We all want to learn more about metabolism and how it affects our bodies, lives, and everyday activities. This includes what we eat, how we eat, how we exercise, and how all our daily events affect our body and how it processes energy. Gaining metabolic insights is on the rise. Thankfully, there is no shortage of books about metabolism, with Metabolism & Medicine by Dr. Brian J. Fertig being just one. As you would imagine, many books focus on diet and the consumption of sugars, which can wreak havoc on health, especially for people in the later stages of life.
One of the most comprehensive and informative books is the book mentioned above by Dr. Fertig. In his book, Metabolism & Medicine: The Physics of Biological Engines, Volume I, Dr. Fertig explores areas of modern physics with significant implications for biology and medicine. A central theme connecting all chapters in Volume 1 is the importance of modern physics in gaining quantitative insights into biological systems. Modern physics offers an integrated representation of living matter’s hierarchical, interconnected, and synchronized organization. This robust methodology has found applications beyond physics, e.g.in, materials engineering, sociology, and even environmental science.
If you are looking for a more focused read on metabolism, some authors offer information about our food consumption and how we exercise our bodies.
The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung is another exciting and informative read if you want more direct information on how metabolism affects weight management. Dr. Fung conducts a deep dive into how and why high insulin levels hinder weight loss and offers a multiphase plan for losing weight and keeping it off through intermittent fasting and techniques to break the cycle of insulin resistance. If you want to continue with Dr. Fung, check out The Diabetes Code, which looks at using the same tools to address Type 2 diabetes.
Another book about metabolism that focuses on a diet is The Personalized Diet by Dr. Eran Segal and Dr. Eran Elinav. Both authors are responsible for the groundbreaking scientific research behind the concept that the way people respond to food is not one size fits all. This book outlines how you can create a personalized diet based on specific factors.
When reading books about metabolism, the one area of focus that is common thread throughout is the discussion of sugars and their effect on metabolism. This is never more evident than in Gary Taubes, The Case Against Sugar. Taubes has been a perceptive critic of diet since his New York Times article about sugar in 2002. In this book, he turns his focus to examining all the ways sugar is detrimental. With his signature command of both science and straight talk, Taubes delves into Americans’ history with sugar. He explains what research has shown about our addiction to sweets. He clarifies the arguments against sugar, corrects misconceptions about the relationship between sugar and weight loss, and provides the perspective necessary to make informed decisions about sugar as individuals and as a society.
Another book on metabolism focused on sugar, Fat Chance and Metabolical, by Dr. Robert Lustig, are a good read. Dr. Lustig dives deeper into the history and politics of our sugar-filled diet and offers a plan for overhauling the global food system. In Metabolical, Dr. Lustig takes on processed food and the damage it does to our bodies.
Learning about how our body functions by examining books about metabolism is an excellent use of time. The more we know, the more we can understand factors that can help us live happier, healthier lives.
