On my journey to better health, particularly for my gut issues I have been looking for any information that is available out there that I could “digest” (no pun intended) without a degree in medicine. There are some amazing books that I have read in the past couple of years. Book is a great gift and I hope you will consider getting one of these books for your loved ones for Christmas 🎄. It will be a great investment into their health and definitely much better than single-use things that shops are currently pushing onto buyers.
There is no ranking, each book is amazing and unique. But I start here from my personal favourite:
Cured
Author: Dr Jeff Rediger, an instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and medical director for the McLean SouthEast Adult Psychiatric Programs
Year: 2020
Link: https://www.waterstones.com/book/cured/dr-jeff-rediger/9780241327593
Why this book: This is my comfort book, my knot at the end of the rope that I hold on to. Jeff Rediger walks you through the cases of spontaneous remission from chronic illnesses that are often overlooked by medical practitioners. There are really wonderful and inspiring stories in the book. It basically summarises all the advice that is given in all other books in this list. It is also written in a very gentle, comforting language that really gives me hope that one day I will heal too.
The author has his own website and there are some interesting interviews with him there.
Why We Sleep
Author: Matthew Walker, scientist and professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley
Year: 2017
Link: https://www.waterstones.com/book/why-we-sleep/matthew-walker/9780141983769
Why this book: This book highlights the amazing power of sleep and its healing abilities. It provides some shocking correlations between sleep and blood sugar control, sleep and cancer. It then gives more science-backed recommendations on how to have a high quality sleep. I must say, I respect my sleep time much more now.
There is a really interesting interview with the author online.
Outlive
Author: Peter Attia, medical doctor, who worked on cancer treatment and now focuses on longevity research
Year: 2023
Link: available here
Why this book: Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. But what kind of exercise? For how long? At what intensity? How frequently? Peter walks you through the science of exercise and the dangers of lack of exercise, especially as we get older. He also covers nutrition (although other books are better at this). What I really like about this book is that as a doctor himself he asks a question whether our healthcare system requires a complete update. He is the advocate of preventive and not corrective medicine.
There are two interviews with Peter that are worth watching: one at ZOE, and one with Rich Roll
Breathe
Author: James Nestor
Year: 2021
Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art/dp/0241289122?tag=prhmarketing18626-21
Why this book: There is no better book about health than that written by someone who has been struggling too. James Nestor had breathing difficulties and he went through the whole journey of research, trial and error figuring out something that should be so easy – breathing. Breathing affects the way you look, the way you exercise, the quality of your sleep and your overall longevity. James shares his story and gives very practical, science-backed and easy solutions for breathing better. Since reading that book I have started breathing through my nose when exercising and I love it!
There is a brief overview of the book here.
Food for Life
Author: Tim Spector, epidemiologist and epigenetics expert, founder of the largest twins registry in the world, he is in the top 100 in the list of the world’s best scientists.
Year: 2020
Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Food-Life-Science-bestselling-SPOON-FED/dp/1787330494
Why this book: Add salt, don’t add salt, eat chocolate, don’t eat chocolate, drink coffee, don’t drink coffee. So much advice out there on the internet and from people around me that it was really overwhelming. I would go through cycles of eating one type of food and then restricting it completely. This book has finally opened my eyes on the benefits and drawbacks of certain foods. Unlike other books and articles each claim is backed up by science. And bear in mind it is written by the Tim Spector whose research work has over 70 000 citations, so he probably knows what he is talking about. What is important, he does not advertise so called “superfoods” and is quite honest about the lack of research behind some foods.
My favourite interview with Tim is that with Steven Bartlett (the author of the Diary of a CEO).
Fibre Fuelled
Author: Will Bulsiewicz, certified gastroenterologist, vegan and plant-based diet advocate
Year: 2020
Link: available here
Why this book: As a gastroenterologist Will explains why it is so important to eat as many plants as we can. Not just to lose weight but to also feel better, be healthier and stay protected from common diseases such as diabetes and cancer. I wish I read this book two years ago when I was just starting my microbiome journey. Will talks through some of the most up-to-date science about nutrition and gut health, breaks myths around allergies and gluten-free and keto diets. At the end of it there are plenty of recipes to enjoy.
I really like Rich Roll podcasts and cannot recommend them enough. In one of the episodes Rich has interviewed Dr B and it is his best interview in my opinion.
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