The World's Best Book Summaries
How can toxic chemicals enter your body? What do these chemicals do to your brain? According to Johann Hari in his book Stolen Focus, toxins from food and the environment disrupt your brain’s chemistry. This makes it harder to focus. Read more about what happens when too many harmful chemicals enter your body.
How is insulin implicated in dementia? Why are diabetes patients at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease? Insulin resistance is heavily associated with the risk for dementia. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes referred to as Type 3 diabetes. Generally, high blood sugar—even without insulin resistance—is associated with cognitive decline. Keep reading to learn about the role of insulin resistance in Alzheimer’s disease.
What is Jason Fung’s The Obesity Code about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In his book The Obesity Code, Jason Fung argues that for decades, we’ve misunderstood obesity and, as a result, have consistently failed in our efforts to curb its spread. Fung presents a new theory, arguing that obesity is a hormonal problem that causes overeating and weight gain, rather than a problem of willpower or self-control. Below is a brief overview of The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss by Jason Fung.
Can an epidemic be a good thing? What factors lead to the development and spread of infectious diseases in Eurasia? How did Eurasians become dangerous to the rest of the world? In his book Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond discusses how epidemic diseases were a blessing in disguise for Eurasian societies. Over time, Eurasians became immune to certain deadly diseases and were eventually able to wipe out entire populations without using physical weapons. Keep reading for the history of infectious diseases in Eurasia, and how it may have saved its population.
What is the main cause of obesity? Is obesity a disease or simply a result of eating an excess amount of calories? According to Jason Fung, the “calories in, calories out” theory fails to capture the full picture of obesity. Excess calories play a part, but they aren’t the root cause of obesity. More specifically, this theory fails to appreciate that obesity is a hormonal disease, rather than a problem of willpower or bad eating habits. In his book Obesity Code, Fung lays out five mistaken premises that hamper the current model of obesity. Here are five myths about obesity
Do you need self-improvement tips? Are you wondering how to maintain a healthy lifestyle? In Make Time, Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky give guidelines about how to make realistic changes to your level of activity and the kind of food you eat. By doing this, you can live a healthier lifestyle where you can stay focused and energized. Keep reading to learn the secret to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
How hard should you work? What does it mean to work hard but smart? Is work-life balance achievable? In Barking Up the Wrong Tree, peak performance expert Eric Barker discusses the importance of hard work and persistence. He does, however, believe that there’s such a thing as working too hard. He argues that a truly successful life involves pursuing joy, reaching your goals, connecting with others, and making an impact, and he offers tips on how to build a schedule so that you can achieve this healthy balance. Keep reading for Barker’s ideas on finding balance between work and life.
Why shouldn’t we blame obese patients for being dangerously overweight? Is obesity a choice or a disease? To answer this question, we must first understand the root cause of obesity. If obesity is caused solely by eating too much, then we could indeed attribute it to personal choice. However, the prevailing view of obesity as a problem of uncontrolled eating is simplistic and limited. Ultimately, obesity is a hormonal disorder. Here’s why obesity is a disease rather than a problem of self-control.
How do carbs contribute to weight gain? What kind of carbs should you avoid? Carbs are vilified because of their potential to raise your levels of insulin, which is a fat-storage hormone. However, not all carbs are created equal. Vegetables consist mostly of carbs, but they are good for you because they contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The kind of carbs you should avoid are refined carbs and added sugars. Here’s what you need to know about carbs and weight gain.
What happens in your brain when you sleep? Conversely, what happens in your brain when you don’t sleep? Chronic inadequate sleep leads to a higher risk of many health issues, including dementia and cognitive decline. Extensive research on the effects of sleep shows that sleep is more than just the body’s chance to relax: It’s a vital phase of neural activity and regeneration. Here’s a look at sleep and the brain.