Good Energy - Dr. Casey Means - 2024

 

Alright, well you can throw out your bible and replace with this book. I’m not saying it is a must read because it is super technical and most of the US probably doesn’t want to hear what this lady has to say. 

However if you are an athlete or you care about your health, you should read it. This is a super eye opening book. I honestly thought my diet of chocolate chip waffles (without syrup) was close to being good, but I was very wrong. In fact from this book I have learned that things like hummus, protein powder, Gatorade, oatmeal, cherrios, and quinoa are not healthy or not as healthy as I was led to believe. In fact, even if you eat carrots from the grocery store, they probably were grown in nutrient depleted soil, were sprayed with pesticides, and traveled 1500 miles across the US to your store and therefore have lost even more nutrients and therefore you are barely helping your cells by eating even this “nutritious” food.  

The American people are being drugged by big food and the drug is sugar. We are also being tricked by an endless add campaign to eat things like dye filled sugary yogurt and unhealthy cereals. And these things are killing us. And no one (except this lady and a few others) are talking about it. We are killing ourselves via food to make money. America is too greedy. 

The author was a really good ear nose and throat doctor but realized she was just treating symptoms over and over again so she quit and started a holisitic medicine practice. I am not sure what her nutrition credentials are. I like this book because it will say eat salmon (for example) and then tell you how your cells use the micronutrients from salmon to their (and your) benefit. She explains this in very technical biological terms which I like. 

The author also makes a very good point about the evolution of humans. Essentially she states that for thousands of years humans lived a certain way and only very recently have we changed the way we live. For example, she explains that AC and heat are new concepts. The body is very used to harsh alternating weather conditions. Therefore, the cold plunge and sauna are very good for our body. Historically, humans have had to move a lot during the day outside. Therefore sitting at a desk all day inside is terrible for us. I never thought about how the evolution of the human body is not designed for today’s world. This is very interesting. 

The author tells it to you straight and takes a hard line which I respect. Sometimes she will say your body needs x amount of this nutrient and the average American is eating 5 times x amount. Most Americans are eating a disastrous diet. She wants you to wear anti blue light glasses at night and go to bed at the same time every night. She wants you to strength train 3 times a week and buy a reverse osmosis water filter. 

She makes the point that through good sleep, diet, and exercise, and therapy too, you can solve many illnesses for which you may be currently taking a prescription. I knew this but never really took it seriously. Sleep is actually really really important. 

Anyways, Rachel, you should read this for sure and Scott I think you would like it. Great book! It is a good example of the saying that the truth hurts. Also, it just came out last year so a lot of the data and examples are recent and therefore relevant which is nice!

Ok peace!!