I would like to recommend these two books to further spread the understanding of the chemical processes inside our bodies. It will give you a good idea of how these these processes and nutrition are linked, how the body handles the intake and what happens when the body is overloaded with stuff it doesn't need.
The Acid-Alkaline Balance Diet book in particular takes a more holistic view. Many a times, we are what we are because our cultural foods have fed us so. If cassava root is your race thing, it'd probably be a good idea to keeping eating it. In other words, if you are Chinese, you probably have no problem consuming and digesting rice. 'Digesting' is a common term in the book. Anything not digested in your body becomes acidic waste which is often bad. And this waste will degenerate and breaks down to all kinds of undesirable stuff. It also robs the body of the energy and resources it needs for rebuilding itself. Hence, if you do not eat sensibly, you are not only depriving your body of nutrients, you are actually loading it with work it does not need.
I enjoyed the AABD book because it is informative on many levels. Plus, the case studies are excellent and will leave you dumbfounded. Serious illnesses, it seems, has be cured with a change in diet, even if it takes a while to take hold. I find the writer, Ms Kliment, to be knowledgeable and sensible. And she really digs into the whys and what-fors of how disease operates on our organs. The chapters on diabetes and cardiovascular disease are rather exceptional, as is the one on gall bladder issues. If you are not sure of what else calcium is good for in the body, read page 148 on Osteoporosis; you'll be surprised.
I have in the past reported and written about science and medical matters. Even I have learnt many things reading this book. What I gained most is seeing processes in our body clearer. Much much clearer (especially that chapter on nutrition and mental disorders - an uncommon topic). And if you are concerned about cancer (i.e. cells gone rogue), more the reason to read this book!
The Paleo diet I like because it can help a person lose excess fat quickly. I must admit, even though I eat the stuff recommended by its recipes, my meals often come with the kind of oils I do not need. Anybody who has eaten from a Chinese wok will know that to be true. And because my lifestyle has become more sedentary in recent years, those kinds of meals are a recipe for disaster in the long term. Plus, the excellent hawker foods we have in Singapore, that's just making things worse. Couple all these with a slower metabolic rate and you can see why in the last two years, my weight has increased quite dramatically. I've always been skinny but now I look robust. It's good because I used to feel cold as a skinny person and cannot be in a swimming pool for long. Now, with a layer of natural protection I rather enjoy lounging in chlorinated water. But the skinny person inside who loves competitive sport always sends me "Overweight!" alarms... and so, I would cycle long distance to lose any uncomfortable weight.
Therefore, do yourself a favor and check out these two books from your local library. Or download some of these e-copies to read on your tablet or smartphone. I can guarantee you these books are going to change and save your life, if not lengthen it somewhat.
Latest update (25-11-2013): Ok, just to give a balanced view, here is a great TED talk on what exactly is an ancient diet. Most veggies are different in the past. (But I do like the seafood part of the Paleo Diet. :-) Link:
Christina Warinner debunks the Paleo Diet
Latest update: Article in Sunday Life (18 Jan 2015) reports that the Paleo diet is picking up interest. Even one hawker changed tack and started offering a Paleo diet-friendly menu. See pix immediately below.
