The New American Diet
Encyclopedia
The New American Diet is the first diet book to investigate the effects of "obesogen
s" on our bodies, and to propose a prescriptive diet plan to reverse what they call "The Obesogen Effect." Author Stephen Perrine
(editor of Children's Health, editor-at-large of Men's Health
, and former editor-in-chief of Best Life
) and co-author Heather Hurlock (former health editor of Best Life) research and discuss the link between obesogens and the American obesity
crisis, as well as increases in rates of diabetes, depression, heart disease
, declining birth rates and sperm counts, and autism
.
The New American Diet describes obesogens as natural and artificial endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in the American food and water supply. These include certain plastic-based compounds, pesticides, naturally occurring chemicals found in soy products, and growth hormones fed to livestock. By disrupting the delicate balance of the endocrine (hormonal) system
within the human body, obesogens can trigger an unnatural increase in fat cells, as well as interfering with the body's ability to process leptin, the hormone that triggers feelings of satiation. As a solution, the authors propose a prescriptive diet plan based around environmentally conscious meats, fish, produce and dairy products. In a test, 400 volunteers signed up for the diet plan. Those who stuck with the plan for six weeks reported an average weight loss of 15 pounds.
Obesogen
Obesogens are foreign chemical compounds that disrupt normal development and balance of lipid metabolism, which in some cases, can lead to obesity...
s" on our bodies, and to propose a prescriptive diet plan to reverse what they call "The Obesogen Effect." Author Stephen Perrine
Best Life
Best Life, published by Rodale Inc. in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, United States, was the first luxury service magazine for men, and the fastest-growing men's magazine in America, with a circulation of more than 500,000.-History:...
(editor of Children's Health, editor-at-large of Men's Health
Men's Health (magazine)
Men's Health , published by Rodale Inc. in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, United States, is the world’s largest men’s magazine brand, with 44 editions around the world. It is also the best-selling men's magazine on U.S. newsstands. It covers fitness, nutrition, sexuality, lifestyle and other aspects of...
, and former editor-in-chief of Best Life
Best Life
Best Life, published by Rodale Inc. in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, United States, was the first luxury service magazine for men, and the fastest-growing men's magazine in America, with a circulation of more than 500,000.-History:...
) and co-author Heather Hurlock (former health editor of Best Life) research and discuss the link between obesogens and the American obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
crisis, as well as increases in rates of diabetes, depression, heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
, declining birth rates and sperm counts, and autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
.
The New American Diet describes obesogens as natural and artificial endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in the American food and water supply. These include certain plastic-based compounds, pesticides, naturally occurring chemicals found in soy products, and growth hormones fed to livestock. By disrupting the delicate balance of the endocrine (hormonal) system
Endocrine system
In physiology, the endocrine system is a system of glands, each of which secretes a type of hormone directly into the bloodstream to regulate the body. The endocrine system is in contrast to the exocrine system, which secretes its chemicals using ducts. It derives from the Greek words "endo"...
within the human body, obesogens can trigger an unnatural increase in fat cells, as well as interfering with the body's ability to process leptin, the hormone that triggers feelings of satiation. As a solution, the authors propose a prescriptive diet plan based around environmentally conscious meats, fish, produce and dairy products. In a test, 400 volunteers signed up for the diet plan. Those who stuck with the plan for six weeks reported an average weight loss of 15 pounds.