Robert H. Lustig

I think this book should be absolutely essential reading for every thinking American who cares about their well-being. It is deep science, but written in an engaging, entertaining fashion, so easier to read that I would have expected.

I have seen criticisms of Lustig's 2nd half of the book, where, after he has laid out the scientific framework of understanding the critically important difference between happiness and pleasure, he launches into an exposé of the toxic industrial storm that keeps us sick, miserable, and addicted.

Yes, addicted to the many extremely destructive (but slow and subtle) killers, like sugar, chronic stress, fake food, and other dopamine pipelines that are burning us out and destroying our minds and bodies.

The critics say he is just another conspiracy theorist, but I believe he makes very, very clear he is not. He does not believe that big pharma and corporate gather in secret cabals, plotting the destruction of us all. But the outcome is nearly identical just the same.

But WE have the power to stop them. The government will not do it for us, because they so obviously own the government (again, he lays this out in meticulous detail and vast footnoting).

And the first step it to really, really understand the dilemma. It's a big one, but the solutions are in our hands.

This book may have changed my life. May it enhance yours, too.… (más)

"Metabolical" is a created term a mix between diabolical and metabolic disease. This disease is affecting 88% of the population in the U.S (and I'm sure Canada) with obesity, hypertension, heart disease, fatty liver, diabetes and more. Lustig is an extremely knowledgable pediatric endocrinologist with concerns about diet. This is unusual but shouldn't be! I have read his books before and know his position about sugar, the devil sugar! This books explains from a chemistry point of view, the needs for our bodies for REAL FOOD and not processed food. This book should be read by everyone! It is excellent. He puts a big plug in for fibre to keep the intestinal biome healthy and for low amounts of sugar to keep the liver healthy. He explains it all very, very well. A big BOO!!! to processed foods! Lustig does a good job of explaining the differences of the various diets i.e. keto, low carb, low fat, vegan etc.. He does explain the greed of the food industries in cahoots with the government. Like the opioid crisis and the links between Big Pharma and Government there is much corruption between the Food industry and Government links. He also explains the links and possible corruption between Big Food and the Association for Dietitians and Dental Associations. All quite discouraging.

Have you seen the food T.V. ads recently, what is conditioning us to be so unhealthy? Just pick up your Iphone and order a big juicy burger. Don't forget the big gulp of sugar drink and those oh so delicious fries to be delivered to your house.

p.17 if you have metabolic syndrome your risk of death goes up 20 fold.… (más)

Hmm, so I did like this book. I think it presented a lot of good arguments and never went into the whole "you're all bad people for eating sugar and being fat" spiel that a lot of people do. Instead it presented some great arguments as to why sugar is bad and should be avoided, while explaining why it's so addictive and explaning some of the food trends of the past decades.

It did make some weird points about people being hunters OR gatherers which I don't think is true? Pretty sure it was hunter and gatherer ... but obviously Lustig is a doctor, not an archeologist.

The thing is though since I finished it (a week or so ago) I haven't changed much in my way of life. Actually, that's not true, I have cut down severly on fruit smoothies, but I still have one for breakfast (a fiber rich one though!). I still eat couscous. I eat candy. I live a healthy life (being a vegan and all), but I absolutely don't live up to the expectations of this book. Maybe I eat more fibers than before.

So while it's a good book I feel I have completely failed?… (más)