Why We Get Sick

Synopsis

2020 Foreword Indie Award Honorable Mention in the "Health" Category

A scientist reveals the groundbreaking evidence linking many major diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease, to a common root cause-insulin resistance-and shares an easy, effective plan to reverse and prevent it.

We are sick. Around the world, we struggle with diseases that were once considered rare. Cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes affect millions each year; many people are also struggling with hypertension, weight gain, fatty liver, dementia, low testosterone, menstrual irregularities and infertility, and more. We treat the symptoms, not realizing that all of these diseases and disorders have something in common. 

Each of them is caused or made worse by a condition known as insulin resistance. And you might have it. Odds are you do-over half of all adults in the United States are insulin resistant, with most other countries either worse or not far behind. 

In Why We Get Sick, internationally renowned scientist and pathophysiology professor Benjamin Bikman explores why insulin resistance has become so prevalent and why it matters. Unless we recognize it and take steps to reverse the trend, major chronic diseases will be even more widespread. But reversing insulin resistance is possible, and Bikman offers an evidence-based plan to stop and prevent it, with helpful food lists, meal suggestions, easy exercise principles, and more. Full of surprising research and practical advice, Why We Get Sick will help you to take control of your health.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Germ Theory of Disease

* Summary: This chapter introduces the germ theory of disease and its origins in the 19th century with the work of Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch. It discusses how scientific evidence disproved the prevailing theory at the time, which attributed disease to spontaneous generation or miasma.
* Real example: The cholera outbreak in London's Soho district in 1854, which was traced to a contaminated water pump, is a classic case study that supported the germ theory of disease.

Chapter 2: The Host-Pathogen Relationship

* Summary: This chapter explores the intricate interactions between hosts and pathogens. It explains how pathogens have evolved mechanisms to invade, survive, and multiply within hosts, while hosts have developed immune defenses to combat infections.
* Real example: The influenza virus is a highly adaptable pathogen that can evade host defenses by mutating and acquiring new strains. This makes it a challenge to develop effective vaccines.

Chapter 3: The Environment and Disease

* Summary: This chapter discusses the significant role of environmental factors in disease transmission and development. It examines how factors such as air pollution, water quality, and climate change can contribute to or exacerbate health problems.
* Real example: The spread of malaria is influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, and the availability of mosquito breeding sites. Climate change can alter these factors, leading to changes in malaria distribution and intensity.

Chapter 4: The Evolution of Disease

* Summary: This chapter explores the evolutionary forces that shape the relationships between hosts, pathogens, and the environment. It discusses how pathogens evolve to become more infectious and virulent, while hosts evolve to resist infections.
* Real example: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are an example of pathogens evolving to overcome our medical interventions. This poses a serious threat to public health.

Chapter 5: The Socioeconomic Determinants of Health

* Summary: This chapter examines how social and economic factors, such as income, education, and access to healthcare, have a profound impact on health outcomes. It highlights the inequalities in health that exist within and between societies.
* Real example: The higher prevalence of chronic diseases in low-income communities is partly due to factors such as poor nutrition, inadequate housing, and limited access to healthcare.

Chapter 6: The Future of Health

* Summary: This chapter discusses the challenges and opportunities facing global health in the 21st century. It explores emerging infectious diseases, advances in medical technology, and the need for a comprehensive approach to health that addresses both biomedical and social determinants.
* Real example: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of international cooperation, rapid scientific research, and equitable access to vaccines and treatments.