How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease

by Michael Greger M.D., Gene Stone

Overview

New York Times Bestseller

“This book may help those who are susceptible to illnesses that can be prevented.”

—His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“Absolutely the best book I’ve read on nutrition and diet”

–Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones Solution

From the physician behind the wildly popular Nutrition Facts website, How Not to Die reveals the groundbreaking scientific evidence behind the only diet that can help prevent and reverse many of the causes of disease-related death.

In How Not to Die, Dr. Michael Greger, the internationally-renowned nutrition expert, physician, and founder of NutritionFacts.org, examines the fifteen top causes of premature death in America—heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson's, high blood pressure, and more—and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes trump prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches to help prevent and reverse these diseases, freeing us to live healthier lives.

The simple truth is that most doctors are good at treating acute illnesses but bad at preventing chronic disease. The fifteen leading causes of death claim the lives of 1.6 million Americans annually. This doesn't have to be the case. By following Dr. Greger's advice, all of it backed up by strong scientific evidence, you will learn which foods to eat and which lifestyle changes to make to live longer.

History of prostate cancer in your family? Put down that glass of milk and add flaxseed to your diet whenever you can. Have high blood pressure? Hibiscus tea can work better than a leading hypertensive drug-and without the side effects. Fighting off liver disease? Drinking coffee can reduce liver inflammation. Battling breast cancer? Consuming soy is associated with prolonged survival. Worried about heart disease (the number 1 killer in the United States)? Switch to a whole-food, plant-based diet, which has been repeatedly shown not just to prevent the disease but often stop it in its tracks.

In addition to showing what to eat to help treat the top fifteen causes of death, How Not to Die includes Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen -a checklist of the twelve foods we should consume every day.Full of practical, actionable advice and surprising, cutting edge nutritional science, these doctor's orders are just what we need to live longer, healthier lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250066114
Publisher:	Flatiron Books
Publication date:	12/08/2015
Pages:	576
Sales rank:	3,685
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.80(d)

About the Author

Michael Greger, MD, is a physician, author, and internationally recognized speaker on nutrition, food safety and public health issues. He runs the popular website NutritionFacts.org, a nonprofit, science-based public service providing free daily videos and articles on the latest in nutrition research. Dr. Greger also proudly serves as the Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture at the Humane Society of the United States.

Editorial Reviews

11/23/2015
Physician Greger tackles 15 major diseases (including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease) one by one, presenting a wealth of research to shore up his assertion that most of these ailments can be prevented by diet and lifestyle choices. Readers familiar with Greger's website, NutritionFacts.org, won't be surprised by his claim that nutrition is the key. Beginning with heart disease, the number-one killer in the U.S., Greger, an avid proponent of a whole-food, plant-based diet, runs through the statistics to demonstrate the importance of food choices. He points out, for instance, that in rural China and Africa, where heart disease rates are low, a plant-based diet is the norm, but in the U.S., where fatty meats and junk foods are staples even in childhood, atherosclerosis sets in early on. Along with discouraging observations about "the Standard American Diet," Greger serves up practical dietary suggestions. He urges readers to take charge of their health, and faults the medical profession for neglecting the significance of nutrition. This evidence-based guide unpacks information useful to carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike, making a strong case for the healing power of food. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

We strive to make the best of our lives by maintaining ourphysical health and mental happiness. As food is the fuel for our survival, howhealthily we survive and how well we recover from illness may also depend onwhat we eat. Michael Greger’s How Not toDie suggests different preventative and curative measures for tacklingailments we are all vulnerable to. I hope that this book may help those who aresusceptible to illnesses that can be prevented with proper nutrition.”

—His Holiness the Dalai Lama

"The primary determinant of our health and well-beingis what we eat and how we live. In this extraordinary and empowering book, Dr.Michael Greger explains why. Highly recommended."

— Dean Ornish, M.D., author of TheSpectrum and Dr. Dean Ornish s Program for Reversing Heart Disease

"The news that a plant-based diet is the healthiest wayto eat is spreading. Dr. Michael Greger presents the groundbreaking science onhow simple plant-based food choices help us live healthier and happier lives.Dr. Greger describes which foods to eat to prevent the leading causes ofdisease-related death and shows how a diet based on fruits, vegetables, tubers,whole grains, and legumes might even save your life."

—Brian Wendel,Founder and President of Forks OverKnives

"Stop whatever you're doing and buy this book. Not onlydoes Dr. Michael Greger drop a metric f*ckton of evidence that a plant-baseddiet will save your damn life, he lays out the blueprint to make it happen. Dr.Greger shows us how regular folks can eat well and not get taken down by sometotally preventable bullsh*t."

—Thug Kitchen

"A new way of looking at nutrition and health. Michael Greger shows peoplehow to save their own lives."

—Rip Esselstyn, author of The Engine 2 Diet

"Finally a physician has pulled together the latest scientific studies onhow to fight disease and prolong life. How Not to Die shows how theright nutrition prevents disease and transforms our genes so we can livehealthier, longer. Empowering, groundbreaking, transformative work."

—KathyFreston, author of Quantum Wellnessand The Lean

"Michael Greger, M.D. scours the world's scholarly literature on nutritionfor the most interesting, groundbreaking and practical new research. His workat NutritionFacts.org and in HOW NOT TO DIE features the latest science onnutrition and health to show how to treat and prevent disease."

—JoelFuhrman, M.D., author of Eat to Live

"An absolute rhapsody of informational wisdom on how toachieve a life of health and longevity without disease."

—Caldwell B.Esselstyn, Jr. M.D., author of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease

"How Not To Die is one of the mostimportant books on health ever written. Dr. Greger shows us how to prevent andsometimes reverse all the major diseases that are killing us. We have thegenetic potential to live disease free lives full of health and vitality untilwe are past 100. This book is the scientific road map we need to do exactlythat."

—John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market

"Absolutely the best book I've read on nutrition anddiet."

—Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones Solution

"Meticulously well-documented, Greger's guidebookprovides evidence on everything from the pesticide-Parkinson's connection tothe role of antioxidants in breast cancer prevention. Gerger also offers upfriendly tips, like his favorite smoothie recipe and a turmeric tutorial.Follow his advice and you may not live forever, but you'll almost certainlylive a healthier life."

—BookPage

"This book brims with valuable insights. Dr Gregertends to rely on the gold standard of medical research randomised controlledtrials rather than the latest fads. Vegetarian or not, this book is a great wayto improve your diet."

—Financial Times

From the Publisher