The Diet Myth: The Real Science Behind What We Eat

by Tim Spector

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What should we eat? It's a simple and fundamental question that still bewilders us, despite a seemingly infinite amount of available information on which foods are best for our bodies. Scientists, dieticians, and even governments regularly publish research on the dangers of too much fat and sugar, as well as on the benefits of exercise, and yet the global obesity crisis is only worsening. Most diet plans prove to be only short-term solutions, and few strategies work for everyone. Why can one show more person eat a certain meal and gain weight, while another eating the same meal drops pounds? Part of the truth lies in genetics, but more and more, scientists are finding that the answer isn't so much what we put into our stomachs, but rather the essential digestive microbes already in them.Drawing on the latest science and his team's own pioneering research, The Diet Myth explores the hidden world of the microbiome, and demystifies the common misconceptions about fat, calories, vitamins, and nutrients. Dr. Tim Spector shows us that only by understanding what makes our own personal microbes tick and interact can we overcome the confusion of modern nutrition, allowing us to regain natural balance in our bodies. Countless recent scientific papers have been written on weight-loss topics like prebiotics and fructans, and The Diet Myth gathers these latest findings into one place, revealing new information about how best to lose weight and manage our bodies. Mixing cutting-edge discoveries, illuminating science, and his own case studies, Spector reveals why we should abandon fads and instead embrace diversity for a balanced diet, a healthy stomach, and a nourished body.|Tim Spector is Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King's College London and a consultant physician at Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital. He set up the Twins UK register in 1993, the largest of its kind in the world, which he continues to direct. He has appeared in numerous television documentaries and is often interviewed by the media on his team's research. show less

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6 reviews
The Diet Myth, from start to finish, is long, boring and scientifically accurate. The last part is the most important but the "long and boring" tag will certainly be a hurdle for most. It's unscientific for me to say, but you can likely draw a correlation between how exciting your dieting study sounds or how much it trends with how true it is. The Diet Myth is about as exciting as those leafy greens you know you should eat more of but don't want to.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all capital 'D' Diet that encompasses everyone. According to the author, each person is made up of a unique mix of gut microbes, genetics and, yes, your actual diet. There's a lot to take in here. Have a go at it, do your research and form your own conclusions.
Книгата прави много добро описание на различните видове диети и начини на хранене, които са популярни в момента. Описва ги многостранно, без предубеденост, като отчита техните предимства и недостатъци, съобразно резултатите от проведени диетични и медицински изследвания. Една от най-добрите страни на книгата е, че описва и съществуващите масови заблуди относно тези хранителни режими от страна на show more лекарите, които далеч невинаги са наясно с научните доказателства по въпроса.

Също така, авторът има доста реалистичен поглед върху самите изследвания на различните диети и начини на хранене и отчита техните слаби страни по отношение на научния метод (повечето от тях са просто сравнителни изследвания, с данни, събрани с въпросници, които са доста далеч от научния "златен стандарт" на двойно слепи експерименти).

В края обаче, Тим Спектър не дава никакъв извод, различен от безпомощното "от всичко по малко" и "не прекалявай с нищо" с което се задоволява всеки, който няма достатъчно време/възможност да се запознае с науката по въпроса и е притиснат от безкрайното количество различни, противоречащи си твърдения в тази област.

Все пак, ако искате балансиран, обективен преглед на различните начини на хранене и диети - от палео до веганизъм, това е книгата.
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Always interested to know about health foods, I picked this book to get a handle on the unique approach of the influence of gut flora as a predominant factor in our choice of diet. Supported by studies across twins as a uniform genetic start point, turns out we need to treat our gut microbes much like we would treat our own garden. Giving them plenty of fertiliser- prebiotics, fibre & nutrients. Planting new seeds regularly in the form of probiotics & new foods, esp fermented ones like yogurt, French cheese, wine, pickles, kimchi & miso soups. Giving the soil an occasional rest by fasting. Experimenting, but avoiding poisoning the microbiotic garden with preservatives, antibiotics, junk/ processed foods & sugar, salt, fat loaded stuff. show more All these to the effect of helping to maximise the diversity of our gut flora. show less
½
Fascinating fact filled myth busting book about nutrition and all the things we thought we knew but are wrong, because we are only just beginning to understand the interaction of our diet with our microbiome. Only criticism is that it is a bit overloaded on the science so the message gets a little lost. If nothing else read the concluding chapter. Definitely food for thought!
The best so far of a string of excellent microbiome books written by practicing scientists. The author's concise writing style packs multiple interesting examples and facts on each page. Divided into chapters based on type of food, I learned about what's proven and what's unknown about the effects of different diets on health.

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13 Works 795 Members
Tim Spector is Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King's College London and was elected to the prestigious Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences. He currently directs the crowdfunded British Gut microbiome project. Dr. Spector is ranked as being in the top 1 % of the world's most cited scientists by Thomson-Reuters. He is the author of show more Identically Different, also published show less

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Genres
Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Health & Wellness, Food & Cooking
DDC/MDS
613.2Applied science & technologyMedicine & healthPersonal health and FitnessDietetics
LCC
RA784 .S722MedicinePublic aspects of medicinePublic aspects of medicinePublic health. Hygiene. Preventive medicinePersonal health and hygiene
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Reviews
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Rating
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Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
ISBNs
26
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6