Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition and Modern Medicine―Unpacking the Science Behind Food and Health

WANT TO EAT A HEALTHY DIET AND SURVIVEAlmost all books on health that are worth reading are written by doctors that have had an experience that has changed their lives. They then have dedicated their lives to help patients with similar problems. The book is the way to explain their discoveries to the people with similar problems and to doctors that treat those people.As it turns out NOW, there is an epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The NCDs are not caught from other people. NCDs are mainly created by reactions of our body to our current Standard American Diet (SAD). Our diets have changed hugely in the last 50 years.50 years ago, we ate more fat because the Government (Gov) had not yet convinced itself that fat was bad for us. When food companies took the fat out of your food, they added sugar so that you would like the taste. And, sugar is addictive so you will eat more of it. We now live in Sugar Land.Surprise, Sugar Land is a lot more dangerous than Fat Land. In fact, Fat Land is healthy living. Olive oil is good for you.We have become addicted to sugar, and sugar makes you more hungry. You get “hangry” as the ad says. But, the answer is not a candy bar as in the ad.Even, bread is no longer safe because it turns immediately to sugar (glucose) in your blood stream. When I was growing up 80 years ago, there was no fast food restaurants everywhere. Moms stayed home and made breakfast and dinner and did a lot of other work. Sandwiches were not an every day meal item. Sodas were a treat, not a drink with your meal. Milk and water were your meal drinks.Now we are having dessert at every meal, and it is causing our body to malfunction and create NCDs such as Cancer, Diabetes, Anxiety, Depression, weight gain and a lot more.How do you eat better? Simple and hard. Eat LOW SUGAR. That gets you back to where your diet was 80 years ago. Your body makes plenty of glucose / sugar on a LOW SUGAR diet.Most of the books that make sense were written since 2020 except for those by Dr Lustig who wrote FAT CHANCE in 2012 about the bad effects of SUGAR. Dr Lustig wrote METABOLICAL in 2021 which explains to doctors and us that SUGAR is the poison that is giving us Cancer, Diabetes, and many other diseases in our 40s and earlier, instead of our 80s.Dr Georgia Ede wrote CHANGE YOUR DIET CHANGE YOUR MIND in 2024 which explains that there are diets that may cure or make better mental health issues. All of the diets are LOW SUGAR.Dr Annette Bosworth wrote ANY WAY YOU CAN in 2018 which explains her mother’s battle with cancer in which she used a keto diet which was LOW SUGAR to stop cancerYes, these NCDs are stopped by FOOD not drugs.HOW MUCH SUGAR IS THE MAX PER DAYDr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric neuroendocrinologist, recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than 5% of total daily calories, or 25 grams (6 teaspoons) for women and 38 grams (9 teaspoons) for men.There are 39 grams (10 teaspoons) of sugar in a 12 oz Coca Cola can.

Dr. Lustig delivers a powerful, well-researched critique of the modern food and medical industries. Metabolical exposes the hidden dangers of processed foods, the impact of sugar on our health, and how medicine often treats symptoms instead of root causes. He backs his arguments with science and history, making complex topics accessible while challenging conventional nutrition advice.What sets this book apart is its holistic view of health, connecting diet, metabolism, and chronic disease in a way that makes you rethink your food choices. If you care about long-term health and breaking free from the processed food trap, this is a must-read. Highly recommended for anyone looking to take control of their well-being!

I’ve been following the science behind nutrition for a long time - more than 25 years of lay research. This has included reading the various players on all sides of the fat/sugar/carb debates as well as studying science and physiology. Dr. Lustig stands out to me as someone with solid research and valid ideas - even if you disagree with him on actual politics and food policy. There is something here for nearly everyone, but I fear that some of this book gets a bit bogged down in detailed science and research - especially toward the end. Now, I like this kinda stuff, so it didn’t bother me too much. However, if you’re looking for a lot of practical how-to advice, that’s not really what this book is about. There is some. There are general guidelines, but the book is more about how we are being led astray by various political battles and biases in the food processing, diet, and medical communities.If I could sum this book up in short order I’d say that your best bet is to eat cooked and raw food closest to its original state and be very wary of any health claims and labels. Those are virtually useless if not downright dangerous. Also, you should limit/omit sugar and processed polyunsaturated oils, flour, protein isolates, and preservatives. As far as how to do that cheaply and easily while navigating the many influences of modern culture - that’s mostly going to be up to you, but there is growing support for this kind of thinking - it’s just not mainstream. It also might never be, because there are too many competing interests, and our current food systems are deeply flawed. Food additives, chemicals, pesticides, and pollution threaten our wellbeing. Some of it is in our individual hands, but much of it is not. That’s where voting with your feet will come into play.The only thing I saw missing from this book - and maybe I overlooked it - was the obvious connection between antidepressants and insulin resistance. With more and more people being prescribed antidepressants, we will also see more insulin resistance/ impaired insulin functioning. You’ll have to look up those studies yourself for the proof. It’s easy to do, just like it’s easy to find studies linking pollution to such things.Lustig does talk about many other medications’ and pollutions’ effects on this. And, as a biochemist and pediatric endocrinologist, he makes a strong case for his conclusions. I also like that he does not advocate for one specific diet for everyone. He shows how we may be prone to varying diseases based on certain genetics, behaviors, and sensitivities as well as environments. And food is part of our environment.A great book, with a lot to offer. I’ve seen folks rabidly try to discredit this Dr., but I think it’s mostly sour grapes and political bias from folks who stand to profit immensely by keeping things confusing as they deflect, distract, and deny culpability. Don’t be a pawn in their game if you can help it. Take care of yourself and others.

This Book Changed my life. As someone with many health problems and an insatiable sweet tooth I was on a path that was self destructive and deadly. After reading this book I detoxed off sugar. It is my 2 year Anniversary of Detoxing off Sugar and focusing on my metabolic Health and I could not be happier. I live By "Protect the Liver and Feed the gut." I was eating nearly 500g of sugar a day. Now I do not eat much at all and never go over 20g in a 24 hour period. In the 2 years of my life I lost nearly 100lbs, my wife and I got healthy enough to have our first kid after years of struggle and Fresh whole foods taste better than any Sugary item did when I was addicted to sugar. For Me, Breaking the sugar addiction spell I had over me was key to a lifetime of happiness and a passion for food and life. This book is not for everyone but It totally changed my life for the better. Thanks.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a must read for anyone who cares about their health. I highly recommend!