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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Nutrition and Physical Degeneration summary
Weston A. Price
A Comparison of Primitive and Modern Diets and their Effects
17 mins
Brief summary
Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price shows how traditional societies maintained exceptional health through nutrient-dense foods, and how modern diets lead to physical degeneration and chronic diseases.
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Nutrition and Physical Degeneration
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Key idea 1 of 8
The natural, local diets of indigenous people equip them with healthy bodies.
Who are the healthiest people in the world?
Is it those who are forever committing themselves to the latest diets? Or is it those slaving away on the treadmill or the crosstrainer?
The answer is neither. Instead, the secret to good health can be found in the nutritious diets of the world's indigenous people.
Their diets are based on locally sourced foods high in vitamins and minerals. Take, for example, the Eskimo population of the Arctic. They eat caribou and some types of whale meat, and they also eat smaller quantities of seaweed and berries that they collect and freeze for consumption during winter.
Such diets have massive health benefits. For instance, they provide indigenous people with healthy teeth well into old age, without the help of toothbrushes or dentists. While, for example, Eskimos wear their teeth down to the gumline, the gum tissue itself doesn't recede. The flesh around the teeth is also healthy and the population is largely free from gum-tissue diseases like gingivitis.
Furthermore, Eskimos don't have fillings, even though they don't clean their teeth. This is because the minerals in their food generates saliva that hardens the teeth and protects against the bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
Another benefit of indigenous diets is that the bodies and organs of those who practice them are strong and resilient to disease. One doctor, who had over 30 years of contact with Eskimos and North American Natives, didn't report a single case of malignant disease in those who had stuck to their traditional diets. Also, any problems with their kidneys, stomachs, appendices or gallbladders were very rare.
The highly nutritious diet of indigenous societies is the result of centuries of development. Ancient skeletons found in the Andes, on the South African coast and in the Rhone Valley in France show that nearly all have excellent teeth and very few have tooth decay.
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What is Nutrition and Physical Degeneration about?
Based on the author’s meetings with many of the world’s indigenous people, Nutrition and Physical Degradation presents a comparison of the health of those who consumed only local whole foods and those who had begun to include processed foods in their diet. The author found that the latter suffered from problems with their teeth, bodies and brains, while the former remained strong and vigorous. Having investigated the differences between processed and local whole foods, the book argues that diets made up of processed foods lack the requisite vitamins and minerals for maintaining a healthy body.
Nutrition and Physical Degeneration Review
Nutrition and Physical Degeneration (1939) is an eye-opening exploration of the link between nutrition and the impact it has on physical health. Here's why this book is a valuable read:
- Presents extensive research conducted by the author, Dr. Weston A. Price, which highlights the dramatic effects of a nutrient-rich diet on dental health and overall well-being.
- Provides compelling evidence through photographs and case studies that demonstrate the profound impact of traditional, whole-food diets on dental health and physical degeneration.
- Offers important insights into the long-lasting effects of processed foods and the need for a return to natural, nutrient-dense diets for optimal health and well-being.
Who should read Nutrition and Physical Degeneration?
- Vegans, vegetarians and junk food fanatics
- Anyone who is interested in indigenous cultures around the world
- Anyone who wants to go back to basics and get the most nutrition out of their food
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Nutrition and Physical Degeneration FAQs
What is the main message of Nutrition and Physical Degeneration?
The main message of Nutrition and Physical Degeneration is the importance of diet in maintaining optimal health.
How long does it take to read Nutrition and Physical Degeneration?
The reading time for Nutrition and Physical Degeneration varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Nutrition and Physical Degeneration a good book? Is it worth reading?
Nutrition and Physical Degeneration is a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of nutrition on physical health.
Who is the author of Nutrition and Physical Degeneration?
The author of Nutrition and Physical Degeneration is Weston A. Price.
What to read after Nutrition and Physical Degeneration?
If you're wondering what to read next after Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Deep Nutrition by Catherine Shanahan and Luke Shanahan
- Food and Nutrition by P.K. Newby
- Burn by Herman Pontzer
- Why We Eat (Too Much) by Andrew Jenkinson
- Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
- Difficult Conversations Don't Have to Be Difficult by Jon Gordon & Amy P. Kelly
- Eat to Beat Disease by William W. Li
- Evolve Your Brain by Joe Dispenza
- The Metabolism Reset Diet by Alan Christianson