Publisher's Weekly Review
Asserting that "modern life causes diabetes, autoimmunity, cancer, neurodegeneration, and infertility," the first-time author Wolf, a former student of The Paleo Diet's Lauren Cordain, takes on grains, carbs, vegetarians, misinformation, and other aspects of modern life with a casual, conversational tone ("Keep your poop where it belongs") that makes even topics like the components of total cholesterol engaging. Wolf's scientific background allows him to fully explain hormones, fats, and the digestive process, and helps him put the fundamentals of evolutionary biology into accessible context. He argues that, in addition to dietary changes, a focus on the quality and duration of sleep and a fitness routine is needed, and photographs accompanied by detailed instructions guide readers through simple exercises. Recognizing the time crunch of modern life, Wolf's program is created to require minimum time and expense. While a grain-free, dairy-free diet may sound difficult to implement, he suggests a commitment-light 30-day trial and provides a four-week menu with simple recipes like Slow Cooker Pork Loin, Chicken Alfredo, and Pizza with a nut-based crust. An extensive list of references, primarily from peer-reviewed journals, lends credence to an intriguing argument. (Sept.) Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal Review
In his 2002 book, The Paleo Diet, Loren Cordain (health & exercise science, Colorado State Univ.) outlined a diet high in low-fat proteins, fruits, and vegetables combined with exercise in order to be more fit and avoid "modern" illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Cordain was Wolf's mentor. Wolf (co-owner of a fitness center in California and cofounder of the nutritional and athletic training journal The Performance Menu) proposes a diet of 15 meats, 15 vegetables, five fats, and 20 herbs and spices; provides a 30-day meal plan with menus and 60 simple but tasty-looking recipes; and includes a basic "Lifeline" exercise program including squats, lunges, and wall push-ups as well as some moves involving weights. VERDICT With chapter titles like "Grains and Leaky Gut or Keep Your Poop Where It Belongs," Wolf's pervasively jocular writing style won't appeal to everyone. The lack of an index also makes it hard to get to the specifics of this diet and fitness program. Cordain's book is better organized and easier to access, but readers wanting a cheerleader will be introduced here to what is thought to be a valid diet program. Recommended for general readers.-Marcia Welsh, Dartmouth Coll. Libs., Hanover, NH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Amador County Library.
Link+