Every week (or so), I'll list a few interesting web links, books, and success stories. This is all designed to encourage you to get more involved with changing your life for the better.
Web Links
- No Proof Paula Deen’s High-Fat Southern Cooking Caused Her Diabetes
There seems to be a lot of backlash against Paula Deen for keeping her diabetes a secret for about 3 years (which I think was a mistake). Unfortunately, a lot of writers are blaming her use of butter as the cause for her diabetes. Really? Maybe it was her extensive and creative use of frying (which destroys nutrients in foods, as well as creating unhealthy bi-products). I mean, she fried butter (why?), mac and cheese, and cheese cake! - The Potbelly Syndrome
I'm very much enjoying The Potbelly Syndrome, by Russel Farris. It does a good job of arguing that many diseases (e.g., heart disease, stroke, cancer, obesity) can get their start from infections. But for me, its contention that cortisol has a central role in Metabolic Syndrome has helped me to understand some diet and health observations that have never really made sense to me.
The link above goes to his website, which summarizes Farris' main arguments. But his book is so much more detailed. Everyone should pick up a copy. - The Relationship Between Exercise and Inflammation (and What It Means for Your Workouts)
Small amounts of intense, heavy exercise are good for you; too much can cause inflammation and unhealthy elevations of cortisol, which can strip muscle mass and pack on fat (see Potbelly Syndrome above). - Running Barefoot
Want to know why barefoot (or minimalist) running is so great for your body? Check out Harvard's evaluation of barefoot running to find out. - Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?
Healthy foods aren't as expensive as many believe. And fast food isn't exactly cheap. - Why You Should eat more (not less) Cholesterol
Don't believe the hype, cholesterol is good for you and critical for your health. Learn why. - How Exercise Benefits the Brain
It seems that memory and recall improve after exercise.
Books
- The 10,000 Year Explosion
The conventional wisdom holds that humans stopped evolving about 10,000 years ago. In fact, this belief is the basis of the Paleo diet and lifestyle. But Gregory Cochran and Henry Harpending argue that humans have not only been evolving during this time, but have experienced an explosion of evolution due to the many consequences of our adoption of agriculture. Although I think that the inclusion of epigenetics would make their argument stronger, it is a very interesting and quick read. - Pottenger's Prophecy
In 1932, Francis M. Pottenger accidently discovered that environment (which includes diet) affects how genes are expressed. Fresh, whole foods allow for the healthy expression of genes, while processed, heated, denatured, and devoid foods cause poor gene expression and disease. This idea is now catching on and is the basis of the study of epigentetics. It's a great book that will hopefully encourage you to change the way you look at food.
Success Stories
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