Gennady Gelman, MD← Patient resourcesSearch

Books I recommend to patients

Eight books worth thinking with.

These are conversation starters—not sacred texts. Each offers a useful lens, and each should be read with judgment rather than treated as a personalized prescription.

01
Cover of The Obesity Code by Jason Fung, MD

Metabolic health · fasting

The Obesity Code

by Jason Fung, MD

A clear, provocative framework for understanding insulin, meal timing, and why weight regulation is more complicated than simply counting calories.

Read with contextBest used as a starting point for discussion; its insulin-centered explanation is more confident than the total evidence warrants.
Read the patient summary
02
Cover of Why We Get Sick by Benjamin Bikman, PhD

Insulin resistance · metabolic health

Why We Get Sick

by Benjamin Bikman, PhD

An accessible explanation of insulin resistance, why it matters, and how food, activity, sleep, and body composition influence metabolic health.

Read with contextInsulin resistance is important, but it is not a single explanation for every chronic disease or every case of obesity; several causal pathways reinforce one another.
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03
Cover of How Not to Die by Michael Greger, MD

Nutrition · prevention

How Not to Die

by Michael Greger, MD

An energetic tour of the relationship between food patterns and chronic disease, with a strong case for eating more whole plant foods.

Read with contextIt is advocacy as well as education. Focus on the practical direction—not every causal claim or superlative.
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04
Cover of How Not to Diet by Michael Greger, MD

Nutrition · weight

How Not to Diet

by Michael Greger, MD

A wide-ranging collection of strategies for satiety, food quality, and sustainable weight management without centering a commercial diet plan.

Read with contextThe most useful lesson is the overall eating pattern; individual studies and tactics vary substantially in strength.
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05
Cover of Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, PhD

Sleep · performance

Why We Sleep

by Matthew Walker, PhD

A compelling explanation of why sleep matters for memory, mood, metabolism, immunity, safety, and long-term health.

Read with contextSome dramatic statistics in the book have been disputed, but the central case for protecting sleep remains sound.
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06
Cover of Staring at the Sun by Irvin D. Yalom, MD

Mortality · meaning

Staring at the Sun

by Irvin D. Yalom, MD

A humane, psychologically rich book about death anxiety and how confronting mortality can help us live with greater presence and intention.

Read with contextThis is reflective reading, not a treatment manual—and may feel intense during acute grief or severe anxiety.
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07–08
Cover of The New Menopause by Mary Claire Haver, MDCover of The New Perimenopause by Mary Claire Haver, MD

Perimenopause · menopause · midlife health

The New Menopause and The New Perimenopause

by Mary Claire Haver, MD

Two complementary guides to hormonal change: The New Perimenopause explores the transition years, while The New Menopause takes a broader look at menopause and midlife health. Both help you understand symptoms and prepare for conversations about care.

Read with contextSymptoms deserve attention, but not every new symptom is hormonal. Treatment should reflect your health history and preferences; hormone therapy is one option, not a universal prescription.
The New Menopause summary The New Perimenopause summary

Before changing your care

Bring the idea—not just the book—to your clinician.

Nutrition, fasting, sleep, weight, mental health, and hormone advice can interact with medications and medical conditions. Discuss major changes with a healthcare professional who knows your history.