Mastering Leptin: The Leptin Diet, Solving Obesity and Preventing Disease, Second Edition (Paperback)

~ (Author), Mary Guignon Richards (Author) "The twentieth century saw Americans transform from fit to fat..." (more)
Key Phrases: adrenaline resistance, leptin problems, mastering leptin, Health Asset Manager, Journal of the American Medical Association (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"No other guest in my 30+ years of broadcasting has spoken with more credibility and understanding of nutrition." -- Brad Walton, WCCO Radio (CBS/ Infinity Radio)

"Richards presents a technical subject through analogies, examples, diagrams and detail in forty-five chapters organized by topic." -- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Association of Minnesota, April 12, 2003

"With over 700 references, but written in a clear format, this gem can lead to optimum health, vitality, and wellness." -- Marriage Magazine, March 2003

Product Description

Mastering Leptin contains exciting health advancements in solving obesity and weight problems, fatigue and low energy, low thyroid function, hypothyroidism, stress eating and food cravings, hormonal imbalance, menopausal weight gain, accelerated aging, fibromyalgia. More than a diet book, Mastering Leptin includes lifestyle solutions that will help individuals lose weight, increase energy, and reduce risk for disease.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 396 pages
• Publisher: Wellness Resources; 2nd edition (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972712119
• ISBN-13: 978-0972712118
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #244,166 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

113 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very enlightening, up-to-date research, January 18, 2005

By	Julie A. Tillar "health researcher and health... (Southern California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was impressed with the fact that this husband and wife team,in their early 50's, is so committed to bringing us the latest breaking news on leptin and the research related to solving obesity in this country. Their book (now the 2nd edition) explains why leptin is the key hormone that regulates all other hormones in the body, and how leptin imbalance is the precursor to heart disease, thyroid conditions, and cancer. The information is not their opinions, but rather a compilation of ALL scientific data on leptin to date, presented in a fairly easy-to-follow writing style. They give special guidelines for correcting leptin imbalances,including the use of certain supplements, which in turn will lead to correction of a host of other imbalances, like insulin resistance. (As an aside, insulin resistance alone affects 50% of our country's population, contributing hugely to the obesity epidemic.)

I agree that the book is a bit choppy. I think a professional writer could have helped smooth out the rough edges. However, the content is exceptional. I have recently discovered that I am a borderline diabetic with a low-functioning thyroid and insulin resistance, which likely developed as a result of my last pregnancy. Prior to that I had no apparent problems in these areas. This book helps to explain how this happened and is guiding me back to healthy. I am indebted to these authors.

I have also read the Rosedale Diet, which I think is also very good. However, I believe Mastering Leptin explains leptin and all its implications more completely. Mastering Leptin also explains the wisdom in waiting 5 hours between meals and avoiding snacks, and how that is critical to bringing leptin in line. Dr. Rosedale includes snacks in his book, focusing more on the types of foods to eat rather than on scheduling to allow your body to restore its natural rhythm. Eating all the time keeps our bodies too focused on digestion and keeps our insulin levels up. I'd go to the Rosedale Diet for the recipes but to the Mastering Leptin book for the guidance. Good luck to you all.

143 of 148 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Complex explanations + Simple rules = SUCCESS!, August 3, 2004

By	M. Morrison (Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm a typical 48 year woman... When I hit 44 I started adding 10 pounds a year. I thought the middle age spread was my destiny until an older woman in my office lost weight. I bought this book in January and followed Byron Richards' simple rules religously and added some of the basic supplements he recommended for my particular issues (purchased at Walmart). In 30 weeks I lost 30 pounds, most significantly I lost the roll around the middle and I feel great!!! Richards' approach to health maintenance is truly a life style change.

186 of 195 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a no-diet diet book!, September 17, 2004

By	reader (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering Leptin: The Key to Energetic Vitality, Youthful Hormonal Balance, Optimum Body Weight, and Disease Prevention (Paperback)

Thanks to the authors for producing the first-ever (in my opinion) truly no-diet diet book. This book has revolutionized my understanding of food and the function of the body. I've only had a minor weight issue (5-8 lbs) but it's so frustrating to use diet after diet and not keep the weight off, and not understand why. This book explains why. I'm an avid health reader and have read many books on metabolism and body types and nutritional strategies, but this is the first to address the core of the issue that has plagued me.

As a hypoglycemic with a thyroid problem (and a family history of diabetes), I've been told to eat many small meals in a day. WRONG! This book explains why NOT snacking is the best thing you can do for your hormones. And it's been working great for me. It also explains when to exercise in relation to eating, why you have cravings and how to make them stop (REALLY!), etc, etc. All very practical information with no stupid meal plans, recipes, calorie counters, or food lists to follow. This book is about giving you knowledge, not controlling your life. It's very liberating.

The book is not elegantly written, but the authors are nutritionists and medical researchers, not poets. There are extensive footnotes that reference hundreds of medical journals that will be relevant to medical professionals, but the book is also organized in a way that you can skip all the technical info and just read the chapter summaries at the end of each chapter. Or, if you're really short on time or patience, you can just read the guidlines - there are 5, which would be easy to state here, but really I think it's worth the price of the book to purchase it. Also important are the exercise tips - wait at least 3 hours after eating and take antioxidants right before exercising. Simple guidelines like that are what this book is about. Backed up with hundreds of scientific reasons why, if you're the type that needs that. These people didn't pull the leptin theory out of thin air, but they are the first to organize the research and bring it to the public.

Bravo and thanks.