Making changes is never easy. That’s why it’s something you work towards by setting goals. But you don’t ever reach them without hiccups and hurdles along the way. Can I get an amen?!?
And the same has been true for my nutrition book club and the goal of reading 20 books in 2020. While the first seven months was a breeze, August proved to be the hurdle I knew was coming.
By now, most of you are familiar with the fact that I struggle with post-concussion syndrome (if you aren’t, now you know!). It’s been a real struggle this month with some really bad symptoms. That’s made it difficult to process and read through this month’s nutrition book club selection.
So while I have been reading it, I have to admit I’m not done yet!
But that’s okay. Hurdles are part of reaching goals, but that doesn’t mean you stop. So I’m still going to finish August’s nutrition book club choice and will also complete September’s.
First, let’s talk about the discussion points from what I’ve read so far.
THE SECOND BRAIN – MY THOUGHTS (SO FAR)
I love how this book took such an in-depth look into the gut as the second brain. It’s a misunderstood topic that isn’t getting the focus or attention it deserves. Though you’re starting to hear more about it these days, which is a step in the right direction.
It is a heavily scientific book. Which I love, but is also the reason why I’ve struggled to get through it with my concussion symptoms this month. So it’s taking a little longer to get through, but the information is great and super valuable.
If you can get through the science, you’ll walk away with an amazing understanding of the gut. Part of what you’ll learn is how independent it is (aka the second brain) and the importance of taking care of it.
And while I can’t give it a full review yet because I haven’t finished it, I’m really enjoying it so far.
Here are my answers to the discussion points:
- What’s your initial reaction to this book? Are you excited to read it, nervous, or not interested? Why or why not? I’m really looking forward to getting back into a book about gut health. It’s my passion and focus in nutrition, so it’s important that I’m always learning.
- What was your favourite quote or passage? “A major benefit of taking a comprehensive look at the gut is that the neat way in which the structure and function of the bowel explain one another becomes obvious. The anatomy of the gut evolved so as to permit the organ to do its job; therefore, form and function are best considered and investigated together.”
- What’s one new thing you learned? That there are only about 2,000 preganglionic nerve fibres in the vagus nerve at the point where they enter the abdomen. In contrast, there are over one hundred million never cells in the small intestine.
- Name one thing you already knew that came as no surprise. Your parasympathetic (rest and digest) response is faster and more precise than your sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous response.
- What’s one major takeaway you got from this book that you’re going to apply to your life? I’ll have to finish the book to get a definitive answer for this one!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this book and discuss it with you. You can email me your answers to the discussion questions and we’ll chat!
GUT
By Giulia Enders, M.D.
About this book
If you follow me, you’ve heard lots about the gut. But it’s often ignored as needing help until your symptoms get worse and nothing you’ve tried has worked. That’s when the gut finally becomes an appreciated organ.
In this book, Giulia breaks down the gut in an easy to digest way (pun intended). She addresses topics you might find uncomfortable (poop and vomiting) and helps to explain the how’s and why’s.
It’s a great introduction into understanding the gut and helps to breakdown some taboo topics you may not have understood.
Why I’m reading it
This book was actually recommended to me years ago as I began digging deeper into gut health and I just never got around to it. It’s a New York Times Bestseller with fantastic reviews.
Discussion points
- What’s your initial reaction to this book? Are you excited to read it, nervous, or not interested? Why or why not?
- What was your favourite quote or passage?
- What’s one new thing you learned?
- Name one thing you already knew that came as no surprise.
- What’s one major takeaway you got from this book that you’re going to apply to your life?
Disclaimer
The books I recommend may not reflect my beliefs or the way I practice nutrition. This is simply a way for us to open up conversation about what’s out there to discuss it’s validity and truth.
This is not sponsored or promoted and I have no affiliation with the author. Any opinions expressed are my own.
Stay tuned
Next month I’ll be bringing you a whole new book, with a full review of Gut. I’d love to hear your thoughts too!