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Shop nowThe Diet Myth
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Learn moreFrom the author of Identically Different comes a new look at nutritional health, showing us that breakthrough research on microbiomes—the microbes in our stomachs—could hold the key to healthy, balanced diets.
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 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 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. 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’ Hospital. He set up the TwinsUK 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 about his team’s research.
Gildart Jackson is a professional actor with experience on stage, screen, and behind the mic. Best known for his role as Gideon on Charmed, he has narrated more than seventy audiobooks and has appeared on Providence, General Hospital, Stargate: Atlantis, Las Vegas, and CSI as well as in The Seagull, My Fair Lady, and Private Eyes at the Old Globe.
Reviews
“The Diet Myth is a fascinating and original look at the impact of food on our bodies, underpinned by cutting-edge research.”
“In The Diet Myth…the genetic epidemiologist Tim Spector describes how gut microbes interact with genes and diet. The book is structured as a takedown of diet myths, but it’s much more than a self-help advice book. It’s witty, well-written, and broad-ranging, littered with fascinating factoids and case studies. Spector thoughtfully explains the strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence, drawing on research on gut microbes as well as his long-running studies on the genetics of twins and his own often hilarious experiments with various diets.”
“Epidemiologist Tim Spector debunks age-old maxims on health and weight loss in his book The Diet Myth…He found that certain foods, no matter their calorie count, promote a healthy diversity of microbes in our stomachs that improves digestion and weight control. The goal isn’t to restrict certain items, but rather to avoid processed foods as part of a balanced diet that promotes healthy gut bacteria.”
“I don’t read diet books and I certainly never plug them, but the latest—The Diet Myth by Professor Tim Spector—is a worthy exception that provides new insight into why we should think twice about what we put in our mouths.”
“British research physician Spector posits a provocative yet sound take on dieting—and how there is no one-size-fits-all plan…This fascinating work makes a persuasive claim to potentially both expand readers’ nutritional knowledge and shrink their waistlines.”
“A concise, entertaining book that demystifies the benefits of balanced microbes through healthier eating.”
“Lucidly written, The Diet Myth provides a first-class education about the conjunction of our microbes and our health.”
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