The Secret Life of Fat

The Secret Life of Fat: The Science Behind the Body's Least Understood Organ and What It Means for You by Sylvia Tara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal.

Kudos to Tara for simply explaining "fat" in all its complexity.

Most of us love to eat it, hate to store it on our bodies though we actually need a healthy amount of it, and struggle to lose it.

In the Secret Life of Fat readers learn why fat is way more than the stuff of muffin tops and jelly thighs. Way more. In fact, fat functions as a organ, releasing hormones and impacting our body systems and behavior. Too much is bad for us, but so is too little. And get this. Once it's there, it will fight to stick around. Furthermore, how, why, where, and when we store it or lose it is a little more complicated than the good old "calories in vs. calories out" model.

Holding a PhD in biochemistry, Tara's credentials are notable, but what I really appreciated about the book were her straightforward explanations and the book's overall organization, both of which make the information easy to understand.

Most importantly, I think her book explains why we are losing the battle of the bulge while providing a basis for a strategy change.

I read a lot on this topic, so some of the information was not new, yet the way she pulls it all together led to some huge light bulb moments on my part. A worthwhile read for all, but particularly for health/wellness professionals.