Book Reviews
Review: The Ketogenic Diet
 | The Ketogenic Diet
Lyle McDonald
USA Price : $29.95.
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ISBN: 0967145600 |
The Ketogenic Diet by Lyle McDonald is an exceptionally valuable resource for those who want to understand the science behind low carb diets. McDonald takes an unbiased approach on the subject, avoiding the rhetoric that pervades both the pro- and anti-low carb camps. The result is a detailed study of the physiology of ketogenic dieting that provides great insight into its pros and cons.
The book begins by delving into the history of ketogenic diets, citing its origins in treating epilepsy. McDonald then discusses the research surrounding low carb dieting, supporting his statements with peer-reviewed references. He addresses the physiologic basis, metabolic aspects, and potential side-effects and health issues in explicit detail. What he does not do is provide advice on how to follow a ketogenic diet. Thus, if you are looking for a blueprint for a dietary regimen or food shopping lists, you'll need to look elsewhere.
For those who exercise regularly, the most applicable aspect of the book is bound to be the chapters dealing with variations of ketogenic diets, namely cyclical ketogenic diets (CKD) and targeted ketogenic diets (TKD). These diets have been part of the bodybuilding underground for some time, but McDonald brings them into the mainstream with a detailed discussion on how they potentially can help to mitigate some of the deficiencies associated with exercising while following a standard ketogenic diet.
If there is a criticism of the book it might be the author's writing style. No attempts are made to speak to the reader in a conversational style. Instead, McDonald's takes a research-based style to his prose, disseminating knowledge in a dry, straight-forward fashion. While some might find this tedious, it ultimately works well for the content. This is not a pop diet book; it's a serious exploration of a popular dietary approach. For those without a science background, some of the information might get a bit technical. That said, McDonald does a good job of keeping the jargon to a minimum and most people should be able to grasp the basic concepts without too much of a problem.
In sum, The Ketogenic Diet is a fascinating look at one of today's most controversial nutritional topics. If you are interested in nutrition, it's a must-read that will clear up much of the misinformation pervading the popular literature. One thing to keep in mind is the fact that this book was published in 1998. Given the tremendous amount of new research conducted over the past decade-plus on the topic, some of the information is now dated. An updated edition of the book is certainly warranted. Even so, The Ketogenic Diet remains the only unbiased, scientific look at low carb dieting.
Grade: 10 (out of 10)
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