The World's Best Book Summaries
Is cognitive decline inevitable? Is there a way to slow down the rate of age-related cognitive impairment? Just like any other organ, your brain’s health will inevitably decline with age. However, it’s not totally out of your control: You can slow down the rate of cognitive decline by stimulating your brain through learning and doing novel activities. Here’s how to keep your brain healthy and active as you age.
Which foods spike insulin the most? How does insulin promote overeating? Everything you eat causes insulin release, but some foods spike insulin significantly more than others. Processed carbohydrates—specifically wheat and added sugars—cause insulin to spike dramatically, promoting overeating despite lacking nutritional value. Below, we’ll break down the foods that spike insulin.
What is the norepinephrine hormone’s function in the brain? How do you feel if you have too much or not enough? How can you produce more norepinephrine? The norepinephrine hormone functions primarily to boost your energy and make you feel more alert, according to Steven Kotler. Kotler’s self-help book, The Art of Impossible, outlines the importance of neurochemicals, like norepinephrine, in creating an overall sense of happiness and wellbeing. Read on to learn more about the function of the norepinephrine hormone, including Kotler’s advice for producing more “happy hormones.”
Can your brain get inflamed? What happens when chronic inflammation develops in the brain? Inflammation is meant to protect our bodies, but when it becomes chronic, it can be damaging. Chronic brain inflammation is one of the key factors in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Here’s how chronic inflammation in the brain contributes to cognitive decline.
Is obesity simply the result of eating too much and moving too little? Or is obesity a disease? What role do hormones play in obesity? According to Canadian nephrologist Jason Fung, obesity results from a hormonal dysfunction that centers on chronically high insulin levels. Chronically high insulin throws your body’s fat storage out of balance, disrupts your hunger hormones, and drives intractable weight gain. Keep reading to learn about Fung’s theory of obesity.
How can toxic chemicals enter your body? What do these chemicals do to your brain? According to Johann Hari in his book Stolen Focus, toxins from food and the environment disrupt your brain’s chemistry. This makes it harder to focus. Read more about what happens when too many harmful chemicals enter your body.
How is insulin implicated in dementia? Why are diabetes patients at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease? Insulin resistance is heavily associated with the risk for dementia. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes referred to as Type 3 diabetes. Generally, high blood sugar—even without insulin resistance—is associated with cognitive decline. Keep reading to learn about the role of insulin resistance in Alzheimer’s disease.
What is Jason Fung’s The Obesity Code about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In his book The Obesity Code, Jason Fung argues that for decades, we’ve misunderstood obesity and, as a result, have consistently failed in our efforts to curb its spread. Fung presents a new theory, arguing that obesity is a hormonal problem that causes overeating and weight gain, rather than a problem of willpower or self-control. Below is a brief overview of The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss by Jason Fung.
Can an epidemic be a good thing? What factors lead to the development and spread of infectious diseases in Eurasia? How did Eurasians become dangerous to the rest of the world? In his book Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond discusses how epidemic diseases were a blessing in disguise for Eurasian societies. Over time, Eurasians became immune to certain deadly diseases and were eventually able to wipe out entire populations without using physical weapons. Keep reading for the history of infectious diseases in Eurasia, and how it may have saved its population.
What is the main cause of obesity? Is obesity a disease or simply a result of eating an excess amount of calories? According to Jason Fung, the “calories in, calories out” theory fails to capture the full picture of obesity. Excess calories play a part, but they aren’t the root cause of obesity. More specifically, this theory fails to appreciate that obesity is a hormonal disease, rather than a problem of willpower or bad eating habits. In his book Obesity Code, Fung lays out five mistaken premises that hamper the current model of obesity. Here are five myths about obesity