In this incredibly informative piece of medical literature, Dr. Jason Fung asserts that obesity isn‘t caused by high caloric intake or the lack of intense exercise, but rather by a severe hormonal imbalance within the body. He very thoughtfully breaks down how insulin, cortisol and other hormones regulate the body’s metabolism and make it extremely hard to lose and keep off weight. He then goes on to explain why diets, exercise, counting calories and various other weight loss programs ultimately fail when the main culprit, insulin, is ignored.

When insulin levels are too high for too long, the body develops insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells can’t properly connect to the insulin hormone in order to absorb the sugar within the blood causing hypoglycemia (high blood sugar levels). The body, in an effort to drop the high sugar levels, reacts by sending signals to the pancreas to produce even more insulin, continuing this vicious cycle until ultimately type 2 diabetes is formed all while the body slowly gains more weight.

The Obesity Code is very approachable as Dr Fung made the conscious decision to write in a manner that is not too technical to ensure the layman can easily understand the message. He gives great advice on how to fight obesity with a combination of intermittent fasting and a “low carb/high fat/moderate protein” diet to decrease insulin as well as exercise, sleep and mindfulness meditation to decrease cortisol through the reduction of stress. This book is a great read for anyone who is struggling with obesity and diabetes related issues and is one of the best first steps in any weight loss journey.