Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease – and How to Fight It is a scientifically sound, yet easily understandable non-fiction book by scientist Benjamin Bikman, Ph.D. In this work, Bikman presents a convincing thesis: many widespread chronic diseases today have a common root – Insulin resistance - and we too often only treat the symptoms instead of addressing the cause.
Bikman shows that diseases such as:
- Type 2 diabetes,
- Cardiovascular diseases,
- Alzheimer's and
- various forms of cancer
not to occur randomly and independently, but rather through an underlying metabolic disorder – Insulin resistance – are connected. According to Bikman, this disorder is so common today that a large part of the population is affected – often without even knowing they are affected.
Why is insulin resistance so important?
Insulin is a vital hormone that:
- regulates blood sugar,
- controls fat and energy metabolism,
- and affects nearly every cell in the body.
However, as cells become less sensitive to insulin, the body must produce more of it. This condition – Hyperinsulinemia – leads to a vicious cycle of fat accumulation, inflammation, and ultimately chronic diseases.
Book Structure
Bikman divides his analysis into three main areas:
- The problem - How insulin resistance develops and why it is so widespread today.
- The causes – diet, lifestyle, environmental factors, and hormonal influences.
- The Solution – Practical, Evidence-Based Strategies for Preventing and Reversing Insulin Resistance.
The focus will be not only on theoretical explanations but also on tangible concepts such as:
- targeted nutritional strategies (e.g., reduction of fast-acting carbohydrates),
- the sensible use of movement,
- Insulin management through lifestyle change.
Practical benefits for readers
The great added value of this book lies not only in its scientific depth but in the implementability of its recommendations. Bikman shows how to:
✔ can improve metabolic health,
✔ Identifies risk factors earlier,
✔ and achieve real changes through diet and lifestyle.
The book therefore offers not only knowledge, but also the ability to act - especially for people who no longer just want to treat symptoms, but want to eliminate causes.
Conclusion: A must-read for health and fitness professionals
Why We Get Sick is a book that questions existing paradigms and provides impulses for a new understanding of health. By combining research, practice, and evidence-based recommendations, it becomes a valuable resource, especially for coaches, nutritionists, therapists, and those interested in health.
