Book Review: Rethinking Diabetes

Rethinking Diabetes: What Science Reveals About Diet, Insulin, and Successful Treatments by Gary Taubes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a detailed investigation into the history of diabetes (type 1 and type 2) research and treatment. Before the discovery of insulin, diabetes was treated almost entirely through diet, from meat and reliance on fats to repeated fasting and near-starvation regimens. After two centuries of differing medical advice, most authorities today think diabetics can have the same dietary freedom as the rest of us if insulin therapy and other blood-sugar-lowering medications are used. Unfortunately, these guiding principles have been associated with a dangerous rise in diabetes over the last 50 years.

The author argues for a refocused diet—fewer carbohydrates and more fat—and reduced reliance on insulin and other medications. He also suggests that doctors and medical researchers turn their attention to clinical trials and not be afraid to challenge established wisdom.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in diabetes or diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes type 1 or type 2.

The author, Gary Taubes, is well known for his investigative reporting, and this book provides a deep dive into diabetes.

Even if you know what you are getting into and are a fan of the author’s work, it can be a bit overwhelming as you go through the book.

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Book Review: Why We Get Fat

 

The author presents a compelling case that obesity results from a hormonal imbalance, not a caloric one. If you are a fan of Gary Taubes, then you will enjoy reading this book (published in 2011). If you are looking for similar information but more recent and ketogenic-focused, then read his book, The Case for Keto (published in 2020). 

The hormones, enzymes, and growth factors regulate our fat tissue. The stimulation of insulin secretion caused by eating easily digestible carbohydrate-rich foods (refined carbohydrates, starchy vegetables, and sugars) drives us to accumulate fat, makes us hungrier, and makes us sedentary. It also causes obesity, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, and Alzheimer’s. If you want to lose excess fat, then stay away from these carbohydrate-rich foods. Taubes provides the science, historical context, and research against conventional wisdom that it is only about calories in versus calories out.

Check out my full book review on LinkedIn.

Taubes, G. (2011). Why We Get Fat and what to do about it. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Book Review: The Case for Keto

The author states this book is not for the lean and healthy. Instead, it is written for those who fatten easily and are curious about the low-carb, high fat (LCHF) or ketogenic lifestyle. Eighteen chapters cover the history of the diet, its evolution, scientific research and reasoning, and the basics of the plan. I would recommend it to someone who knows very little about the diet and wants to be convinced to try it. It is not a prescriptive, how-to book, but rather an in-depth explanation.

Check out my full book review on LinkedIn.

Taubes, G. (2020). The Case for Keto: Rethinking weight control and the science and practice of low-carb/high-fat eating. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.