The number of health and wellbeing books published has grown exponentially in recent years, always offering something new and exciting. However, that’s not to say the “classics” should become redundant. These are a few of my all-time favourites that I go back to often as resources. I hope you will find them as helpful as I do in understanding just how important it is to prioritise your health.
THE CHINA STUDY
For those considering transitioning towards a healthier lifestyle, this is an ideal book. T. Colin Campbell, PhD, and Thomas M. Campbell II, M.D, put forward the argument that by following a whole-food, plant-based vegan diet, free from all animal products, refined carbohydrates and processed foods, there is greater chance of reducing, reversing or even escaping the development of various chronic diseases and therefore leading a much healthier and longer life.
CLEAN
As I learnt when tackling rosacea, a lot of our health conditions originate from the gut. It is important that we cleanse and detox our body in order to be at the peak of our wellbeing. This cleansing programme designed by Alejandro Junger M.D. is a simple and effective way of doing this.
GET SOME HEADSPACE
In the first book from the founder of the hugely popular Headspace app, we are encouraged to find 10 minutes every day to spend time meditating, slowing down our breathing and refocussing our thoughts. Andy Puddicombe teaches us his simple yet effective techniques and daily exercises, explaining throughout the importance of mindfulness in this busy and hectic modern world.
GRAIN BRAIN
Wheat, carbohydrates and sugar are, for renowned neurologist Dr David Perlmutter, our brain’s silent killers. In a captivating read, he argues that this trio can cause dementia, anxiety, ADHD, chronic headaches, depression, and many other debilitating illnesses. We need to become smarter with what we eat in order to give our health and our bodies the best possible chance.
THE OMNIVORE’S DILEMMA
What should we have for dinner, asks Michael Pollan. In years gone by, this question was always solved by the inability to preserve food and transport it. You either chose seasonal or regional food, cooked it yourself, and ate it that evening. In recent years, we can now eat almost anything all year round and can freeze everything else. Left with the question of how we decide, Pollan examines industrial, organic and foraged food to get to the bottom of this modern dilemma.
FAT CHANCE: THE HIDDEN TRUTH ABOUT SUGAR, OBESITY & DISEASE
Sugar underpins so many chronic illnesses, ranging from heart disease to obesity. Yet we keep filling our bodies with this addictive substance. It is toxic, but can be found everywhere, and the appealing way it is advertised to children means it’s a problem that’s not about to disappear any time soon. Dr Robert Lustig uncovers the truth about sugar-laden food in this hugely important book and reveals why we need to take action now.
LONGEVITY NOW
Raw food pioneer David Wolfe gives his five-part approach to leading a happier, healthier life. This involves breaking down calcification, boosting immunity with supplements, using superfoods and electromagnetic grounding technologies to cleanse your blood and organs, plus using deep-tissue bodywork and yoga to unblock energy.
IN DEFENCE OF FOOD
Michael Pollan’s advice is genius. It is simple, effective, and yet so often forgotten in our increasingly busy lives: Eat at a table. Don’t buy food where you would buy your petrol. Cook real food, not the kind that is made from unpronounceable ingredients or comes in a packet. Pay more, eat less. Don’t eat anything that won’t eventually rot. How can you argue with that?
