This book is FREE. This text is directed toward health care providers to assist them in the education of their patients. Non-medical personnel may also find useful information, however there may be many technical terms or abbreviations that make it difficult to read. This text will review basic nutrition as well as common fad diets and give an introduction to stress management and exercise techniques that can be used to enhance longevity.

Why all the fuss about diet and exercise? The majority of adults in the United States are overweight or obese. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased from 31% to 64% in the last four decades. The prevalence of obesity has increased from 13% to 31% (JAMA 2002;288:1723-7). Adverse health consequences of obesity are well established and include increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and a reduced life expectancy. Our "current" modern diet is clearly maladaptive as cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes) is the main cause of death in Western societies (41% of all fatalities) (J Am Coll Card 2000;35:66-80B). Diabetes is another epidemic in modern society. The lifetime risk of developing diabetes melitis for individuals born in 2000 is 32.8% for males and 38.5% for females AND a male who is diagnosed at age 40 years old will lose 11.6 life-years (14.3 if female) and 18.6 quality-adjusted life years (22 if female) (JAMA 2003;290:1884-90). Cancer it the cause of 25% of the deaths in our society and can clearly be linked to certain environmental risks (80%). Our cravings for sweets and fats gave us a survival advantage during times of famine. In modern times with an abundance of inexpensive, calorie-dense foods, these cravings are working against us. The basic "diet problem" with the average Western diet is………...