Great information about the causes of obesity in the U. S.
932408
My wife and I have gone to a gluten free diet and it is helping us in many ways. The book though is a bit too technical for me. I'm sure other health care professionals will appreciate the information. For me, I just needed the highlights and the bottom lines.
2353573
I have gone through this book page by page and find it to be an excellent source of information for real people wanting to become healthier.  It has extensive information on the Diabetic Exchange System and the My Plate Plan, and is written in a way that not only educates but inspires and motivates.  The book shows a simplified way to calculate the amount of calories we each need to be healthy by maintaining our weight, lose weight or gain weight.  I was impressed with the readable text, the color and the dedication to healthful information that we can all use.
2641713
For over 40 years we've been told that fats and protein make us fat and cause heart disease. And yet here we are: obese and diabetic, and the cholesterol lowering drug Lipitor is the bestselling drug worldwide generating $12.9 billion annually in sales. So we're told to lower the fat in our diets even more.

The USDA food pyramid encourages us to consume grains, fruits, and vegetables in large quantities, and meat, dairy, and fat in small quantities. Yet this is the opposite of what our ancestors ate prior to the agricultural revolution (excepting dairy) when we were hunter-gatherers. Has our physiology caught up with our ingenuity?

Life Without Bread demonstrates how the human body runs better on fat as an energy source than it does on sugar. Much of the information presented is based on Dr. Lutz's clinical practice over 40 years treating thousands of people with a low-carbohydrate diet. The authors debunk the conclusions of many scientific studies that are based not on the actual results but on their dogged determination to vilify fat despite the facts.

The book provides commentary, charts, and data showing how the low-carbohydrate diet:

* Lowers fasting blood sugar, blood insulin, hemoglobin, blood pressure, uric acid levels, blood cholesterol, and body weight

* Improves glucose tolerance, cardiac abnormalities, and diseases of the colon, such as constipation and diarrhea, diverticulitis, Crohn's, and ulcerative colitis

Also included are chapters on cancer, vitamins, minerals and co-factors, evolution, and how to safely switch to a low-carbohydrate diet.

One fascinating chapter discusses how high-carbohydrates cause production of insulin, an anabolic hormone. As the body seeks balance, it either increases the catabolic hormones (corticosteroids, T3, and T4), or decreases other anabolic hormones (growth factor and sex hormones). For example, decreased growth factor affects the immune system, musculature, cartilage, bones, and arteries.

My favorite chapter described how the body produces energy using either glucose or fat in the production of ATP in the mitochondria. This is the most technical chapter and exciting for those of us who like to understand exactly how things work. Based on this chapter, it's obvious the body makes much better use of fat than glucose, and all without the detrimental effects of excessive insulin production.

I highly recommend this book for those who believe the USDA food pyramid is reliable and that fat will make them ill.
4786513
I've been reading Dr. Jason Fung's blog/website, intensivedietarymanagement.com, and this book nicely summarizes quite a bit of the content. It's clear and concise; very easy to understand even for a layperson. As a chemist, I wanted more technical detail but I understand that I'm not exactly the target audience in that respect. This book contains some very good information and a logical explanation of Dr. Fung's theories regarding the causes of obesity. I do wish it had a more detailed section about different fasting regimens, but it does provide an overview. Overall, five stars.
3025236
I found the book to be very helpful in understanding why one overeats.  The workbook was particularly helpful to self assess areas the author refers to in her book.
4236212
Outstanding easy to read and understand why most overweight people are pre-diabetic and what you can do about it. Very interesting
2422264
This book does not take too much time to read.  It is written in a great format.  First the schooling of nutrition and the different metabolic types. Next how to determine which type are you. Then it goes into the way the program works with different levels, and portions of foods to increase and get your body to the best metabolic state, and the highest metabolic temperature. (100%)I thought the most important fact was that after considerable weight loss, the program keeps adjusting to the new weight. I think it is important to point out just as Phil Goglia pointed out, weight is not as important as the "space you occupy". I recomment this book to everyone who ever wanted to know why they couldn't pack on muscle easily, or why diabetes is becoming an epidemic in this country, or why they are overweight or lack energy etc..  Will answer many questions.

One thing, I still think the water thing is too much. I had to cut it down. It kept me going to the bathroom all day!!
4114883
I purchased this book for a class I took for my Masters degree and enjoyed this book immensely.  This book addresses the obesity epidemic from so many angles, addressing the economic impact of obesity, raising the question of individual "responsibility" as well as the role of market forces in the obesity epidemic, and community involvement and support could change the outcome.  The author brings up diverse issues surrounding obesity, discussing both adult and child obesity, shocking statistics and associated chronic diseases.  Having been obese myself and already feel like I have a well-rounded view of how to address it for others, this book provided me with even more perspectives to consider, that I could literally almost write my own book highlighting how my perspectives have evolved just from the reading and digesting the material.  Fantastic read!
2343430
The book packs quite a bit of information but consisely written nonetheless.

I liked the chapter on busting myths about belly fats. It sure did corrected some of the misconceptions that i have.

Interesting read indeed!
191097
It has been quite a valuable book. Ever since I have fallowed the recipes on this book and started eating more vegetables, I have lost about 50 pounds in six months! The western diet is a killer and the main cause of obesity in America!!
3579412
Definitely read this book. The information is quite easy to understand and so very valuable to understanding why are getting fatter and fatter.
371143
Great overview for the general public on a topic that will affect all of our families. The American diet has led to more issues with obesity which leads to diabetes and as we age issues with our brain. Read this to learn what it door next for a lived one to prevent progression of the issue of memory loss

John R Baird, MD
604372
Great example of what data has been showing. Hopefully people will become more aware of their sugar intake and how it's hiding in just about every processed food and disguised as agave, honey, etc. it's clear that this is a key contributor to Americas obesity and "metabolic syndrome" problem.
744510
This book was enlightening in that factual evidence was presented to help explain the country's rapid
growth toward obesity through tricky marketing campaigns, disinformation, lack of clinical outcome testing for impact of hybridized wheat on the human body over the last 75 years and identification
of a large number of diseases or physical problems associated with the American diet.  A diet high in
refined wheat and other grains and the impact on blood chemistry, hormone production,gastrointestinal tract problems has denigrated our health  and the facts don't lie. You'll find the book a worthwhile read and if you try to limit these dangerous foods,  you will see results. The reality is that the government is seducing us to believe a low fat high grain diet is actually making us fat. I recommend you see for yourself.
2000679
I loved this book. I liked the way it was written, and the common sense approach to diet. Dr. Clower has done a great job of presenting facts, along with real life application. I especially like the fact that low fat/no fat/imitation food has been exposed for what it is: deception.
It is time that we not deceive our bodies, nor our minds with dietary fads that do not produce the results that they claim. Dr. Clowers' recommendations in his book,The Fat Fallacy, REALLY work! I am so pleased with what I now know, because of his information. Thank you, Dr. Clower!
4008733
This was a required book for a nutrition class at my university. I am highly interested in any topics related to the food industry, agriculture, large corporations, and nutrition. This book had so much good information, and the way it was written really helped to engage me as a reader. It is told more as a narrative, and I kept wanting to read more and more. It really opened my eyes to a lot of the terrible, unfortunate conditions that many members of the American workforce are subjected to, and how this is blinded from the public. I would really recommend this to anyone who is interested in current problems in our global food system.
1902244
I really enjoyed reading Fat Land. I coach people to lose weight, cook healthier meals at home, and live an active lifestyle. This book should be required reading for anyone attempting to lead a healthier lifestyle. It is eye-opening to see how the political, social and economic trends in the United States have ushered the unsuspecting public into the many dangers of obesity. Each of us should take back the control of our own health by stepping back into the kitchen, cooking real food, and appreciating dining with friends and family around a communal table. Thank you Greg Critser for writing this book in an informative and entertaining style!