Self Defence: A Myth-busting Guide to Immune Health

(Hardback)

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See through the bogus claims for boosting immunity and understand what the science actually tells us We are surrounded by big claims for how to enhance our immunity. But the one thing the science is clear on is that everyone's immune system is entirely unique. So how do we tell the myths from the facts And is there anything we can actually do to benefit our immune health World-leading immunologist Daniel M. Davis has the answers in this truly authoritative and highly accessible, myth-busting guide to the effects of stress, age, exercise, weight, nutrition, sleep and mental health on our immune health. His book equips the reader to spot the bogus claims made for diets and supplements and make informed choices about everything from nutrition and exercise regimes to cancer therapies and the vaccines of the future. Above all Davis urges us to be wary of one-size-fits-all 'cures' and punctures some key misunderstandings. We learn how exercise, for example, has all sorts of different, even opposing, short- and long-term effects on our immune health. And while our gut microbes are vitally important, it's unlikely that yoghurt drinks are the answer. Nor will orange juice prevent that cold. But much is now known and genuine opportunities do now exist to enhance our immune health. Self Defence is the indispensable guide to navigating these opportunities as well as some astonishing possibilities for the future.

Reviews

Self Defence: A Myth-Busting Guide to Immune Health uncovers how curiosity-driven science can help you truly understand and optimize your immune system - free from hype, misconceptions, and the traps of mistaking coincidence for causation. From the surprising links between cytokines and mood to the effects of stress on immunity, this book reveals how our biology shapes us in unexpected ways. With stories like how a glowing jellyfish transformed medical research, it shows how simple discoveries can lead to profound insights. Dive in to see how thoughtful, evidence-based exploration can lead to better health, resilience, and self-awareness -- Roger Highfield, Science Director

**PRAISE FOR DANIEL M. DAVIS' PREVIOUS BOOKS**

A brilliant deep-dive into the latest discoveries of human health. An inspiration!

-- Tim Spector on The Secret Body
A perfect blend of cutting-edge science and compelling storytelling. Daniel Davis has a rare knack for making complex science comprehensible and thrilling -- Bill Bryson on The Secret Body
As David Attenborough opens our goggling eyes to the natural world without, so Daniel Davis brings us face to face with the stunningly clever and, yes, beautiful world within ... One of those books that makes you look at everything human in a new, challenging and thrilling way -- Stephen Fry on The Beautiful Cure
One of the best accounts I have yet come across of the nature of biological science and discovery -- Henry Marsh on The Beautiful Cure

Author Bio

Daniel M. Davis is Head of Life Sciences and Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London. His previous books include The Beautiful Cure- The New Science of Human Health, which was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize 2018, and The Secret Body- How the New Science of the Human Body Is Changing the Way We Live, which was described variously as 'an inspiration' by Tim Spector, 'beautifully rendered' by Brian Cox and 'masterful' by Alice Roberts. Davis's research, using super-resolution microscopy to study immune cell biology, was listed in Discover magazine as one of the Top 100 breakthroughs of the year. He has published over 150 academic research papers, including articles in Nature, Science, New Scientist and Scientific American.