How Fat Works

by Philip A. Wood

An experimental pathologist and molecular geneticist, Philip Wood uses gene-knockout technology to study the way mouse genes regulate the metabolism of fat—research that provides insights into the workings of fatty-acid metabolism in humans and what can happen when that metabolic balance goes awry. Based on the classes he regularly teaches to first- and second-year medical students, Wood's book reviews the individual and public health burden of obesity and clarifies often-used, but often inadequately explained, terms employed in the continuing cultural and scientific debate about excess fat. He explains the role of fat in the healthy body, how fat is made, stored, and burned, and demonstrates how excess fat can lead to an array of metabolic disorders and diseases, from hypercholesterolemia and insulin resistance to diabetes. He reviews what recent research can tell us about specific genes or groups of genes that can lead to specific metabolic disorders. He explains the science behind common weight-loss regimens and why those regimens might succeed or fail, and reviews the complex interplay of hormones, genes, and stress in the way our bodies deal with fat through the life cycle. How Fat Works is a concise, clear, and up-to-date primer on the workings of fat, and essential reading for professionals entering careers in medicine and public health administration or anyone wanting a better understanding of one of our most urgent health crises.

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 30, 2006

Reviews

[Virginia Ritterbusch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent-- written as simply as a complex subject can be written about. Very thorough and it is obvious the years of research that went into supporting this book. Understanding how to truly go about reducing fat buildup is critical to our Nation's health crisis and getting a control of runaway medical costs.I recommend this book to any one truly trying to reduce clothing size.

[Dominick Lemas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a graduate student in Biochemistry without a formal background in nutrition and obesity research. Most of what I understand about obesity has been obtained through seminars and informal discussions with my peers. How Fat Works provides a concise and direct survey of lipid metabolism that leaves the reader feeling like they are part of the scientific dialog without indulging in too much jargon. I found this book to be a quick read that related fat metabolism (storage, oxidation, transport, and synthesis) to how an individual develops several obesity-related disorders such as type 2 diabetes. I particularly liked Dr. Woods discussion of how foods are converted to cholesterol and triglycerides and how abnormal lipid levels can result in insulin resistance. Overall I would recommend this book to students and professionals that are affiliated with nutrition without much time to enroll in formal courses covering obesity research. How Fat Works has helped me understand the general concepts related to body composition and lipid metabolism and provides a great list of references.

[Mahdi Ebrahimi]

I am a fan of this book. so informative for me.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot more technical than I expected it to be but still very informative reading.