How Not to Die


I didn't read this book in the last week since my last post. While I have finished books in days- typically they are fictional novels that you can't put down. This one I've recently wrapped up, and it's taken me a few years, as it stayed in my camper! I would say this is also one to digest in sections and not read cover to cover- but you do you!

Several years ago I had a nurse practitioner student whose brother had given him this book for Christmas. I found the title to be intriguing (which is the point-right), so I purchased my own copy. Michael Gregor is an MD who has also founded nutritionfacts.org , which is a great resource for many nutrition (mostly food) related topics you may want to explore.  You see, WE ARE WHAT WE EAT! Hippocrates (460 B.C.-370 B.C), who's been called the founder of modern medicine said, "Let Food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food".  This still holds true today, but is largely ignored by our cultural norms and society. 

While Dr. Gregor's book appears daunting, as it is quite thick, the latter third of the pages are actually sources or studies that he has used to support his findings thoughout the text. The book identifies the most common causes of death: heart disease, lung disease, brain diseases, digestive cancers, infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, liver diseases, blood cancers, kidney disease, breast cancer, suicidal depression, prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease, and iatrogenic causes; and with each chapter he identifies ways to help improve or possibly prevent these problems from developing through intervetions that can be approached through dietary and lifestyle modifications. I have so many dog-eared pages in this book- I may have to go back and re-read most of the book! The book was published in 2015, therefore there is  additional evidednece to explore, however this provides a good foundation. Maybe- food for thought :). 

If you are seeking addtional or updated information, check out the website (you can click on the link in the text above). I will warn you that Dr. Greger advocates for a plant-based diet. This book may not be for my carnivore friends- so as I said previously, you do you! But if you would like a good book on "natural", food based ways to improve your health and prevent disease- this is a great resource.

 


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