How Not To Die by Michael Greger, M.D. is a comprehensive guide to the healthiest diet.
How Not To Die
How Not To Die is written by Micheal Greger, M.D. with Gene Stone. This book was published in late 2015 by Flatiron Books, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. There are 562 pages including an appendix on supplements, extensive footnotes to research papers and a comprehensive index.
The book is split into two sections. Section One covers the leading causes of death in the United States and what science shows are the best defenses against them. Section Two is a practical guide to implementing those preventive measures.
A healthy diet for a longer life
Section One of How Not To Die chronicles the connection between diet, lifestyle and the top fifteen causes of death. Doctor Gregor gives a concise outline of how to reduce our chances of death by making wise choices in our daily lives. His suggestions are not guesswork or intuition or personal beliefs: they are based on the existing body of medical and scientific research.
Michael Gregor makes one fact crystal clear in How Not To Die: research points to a diet based on whole foods for disease prevention. More specifically, a whole food diet based on plants is the healthiest way to eat. People eating vegan whole food diets live longer and stay healthier longer.
The authors cover the latest research showing how meat protein makes us less healthy. And not just red meat protein. All animal protein, whether from poultry, fish, eggs, dairy or red meat seems to have the same negative consequences.
Research also highlights how bad highly processed foods are for us. Sausage, bacon, bologna and other processed meats cause more severe health problems than fresh, whole meat from the same animals. Highly processed grains like white flour and white rice cause health problems that are prevented by eating whole grains.
The importance of some components of whole foods are stressed. The fiber, vitamins, minerals and many anti-inflammatory compounds in a whole food diet are key to preventing and healing deadly diseases. And the research clearly shows that taking these substances as isolated supplements does not help. It is the synergy of all of the components of a whole food diets working together that makes the difference between sickness and health.
Making the right health choices every day
How Not To Die goes on to give practical advice for implementing this information. Gregor gives lists of foods that are the best for each major health issue. There are suggestions and recipes for getting more anti-inflammatory foods and anti-cancer foods into our daily diets. He shows how to substitute health-promoting whole foods for health-degrading processed foods.
Michael Greger makes strong arguments for other lifestyle changes without apology. He gives the evidence against smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and lack of exercise and leaves the decision to the reader. It is clear that continuing to smoke, drink and be sedentary is a conscious choice to die sooner and be sicker first. It is one of the most compelling arguments I have heard.
Read How Not To Die
Everyone who wants a longer and healthier life should read How Not To Die by Michael Greger, M.D. and Gene Stone. This book is a call to action, begging us to do something about the major health issues of our time. It is also a step by step action plan for becoming healthier and living longer.