Dr. Catherine "Cate" Shanahan is a family physician and nutrition specialist known for her focus on diet, metabolism, and traditional food practices. She has a background in biochemistry and genetics from Cornell University and received her medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Shanahan has worked as a consultant for professional athletes and is an advocate for natural and ancestral eating habits. We have previously reviewed her book Deep Nutrition.
"The Fatburn Fix: Boost Energy, End Hunger, and Lose Weight by Using Body Fat for Fuel" presents a comprehensive guide to improving metabolic health by optimizing the body's ability to burn fat for fuel. Shanahan argues that modern diets high in processed foods and refined carbohydrates have disrupted our natural fat-burning mechanisms, leading to various health issues.
Shanahan begins by explaining the importance of metabolism and the body's natural ability to burn fat for energy. She discusses how modern eating habits have shifted our metabolism to rely heavily on glucose instead of fat, causing energy crashes, cravings, and weight gain.
Shanahan outlines the numerous benefits of being a fat burner, including sustained energy levels, reduced hunger, improved mental clarity, and easier weight management. She emphasizes that a fat-burning metabolism is more efficient and stable compared to a sugar-burning one.
The core of the book is the FatBurn Fix Plan, a step-by-step program designed to transition the body from burning sugar to burning fat. The plan includes:
Dietary Changes: Shanahan recommends eliminating processed foods and incorporating whole, nutrient-dense foods such as healthy fats, lean proteins, and low-glycemic vegetables.
Meal Timing: The book advocates for strategic meal timing, including intermittent fasting, to help reset metabolism and enhance fat burning.
Exercise: Shanahan discusses the role of physical activity in supporting metabolic health and encourages incorporating both aerobic and resistance training exercises.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Recommendations for improving sleep, reducing stress, and other lifestyle factors that impact metabolic health are provided.
"The Fatburn Fix" aims to empower readers to take control of their metabolic health by making informed dietary and lifestyle choices. Shanahan provides a scientific yet accessible explanation of how modern diets impair our natural fat-burning capabilities and offers a clear roadmap to restore metabolic function, boost energy, and achieve sustainable weight loss.