Books We Recommend

When the Body Says No: Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection by Gabor Maté, MD

Dr. Gabor Maté, MD, a Canadian physician (borns in Hungary, to Jewish parents, during WWII) and renowned expert in addiction, trauma, and mind-body health, is known for his pioneering work in exploring the connections between emotional stress and physical illness. In this highly informative yet accessible book, Dr. Maté draws on decades of medical practice and research to reveal how unprocessed emotions and suppressed stress can manifest as serious health conditions, ranging from autoimmune disorders to cancer.

The book challenges the conventional medical approach, advocating for a more integrative perspective that recognizes the vital connection between mind and body. Dr. Maté emphasizes the critical importance of acknowledging and addressing emotional health as a key factor in preventing and managing disease. He advocates for a more compassionate and holistic approach to healthcare, urging both medical professionals and patients to consider the emotional roots of physical illness. 

Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers: The Acclaimed Guide to Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and Coping by Robert Sapolsky, PhD

Dr. Robert Sapolsky, a renowned neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University, is a leading expert on the effects of stress on the human body and mind. His work integrates psychology, biology, and anthropology to examine how stress influences our health.

In this book, Dr. Sapolsky explores how our stress response, originally designed for short-term crises, becomes harmful when chronically triggered by modern pressures like work deadlines and finances. He contrasts this with animals, like zebras, who only experience stress in brief, acute situations. The author explains how chronic stress, particularly through the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, leads to health issues like cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, and mental health challenges. The book also examines how factors like personality and social support impact stress and offers practical strategies for managing it effectively.

The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity by Nadine Burke Harris, MD

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, a pediatrician and founder of the Center for Youth Wellness (now Safe & Sound) in San Francisco, explores the significant impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on long-term health. Drawing from her work with children and families, particularly those affected by trauma, she links early adversity, including systemic racism, to chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, addiction, and depression.

The book details how childhood adversity and the stress of racism disrupt brain and immune development, increasing the risk of illness and addiction. Dr. Burke Harris advocates for early intervention and trauma-informed care that addresses the social factors contributing to ACEs, blending patient stories with research to deepen understanding in healthcare and policy. As (former) California First Surgeon General, she calls for action to tackle health disparities by addressing the lasting effects of childhood adversity, offering practical paths to healing.

Decolonizing Wellness: A QTBIPOC-Centered Guide to Escape the Diet Trap, Heal Your Self-Image & Achieve Body Liberation by Dalia Kinsey, RD, LD

Dalia Kinsey, a Registered Dietitian and inclusive wellness advocate, focuses on creating a more affirming and accessible approach to health for QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities. She critiques the traditional wellness and diet industry for upholding narrow, exclusionary standards rooted in colonialism and systemic oppression.

Kinsey offers an alternative approach centered on self-compassion, intuitive eating, and body liberation, providing practical tools for healing relationships with food and rejecting diet culture. She also emphasizes the importance of collective healing and social justice, advocating for a holistic view of health that includes mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, along with the role of community and cultural identity. This book is a valuable resource for those seeking a more inclusive, empowering approach to wellness that celebrates diversity.

The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor and Daniel Maté

Co-authored by Dr. Gabor Maté (see above) and his son, Daniel Maté, a writer and composer known for his work in musical theater and mental health workshops, this book seamlessly merges Gabor’s medical expertise with Daniel’s narrative acumen. Together, they present a powerful examination of how societal norms, often perceived as "normal," can be detrimental to our health, leading to widespread trauma and illness.

The Matés delve into how Western culture's emphasis on productivity and emotional suppression exacerbates physical and mental health challenges. They advocate for a more compassionate and holistic approach to wellbeing, urging readers to rethink conventional definitions of health and address the underlying causes of illness.

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel vad der Kolk, et al.

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, MD, is a leading psychiatrist and expert in trauma, serving as the founder and medical director of the Trauma Research Foundation, and a professor at Boston University School of Medicine. In this influential work, Dr. van der Kolk examines how trauma rewires the brain and affects the body. More specifically, he discusses PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD). He highlights the importance of treating both the physical and psychological aspects of trauma, introducing therapeutic methods such as neurofeedback, mindfulness, yoga, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a technique that helps reprocess traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact. This book is a crucial resource for understanding and healing the lasting effects of trauma.

The Emotionally Exhausted Woman: Why You’re Feeling Depleted and How to Get What You Need by Nancy Colier

This nurturing and compassionate work by Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), psychotherapist, and thought-leader Nancy Colier, offers a compassionate and insightful guide for women struggling with emotional exhaustion. The author delves into the societal pressures and personal responsibilities that lead many women to become drained and overwhelmed.

The book explores how cultural expectations, the constant need to care for others, and the pressure to be perfect contribute to emotional depletion. Colier provides practical tools and strategies to help women reconnect with their needs, set healthy boundaries, and practice self-compassion. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and self-care as essential practices for regaining balance and wellbeing.

This book serves as a supportive resource for women who are seeking to understand the roots of their exhaustion and find effective ways to restore their emotional energy and live a more fulfilling life.

Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory by Deb Dana

Deb Dana, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and mental health therapist, and founder of The Rhythm of Regulation, offers a practical guide in her book on understanding and regulating the nervous system through Polyvagal Theory. Drawing on her extensive experience as a therapist, Dana provides tools and strategies to help readers create a sense of safety, stability, and emotional balance. Her book emphasizes how understanding the nervous system's response to stress and safety cues can lead to improved wellbeing.

Dana also offers training and resources for clinicians and individuals to apply these principles, fostering stronger connections and enhanced mental health. This book is an essential resource for anyone looking to work with their body's natural responses to build resilience and wellbeing.

Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine by Robert Lustig, MD

Dr. Robert Lustig, MD, a Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at USCF (University of California, San Francisco), is a leading expert in nutrition and metabolic health. In this book, he addresses the dangers of processed food and the flaws in modern healthcare's approach to nutrition. Drawing from his extensive clinical and research experience, Dr. Lustig reveals how processed foods and misleading dietary guidelines have fueled the rise of chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. He critiques the food industry and healthcare system for prioritizing profit over public health, leading to widespread health issues.

Dr. Lustig advocates for a return to whole, unprocessed foods and a more holistic approach to wellbeing, offering practical guidance for individuals looking to take control of their health through better nutrition.

Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice by Rupa Marya, Raj Patel, et al.

Co-authored by Dr. Rupa Marya, MD, Professor of Medicine at UCSF and also dedicated physician-activist, and Raj Patel, PhD, Research Professor at University of Texas at Austin (Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs), this book delves into the connections between systemic inequities, environmental factors, and chronic inflammation.

The authors argue that the roots of inflammation are deeply intertwined with social and environmental injustices, such as colonialism, capitalism, and racism, which have driven health disparities across communities. They introduce the concept of Deep Medicine, advocating for a holistic approach that addresses these underlying causes of illness.

This work challenges readers to rethink the relationship between health, society, and the environment, offering a compelling call to action for creating a more just and healthy world.

How to Make Disease Disappear by Rangan Chatterjee, MD

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, MD, is a British physician, television presenter, and podcast host known for his holistic approach to health and wellness. In addition to his role as the resident doctor on the BBC's Doctor in the House, he is a leading advocate for lifestyle medicine, focusing on addressing the root causes of chronic illness through simple, sustainable lifestyle changes.

In this book, Dr. Chatterjee introduces his 4 Pillar Plan, which emphasizes the importance of Relaxation, Food, Movement, and Sleep. He argues that making small, manageable adjustments in these areas can lead to significant improvements in health, effectively "making disease disappear."

With a focus on empowering readers, the book offers actionable steps that can easily fit into daily life. Dr. Chatterjee's holistic approach, highlighted in his popular podcast Feel Better, Live More underscores the critical role of lifestyle choices in preventing and reversing chronic diseases, making this book a valuable resource for those looking to enhance their health naturally and sustainably.