Sharon - DNA Restart, The: Unlock Your Personal Genetic Code to Eat for Your Genes, Lose Weight, and Reverse Aging

This book is intended as a reference volume only, not as a medical manual. The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If you suspect that you have a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical help.

The information in this book is meant to supplement, not replace, proper exercise training. All forms of exercise pose some inherent risks. The editors and publisher advise readers to take full responsibility for their safety and know their limits. Before practicing the exercises in this book, be sure that your equipment is well-maintained, and do not take risks beyond your level of experience, aptitude, training, and fitness. The exercise and dietary programs in this book are not intended as a substitute for any exercise routine or dietary regimen that may have been prescribed by your doctor. As with all exercise and dietary programs, you should get your doctors approval before beginning.

Mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities in this book does not imply endorsement by the author or publisher, nor does mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities imply that they endorse this book, its author, or the publisher.

Internet addresses and telephone numbers given in this book were accurate at the time it went to press.

2016 by Sharon Moalem, MD, PhD

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

The names, case details and identifying characteristics of all patients referenced in this book have been changed. Any likeness or resemblance to any persons living or deceased is purely coincidental.

Book design by Christina Gaugler

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the publisher

ISBN 9781623366681 trade hardcover
ISBN 9781622366698 e-book

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I ll never forget the first time I met Sharon at Nobu Tokyo. I invited him to my restaurant because I wanted to show him firsthand how I use umami, the fifth human taste, in my original dishes. It was really exciting for me to meet a physician and scientist who was so obviously passionate about human health but, like me, also deeply loves food.

My conversation with Sharon that night focused on umami. Weve all tasted umami. We just didnt know it at the time. Its found in very common kitchen staples like tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. Now many of the worlds top chefs are trying to understand and use umami in their kitchens. Umami helps chefs be more creative, and the dishes they come up with taste better than ever because of it. Ive always said to young chefs in my restaurants that delicious can be good for you, allowing food to be low in calories but high in satisfaction. Sharon and I are part of this new culinary movement thats seeking to marry delicious food with improving human health.

As Sharon so clearly demonstrates in his book, if we learn how to use umami correctly, it can be a powerful tool to get us to feel and stay full longer, which can get us all to an ideal weight faster. This idea will spark a dietary revolution.

But the DNA Restart isnt just about delicious foodits about something much more important. And thats getting every one of us to start eating for our genes. What excites me about Sharons book is that instead of focusing on food exclusion, its about bringing us back to a pleasurable eating and living experience using our DNA as the guide. This book is filled with genetic self-tests and the information you need to know concerning which foods and drinks you should be consuming for your genes.

The DNA Restart is an invitation for you to start a journey of genetic discovery that will change your current mind-set about health and longevity.

Cheers for your enjoyment and health!

Nobu Matsuhisa

Los Angeles, 2016

C laire was in her late thirties, working in publishing, and already a well-seasoned veteran dieter when I first met her. While some of her friends and even family members found some success with certain diets, Claire never seemed to be able to find that one diet that worked for her. She told me that her biggest challenge was striking a good balance among her carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake.

To rein in a creeping increase in her dress size and the accompanying 15 pounds she had gained in the last few years, Claire had diligently tried to severely limit her carb intake. What was most disturbing to her, though, was that the more she limited her carbs, the worse shed feel. Without eating virtually any carbohydrates at all during the day, she found it nearly impossible to concentrate on getting through the manuscripts that she was copyediting.

Finally giving in to her headaches, shed find herself reaching for a family-size tub of pretzel rods she had stashed away in her desk in case of emergencies. Munching mindlessly, shed find herself easily finishing most of the tub before working her way through a single chapter. But she couldnt ignore that the carbs did bring her brain back online and allowed her to slog through the rest of her work. What Claire had no way of knowing was that it wasnt a lack of willpower on her part that created a certain midafternoon weakness for her old-fashioned pretzel rodsit was her genes. She felt guilty about her pretzel binges but uncertain about what else she could do to ensure a productive workday.