The Culprit & the Cure

This is an excellent book, especially for experts in fitness and nutrition who are looking for ways to guide their clients towards better health. The science-based research offers real reasons for why our society has so many medical problems and simple ways to change bad habits for a better future.

Dr. Steve Aldana, a leading health expert, provides some interesting information in his book, The Culprit & the Cure. In it, Dr. Aldana discusses the state of our health (not very good) as well as what we can do about it. In part one, Dr. Aldana talks about why we're in such sorry shape, offering mind-boggling statistics (e.g., 91% of diabetes cases are avoidable) as well as scientific references to back up each statement of fact. While he talks about things we already know (we're overweight, we're sedentary and we're having medical problems because of it), his journey back into the past, before modern conveniences, shows just how far we've gotten from being active and healthy. He also states that the most common health problem in America is 'I-don't-care-itis.' So true. In part two, he discusses what we need to do to get healthy, describing the incredible benefits of fruits and veggies and the importance of eating food in its original form. He also goes on about exercise, describing its many benefits as well as offering detailed information about what to do and how to do it. Overall, the information on exercise and nutrition is nothing new, but the statistics make it interesting reading (e.g., in 1997 the average American drank 44 gallons of soda--yikes!). Overall, this is a well-written book providing new insight into why making lifestyle changes is so important. This would be an excellent resource for fitness, health and medical experts.