Eat Fat, Be Healthy: Understanding the HeartStopper Gene and When a Low-Fat Diet Can Kill You

by Bayan, Matthew

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Scribner. Hardcover. 0684865270 From Publishers Weekly The title of this book is misleading: Bayan's story does not give license to eat fat. Instead, it exemplifies why patients need to become their own doctors and be active in taking good care of themselves. What Americans don't know can kill them, as first-time author Bayan demonstrates in his book, which is part medical memoir and part how-to advice. Cutting out fat is recognized today as one of the keys to promoting heart health, but a low-fat diet is also a recipe for disaster for the minority of people who have the ApoB gene, which actually raises the level of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Bayan, a public health manager who regularly exercised, never smoked and vigilantly watched what he ate, was unaware that he had the ApoB gene (which he dubs the "Heart-Stopper") until it was almost too late. Revelation came in the form of a massive heart attack that nearly killed him at age 45. Up to 20% of Americans carry the Heart-Stopper gene, but many doctors are unfamiliar with the technology that can be used to detect it--and potentially save patients' lives. Parts of the memoir are overwritten--the drama of the situation really ought to speak for itself--but Bayan does a fine job translating medical terminology and, with a keen sense of humor, explaining how people can integrate healthy behavior into everyday life. (Feb.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. Patricia A. Jones, Tulsa World newspaper "An exhortation to all of us to become better informed and more involved in our own care..." --This text refers to the Paperback edition. Book Description Eat Fat, Be Healthy: Understanding the HeartStopper Gene and When a Low-Fat Diet Can Kill You is the incredible story of one man's medical odyssey and how he came to understand a mysterious genetic condition that pushed him to the very brink of death-and how that knowledge can save your life. At forty-five, Matthew J. Bayan appeared to be in robust health. He exercised daily, ate a low-fat diet, never smoked, and avoided excess stress. But in the early hours of May 9, 1996, he was jolted awake by a massive heart attack. Rushed to a nearby hospital emergency room, Bayan was close to death; in fact, he did die -- his heart was restarted by doctors more than six dozen times. As he recovered, Bayan received the usual treatment for heart patients, which included a very low fat diet -- one that Bayan followed faithfully. But to Bayan's and his doctors' growing concern, his badcholesterol and triglyceride levels worsened on the very low fat diet. Something was clearly wrong. What Bayan discovered was that he carried the apolipoprotein B gene, a gene that could destroy his heart by triggering his system to produce more bad cholesterol on a very low fat diet than on a diet higher in certain kinds of fat. Bayan also discovered that not only he has this killer mutation, which he dubbed the "HeartStopper gene," but that an estimated 20 percent of the population carries this gene as well -- and the vast majority don't even know it. Armed with this newfound information -- of which many doctors and cardiologists are unaware even now -- Bayan took control of his own treatment. He found a new cardiologist and started on a regimen that included a diet higher in fat, medication, exercise, and stress management. As a result of their commitment and diligence, Bayan and his cardiologist have been able to keep Bayan's heart disease in check, and Bayan is healthier today than he has been in years. In Eat Fat, Be Healthy Bayan: Explains how this killer gene is identified Reveals what he and his doctor learned during their experience finding the best treatment for him Outlines the specific diet, exercises, and medications that were most effective in combating the defect Includes useful charts and easy calculations to help you determine if you are at risk -- and what to do if you are With the HeartStopper gene still largely unknown in the medical community, this inspiring book -- an exhortation to everyone to become better informed and ...Experience, Quality, Value.... . 2000.

Book summary

According to author and surviving heart-attack victim Matthew J, Bayan, some people--an estimated 20 percent of the population--are predisposed to suffer heart attacks if they follow low-fat diets. Banyan's controversial theory claims that such individuals possess the "Heart-Stopper gene," which may cause premature death if its carrier does not consume enough fat. Carriers of this gene, Bayan feels, may promote their longevity by taking specific medications, following his exercise program, and avoiding low-fat food fads.