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Primal Body-Primal Mind: Empower Your Total Health The Way Evolution Intended
In this unique ground breaking and enlightening book, Nora Gedgaudas provides a sane departure from conventional thinking about nutrition as promoted in the media and by conventional diet pundits. You will at last come to truly understand the basic principles of how your body and brain function based on both fundamental human physiology and the ancient selective pressures that shaped it. You'll also come to appreciate how these same selective pressures came to establish our most basic nutritional requirements-your key to health and freedom from disease. Never again be confused-or fooled-by misleading or conflicting dietary information! This is NOT just another book about "caveman diets" or "low carb eating". Although these topics are covered, there is a unique "twist" to the material that will have you seeing your health and your diet in a way you never have before. Fasten your seatbelts. This is not a conventional paradigm...It is most certainly outside the conventional box you were always told was the true picture (the same conventional box that is dedicated to supporting the corporate interests of the food, medical, pharmaceutical and even supplement industries). This book reaches credibly across disciplines and gives you the greater "aha!" of how various aspects of health actually fit together-including aspects of diet, physiology, modern anti-aging research, weight loss, supplementation, brain health, mental health, and even physical fitness. More than this, you will also come to understand where nature's most basic intent may not always be compatible with our own and how to apply information provided by the latest in science and human longevity research to live longer, healthier and more vibrant lives than you ever before thought possible. Regardless of whether you're already healthy and want to improve that, or whether you're trying to lose weight or reclaim your health from whatever is challenging you, this book will be an indispensable tool. Finally, learn how to apply these new and ancient principles in a way that will not only save you from the pitfalls and economic devastation of the "disease care industry", but also potentially save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your grocery bills, as well. Primal Body-Primal Mind is truly the ultimate health approach for the "new economy" and for the New Millenium!
404 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
255 people are currently reading
2330 people want to read
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September 20, 2014
Finally a book I can unreservedly recommend! I've been very interested in books on diet for a while now, but this one really stood out. It doesn't miss out anything vital nor have anything in it that is so wrong that unreservedly recommending it is difficult. It's so well done and the most complete book on diet I have found so far.
This book is a pretty good summary/amalgamation of many of the very best books on diet I have found, such as Eat Fat, Lose Fat: The Healthy Alternative to Trans Fats by Sally Fallon, Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food by Catherine Shanahan, Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck, Know Your Fats : The Complete Primer for Understanding the Nutrition of Fats, Oils and Cholesterol by Mary G. Enig, The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife, The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food by Kaayla T. Daniel, The Schwarzbein Principle: The Truth About Losing Weight, Being Healthy, and Feeling Younger by Nancy Deville....
Plus: Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Natasha Campbell-McBride, Traditional Foods Are Your Best Medicine: Improving Health and Longevity with Native Nutrition by Ronald F. Schmid, The Cholesterol Myths: Exposing the Fallacy That Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease by Uffe Ravnskov and The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram your genes for effortless weight loss, vibrant health, and boundless energy (Primal Blueprint Series) by Mark Sisson.
What is also wonderful about this book is that it is also a book about health and treating illness. It deals with the topic of health in some depth and does NOT just tell you to eat well and as your ancestors did and everything will be fine. The author acknowledges, as many do not, that while yes following a diet as close to our ancestors as we can get is essential this is not all we need to do to stay healthy and to improve disease states.
In other words, having an optimal diet that suits your genes gets you at least 70% there and is the most important step for health, but there are other areas we need to look at as well. This book explains that we are facing far more assaults on our bodies than our ancestors did due to pollution and chemical exposures and so we need to raise the levels of antioxidants and other nutrients we take in accordingly. Supplements are essential.
We also need to do what we can, whether we have health issues yet or not, to get the chemicals that we couldn't avoid out of our bodies through nutrient supplements and also methods such as FIR sauna use, green drinks, body brushing and so on.
How much vitamin C we need, for example, isn't set in stone from one person to the next, nor even one day to the next. How much we need depends on how many chemicals our body has to detoxify. When our chemical load goes up, so too does our need for all sorts of nutrients and antioxidants, such as vitamin C. There is also significant biochemical individuality between people and some of us need far more of certain substances and nutrients than others.
The fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D and E, and also omega 3s from fish oil and fermented cod liver oil are so important, and low-fat diets are to be avoided, but some of us may also need coenzymated B vitamins, sublingual B12, B1 as benfotiamine, carnitine, ALC, RALA, CoQ10, iodine, magnesium and extra vitamin C, this book explains. Assessing whether or not you need betaine HCl, probiotics and digestive enzymes with meals is also key, as you are not what you eat, but what you can actually digest!
As the description of the book says, this book combines, `Your body's Paleolithic needs with modern nutritional and medical research for complete mind-body wellness.'
This book provides information on:
1. The basic principles and foods of the hunter-gatherer diet; meats, eggs (if tolerated), non-starchy vegetables, healthy oils, and small amounts of nuts, seeds and fruits. Avoid processed foods, trans fats and oxidised oils, plus anything you are allergic to, plus sugar and high-carbohydrate foods such as potatoes and fruit juices. A high-fat, moderate protein and green vegetable filled diet is the way to go!
2. Why we are not suited genetically to eat foods such as grains and legumes, and especially not in large amounts, and the many problems these foods can and do cause.
3. Why we are not suited genetically to eat dairy products. (Although the book does recommend fermented and raw dairy products to some extent, for those that can tolerate them.)
4. Why adrenal or thyroid problems cannot be fixed until you deal with your leptin problems, through following a non-high-carbohydrate diet.
5. Which supplements are most important and which we all need to take and why, and how to make sure you buy only good-quality supplements. Some basic information is included on dosages.
6. Why following a low-calorie diet wont extend your lifespan unless the diet helps keep insulin levels low and why supplementing individual hormones which test as low can be problematic.
7. Why there is little point treating a person for a psychological issue if they have significant nutritional deficits and these deficits are best treated first and then other psychologically-based assistance given, if it is still needed.
8. Hunter-gatherers did NOT die young, as is often stated and human health actually deteriorated when agriculture was introduced.
9. Grass-fed/pastured and organic meats and eggs are best, along with home-grown or organic fruits, nuts and vegetables.
10. Those facing serious illness and gut problem are advised to follow the GAPS diet program (which describes a low-fibre easy to digest diet with lots of stocks, unrefined sea salt, meat and vegetable soups, eggs, liver and good oils) and also recipes from Sally Fallon's excellent Nourishing Traditions book.
This book tells us that we need to stop being self indulgent and grow up, and eat what our bodies need for health. Not just what brings us superficial comfort. That isn't an easy thing to do, but that doesn't mean it is not worth striving for. It really is worth getting through those first few fairly awful days of switching over to a fat-burning metabolism (instead of a carb-burning one).
My only criticisms of this book are minor and are that I feel it could have highlighted the benefits of very nutrient rich foods such as bone broths and liver a bit more, been a bit more educated about the history of the beneficial use and complete safety of larger amounts of vitamin C and have at least mentioned the possibility of grounding or earthing as the best way (aside from avoidance) of improving problems caused by EMF radiation - as per the new book on grounding co-authored by Dr Sinatra (Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?).
Because this book does provide such a great summary of all the books listed above, it can also be a bit light-on for theory in some areas and so reading some of the books listed above may also be a good idea for anyone with a real interest in some of these topics - even though this book does in fact contain all the practical information on diet needed. For example, the information on fats is far more detailed in `Know Your Fats' and the book by Gary Taubes contains far more detailed information on why the saturated fat = heart disease hypothesis is wrong and how high insulin levels from high carbohydrate intake cause weight gain. So it just depends how much you want to read and in how much depth.
Having said that, this book also contains lots of information that isn't in any of the other books listed above, which is pretty impressive.
For those who need more information on health, supplements, extensive health testing, detoxification issues and want more specific information on FIR sauna use and how to safely go about it the book Detoxify or Die by Dr Sherry Rogers is essential extra reading. These two books would go very well together, for anyone facing serious illness (as I am). While `Primal Body, Primal Mind' contains all the practical information you need to change your diet, extra information about precautions and expected healing reactions is pretty important if you're seriously ill and about to start any type of detoxification or supplementation program and the aforementioned book by Sherry Rogers provides this.
'Primal Body, Primal Mind' is also surprisingly easy to read, thanks in part to all the short little chapters on each topic, and the author has a great writing style. The book is also very well referenced and the arguments given are convincing, logical and compelling.
I also love that this book completely lacks the self-aggrandising tone (and comments) that some nutrition books have. The author's lack of a huge ego is also seen in the way she so wholeheartedly recommends other great groups, websites and books such as those run by the Weston A. Price Foundation and its members. The author also recommends not taking her word for it and reading as much of her reference material (and other relevant material) as possible. It is so clear that this author's only agenda is genuinely helping people by promoting the most accurate, unbiased and helpful health information.
I'd like to thank the author for writing this book. It is a huge achievement. I hope it is as widely read as it deserves to be, and gets lots of very positive reviews as well.
ps. I have a severe neurological and cardiovascular disease called M.E., but am slowly improving month by month (after more than a decade of slow worsening) through dietary, nutritional and detoxification interventions - as described in books such as this one.
Quotes from the book:
"The brain and body simply have to have certain raw materials to work with in order to function properly." Nora T. Gedgaudas.
"All of the structure and function of the human body are built from and run on nutrients. ALL of them." Janet Lang
Jodi Bassett, The Hummingbirds' Foundation for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Health Healing and Hummingbirds.
This book is a pretty good summary/amalgamation of many of the very best books on diet I have found, such as Eat Fat, Lose Fat: The Healthy Alternative to Trans Fats by Sally Fallon, Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food by Catherine Shanahan, Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck, Know Your Fats : The Complete Primer for Understanding the Nutrition of Fats, Oils and Cholesterol by Mary G. Enig, The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife, The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food by Kaayla T. Daniel, The Schwarzbein Principle: The Truth About Losing Weight, Being Healthy, and Feeling Younger by Nancy Deville....
Plus: Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Natasha Campbell-McBride, Traditional Foods Are Your Best Medicine: Improving Health and Longevity with Native Nutrition by Ronald F. Schmid, The Cholesterol Myths: Exposing the Fallacy That Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease by Uffe Ravnskov and The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram your genes for effortless weight loss, vibrant health, and boundless energy (Primal Blueprint Series) by Mark Sisson.
What is also wonderful about this book is that it is also a book about health and treating illness. It deals with the topic of health in some depth and does NOT just tell you to eat well and as your ancestors did and everything will be fine. The author acknowledges, as many do not, that while yes following a diet as close to our ancestors as we can get is essential this is not all we need to do to stay healthy and to improve disease states.
In other words, having an optimal diet that suits your genes gets you at least 70% there and is the most important step for health, but there are other areas we need to look at as well. This book explains that we are facing far more assaults on our bodies than our ancestors did due to pollution and chemical exposures and so we need to raise the levels of antioxidants and other nutrients we take in accordingly. Supplements are essential.
We also need to do what we can, whether we have health issues yet or not, to get the chemicals that we couldn't avoid out of our bodies through nutrient supplements and also methods such as FIR sauna use, green drinks, body brushing and so on.
How much vitamin C we need, for example, isn't set in stone from one person to the next, nor even one day to the next. How much we need depends on how many chemicals our body has to detoxify. When our chemical load goes up, so too does our need for all sorts of nutrients and antioxidants, such as vitamin C. There is also significant biochemical individuality between people and some of us need far more of certain substances and nutrients than others.
The fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D and E, and also omega 3s from fish oil and fermented cod liver oil are so important, and low-fat diets are to be avoided, but some of us may also need coenzymated B vitamins, sublingual B12, B1 as benfotiamine, carnitine, ALC, RALA, CoQ10, iodine, magnesium and extra vitamin C, this book explains. Assessing whether or not you need betaine HCl, probiotics and digestive enzymes with meals is also key, as you are not what you eat, but what you can actually digest!
As the description of the book says, this book combines, `Your body's Paleolithic needs with modern nutritional and medical research for complete mind-body wellness.'
This book provides information on:
1. The basic principles and foods of the hunter-gatherer diet; meats, eggs (if tolerated), non-starchy vegetables, healthy oils, and small amounts of nuts, seeds and fruits. Avoid processed foods, trans fats and oxidised oils, plus anything you are allergic to, plus sugar and high-carbohydrate foods such as potatoes and fruit juices. A high-fat, moderate protein and green vegetable filled diet is the way to go!
2. Why we are not suited genetically to eat foods such as grains and legumes, and especially not in large amounts, and the many problems these foods can and do cause.
3. Why we are not suited genetically to eat dairy products. (Although the book does recommend fermented and raw dairy products to some extent, for those that can tolerate them.)
4. Why adrenal or thyroid problems cannot be fixed until you deal with your leptin problems, through following a non-high-carbohydrate diet.
5. Which supplements are most important and which we all need to take and why, and how to make sure you buy only good-quality supplements. Some basic information is included on dosages.
6. Why following a low-calorie diet wont extend your lifespan unless the diet helps keep insulin levels low and why supplementing individual hormones which test as low can be problematic.
7. Why there is little point treating a person for a psychological issue if they have significant nutritional deficits and these deficits are best treated first and then other psychologically-based assistance given, if it is still needed.
8. Hunter-gatherers did NOT die young, as is often stated and human health actually deteriorated when agriculture was introduced.
9. Grass-fed/pastured and organic meats and eggs are best, along with home-grown or organic fruits, nuts and vegetables.
10. Those facing serious illness and gut problem are advised to follow the GAPS diet program (which describes a low-fibre easy to digest diet with lots of stocks, unrefined sea salt, meat and vegetable soups, eggs, liver and good oils) and also recipes from Sally Fallon's excellent Nourishing Traditions book.
This book tells us that we need to stop being self indulgent and grow up, and eat what our bodies need for health. Not just what brings us superficial comfort. That isn't an easy thing to do, but that doesn't mean it is not worth striving for. It really is worth getting through those first few fairly awful days of switching over to a fat-burning metabolism (instead of a carb-burning one).
My only criticisms of this book are minor and are that I feel it could have highlighted the benefits of very nutrient rich foods such as bone broths and liver a bit more, been a bit more educated about the history of the beneficial use and complete safety of larger amounts of vitamin C and have at least mentioned the possibility of grounding or earthing as the best way (aside from avoidance) of improving problems caused by EMF radiation - as per the new book on grounding co-authored by Dr Sinatra (Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?).
Because this book does provide such a great summary of all the books listed above, it can also be a bit light-on for theory in some areas and so reading some of the books listed above may also be a good idea for anyone with a real interest in some of these topics - even though this book does in fact contain all the practical information on diet needed. For example, the information on fats is far more detailed in `Know Your Fats' and the book by Gary Taubes contains far more detailed information on why the saturated fat = heart disease hypothesis is wrong and how high insulin levels from high carbohydrate intake cause weight gain. So it just depends how much you want to read and in how much depth.
Having said that, this book also contains lots of information that isn't in any of the other books listed above, which is pretty impressive.
For those who need more information on health, supplements, extensive health testing, detoxification issues and want more specific information on FIR sauna use and how to safely go about it the book Detoxify or Die by Dr Sherry Rogers is essential extra reading. These two books would go very well together, for anyone facing serious illness (as I am). While `Primal Body, Primal Mind' contains all the practical information you need to change your diet, extra information about precautions and expected healing reactions is pretty important if you're seriously ill and about to start any type of detoxification or supplementation program and the aforementioned book by Sherry Rogers provides this.
'Primal Body, Primal Mind' is also surprisingly easy to read, thanks in part to all the short little chapters on each topic, and the author has a great writing style. The book is also very well referenced and the arguments given are convincing, logical and compelling.
I also love that this book completely lacks the self-aggrandising tone (and comments) that some nutrition books have. The author's lack of a huge ego is also seen in the way she so wholeheartedly recommends other great groups, websites and books such as those run by the Weston A. Price Foundation and its members. The author also recommends not taking her word for it and reading as much of her reference material (and other relevant material) as possible. It is so clear that this author's only agenda is genuinely helping people by promoting the most accurate, unbiased and helpful health information.
I'd like to thank the author for writing this book. It is a huge achievement. I hope it is as widely read as it deserves to be, and gets lots of very positive reviews as well.
ps. I have a severe neurological and cardiovascular disease called M.E., but am slowly improving month by month (after more than a decade of slow worsening) through dietary, nutritional and detoxification interventions - as described in books such as this one.
Quotes from the book:
"The brain and body simply have to have certain raw materials to work with in order to function properly." Nora T. Gedgaudas.
"All of the structure and function of the human body are built from and run on nutrients. ALL of them." Janet Lang
Jodi Bassett, The Hummingbirds' Foundation for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Health Healing and Hummingbirds.
September 13, 2012
I was very disappointed in the book. If you are looking for a "food religion" book you might like it. The analogy I told others was that she goes into excruciating detail about the evils of yellow and the at the end she would summarize by saying that "see I have proven yellow is bad. - just like that awful green and purple". If she had stuck to the science on carbs, insulin, corn, etc it would have been fine but her tirades on GMO's, the wireless waves from your home Internet router and other subjects with no data to back them up makes you really question her objectivity on the parts she does present facts on. Again, if you are a true believer you will overlook the inconsistencies. I am a believer in the much of the paleo approach - but this book was too hysterical to really feel credible.
May 27, 2014
Overall this book is a must read. For starters, it's extremely thorough and Gedgaudas is very knowledgeable on nutrition, disease and medication - and it's effects on the body. She does a great job explaining why sugar should be avoided at all costs and why grains are simply not necessary and why it makes sense to avoid them completely. I also liked how she explained why protein should take a moderate place in our diet; she does a great job expressing that we're brainwashed into thinking we need far more than we do and how it hinders us. One thing I don't like is that she tends to contradict herself without explanation when addressing certain things. For example, she says that you shouldn't juice your fruits and veggies because our paleo ancestors weren't able to juice theirs; however, in the next sentence she says that it's ok to juice green veggies but not fruit. I agree with the statement whole heartedly but I expect the author to explain why it's suddenly ok when she just said it wasn't. Often when she talks about the hunter gatherer lifestyle, the claims aren't truly substantiated - as is the case for most of the paleo things I've read. My final gripe about the book is that she assumes that all vegetarians and/or vegans are what I consider "junk food vegetarians", in that we eat lots of carbs but that simply isn't typically the case. The diet I lead is as do many vegetarians or vegans these days is basically a close version of the paleo diet minus the majority of the animal products (think Kimberly Snyder). I understand where she comes from on her argument about meat and I don't entirely disagree with her but I don't believe that everyone needs meat - or as much of it as she recommends - and I believe that some people can thrive on a animal product free diet as every "body" is different. Also, it's important to be considerate of people's ethical convictions when it comes to the subject. In conclusion, Primal Body, Primal Mind covers some of the most important topics in a single book by an author who overall, really does know her stuff.
July 3, 2012
Mixed feelings about this book.
The author does seem to know a lot about nutrition and diet-related medical issues.
Some of the topics she covers are ones that I have seen addressed elsewhere before, such as the dubious nature of viewing cholesterol levels as an ironclad guide to heart health, and the overprescription of statins.
Some of the topics are new to me, such as the chemical breakdown of glutein and how it may affect the body.
I agree with the author that sugar is a damaging and disproportionate part of the American diet.
I agree that refined ("white") carbohydrates are also more damaging to our health than conventional wisdom has had us believe.
I would have to do more reading to determine whether her belief that all grains are very very bad for human health is substantiated; her hostility toward all grains seems extreme to me but this is a topic I'm not well-read about.
I am a bit skeptical of her view on exercise.
I am also skeptical when multiple obscure supplements are recommended for consumption, believing that it's best for people to get micronutrients from food rather than from pills.
The biggest problem I have with her dietary plan is how restrictive and rigid it is, and the practical difficulties one would have trying to maintain it indefinitely, both in terms of variety of goods and their availability.
The author does seem to know a lot about nutrition and diet-related medical issues.
Some of the topics she covers are ones that I have seen addressed elsewhere before, such as the dubious nature of viewing cholesterol levels as an ironclad guide to heart health, and the overprescription of statins.
Some of the topics are new to me, such as the chemical breakdown of glutein and how it may affect the body.
I agree with the author that sugar is a damaging and disproportionate part of the American diet.
I agree that refined ("white") carbohydrates are also more damaging to our health than conventional wisdom has had us believe.
I would have to do more reading to determine whether her belief that all grains are very very bad for human health is substantiated; her hostility toward all grains seems extreme to me but this is a topic I'm not well-read about.
I am a bit skeptical of her view on exercise.
I am also skeptical when multiple obscure supplements are recommended for consumption, believing that it's best for people to get micronutrients from food rather than from pills.
The biggest problem I have with her dietary plan is how restrictive and rigid it is, and the practical difficulties one would have trying to maintain it indefinitely, both in terms of variety of goods and their availability.
March 26, 2013
I have a lot of criticism for this book already and I am on page 22. She is making a lot of generalizations about Hunter and gather lifestyles that she is not substantiating. When I look to her sources they are only other articles and books about the paleo diet and not books about anthropology and archaeology. I am also skeptical of her nutrition claims agaisnt all grains. I know plenty of ancedotal evidence that shows that diets high in healthy grains, lean meats, accompained by active lifestyles can lead to a long healthy life, as do many people and nutritionists, doctors, scientists, and grain companies. I definitely agree with her diagnosis, thus far regarding processed grains and processed sugars...but that is really common sense.
January 9, 2014
advocates a very-low-carb or ketogenic diet. good on protein & fat functions in the body. good info on gluten, especially testing and psychological/emotional connections, in particular the ADHD chapter.
poor rating for two reasons: first, the anthropology is poor and the "ketosis for everyone" approach is unfounded; second, because the writing and tone are relentlessly alarmist, breathless, and snarky, and it gets old fast.
poor rating for two reasons: first, the anthropology is poor and the "ketosis for everyone" approach is unfounded; second, because the writing and tone are relentlessly alarmist, breathless, and snarky, and it gets old fast.
July 12, 2016
There is a lot to say about this book. It's a big one, a doozy, and there were times I thought I'd reach the conclusion of my natural life before I finished it.
The information it contains is THOROUGH. Ms. Gedgaudas gives a comprehensive unpacking of nutrition, both how conventional wisdom is deeply flawed, and how a "Paleo/Primal" lifestyle can be beneficial.
That said, she veered sharply into fear mongering at times. One of the beginning chapters on gluten is absolutely terrifying. Basically: Gluten will kill you if you're allergic to it; everyone is secretly allergic to it and should cut it out of their diets; on top of that, throw out all your beauty products and find gluten-free versions or you'll never be free of your disease. (A quick browse of my bathroom tells me hairspray would be out--maybe forever--if I followed this advice.) While I understand there are people for whom this is necessary advice, she seems insistent that almost no-one is free from gluten sensitivities. She cautions against eating in any venue that may allow food to touch any surface that was previously occupied by any wheat-containing product. Kiss eating out goodbye forever, folks.
She strongly warns against the use of microwaves, cell phones, and advises everyone to buy UV-treated water by the gallon. (Quote: "I personally would never habitually drink regular, unfiltered tap water.") Later, she advises everyone to get at least 50% of their diet from raw foods. Oh no, not just vegetables, but MEAT. RAW MEAT. (Freeze it for two weeks and you're good to go. Apparently.)
So why did I rate it four stars? Well, it's easy enough to disregard the more radical hippie-leaning advice because her nutrition research stacks up.
I didn't pick up this book because I already eat exclusively grass-fed meat, or make my own supplement pills, or believe in the energizing power of tea brewed in the sun (honestly, ew--the bacteria!). I picked it up because I have issues with insulin. And she covers insulin forward, backward, sideways, crossways and inside out.
The book can be repetitive at times. Her tone can be condescending and blithe. ("You may also want to consider finding a quality colon hydrotherapist who uses a gravity-fed system to help really cleanse and tone the full length of your colon and give it a fresh start." Who is this, Gwyneth?) But she covers at great length all the macronutrients, hormones from leptin to insulin to dopamine to serotonin, thyroid hormones, soy, omega-3 fatty acids, cholesterol, trans fats, and so much more.
Part One of the book is general information about the components of optimal nutrition, though she does mention the ill effects poor nutrition can cause.
Part Two of the book would be better served as a reference guide for ailments--such as what to do if you have ADHD, depression, anxiety, etc., from a nutritional point of view. She goes into GREAT DETAIL concerning every supplement you've never heard of that could benefit every specific concern.
And then in Part Three, she goes off the rails a bit, particularly with the fearmongering, the raw-meat advice, and the prophecy that one day we'll regard EMF Pollution (from cell phones, WiFi, microwaves, etc.) as on-par with tobacco in the 20th century. I have no opinion about whether or not she is correct; I can only say that it seems highly unrealistic for most people inclined to pick up the book to swear off technology forever.
That is my biggest qualm with the book. While she gets into the astounding nitty-gritty detail of the science of food, she does it all with a scolding tone and a flair for the dramatic, so much so that there were times I felt so deeply uncomfortable reading the book that I wasn't sure I could finish. What's the point of reading more if we're all doomed?
I would recommend Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson as a friendlier primer on the reasoning behind a Paleo/Primal lifestyle. The writing of Dr. Peter Attia at eatingacademy.com is likewise easily digestible and accepted. But, scolding aside, Ms. Gedgaudas cannot be matched in her thorough explanation of every angle of nutritional science and dogged dismantling of problematic conventional wisdom. In the end, the good outweighed the discomfort.
Although you still won't catch me getting colonics or eating a bowl of raw bison anytime soon. And you'll have to pry my phone from my cold, dead hands.
The information it contains is THOROUGH. Ms. Gedgaudas gives a comprehensive unpacking of nutrition, both how conventional wisdom is deeply flawed, and how a "Paleo/Primal" lifestyle can be beneficial.
That said, she veered sharply into fear mongering at times. One of the beginning chapters on gluten is absolutely terrifying. Basically: Gluten will kill you if you're allergic to it; everyone is secretly allergic to it and should cut it out of their diets; on top of that, throw out all your beauty products and find gluten-free versions or you'll never be free of your disease. (A quick browse of my bathroom tells me hairspray would be out--maybe forever--if I followed this advice.) While I understand there are people for whom this is necessary advice, she seems insistent that almost no-one is free from gluten sensitivities. She cautions against eating in any venue that may allow food to touch any surface that was previously occupied by any wheat-containing product. Kiss eating out goodbye forever, folks.
She strongly warns against the use of microwaves, cell phones, and advises everyone to buy UV-treated water by the gallon. (Quote: "I personally would never habitually drink regular, unfiltered tap water.") Later, she advises everyone to get at least 50% of their diet from raw foods. Oh no, not just vegetables, but MEAT. RAW MEAT. (Freeze it for two weeks and you're good to go. Apparently.)
So why did I rate it four stars? Well, it's easy enough to disregard the more radical hippie-leaning advice because her nutrition research stacks up.
I didn't pick up this book because I already eat exclusively grass-fed meat, or make my own supplement pills, or believe in the energizing power of tea brewed in the sun (honestly, ew--the bacteria!). I picked it up because I have issues with insulin. And she covers insulin forward, backward, sideways, crossways and inside out.
The book can be repetitive at times. Her tone can be condescending and blithe. ("You may also want to consider finding a quality colon hydrotherapist who uses a gravity-fed system to help really cleanse and tone the full length of your colon and give it a fresh start." Who is this, Gwyneth?) But she covers at great length all the macronutrients, hormones from leptin to insulin to dopamine to serotonin, thyroid hormones, soy, omega-3 fatty acids, cholesterol, trans fats, and so much more.
Part One of the book is general information about the components of optimal nutrition, though she does mention the ill effects poor nutrition can cause.
Part Two of the book would be better served as a reference guide for ailments--such as what to do if you have ADHD, depression, anxiety, etc., from a nutritional point of view. She goes into GREAT DETAIL concerning every supplement you've never heard of that could benefit every specific concern.
And then in Part Three, she goes off the rails a bit, particularly with the fearmongering, the raw-meat advice, and the prophecy that one day we'll regard EMF Pollution (from cell phones, WiFi, microwaves, etc.) as on-par with tobacco in the 20th century. I have no opinion about whether or not she is correct; I can only say that it seems highly unrealistic for most people inclined to pick up the book to swear off technology forever.
That is my biggest qualm with the book. While she gets into the astounding nitty-gritty detail of the science of food, she does it all with a scolding tone and a flair for the dramatic, so much so that there were times I felt so deeply uncomfortable reading the book that I wasn't sure I could finish. What's the point of reading more if we're all doomed?
I would recommend Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson as a friendlier primer on the reasoning behind a Paleo/Primal lifestyle. The writing of Dr. Peter Attia at eatingacademy.com is likewise easily digestible and accepted. But, scolding aside, Ms. Gedgaudas cannot be matched in her thorough explanation of every angle of nutritional science and dogged dismantling of problematic conventional wisdom. In the end, the good outweighed the discomfort.
Although you still won't catch me getting colonics or eating a bowl of raw bison anytime soon. And you'll have to pry my phone from my cold, dead hands.
July 5, 2012
Skimmed a lot, this one's long. Helped cement my commitment...sugar=cancer! But such tasty cancer...
April 27, 2019
Ufda! For me this book was a bit repetitive and dictionary like and a lot of doom and gloom, specially if you are a vegetarian/vegan, or if you like sugar, carbs, eating out, drinking alcohol, being on your cell phone, drinking not pure water, coffee, caffeine, desserts, having any fun in life and also if you like rainbows, jk. 😋 On a side note: she does recommend working out less, eating more butter and being in the sun more. Beach vacays for all! minus the pina coldas! The author is a bit I am the best, in that she is right and nobody else is, she seems to see everybody as the same and all things she states are bad for every human. I don't think you can make those assumptions across the entire board, but that being said, many things make sense as well as the science behind it. I found a lot of it very interesting and useful info. I think if you have thyroid disorders, gluten sensitivities, ADHA or other specific disorders, this could be very helpful and life changing. BUT, you have to be willing to be very strict in your eating habits (organic meats, green leafy veggies, limited amount of berries, pure filtered water, and that's all folks ='s happy life for you). Don't get stressed if you can't eat that dessert other than berries, cuz stress is bad too, so be happy, eat meat and you are good to go, no aliments for you. Also, you may want to have a good job to afford all the supplements and organic produce/meats, tests, etc. 😉 (3.5 ish⭐'s)
December 8, 2011
While there are some over-generalizations in this book, I found it to be substantially a good guide to modern nutrition. I have followed her diet recommendations for five weeks, as an experiment, and have lost nine pounds. I no longer feel hungry all of the time, and I am sleeping better. My normally clogged head is clear. So, I am grateful to her for her efforts. I have since joined the Weston A. Price Foundation, which she recommends and am eating grass-fed, grass-finished meat, organic veggies, butter, and bacon. Taking omega-3 oils. Feel great, blood lipids have dropped, in spite of the fats. Yes, there may be some things to argue about, but I am really, really happy with the results. If you are interested in this subject, also check out the Primal diet that Mark Sisson promotes.
July 8, 2018
Темата за храненето като път към здравето, чрез следване на еволюционните предпоставки, които са оформили телата на предците ни и съответно нашите изживява бум и като цяло аз гледам да съм добре информиран относно литературата по въпроса, защото смятам, че този подход именно е бъдещето на здравето и здравеопазването и виждам ефектите от него върху себе си.
Виждането, че сме адаптирани от еволюцията и природата да се храним по определен начин си пробива път трудно, особено в лекарските среди, защото той е твърде различен от всичко, което се въртеше в медицинската литература през последните 50-тина години. Но излизат непрекъснато нови изследвания, които малко по малко доказват правилността му.
Ханенето основно с животински продукти и избягването на "храните на цивилизацията", начело със захар и зърнени култури, става все по-широко прието сред хората, които се интересуват от здравословен живот. Кетоновата диета, като по-строг вариант на този начин на хранене и дори "хищническата диета", при която се яде само месо (колкото и откачено да звучи това) се очертават като резултатни практики за трайно намаляване на теглото и овладяване на някои "заболявания на цивилизацията" като диабет и автоимунни заболявания".
В резултат на всичко това, излизат нови и нови книги по темата и не всички са добри. Настоящата не е добра. Ако ви се струва, че гореописаните практики са странни, прекалено рестриктивни и като цяло подозрителни от гледна точка на здравето и храненето, то това, което предлага Нора Геджаудас е прекалено дори за техните привърженици (като мен).
Авторката издига кетозата почти в култ, като единствения начин да живеем здравословен живот. Рестрикциите, които тя поставя пред храненето (без особено големи доказателства в научната литература, смея да кажа) са по същество еквивалентни, на рестрикциите, които веганите и другите откачалки поставят пред себе си. Описанията на това какво трябва да се яде и какво не трябва носят езика по-скоро на религиозната убеденост, отколкото на научнодоказаната необходимост.
Ако спазваме начинът на хранене, препоръчан от Нора Геджаудас, основните ни храни трябва да са свинска мас и краве масло, защото според нея дори "прекалената консумация на месо" (т.е. повече от 200 гр. на ден) води до ненужна глюкогенеза и повишаване на кръвната захар. Хранителните планове, които предлага са повече от смешни не само за всеки, занимаващ се със спорт.
Виждането, че сме адаптирани от еволюцията и природата да се храним по определен начин си пробива път трудно, особено в лекарските среди, защото той е твърде различен от всичко, което се въртеше в медицинската литература през последните 50-тина години. Но излизат непрекъснато нови изследвания, които малко по малко доказват правилността му.
Ханенето основно с животински продукти и избягването на "храните на цивилизацията", начело със захар и зърнени култури, става все по-широко прието сред хората, които се интересуват от здравословен живот. Кетоновата диета, като по-строг вариант на този начин на хранене и дори "хищническата диета", при която се яде само месо (колкото и откачено да звучи това) се очертават като резултатни практики за трайно намаляване на теглото и овладяване на някои "заболявания на цивилизацията" като диабет и автоимунни заболявания".
В резултат на всичко това, излизат нови и нови книги по темата и не всички са добри. Настоящата не е добра. Ако ви се струва, че гореописаните практики са странни, прекалено рестриктивни и като цяло подозрителни от гледна точка на здравето и храненето, то това, което предлага Нора Геджаудас е прекалено дори за техните привърженици (като мен).
Авторката издига кетозата почти в култ, като единствения начин да живеем здравословен живот. Рестрикциите, които тя поставя пред храненето (без особено големи доказателства в научната литература, смея да кажа) са по същество еквивалентни, на рестрикциите, които веганите и другите откачалки поставят пред себе си. Описанията на това какво трябва да се яде и какво не трябва носят езика по-скоро на религиозната убеденост, отколкото на научнодоказаната необходимост.
Ако спазваме начинът на хранене, препоръчан от Нора Геджаудас, основните ни храни трябва да са свинска мас и краве масло, защото според нея дори "прекалената консумация на месо" (т.е. повече от 200 гр. на ден) води до ненужна глюкогенеза и повишаване на кръвната захар. Хранителните планове, които предлага са повече от смешни не само за всеки, занимаващ се със спорт.
January 19, 2015
Some 120 years ago, apologizing for putting into a market already glutted with them yet another book on eclipses, the Reverend William Lynn demured, "Is this not a little one?"
Gedgaudus cannot even take refuge in that. Her book is thick. And the question is, why?
Anyone who pays a whit of attention to American diet books and recommended eating practices knows that over the last thirty years those claiming that the evil in the American diet is not fat but processed carbohydrates have been gaining traction until the point that there is a vast literature on the subject. Much of this is marketed under titles like primal or paleo, with the implicit argument that humanity's ancestors ate in this way, which provided optimal health, and so we should, too: favor the fat, avoid the grain.
These recommendations range from the moderate to the stark, from the simple-minded to the nuanced. Interestingly, Gedgaudas is associated with the more moderate Weston A. Price Foundation, which allows grains and dairy and legumes, as long as they are traditionally prepared, but she herself advises among the more strict diets. Exactly what that diet is, however, is unclear, which is one of the many problems with this book: in all these pages she can't bring herself to offer straightforward guidelines or a sample menu--it's more that this book is just to get her brand out there, to direct readers to her website. Why another book that doesn't really add any new information to the burgeoning literature? To sell.
The essence of her diet is clear, though: sugars, in all their forms, are evil, and cause all evil. Even alcoholism, she says, is really just carbohydrate addiction by other means. The key is to get the body off of sugars and control insulin. Better to run in ketosis all the time, eating fat, a bit of protein, and lots of fibrous vegetables. That's it.
Her historical argument for this claim is similar to others in the genre--though different in at least on interesting aspect, which might explain some of the books shortcomings. The basic story is that humans existed on this exact kind of diet for over 2 million years before inventing agriculture 10,000 years ago, when everything went to hell: it was not just the invention of agriculture, but the invention of disease, death before coming only from accident, infection, or old age.
There are many problems with this pop-anthropology. First, it erases the fact that humans were diverse and plastic from the beginning--and continue to be: that was part of what Weston A. Price found out, in fact, that there are many types of traditional diets. They include certain foods--fermented, meat, fat, bone broth--but in very different proportions. Second, it treats humanity's 2 million years before agriculture as unchanging: humans adapted to a diet, and nothing else happened. Just kept on getting on. No new adaptations required when the climate changed, or when humans moved into new areas.
As far as agriculture goes, Gedgaudas's point is something like the one Virginia Woolf mocked when it came to understanding modernism: ''On or about December 1910 human character changed,' We lived in a new environment, away from the garden of Eden, and our bodies could never adapt. She mostly just skips over the last 10,000 years and jumps to the end of the nineteenth century, and suggests that since then humans, eating too much wheat and sugar, have been on a downward spiral--one that will take generations to fix. As though humans never drank before 1800, never ate sugar or wheat, or only did so in the context of backbreaking work and early death.
It's a silly bit of pop history, one shared with similar diets, dating back to Atkins, although she is different in recommending quality sources of fat, which Atkins never emphasized.
What makes her book different is the almost engineering aspect she brings to the topic. It is clear what jazzes her is the research, the details, and not really the overall picture. That is different than a lot of other books in the same genre. Given that there are two complementary ways of seeing the human body--as animal or as machine--most of the primal literature focuses on the body as animal: calories are given a context, the body is adaptable. Gedgaudas focuses on the body as machine: the correct input equals the correct output. GIGO. And vice versa.
Focusing on the body as animal, other authors can claim that their plans are simple, and they generally are, even if they might be expensive or hard to follow. Gedgaudas tries to say the same thing early in the book. But then she spends extensive time talking about the structure of water and how to find water that is structured the best for the body. Which sounds a bit like voodoo and is anything but simple. She also rails against EMF's based on an exponentially growing research program--but doesn't summarize this research.
Overall, she comes across as not very trustworthy.
All of that is not to say her recommendations are wrong, necessarily. More fat, more veggies, less carbs, there does seem to be a consensus coalescing around these views.
Just not sure why we needed another book to tell us. And do so in excruciating detail that avoids making practical recommendations. Read Mark Sisson or Sally Fallon instead, get the same points--and some of the same faulty history--in shorter, more on-point form.
Gedgaudus cannot even take refuge in that. Her book is thick. And the question is, why?
Anyone who pays a whit of attention to American diet books and recommended eating practices knows that over the last thirty years those claiming that the evil in the American diet is not fat but processed carbohydrates have been gaining traction until the point that there is a vast literature on the subject. Much of this is marketed under titles like primal or paleo, with the implicit argument that humanity's ancestors ate in this way, which provided optimal health, and so we should, too: favor the fat, avoid the grain.
These recommendations range from the moderate to the stark, from the simple-minded to the nuanced. Interestingly, Gedgaudas is associated with the more moderate Weston A. Price Foundation, which allows grains and dairy and legumes, as long as they are traditionally prepared, but she herself advises among the more strict diets. Exactly what that diet is, however, is unclear, which is one of the many problems with this book: in all these pages she can't bring herself to offer straightforward guidelines or a sample menu--it's more that this book is just to get her brand out there, to direct readers to her website. Why another book that doesn't really add any new information to the burgeoning literature? To sell.
The essence of her diet is clear, though: sugars, in all their forms, are evil, and cause all evil. Even alcoholism, she says, is really just carbohydrate addiction by other means. The key is to get the body off of sugars and control insulin. Better to run in ketosis all the time, eating fat, a bit of protein, and lots of fibrous vegetables. That's it.
Her historical argument for this claim is similar to others in the genre--though different in at least on interesting aspect, which might explain some of the books shortcomings. The basic story is that humans existed on this exact kind of diet for over 2 million years before inventing agriculture 10,000 years ago, when everything went to hell: it was not just the invention of agriculture, but the invention of disease, death before coming only from accident, infection, or old age.
There are many problems with this pop-anthropology. First, it erases the fact that humans were diverse and plastic from the beginning--and continue to be: that was part of what Weston A. Price found out, in fact, that there are many types of traditional diets. They include certain foods--fermented, meat, fat, bone broth--but in very different proportions. Second, it treats humanity's 2 million years before agriculture as unchanging: humans adapted to a diet, and nothing else happened. Just kept on getting on. No new adaptations required when the climate changed, or when humans moved into new areas.
As far as agriculture goes, Gedgaudas's point is something like the one Virginia Woolf mocked when it came to understanding modernism: ''On or about December 1910 human character changed,' We lived in a new environment, away from the garden of Eden, and our bodies could never adapt. She mostly just skips over the last 10,000 years and jumps to the end of the nineteenth century, and suggests that since then humans, eating too much wheat and sugar, have been on a downward spiral--one that will take generations to fix. As though humans never drank before 1800, never ate sugar or wheat, or only did so in the context of backbreaking work and early death.
It's a silly bit of pop history, one shared with similar diets, dating back to Atkins, although she is different in recommending quality sources of fat, which Atkins never emphasized.
What makes her book different is the almost engineering aspect she brings to the topic. It is clear what jazzes her is the research, the details, and not really the overall picture. That is different than a lot of other books in the same genre. Given that there are two complementary ways of seeing the human body--as animal or as machine--most of the primal literature focuses on the body as animal: calories are given a context, the body is adaptable. Gedgaudas focuses on the body as machine: the correct input equals the correct output. GIGO. And vice versa.
Focusing on the body as animal, other authors can claim that their plans are simple, and they generally are, even if they might be expensive or hard to follow. Gedgaudas tries to say the same thing early in the book. But then she spends extensive time talking about the structure of water and how to find water that is structured the best for the body. Which sounds a bit like voodoo and is anything but simple. She also rails against EMF's based on an exponentially growing research program--but doesn't summarize this research.
Overall, she comes across as not very trustworthy.
All of that is not to say her recommendations are wrong, necessarily. More fat, more veggies, less carbs, there does seem to be a consensus coalescing around these views.
Just not sure why we needed another book to tell us. And do so in excruciating detail that avoids making practical recommendations. Read Mark Sisson or Sally Fallon instead, get the same points--and some of the same faulty history--in shorter, more on-point form.
January 27, 2025
Bucktube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rxsr...
It's the most exhaustively researched and scientifically sound Paleo book ever written.
It's the most exhaustively researched and scientifically sound Paleo book ever written.
February 21, 2014
This is by far the best book I have read on nutrition out of the 23 books I have read on the subject. I read the forwards first and then the last chapter and appendices because I wanted the bottom line before I got into all the details. I then started on chapter 14 and read to chapter 23 and was wowed. I then started at chapter 1 and read to chapter 13. The first 4 chapters are pretty dry and were not terribly interesting to me. From chapter 5 on I was hooked and looking forward to reading more. I wish I had started with chapter 13 instead of 14 because that chapter was amazing and set the stage for chapter 14.
All this said, I didn't rate this book with 5 stars because 1) there were too many generalizations, 2) the author gave advice which was only supported, in some cases, by the words "trust me" which is ridiculous for an author who has 8 pages of references and 34 pages of recommended reading; 3) the author has taken a very definite position on the subject of diet and pulled one sentence quotes from various articles to support her position. Sometimes the journals were named and other times they weren't. Specific citations for the quotes were not given so the reader doesn't know if the quotes were taken out of context. 4) Many statements were presented as facts that were not substantiated by any sources so they should have been presented as conclusions, such as her advice on water. 5) The author tends to be a bit of an alarmist and extremist and 6) the author left out information that could have been helpful to the reader such as what supplements can be taken to offset the ill effects of trace amounts of gluten being left in the diet. I am guessing this was done purposefully to get the reader to go totally gluten free (which is no easy feat).
All this said, I didn't rate this book with 5 stars because 1) there were too many generalizations, 2) the author gave advice which was only supported, in some cases, by the words "trust me" which is ridiculous for an author who has 8 pages of references and 34 pages of recommended reading; 3) the author has taken a very definite position on the subject of diet and pulled one sentence quotes from various articles to support her position. Sometimes the journals were named and other times they weren't. Specific citations for the quotes were not given so the reader doesn't know if the quotes were taken out of context. 4) Many statements were presented as facts that were not substantiated by any sources so they should have been presented as conclusions, such as her advice on water. 5) The author tends to be a bit of an alarmist and extremist and 6) the author left out information that could have been helpful to the reader such as what supplements can be taken to offset the ill effects of trace amounts of gluten being left in the diet. I am guessing this was done purposefully to get the reader to go totally gluten free (which is no easy feat).
April 14, 2014
Almost everything about this book is phenomenally dissected with a scrupulous and scientific eye. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is concerned about their current state of health.
However, I don't agree with Nora's perspective regarding longevity (chapter 22). Her material is clearly dated. Nora is a staunch believer that longevity is inexpicibly linked to lower insulin levels, low carbohydrate intake, and low calorie consumption, and states a 2009 study that "proves it." She goes into great length into convincing you that she is correct. Calorie consumption is a crazy idea in my opinion, so I took the liberty to do some research of my own, and, probably to Nora's dismay, I discovered that nature.com (the leading scientific journal authority) published an article in 2012 showing how there is actually no link between calorie consumption and longevity. What a relief for us calorie lovers ;)
Overall her material is quite good and her logic is more than convincing. I could not bear to rate her at 4 stars because the rest of the book, other than chapter 22, was phenomenal!
However, I don't agree with Nora's perspective regarding longevity (chapter 22). Her material is clearly dated. Nora is a staunch believer that longevity is inexpicibly linked to lower insulin levels, low carbohydrate intake, and low calorie consumption, and states a 2009 study that "proves it." She goes into great length into convincing you that she is correct. Calorie consumption is a crazy idea in my opinion, so I took the liberty to do some research of my own, and, probably to Nora's dismay, I discovered that nature.com (the leading scientific journal authority) published an article in 2012 showing how there is actually no link between calorie consumption and longevity. What a relief for us calorie lovers ;)
Overall her material is quite good and her logic is more than convincing. I could not bear to rate her at 4 stars because the rest of the book, other than chapter 22, was phenomenal!
January 24, 2015
A superb book about how our food should be medicine instead of poison. And a damning indictment of the food industry.
I have been on an adapted paleo diet for a couple of years and have never felt better in my life, but Primal Body, Primal Mind has inspired me to go even further in maintaining and improving my health.
A book everyone should read!
I have been on an adapted paleo diet for a couple of years and have never felt better in my life, but Primal Body, Primal Mind has inspired me to go even further in maintaining and improving my health.
A book everyone should read!
March 18, 2019
Most convincing and thoroughly researched book on the Paleo and Keto diets. It made me a believer. Get rid of carbs, eat grass fed, locally sourced, non-GMO meats and animal products. Get vigilant about your health and reject the modern doctors and health charlatans that keep you fat, sick and happy.
January 3, 2015
If you are interested in living the healthiest life, this is a great book. Nora advises on household chemicals, diet, health etc. I was a little doubtful about some of her alternative information, but I did learn loads from this book.
August 2, 2019
Great read. Very detailed as to the reason why we should go back to the way we used to eat. This Keto diet approach made me change from a Paleo diet to Keto. It is much more healthier way to eat and I lost another 20lbs as well.
May 23, 2020
We must understand our gene is not revolutionised as fast as industrial agriculture does. Our gene in the last 150,000 years been unchanged yet human diet has completely changed. This book will make you realise how important it is to feed your body with nutrition its cells are starving for.
March 16, 2024
Do yourself a favor and read this book! It's scary how a good majority of healthcare, or should I say 'sickcare' professionals, are seemingly oblivious to what's happening around them. Go into your checkup appointment and one high blood pressure reading can get you an immediate prescription for life.
Our politicians soapbox about needing more nurses and doctors! Hospitals no sooner finish one major addition only to start fundraising for the next. The fix? Less sick people, not more drugs and hospitals.
I have people telling me that 'its all good, humans are living longer than ever'! Seriously? In a society where you can abuse your body and get a new heart(s), only to resume what killed the first one. We can get new knees and hips when carrying around a piano on our waist for years wears out the old ones. I suppose that is living longer.
If no one is willing to address a root cause what's the point? Bottom line is there is no money to be made on healthy people, so do not expect the truth any time soon. Big food and pharmaceutical will be the richest stockholders in the graveyard.
Take control of your own health, no one else is looking out for you.
Our politicians soapbox about needing more nurses and doctors! Hospitals no sooner finish one major addition only to start fundraising for the next. The fix? Less sick people, not more drugs and hospitals.
I have people telling me that 'its all good, humans are living longer than ever'! Seriously? In a society where you can abuse your body and get a new heart(s), only to resume what killed the first one. We can get new knees and hips when carrying around a piano on our waist for years wears out the old ones. I suppose that is living longer.
If no one is willing to address a root cause what's the point? Bottom line is there is no money to be made on healthy people, so do not expect the truth any time soon. Big food and pharmaceutical will be the richest stockholders in the graveyard.
Take control of your own health, no one else is looking out for you.
October 31, 2017
Read this book and be healthy. Or regain health for a sickened body. I did.
There's a radiance to this bio-electric-chemical-mechanical wonder that we each walk around in, and it's been in the works for hundreds of thousands of years. (Or a million or more?) Our bodies don't 'get' bread, pizza, purple pills or pop. It gets no real nutrition from grains and sugar, those cheap, addictive, government-subsidized foods full of chemicals.
The author, Nora Gedgaudus, unlike me, isn't pissed off about the food industry and lazy eaters; instead, after 10 years of deep research, she emerges with excellent information for what works to really keep the human animal humming: good fats, proteins (6-8 ounces daily), and a few select carbs (vegetables and few fruits).
If you don't finally come away with at least 16-33 reasons to stop eating grains, read it again.
Do yourself and your family a favor read this book. Then read Pottenger's Prophecy: How Food Resets Genes for Wellness or Illness–great perspective on how your 'inherited' genes are not your destiny, what you put in your mouth is.
There's a radiance to this bio-electric-chemical-mechanical wonder that we each walk around in, and it's been in the works for hundreds of thousands of years. (Or a million or more?) Our bodies don't 'get' bread, pizza, purple pills or pop. It gets no real nutrition from grains and sugar, those cheap, addictive, government-subsidized foods full of chemicals.
The author, Nora Gedgaudus, unlike me, isn't pissed off about the food industry and lazy eaters; instead, after 10 years of deep research, she emerges with excellent information for what works to really keep the human animal humming: good fats, proteins (6-8 ounces daily), and a few select carbs (vegetables and few fruits).
If you don't finally come away with at least 16-33 reasons to stop eating grains, read it again.
Do yourself and your family a favor read this book. Then read Pottenger's Prophecy: How Food Resets Genes for Wellness or Illness–great perspective on how your 'inherited' genes are not your destiny, what you put in your mouth is.
June 13, 2017
I am a long time follower of paleo but I was disappointed with this book. It is so overly prescriptive and detailed in what we should eat, do, etc. that very few people can actually follow it. She literally has you taking hundreds of supplements. Eat only grass fed beef, prepare nuts a specific way, no GMO foods or wifi. It goes on and on. How can paleo/LCHF ever be the predominant way people eat with all these rules and regulations? Just eat the right foods and avoid the wrong foods 90%+ of the time. It's not that complicated.
March 25, 2021
Very very informative, little bit too into the science, so be prepared to go back over some bits, bit even then i was a bit out of my depth.
There were a few bits where I felt so bad about, as I felt like I couldn't possibly sustain this lifestyle in my current circumstances, so I felt like throwing it out the window ! As it was all a bit hopeless
There were a few bits where I felt so bad about, as I felt like I couldn't possibly sustain this lifestyle in my current circumstances, so I felt like throwing it out the window ! As it was all a bit hopeless
January 4, 2018
Must have book for anyone who cares about nutrition. This more of a reference book with great resources. This is the book is one of the reason I could be comfortable with my all meat diet / Primal diet and thriving because of it.
October 29, 2018
Gedgaudas is knowledgeable and presents well reasoned and documented arguments for consuming a diet high in quality fat. My only caveat in regards to this book is that it is a bit repititious in driving home the point. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book.
January 31, 2019
I actually can’t believe I read this book straight through. It was surprisingly readable and learned so much. Plenty to be critical of but lots of valuable new mental models of health and nutrition in here. Grateful for having read it.
May 22, 2018
I did not finish this book. But did glean through it and took some quick notes.
August 26, 2018
Not a lot of personality— it jumps right into science and it isn’t organized super well. It jumps from topic to topic. But it’s a good review of important information.
December 28, 2018
Great topic, good information
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