Maimonides & Metabolism: Unique Scientific Breakthroughs in Weight Loss. A Scientific Diet Book & Amazon Best Seller. "A considerably deeper and more rigorous treatment of the subject than normally offered." - Kirkus Reviews. Hundreds of cutting edge studies backing up the recommendations of Maimonides and the Talmud, 16 charts, 14 graphs/diagrams/pictures, 358 footnote references, a glossary and bibliography.
Get the keys to sustainable weight loss—reduce hunger, speed up metabolism, and transform your body into a fat-burning machine, with a science based approach.
Maimonides & Metabolism explains in depth the physiological processes that are overlooked by many mainstream nutritional authorities, such as the fact that it’s better to hold off on breakfast until at least three hours after waking. A person habituated to such a late breakfast won’t suffer sugar lows because the hormone cortisol is at its daily peak half an hour after waking up in the morning, and cortisol boosts blood sugar levels. In fact, since cortisol raises blood sugar (the opposite of insulin which lowers it) eating a breakfast that includes carbohydrates too early will spike blood sugar levels too much, as the high levels of cortisol won’t allow the insulin to lower the blood sugar to balanced levels. High blood sugar then leads to hyperinsulinemia (too much insulin). And simultaneous high levels of cortisol and insulin cause the body to increase the number of fat cells. Hyperinsulinemia also directs the body to store fat, and blocks the body from using stored fat for energy.
Maimonides & Metabolism delves into the timing of meals and exercise, habituating ourselves to the most effective strategies of daily intermittent fasting that alleviates hunger and puts us into the natural fat burning mode.
Several chapters go into great detail on macronutrients to arm dieters and dietitians with the understanding needed for sustainable fat-loss.
It includes hundreds of cutting edge studies backing up the recommendations of Maimonides and the Talmud, as well as the best proven short-term and long-term dieting methods for fat-loss and improved health. It also includes 16 charts, 14 graphs/diagrams/pictures, 358 footnote references, a glossary and bibliography.
Health professionals are hailing it THE Health Bible, recommending this book to their colleagues and patients for its amazing array of insights and solutions.
GREAT VALUE!!! Chapter 15 gives you a summary of the most popular diet books: Atkins, Eat to Live, Paleo, Venice Nutrition Program, Dukan, South Beach, Zone, the Fast Diet, and the American Heart Association's No-Fad Diet. You also receive a physiological analysis of the short and long term effects of each of these diets, and a summary of the pros and cons of each diet.
Other chapters give you even greater value. You get a summary of the practical lessons of a BA in dietetics + summaries of studies on how certain hormones increase fat cell number, and studies describing how certain nutrients can help reduce fat cell number + an advanced endocrinology course describing the effects of hormones on metabolism + the greatest pearls of wisdom of the Talmud and Maimonides' diet recommendations, analyzed in the light of the science of physiology.
"A reconsideration of the physiology of weight loss, supported by the writings of the Jewish philosopher Maimonides. In recent years, discussions about losing weight have been dominated by the protein-carbohydrate duo. Although debut author Herschlag hews closely to the conventional wisdom by recommending a diet low in carbs, he expands the terms of the debate significantly. First, he provides an account of how simple caloric restriction can counterproductively increase one's weight. Sustainable weight loss, he says, requires creating a healthy balance among four different hormones: insulin, cortisol, leptin, and ghrelin. Although the effects of insulin on weight management have been widely covered before, the other three hormonal secretions have been comparatively neglected in other books. Here, for example, the author writes that eating too few calories can increase the release of ghrelin, which thereby increases not only hunger but also the production of fat cells. Likewise, he notes, the simultaneous release of insulin and cortisol... also generates new fat cells. The goal of any good diet, according to Herschlag, should be maximizing the process of apoptosis, or the burning of fat cells, while minimizing the production of new fat cells. This leads to some unconventional counsel; for example, since cortisol levels are at their peak directly after we wake, the author recommends postponing breakfast for three hours. Here and there, Herschlag observes points of agreement between his scientific findings and the ancient writings of the Jewish sage Maimonides... Although much of the practical advice ends up treading familiar ground, this is a considerably deeper and more rigorous treatment of the subject than normally offered. Its appraisal of some of the more popular diet fads is also helpful. Readers looking to understand all the factors in weight-loss management will find this a good supplement..."
Kirkus
"A fresh and interesting perspective." "Some of the benefits of an early dinner that you have articulated seem logical and I expect that they are correct."
John E. Hall, PhD, Arthur C. Guyton Professor and Chair, Department of Physiology and Biophysics; Director, Mississippi Center for Obesity Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center
"As a dietitian with several decades of experience, I find Maimonides and Metabolism a most valuable, informative, and helpful addition to my professional library. I am already implementing some of its guidelines in my clinical practice. The studies and theory presented concerning insulin resistance and the hormone cortisol in relation to the timing of breakfast and exercise convinced me of the importance of exercising before breakfast. Definitely a most worthwhile read for dietitians and health enthusiasts alike!"
Elana M. Kideckel, M.S., R.D., Clinical Dietitian
"Awesome, smooth read. Well referenced. Difficult material made easy to understand. Well done!"
Shahar Zadok, DC.
"THE Health Bible for Today & Now, a magnum opus. I have carried it through many cities in my travels ready to consume or review more."
Roxan Hupert, OTR, MSW, Certified yoga instructor, Certified craniosacral therapist, Health consultant and diet coach.
"Scientific and informative explanations. Combined with the principles culled from Maimonides and the Talmud, I believe that the mixture of diet and exercise that the author recommends could well help with long term sustainable weight loss."
Yisrael Levitt, MD.
"Rabbi Yonason Herschlag's Maimonides and Metabolism is an interesting blend of the physiology and biochemistry of weight loss, plus historical perspectives from medical sage Moses Maimonides. In his well-researched book, Rabbi Herschlag reviews the pros and cons of the most popular diet plans and provides a detailed explanation for his optimal dietary and lifestyle recommendations."
Amanda Levitt, ND
