Body Mind and Sugar

by Emanuel Maurice Abrahamson

1951, Hardcover with dust jacket, 206 pages

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

206 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Carrie Poppy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit outdated and overreaching. The writers were clinicians, not researchers, and they are reasonably responsible about saying that their theories need proper study. I even think they may have had some insights that are pretty useful today. But their central theory, that "hyperinsulism" (read: hypoglycemia) is the explanation for most chronic fatigue, asthma, allergies and psychological distress has not stood the test of time. And for better or worse, that's the standard any book like this will eventually have to meet.

[Kimber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Published in 1951, some interesting perspectives, some outdated. Bogged down by a technical writing style. Makes a point on avoiding caffeine which raises insulin. Or keeping it to one cup of coffee with some milk or half and half.

[Chana · Rating 4 out of 5]

For 1951 this book is surprisingly pertinent today. They got a lot of basic data right. Certain things were wrong, especially in regards to genetics as so many advances in understanding have been gained in this area since 1951.
But the information about people suffering from chronic low blood sugar and the changes they could make in their diet to control this and the resultant relief of a wide range of symptoms - well that was all fascinating.
I learned quite a bit about diabetes and low blood sugar and how the food we eat creates imbalances in the blood sugar/insulin balance that our bodies are trying to maintain.

From the last page:

"We have been trying to call attention to a condition that needs correcting. .... We do not say that all we have written here is true. We do say that we would not have written it unless we believed it true. It seems to us that the evidence we have presented points to the truth sufficiently to challenge others better equipped to investigate further into the facts we have rescued from the dark closet of professional and lay indifference."

Remember the "Twinkie Defense"? It is the insanity caused by low blood sugar defense. Anthony Papa's lawyer tried this defense in 1947 but no one was going for it. I wouldn't have either. Low blood sugar is a health problem, not a defense for murder.

[Lauren Rev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book with a clear description of how sugar is processed in the body plus good explanations of diabetes & hypoglycemia. Tied hypoglycemia to many other diseases such as asthma, ulcers and depression.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated, but in an interesting way -- medical advice from the Mad Men era. Useful advice for how to eat if you want to avoid big ups and downs in your blood sugar levels.