I am including here my personal investigations of health topics using research from health experts.
1. First idea to be explored: genes.
Why is the gene for FH so prevalent in our current population? It is probably because high cholesterol was a good trait to have in our evolutionary past. Obviously, it is no longer desirable today.
Three resources for exploring this idea:
a) Book: Survival of the Sickest by Dr. Sharon Moalem
b) US government article: Why doesn’t high cholesterol hurt?
c) American Heart Association article: Evolutionary Genetics of Coronary Heart Disease (in particular, read the Lipid Metabolism section)
2. Second idea to be explored: doctors.
Doctors are important in our lives. When a doctor writes a book, it is extraordinarily helpful to the reader because there is so much vital knowledge offered in the reading experience. We learn about medicine, humanity, life. So, why don't we dedicate a time to read books written by doctors, focusing on non-fiction? The doctor-writers recommended below are physicians (MD/MBBS) who have contributed to medicine. I also include an entry for online content produced by a doctor.
a) Doctor: Gawande, Atul
Book: Being Mortal
Comment: A surgeon's exploration of life.
b) Doctor: Grunch, Betsy Grunch
Links: www.facebook.com/ladyspinedoc
Comment: An inspiring female neurosurgeon.
c) Doctor: Stamp, Nikki
Book: Scrubbed
Comment: Top quality health insights.
d) Doctor: Jandial, Rahul
Book: Life Lessons from a brain surgeon
Comment: Fascinating insight into brain surgery.
e) Doctor: Kalanithi, Paul
Book: When Breath Becomes Air
Comment: A neurosurgeon becomes a patient.
f) Doctor: Kay, Adam
Book: This Is Going to Hurt
Comment: A physician's bestseller.
g) Doctor: Khadra, Mohamed
Book: Making the Cut
Comment: A surgeon's memoir.
h) Doctor: Mash, Henry
Book: And Finally
Comment: Moving story of how a doctor becomes a patient.
i) Doctor: Maskalyk, James
Book: Life on the ground floor
Comment: Intensely intelligent, compassionate, and honest. It follows James as he works in a Canadian ER and in third world countries.
j) Doctor: Mezrich, Joshua
Book: How Death Becomes Life
Comment: A transplant surgeon's book.
l) Doctor: O'Brien, Chris
Book: Never Say Die
Comment: A surgeon's memoir.
m) Doctor: Olivia Ong
Book: Back on my feet
Comment: All about resilience.
n) Doctor: Quiñones-Hinojosa, Alfredo
Book: Becoming Dr Q
Comment: Inspirational medical autobiography.
o) Doctor: Lipska, Barbara K.
Book: The neuroscientist who lost her mind
Comment: Explores mental illness, cancer and recovery.
3. Third idea to be explored: longevity.
I have completed a longevity coaching course through naturalistico.com that is certified by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM), the Centre of CPD Excellence, the Complementary Medical Association (CMA), the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP), and the International Compliance Assurance for Holistic Practitioners (ICAHP). I can't recommend it enough. You don't have to end up being a longevity coach, you can just use the knowledge for yourself and loved ones.
As a FH sufferer, longevity and health span (the ability to live healthily) is my top priority. Learning more about how to live longer and implementing the various and constantly changing ways of doing so is a daily habit for me. Biohacking has gained a lot of media attention because of people like Byran Johnson and can be expensive but simply learning about the Blue Zones through reading and carrying out basic lifestyle changes are doable and affordable for the average person. The most important thing is to use evidence-based methods.
Here some helpful, classic books to read:
a) The China Study
by T. Colin Campbell, PhD & Thomas M. Campbell II, MD
Review: Perhaps the most important book written on nutrition in our lifetime. Based on incredible research.
b) The Okinawa Way
by Willcox and Willcox and Suzuki
Review: Lessons from the longest-lived people on Earth
c) The Blue Zones
by Dan Buettner
Review: Longevity knowledge