Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health

In "Good Energy," Stanford-trained physician Dr. Casey Means presents a groundbreaking approach to health centered on metabolic function, which she identifies as the most overlooked yet critical factor in overall wellbeing. Drawing from both her clinical experience and personal journey after losing her mother to metabolic disease, Dr. Means challenges conventional healthcare's symptom-focused approach, instead advocating for addressing the root causes of chronic illness. The book presents metabolism not merely as a weight management system but as the fundamental cellular process that converts food and oxygen into energy throughout the body. Dr. Means highlights alarming research showing that only 12.2% of American adults are metabolically healthy, connecting this crisis to the epidemic of chronic diseases. She provides a comprehensive framework covering nutrition, sleep, stress management, exercise, and environmental factors—all through the lens of how they impact our metabolic health. Throughout the book, she draws compelling connections between blood sugar regulation, mitochondrial function, and diverse aspects of health from cognitive performance to emotional wellbeing.