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The Cure for Everything: Untangling Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness, and Happiness
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A bold look at how commercial agendas distort the real science behind health and fitness studies and misinform the public about how to live a healthy life
Researcher Timothy Caulfield talks with experts in medicine, pharmaceuticals, health and fitness, and even tries out many of the health fads himself, in order to test their scientific validity, dispel the myths, and il ...more
Researcher Timothy Caulfield talks with experts in medicine, pharmaceuticals, health and fitness, and even tries out many of the health fads himself, in order to test their scientific validity, dispel the myths, and il ...more
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Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
April 24th 2012
by Beacon Press
(first published December 16th 2011)
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Start your review of The Cure for Everything: Untangling Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness, and Happiness
Timothy Caulfield is a Canadian health policy academic who took it upon himself to cut through the haze of popular information about wellness to get to the core of what we really do and don't know about our health.
In this well researched and readable book, he succeeds providing solid information about what things like exercise and diet can and can't do for the body and shows us how to focus on the actions that are really going to make the most difference in our lives, using himself as a humble a ...more
In this well researched and readable book, he succeeds providing solid information about what things like exercise and diet can and can't do for the body and shows us how to focus on the actions that are really going to make the most difference in our lives, using himself as a humble a ...more
The theme of this book is to look through all of the hype surrounding healthy lifestyles and see what science actually recommends. I saw it as sort of a mixture of Gina Kolata's books Ultimate Fitness and Rethinking Thin, at least as far as topic is concerned.
Caulfield first tackles the subject of fitness - what it means, and how to "get fit." To do this he speaks with personal trainers and reflects on his exercise experience as a sprinter and biker. I was hoping to see more of a critical look, ...more
Caulfield first tackles the subject of fitness - what it means, and how to "get fit." To do this he speaks with personal trainers and reflects on his exercise experience as a sprinter and biker. I was hoping to see more of a critical look, ...more
This book did exactly what I thought it would for me. Reinforced my feelings that people see, select and interpret health and fitness information through preconceived beliefs, values, previous outcomes, and fears.
As a data freak myself, I place the maximization on my health because in my lifetime I have, and continue to have numerous health issues. Some pretty major, some minor. Once you fall into that bucket, you tend to fight like a boxer and search for answers that work for you.
I inhaled eve ...more
As a data freak myself, I place the maximization on my health because in my lifetime I have, and continue to have numerous health issues. Some pretty major, some minor. Once you fall into that bucket, you tend to fight like a boxer and search for answers that work for you.
I inhaled eve ...more
SCIENCE! I love that the author is Canadian, and includes experts, statistics and other information which is relevant to our country (most books reference the USA or UK exclusively, and not everything translates over to this country). This is, of course, in addition to information gleaned from USA & UK sources.
Dear Mr. Caulfield,
I just recently finished reading The Cure for Everything and wanted to express some major concerns I have with the “Remedies” chapter.
With any book I choose to read, I always hope for an open and un-biased perspective, which this book regrettably did not have. There are many over-generalizations regarding alternative therapies, the most startling being that it is related to religion, myth and has only placebo effects. Comments such as “…lazy thinking underpines alternative med ...more
I just recently finished reading The Cure for Everything and wanted to express some major concerns I have with the “Remedies” chapter.
With any book I choose to read, I always hope for an open and un-biased perspective, which this book regrettably did not have. There are many over-generalizations regarding alternative therapies, the most startling being that it is related to religion, myth and has only placebo effects. Comments such as “…lazy thinking underpines alternative med ...more
Thank you Timothy Caulfield!
You should read this book.
It explains everything, like it says. OK, maybe not everything... but this guy is a pretty darn well-respected science/health editor up in Canada, and he's distilled a crap-load of research down into this very nice book, just for you.
It will make you a little bit sad, because a good part of the message is sort of "stop eating so much" and "everything you think about exercising is wrong," which isn't what we want to hear. But it makes tons of ...more
You should read this book.
It explains everything, like it says. OK, maybe not everything... but this guy is a pretty darn well-respected science/health editor up in Canada, and he's distilled a crap-load of research down into this very nice book, just for you.
It will make you a little bit sad, because a good part of the message is sort of "stop eating so much" and "everything you think about exercising is wrong," which isn't what we want to hear. But it makes tons of ...more
What a great book! Four chapters, full of common sense information supposed by science. He's preaching to the converted here - but I did learn a few new things - like stretching - not so important. Who knew? Loved the remedy chapter - even being a health care provider I have always been suspicious of both CAM and big pharma. The genetics chapter was my least favorite, but overall think this book is worth a read by anyone interested in health - and that should be all of us!
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This was an enjoyable read. Tim Caulfield's humour comes through and the potentially dry-at-times material about health is livened up by his personal experiments with getting healthy.
The first two chapters were actually my least favourite of the book: one focused on diet/nutrition and one on exercise. My problem with these chapters is less the information they provide which mostly wasn't new to me and probably would be pretty familiar to anyone who follows evidence-based nutrition and fitness st ...more
The first two chapters were actually my least favourite of the book: one focused on diet/nutrition and one on exercise. My problem with these chapters is less the information they provide which mostly wasn't new to me and probably would be pretty familiar to anyone who follows evidence-based nutrition and fitness st ...more
Timothy Caulfield was the closing speaking at a pensions and benefits conference I attended in October. I found him interesting and entertaining so thought I'd read some of his books.
This book is about health and about the science associated with health. There is a lot of information available to us about what to eat, whether to cleanse, whether to take supplements, how to exercise, whether you get your meridians centered, and more. In this book, Caulfield seeks to answer the questions about the ...more
This book is about health and about the science associated with health. There is a lot of information available to us about what to eat, whether to cleanse, whether to take supplements, how to exercise, whether you get your meridians centered, and more. In this book, Caulfield seeks to answer the questions about the ...more
"Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition." - Adam Smith. In this book Timothy Caulfield attempts to find the science to look at the idea of being fit and healthy as well as genetic testing, CAM or alternative medicine and Big Pharma.
Looking at current research he discovers that while vigorous exercise like interval and strength training do provide you with a lot of health benefits, you will not lose weight from exercising. Moderate exercise is not enough to rea ...more
Looking at current research he discovers that while vigorous exercise like interval and strength training do provide you with a lot of health benefits, you will not lose weight from exercising. Moderate exercise is not enough to rea ...more
It was greatly enjoyable and well written and made me think. But it definitely did not cover enough and it certainly did not cover everything. I would like liked to have seen an analysis and debunking of "superfoods" , more information on herbal supplements particularly Valerian root (St. John's Wort was mentioned and people usually mention these two as a pair).
Some ideas were criticized without evidence, and I want evidence. Please explain the difference between the "cleansing" and "detoxify" ...more
Some ideas were criticized without evidence, and I want evidence. Please explain the difference between the "cleansing" and "detoxify" ...more
I recommend this book. Caulfield writes about all the things we're told to do to improve our health (diet! work out! acupuncture! homeopathy!) and does his best to separate the evidence from the hype. He's tough an alternative medicine (rightly, in my view) but he also does an excellent job discussing the biases that can creep into mainstream medicine, for example how drug companies bias the research that is conducted and published. It's an engaging read, with a good mix of data and personal sto
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There was a lot to like about this book. First off, the writer is from Edmonton, so there are lots of reference to researchers and writers from the U of A, which I really enjoyed. It's nice to read a book that references the city you live in.
I really enjoyed the debunking of fitness and food, but wasn't that thrilled about the section on genes, since I have to write about gene technology a lot for work. I also had a hard time with some of the facts that he gives in the book. He claims that yoga ...more
I really enjoyed the debunking of fitness and food, but wasn't that thrilled about the section on genes, since I have to write about gene technology a lot for work. I also had a hard time with some of the facts that he gives in the book. He claims that yoga ...more
Good review of the current health and fitness industries, from big pharma to fitness trainers. Amusing enough to keep me going through the more boring topics. I'm very familiar with these fields, and I thought the balance and judgement was, if depressing, correct.
One quibble was the title -- there is nothing in this book about happiness! I know authors may have little control over the title, but this is really inexcusable. I was looking forward to a review of the current research and thinking ab ...more
One quibble was the title -- there is nothing in this book about happiness! I know authors may have little control over the title, but this is really inexcusable. I was looking forward to a review of the current research and thinking ab ...more
I love how well he cuts through the bs. Definitely gave me food for thought, and made me feel a little foolish about questionable fitness purchases I've made over the years.
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The cure for everything??? Media sources speculate it's possible to be thin, sexy, and ultra healthy if I eat a specific fad diet like Paleo, work out with a specific "expert" trainer with one very specific niche plan, pump myself full of supplements, test my genes, listen to my naturopath and take pharmaceutical drugs backed by that interesting recent drug study plastered on the news. It is....a whole lot of hokum. Caulfield explores the science and for fun conducts the poorly designed study of
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An incredible invesigation on the truth on Health and Fitness, Tim peels back the marketing veneer behind alternative methods, yoga, fad diets, acupuncture, and all the rest to reveal the cynical corporate interests that in the pursuit of profit are pedaling unscientific advice.
Moreso, he shares the simple, real world tested though tough truths of how to stay healthy, fit, and lose weight. This book definitely pushed me to re-evaluate my own exercise and diet plan. It also allowed me to reflect ...more
Moreso, he shares the simple, real world tested though tough truths of how to stay healthy, fit, and lose weight. This book definitely pushed me to re-evaluate my own exercise and diet plan. It also allowed me to reflect ...more
Timothy Caulfied's book is a fun romp through the misconceptions surrounding our ideas of health and fitness. In this text, Caulfied practices what he preaches and sets out to experiment on a variety of diets, fads, and "cures". I was particularly interested in his section on remedies and cures, in which he investigates "alternative medicines" and debunks their effectiveness and the role that placebos play in our understanding of health and wellness. Particularly interesting is his comparison of
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There are only a few things that are known about how to improve your health: 1) eat food, not too much, mostly plants (as Pollan said), 2) exercise regularly and with intensity, 3) don't abuse alcohol or drugs, 4) get enough sleep regularly, 5) wear your seatbelt and bike helmet. Nobody likes to hear this because those things are actually really hard, but everything else is mostly BS and marketing. Caulfield shows you the underbelly of some of that BS and it is funny and depressing simultaneousl
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Every time I would hear someone say they were "detoxing" or that they had done a "cleanse," I would wonder if I was missing something important in my health goals. Reading this book assured me that my gut was right on a number of issues, and I appreciated the author's insistence on getting facts from those who had spent their lives researching, studying and practicing in the medical profession.
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Loved the book. Great conversational tone, relatable in the same way many of these misrepresentations often are. Hopefully people read it in the same way and begin to question a bit more. We know so little about health, wellness, and disease and that is what makes the book relevant. It's ok not to know, there is no magic bullet, and the best thing to do is be skeptical and keep things simple.
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I suspect that for those who read this book, Caulfield is "preaching to the choir." There were no shocking revelations for me. Of course, it was published in 2012, so some of the information is old news. But he writes with humor and honesty, so it's a worthwhile read if you're interested in health and living well.
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I really like the chapters on fitness and diet. It explains in detail what is required to achieve your goals.
Fitness - focus on resistance training and vigorous exercise. The cardio can be short intense bursts.
Diet - Smaller portions, focus on plants, avoid junk food. Soda pop is considered "poison".
The information is science based. ...more
Fitness - focus on resistance training and vigorous exercise. The cardio can be short intense bursts.
Diet - Smaller portions, focus on plants, avoid junk food. Soda pop is considered "poison".
The information is science based. ...more
Timothy Caulfield does an excellent job of debunking myths and misinformation surrounding health and wellness. Very well researched. Informative and entertaining! I learned a lot but I also laughed a lot. Great read for anyone who's considering trying one of those fad diets or exercise programs!
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Timothy Caulfield is a Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy and a Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. He has been the Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta since 1993. Over the past several years he has been involved in a variety of interdisciplinary research endeavours that have allowed him to
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