The best 10 Body Optimization books

1
Gut Feelings

Gut Feelings

Dr. Will Cole
Healing the Shame-Fueled Relationship Between What You Eat and How You Feel
4.6 (20 ratings)

What's Gut Feelings about?

Gut Feelings (2023) illuminates the vital connections among emotions, the gut microbiome, and health. Taking a holistic approach to body, mind, and mood, the author offers a three-week plan to address the underlying causes of chronic illness, including stress, shame, suboptimal nutrition, and sleep.

Who should read Gut Feelings?

  • Self-help fans looking for mind-body approaches
  • Those looking for more clarity on their relationship with food
  • Wellness gurus looking for the latest on reducing inflammation and enjoying better health

2
Biohack Your Brain

Biohack Your Brain

Kristen Willeumier
How to Boost Cognitive Health, Performance and Power
4.6 (928 ratings)

What's Biohack Your Brain about?

Biohack Your Brain (2020) is a guide to caring for your most essential organ – the brain. Drawing on the latest neuroscientific research, it’s packed with actionable advice on everything from optimizing your diet for brain health to stimulating your gray cells and beating stress. Along the way, it sheds light on how you can start protecting yourself against cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Who should read Biohack Your Brain?

  • Thinkers and tinkerers
  • The stressed and anxious 
  • Self-improvers

3
Brain Food

Brain Food

Lisa Mosconi
How to Eat Smart and Sharpen Your Mind
4.6 (597 ratings)

What's Brain Food about?

Brain Food (2018) highlights the role nutrition plays in your brain’s health. It explores the incredible brain-gut connection and reveals exactly what to eat and drink to maximize your cognitive power and prevent stress, dementia, and memory loss.

Who should read Brain Food?

  • People who want to transform sluggish minds into sharpshooters
  • Health nuts seeking simple hacks to achieve long-term well-being
  • Those who feel their brains could use a little TLC

4
The Galveston Diet

The Galveston Diet

Mary Claire Haver
The Doctor-Developed, Patient-Proven Plan to Burn Fat and Tame Your Hormonal Symptoms
4.3 (159 ratings)

What's The Galveston Diet about?

The Galveston Diet (2023) is a science-backed diet program for women experiencing perimenopause or menopause symptoms. With a focus on science-backed approaches, this diet program includes a special meal plan designed for six weeks and a variety of healthy, delicious recipes. It is designed to help women in midlife improve their overall health and wellness while managing the challenges that come with this stage of life.

Who should read The Galveston Diet?

  • Women in their mid-30s and up
  • People who want to shed some pounds
  • Fitness enthusiasts looking to maintain their weight

5
In Praise of Walking

In Praise of Walking

Shane O'Mara
The new science of how we walk and why it’s good for us
4.5 (437 ratings)

What's In Praise of Walking about?

In Praise of Walking (2019) examines the science behind one of the basic skills that defines us as human beings. By walking more, you can boost your physical and mental health – and become more creative and social.

Who should read In Praise of Walking?

  • Science fans keen to learn about the body and the mind
  • Walking enthusiasts
  • People looking for a reason to do more exercise

6
The Power of the Downstate

The Power of the Downstate

Sara C. Mednick
The New Science to Ignite Energy, Enhance Sharpness, and Reclaim Balance
4.7 (427 ratings)

What's The Power of the Downstate about?

The Power of the Downstate (2022) provides a new way of looking at how you sleep, eat, exercise, and relax. Drawing on the author’s groundbreaking research from her sleep and cognition lab, it provides evidence-based tips on how to feel more energized, less stressed, and perform at your best.

Who should read The Power of the Downstate?

  • Those who feel chronically exhausted or stressed
  • People interested in sleep science
  • Anyone interested in deepening their understanding of health and wellness

7
The Science and Technology of Growing Young

The Science and Technology of Growing Young

Sergey Young
An Insider's Guide to the Breakthroughs That Will Dramatically Extend Our Lifespan . . . and What You Can Do Right Now
4.4 (352 ratings)

What's The Science and Technology of Growing Young about?

The Science and Technology of Growing Young (2021) reveals that the Longevity Revolution is just around the corner. Thanks to developments in AI, quantum computing, and genome sequencing, we’re able to engage in genetic engineering, manufacture new body parts, and treat diseases before they’ve even begun to affect us. These developments will soon allow us to live longer and healthier lives than we ever thought possible.

Who should read The Science and Technology of Growing Young?

  • Tech geeks curious about how AI has impacted health care
  • Middle-aged people wanting to reverse the effects of aging
  • People who want to find out how to optimize their health to live longer, fuller lives

8
Clean(ish)

Clean(ish)

Gin Stephens
Eat (Mostly) Clean, Live (Mainly) Clean, and Unlock Your Body's Natural Ability to Self-Clean
4.4 (332 ratings)

What's Clean(ish) about?

Clean(ish) (2022) is a guide to living a life that’s free from the pesticides and other toxins in our food and environment. Through anecdotes, tips, and exercises, it gently and compassionately lays out a road map to a cleaner lifestyle.

Who should read Clean(ish)?

  • Health-conscious individuals interested in living a cleaner lifestyle
  • People looking to get stronger or lose weight
  • Anyone who wants to reduce toxicity in their life

9
The Vitamin Solution

The Vitamin Solution

Romy Block and Arielle Levitan
Two Doctors Clear the Confusion about Vitamins and Your Health
3.8 (50 ratings)

What's The Vitamin Solution about?

The Vitamin Solution (2015) offers a clear picture of the world of vitamins to help you determine whether you need them, why you might need them and what they can do to improve your everyday life. Cut through the clutter and confusion and find out which vitamins are essential for a healthy body and mind and how you can put yourself on the path to better living.

Who should read The Vitamin Solution?

  • Athletes looking to reach their body’s optimal performance
  • People suffering from fatigue, depression or insomnia
  • Medical practitioners interested in the benefits of commonly used vitamins

10
Master Your Core

Master Your Core

Bohdanna Zazulak
A Science-Based Guide to Achieve Peak Performance and Resilience to Injury
4.3 (412 ratings)

What's Master Your Core about?

Master Your Core (2021) provides a holistic overview of how strengthening your core can directly boost your athletic performance and mood while reducing injuries. It offers a scientific explanation of “core stability” and includes breathing, stretching, and dynamic exercises to train your core muscles and improve your overall health.

Who should read Master Your Core?

  • Desk workers who want to improve their posture and mood
  • Injury-adverse athletes looking to boost strength and power
  • Anyone craving sculpted abs with a side of mental well-being

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