile, he would say, “I know this is bad for me.” But he didn’t really believe it in his gut. Spending time with this book makes you feel it. As they say, “You can pay the farmer or the pharmacy.”This is not a book promoting one diet or another. This is a thoughtful and passionate book from a doctor who spent decades seeing patients, reading research and synthesizing a coherent point of view that makes so much sense. In hindsight, it seems obvious. This book will change the world. There will be copycat books, but they won’t have the details or the smooth overarching framework from beginning to end. This is the book.
24 people found this helpful
Ginger C. –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Important knowledge went into this book
The knowledge and experience of the author shows in this well documented book. I got a copy from my local library and was so impressed I bought the book. It is very detailed and has a huge amount of useful tools to help in your journey of regaining your health. He includes helpful eating plans, helpful blood work and tests to help you pin point what needs to be done to diagnose your illness and the best way to treat your illness. Being a nurse fourteen yrs and my limited knowledge on the food industry and how the foods we eat heals us or kills us. He hits the subjects right on. He writes in terms beyond my ability to get it.but I simply look up the meanings and I do get it. I am grateful for the way he writes and teaches as it proves he knows what he is talking about. I rate this book a ten.out of ten .
10 people found this helpful
STACY –
5.0 out of 5 stars
as decribed
great book
LBB –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best book on nutrition you will ever read
The media could not be loaded.
This book changed my life and how I think about every morsel I cram in my mouth.OhMyGosh!!If you really want to be healthy and aren’t just blowing air when you talk about it; if you have a chronic illness and wonder what you can do to REVERSE it; if you want your children to grow up healthy; if you want to BE healthy your answer is right here. GET THIS BOOK!!!It gets heavy with details, so I recommend getting the audio version and having the book to recheck what he’s said because YOU WILL WANT TO HEAR EVERY WORD.
6 people found this helpful
Alicia Browner –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too simplistic and political
The idea of processed food as the cause of much of ill health is well presented, but the focus is mainly on sugar as a culprit. In college in the 1970’s, we drank sugary drinks every day, but were thin, and sugar consumption has decreased the past 20 years while obesity continued to rise. The first half of the book had a lot of good information, but it became too political after that; the partisan politics was a bit annoying, as he called out republican presidents as responsible for the agencies’ bad regulations, but didn’t point out that the policies remained under democrats. New bad policies under democrats were referred to by year instead. A lot of the recommendations (focused on sugar) are simplistic and not workable. He attacks the 20 year patent protection of pharma companies, yet already, they have discontinued alzheimers clinical trials because of the new caps on Medicare drugs. There is no mention of the millions of dollars to bring a drug to market, or the fact that the price has to pay for all the drugs that failed their trials. Anyway, worth a read despite the shortcomings!
57 people found this helpful
Eldon M. –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Every one must read. Extremely important information how we are being poisoned by processed foods.
The absolutely the most important book i have ever read.
Mike T. –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Metabolism is the impact of our health.
A really great book.Go into very detail how our bodies metabolism works and how our bodies respond to specific type of things we eat.
2 people found this helpful
Precious Flower –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truth: A Must Read for Those Serious & Committed to TOTAL Health
Profound & provocative Dr. Robert Lustig writes with unyielding knowledge, love, & passion to help you understand the role of food (real & processed) in ALL health categories; metabolic, mental, dental (sugar: cavities), etc. This book is LIFE CHANGING! It is humbly written in such a way that even non-medical people (like me) can fully comprehend and enjoy. You will immediately want to apply and share his wisdom with everyone! (Plus, there is occasional humor and cool words I had to look up which was fun to learn).If you have listened to his YouTube interviews you will notice he writes the way he speaks. This is evidence of truth. The truth NEVER changes.What an extraordinary gift to mankind. I am forever grateful.Thank you, Dr. Lustig for choosing serotonin (contentment: connection & contribution).
29 people found this helpful
Mo Man –
5.0 out of 5 stars
no more processed food forever!!
I stumbled on this book not expecting much, but this book has changed my life once and for all. The kind of information this book tells it’s criminal not to mention it openly. How big food, insurance and big Pharma mafia is controlling us just like social media is it’s crazy, I have made some serious changes to my lifestyle and my families lifestyle and trying to lead by example by changing my overall eating lifestyle forever. After reading this book in Detail, it gave me a x-ray power meaning when I go to a supermarket, I see all the processed items for what they are and no lured by them. I’ve had food issues all my life and this year I wanted you to make serious effort to resolve this once and for all and not just by going to the gym or cleaning up my diet educating myself about what is going on. This is just the first book and I’m so happy that I read it in the earlier part of the year onto the next one and highly recommended for people who are trying to change their lives and their families life for better.
25 people found this helpful
Hedi –
5.0 out of 5 stars
the truth book
This book explains in detail the fast food and processed food industry and how to stay healthy eating real food
2 people found this helpful
krisler –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read!
I’ve read nearly 40 books so far this year and this is one of my favorite reads. It does get a little “sciencey”, but what can you expect from such an experienced doctor. But, I also appreciate the information included. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend to others who are interested.p.s. If you are an FMCA grad (like me) you will definitely like this book.
2 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic. world changing
We will read it again at least one more time. We knew most of this, but not in depth and in detail. It reinforced our commitment to avoid processed foods, it made it impossible to ever un know the truth, and lie to ourselves that sweet ice cream is ok. Lustig writes with authenticity, passion, dedication to the truth and huge courage, in face of Big Pharma and Big Food. and Government. A huge crusader for honesty, health, happiness, wisdom, and many more positives. We love this book immensely.
23 people found this helpful
Erin Jenkins –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enlightening
There is alot of information in this book. As a self proclaimed obese sugar addict I was overwhelmed at points but he brought it home to simplify it. Eat real food. I will need to re- read this in order to grasp all the concepts but who with my time.
3 people found this helpful
Sanjay Kumar –
5.0 out of 5 stars
I have stopped eating processed food
I am a bit late to this eye opener set of facts, in my 50s, but first I read Ultraprocessed and then this book, this book is better by the way, and I have sworn off any processed food now including fruit juices. I urge everyone to read this book.
4 people found this helpful
C –
4.0 out of 5 stars
This doctor strongly believes that the system is designed to make you unhealthy
The book starts off with what seems like an alarmist rant, almost screaming at you that you are CONSUMING POISON! Dr. Lustig really wants to hammer home that eating processed foods is not just less-than-ideal, but it is extremely dangerous, and slowly killing you. While I think he comes on a little strong, after looking at his credentials and reading about his past, I can understand how someone that has worked for so long on fighting obesity could feel like they need to be extreme to get people’s attention. Even the book’s title “Metabolical” is a combination of the words metabolic and diabolical. His message is that food producers, pharmaceutical companies, and even the federal government are all actively working against you; to benefit themselves while they knowingly cause you to remain unhealthy.The book is divided into five main parts, containing a total of 28 chapters. Dr. Lustig covers a wide variety of topics, from problems with modern medicine, to nutritional fallacies, to issues with food production and FDA regulations. There is really so much information contained in this book that it is hard to summarize. With each topic though, Dr. Lustig comes off as somewhat angry and frustrated, and in some instances almost seems like a conspiracy theorist. He does make very convincing arguments though, and references data in well documented sources on his website. His experience as a doctor that has seen the same issues in his patients for so many years, is evident in the sense of urgency in his writing.I can look past the somewhat abrasive delivery, and appreciate the amount of information contained in this book. This took me a while to get through, and I wouldn’t exactly describe it as a “fun” read, but there really is a ton of valuable info here, with even more references on the website.
306 people found this helpful
Slang –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent reveal of food industry and modern medicine
The details behind the corruption of our food supply via processing, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, is discussed along with the absence of competent FDA, USDA oversite. I was disappointed with the doctor’s acceptance of global warming nonsense.
One person found this helpful
Kindle Customer Chris –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous guide to real food as a health intervention from one of the top experts in his field
Dr Lustig is one of the top experts in his field and is a fountain of knowledge on what dietary factors cause us to get sick. He explores the biochemistry of metabolism whilst providing real life examples of what junk to switch out and what real food replacements will get our metabolism running on optimum fuel. His mantra of “Protect the Liver, Feed the Gut” makes perfect sense. There’s no bias against meat or vegetarian diets, just advice to put on our plates what grows in the ground or what eats stuff that grows in the ground with the fewest processing interventions possible. One of Lustig’s memorable quotes is: “you can’t run your way out of a bad diet!” What I really liked is the chapter on the blood tests that you need to have done and what is optimal as opposed to just being within the “reference range”, which is all that the average Doctor looks at in the blood test report. This book will put control of your health back in your own hands.
17 people found this helpful