Product Description

In Feed Your Genes Right, renowned nutrition expert Jack Challem translates the hugely exciting science of nutrigenomics--which explores the link between nutrition and our own DNA--into practical eating plans and nutritional supplement recommendations for maximizing one's genetic inheritance, slowing the aging process, and reducing the chances of disease. After describing how food and nutrients can help repair flawed or damaged genes, Challem offers specific plans--complete with delicious carb-smart recipes--that target two dozen common or inherited diseases and conditions, including arthritis, cancer, diabetes, fatigue, gluten intolerance, heart disease, and obesity.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #787352 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

Amazon.com Review
Combining a thorough explanation of nutritional supplements with healthy food recommendations, Feed Your Genes Right is a straightforward guide to healing modern illnesses--sometimes even before they strike. Author Jack Challem (Syndrome X) does a fine job with presenting complex health information in simple terms, and the mix of research, individual stories and personal touches result in a book as informative as most textbooks while being far more readable.

Supplements are accessible in two separate ways (in addition to an excellent index): by the supplement name, and by disease. One section explains each supplement in fine detail, including how they are available and what conditions particularly benefit from them; a later section lists medical conditions alphabetically--including everything from sickle cell anemia to wrinkles to cancer--and suggests dietary and supplemental recommendations, including specific reference to the research that makes the recommendation.

Many of the diet-related advice will sound familiar: there is nothing too earth-shattering about eating nutritionally-dense foods along plenty of water, fruit and vegetables, and getting a good mix of lean proteins and healthy fats. Challem makes a clear case for eating organically when possible, and also avoiding trans fats, referencing a number of studies that zoom in on specific nutrient loss or potential cancer-causing agents. A short recipe section provides new inspiration for following these guidelines, with interesting options like roasted carrots and black rice pudding with coconut milk.

While probably of more use to those looking to prevent chronic health issues rather than to cure acute illness, the book offers fine assistance to anyone investigating the use of supplements past the addition of a one-a-day tablet. --Jill Lightner

From Publishers Weekly
Offering an unusual mix of hard science, commonsense nutritional advice and even a handful of recipes, this book counsels readers to take control of their bodies (and, more specifically, their genes) by being knowledgeable about what to feed them. "Nutrients provide the building blocks of genes, and they turn many genes on and off," Challem notes. Therefore, what you eat determines not only your energy level and your belt size, but also your risk of DNA damage and disease. Challem, coauthor of Syndrome X, packs his volume with information on specific genetic conditions and advice on how to avoid or ameliorate them, as well as general tips for healthy living. The text is well organized but full of arduous terminology, particularly the latter half, which details specific diseases and their genotypes. At one point, for example, Challem notes that "people with an inefficient APOE E4 variation of the apoliprotein gene, which is relatively common in some parts of Scandinavia, tend to have higher blood-cholesterol levels and are more likely to suffer a heart attack." Though Challem stuffs his book with facts and makes frequent references to clinical studies, readers may be skeptical of some of his claims. (He asserts, for example, that many of the biochemical problems associated with Down Syndrome "can be circumvented through high-dose vitamin and mineral supplements and thyroid medications, leading to improved intelligence and appearance.") Not all readers will embrace Challem's prescriptions, or his sometimes technical writing, but those interested in the science of healthy living, particularly the nuts and bolts of the body's inner-workings, will find this a fascinating read.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Links between genes and disease have become a popular subject of debate in the world of health. The obvious genetic basis of diseases such as cystic fibrosis has been recognized for years, but now there appear to be genetic causes for some cancers, heart disease, and types of diabetes. It also appears that people with genetic predispositions to certain diseases can cut their risks of contracting them if they pursue healthy eating regimens that provide plenty of nutrition and few carbohydrates. Challem calls the best foods "nutrient dense," foods that provide the most vitamins and minerals and the fewest simple sugars. This takes the low-carb diet to a different plane, one that emphasizes the health-giving aspects of food beyond mere consumption of protein. Challem offers specific nutritional advice for sufferers from many sorts of diseases, from prostate cancers to celiac disease to sickle-cell anemia. Proponents of nutritional therapies will find a lot of support here, and Challem's exhaustive bibliography leads the curious reader to basic texts and scientific studies. Mark Knoblauch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Nutrigenomics Explained
Expert health writer, Jack Challem, scores with this skillfully written and detailed book on the new science of nutrigenomics. This emerging discipline explains how nutrition affects health by altering the expression of various genes. Jack adeptly shows how nutrigenomics enables people to better manage their health and well being by specifically matching their diets with their unique genetic makeup. If you are not yet up to speed on nutrigenomics, then this book is an indispensable read. As per Jack's norm, it is thoroughly researched and contains cutting edge information. I recommend it highly.

Loren Cordain, author: The Paleo Diet. http://www.thepaleodiet.com/

It's All In The Book
Jack Challem has created a complete guide to addressing our "genetic nutritional needs". Along with a concrete expanation of the genenic link between nutrition and health, Jack provides a blueprint to guide the reader in choosing supplements and a menu that supoports healthy nutrition for our genes. He even includes recipes! He has taken a complex subject and made it easy for anyone to follow.

Why we all need "Feed Your Gene Right" by Jack Challem
Jack Challem's "Feed Your Genes Right" is nothing short of revolutionary.

This book shows us why we don't need to be enslaved by the spectre of our genetic inheritance.

In clear, simple yet compelling language, Challem singlehandedly provides a voice for the modern science of nutrigenomics, a science which is uncovering the myriad ways through which what we eat determines how our biochemical/metabolic-related genes behave, how they signal, whether they are turned on or off--in short, whether we can put ourselves on a path to optimal health or to a genetic legacy that is (in some cases) best left behind.

"Feed Your Genes Right" offers many practical steps and actionable solutions (including recipes and select supplements) by which we can guide ourselves (yes, including our genes) to true health.

Challem has always been on the forefront of connecting the leading edge of scientific discovery with real-world solutions that don't involve fad diets or gimmicky approaches--just inspired insights that we can embrace for a lifetime.
--James J. Gormley

James J. Gormley is an award-winning journalist, health advocate and commentator who has been a frequent guest on "The Deborah Ray Show," FOX-TV's "Good Day New York," "Conversations With Harold Channer," "BronxTalk" and national radio. A U.S. delegate to a major health conference in China in 2001, Gormley was the editor-in-chief of Better Nutrition magazine from 1995 to 2002. Co-author of the User's Guide to Brain-Boosting Supplements (Basic Health, 2004) and Health Benefits of Phosphatidylserine (Basic Health, 2005) and author of DHA, A Good Fat (Kensington/Zebra, 1999), Gormley is a Policy Advisor to Citizens for Health (http://www.citizens.org/). He is a sought-after natural products industry analyst and serves as scientific liaison for Purchase, N.Y.-based Nutrition 21 (http://www.mediabistro.com/jamesgormley1).