★★★★★ 5
The Best, Readable Single-Source Book On Diet and Health
Format: Hardcover
As other reviewers have said, this is really the best "Paleo 2.0 book" available. For those who haven't yet jumped on the bandwagon, eating like our ancient Paleolithic (and Mesolithic) ancestors will help us avoid many of our chronic diseases and feel good doing it!
And yet, the Jaminets also take the approach that a straight meat and veggies diet is simply too low in carbs for a properly functioning immune system and proper thyroid level (carbs are required for basic immune functions like phagocytic attack and mucus secretion, as well as neurological and immune energy which feeds back to thyroid output). They like carb sources found in the paleolithic and mesolithic cultures such as tubers, fruit, dairy (for some) and low-in-antinutrient white rice.
Now, to the practical: on this diet my family and I have seen an increased level of energy and overall spunk (skin shine, sleep quality, etc.) compared to when we were on, in sequence, a paleo Zone type of diet (Barry Sears' Zone diet using paleo foodstuffs), and a lower carb Mark Sisson-style primal diet. Basically, this has more saturated fat than the former and more carbs than the latter. We are as lean as we were, but feeling better and without any problems, whatsoever.
For those who have chronic infections (read: "lingering health issues"), this book also explains how you can fine-tune your diet and supplementation to fight these infections, whether they are viral, fungal, or bacterial (a different approach for each). The same for athletes.
My only criticism is that they only give 1 sentence to the classes of diseases which fare better avoiding starch and, instead, getting their carbs from fruit and honey (such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Spondylitis, and other within the class; as well as some other diseases). While this diet/lifestyle is very easy to combine with a GAPS approach, with carbs from simply sugars and not starch, this goes unsaid and the authors tend to prefer starches for most.
In short, this is the best book out there for a well-researched, unbiased view on diet and how it impacts our lives and health.
I actually recommend for those who really care to read their blog, and then go buy the book for the relatives who probably won't read the blog on their own.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2013
