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REFUEL Press Kit

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Bio

John La Puma MD is a practicing physician, board-certified in internal medicine and a professionally trained chef. His mission is to help you get measurably, happily healthier with what you eat and how you live.

Three of his books–Cooking the RealAge Way, The RealAge Diet and ChefMD’s Big Book of Culinary Medicine–have been bestsellers around the world and have been translated into 8 languages. His new book, REFUEL, aims to change how men think about what they eat–as fuel too–and to help men become stronger, healthier and the best versions of themselves.

The Wall Street Journal calls him a “Secret Weapon” against cholesterol and heart disease. He taught the first Nutrition and Cooking course for medical students in the US, at SUNY-Upstate with Dr. Michael Roizen of the Cleveland Clinic, and the first Culinary Medicine course for clinical medical students in the US, at DMU. Dr. La Puma developed the recipes for Dr. Oz and Roizen’s YOU the Owner’s Manual. Repeatedly named “One of America’s Top Physicians” by Consumers’ Research Council, Dr. La Puma has been honored with the American Medical Association/National Association of Medical Communicators “Award of Excellence”.

His new “PBS ChefMD Shorts” series can be seen available nationwide through 2016, and his “Refuel Minute” series is available on YouTube. He is based in and sees patients in Santa Barbara, California.

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Jacket, Details, Slide Share

Refuel The Book

Refuel

TITLE: REFUEL
AUTHOR: John La Puma, M.D.
PUBLISHER: Harmony/Crown Publishers
DATE OF PUBLICATION: December 31, 2013
RETAIL PRICE: $25 US (Hardcover)
ISBN-13: 978-0770437466
PAGES: 304

SlideShare: REFUEL by Dr John La Puma

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Sales copy

Longform

copy for newsletters, email campaigns, blog posts, etc.

REFUEL: A 24-Day Eating Plan to Shed Fat, Boost Testosterone and Pump Up Strength and Stamina

Middle aged men risk low T and the drugs prescribed for it and many other health problems.

Tragically, men have been drugged by overprocessed food and toxic gender-bending chemicals. They suffer the heart disease, cancer and diabetes more common in men than women as a consequence. 

But for a man who believes food is fuel, and can make him a high performer or just average, REFUEL with the right food, the right exercise, better sleep and a stronger mindset before opening the medicine cabinet.

And for women looking to help a man- husband, boyfriend, father, brother, co-worker, friend– this is the insider’s guide you need now. Help a man get healthy: he wants you to and he’s waiting. Because men don’t diet, men refuel.

With this book, New York Times bestselling author and internationally renowned physician Dr. John La Puma reveals the proven 24 day eating plan specifically engineered for the male brain and body that is dramatically changing lives. Without risky drugs for Low T.

REFUEL: A 24-Day Eating Plan to Shed Fat, Boost Testosterone, and Pump Up Strength and StaminaIt’s a step-by-step 3 phase, 24 day program with a jumpstart for men worldwide, shows men how to make it easy to shed fat, boost testosterone, get strong and pump up stamina naturally. 

REFUEL’s 24 day program results, from a research pilot study and beta test conducted in 2012, were presented at Stanford’s Med X and SXSW 2013. Of the men participating,

  • 57% reported improved erectile function
  • 62% lost 10 pounds or more
  • 67% reported greater energy
  • 75% reported increased muscle mass and strength
  • 75% reported better sleep quality

None took testosterone therapy–all they did was REFUEL. And none of the recipes have added sugar.

Whether you are 10 pounds too heavy or 200, in your 30s or your 80s, are the guy who needs this or knows the guy who needs this (but not what to say to him, especially if you’re a woman in his life who wants to help him), REFUEL is critical for your success and his.

The Refuel Web site (accessed through http://RefuelMen.com) provides exciting tools that augment the book.  These include easy-to-make delicious recipes for REFUEL approved eating; cooking videos that can show you your way around a kitchen; and recommended lab tests, kitchen tools and supplements that can help you get what you need and REFUEL right away.

Do yourself and your future a favor and REFUEL now!

Shortform

Men don’t diet, Men REFUEL

REFUEL is a scientifically proven three phase, 24 day program to help men shed fat, boost testosterone, get strong and pump up stamina naturally, without risky drugs for Low T. Specifically engineered for the male brain and body, REFUEL aims to change how men think about what they eat–as fuel too–and make it slam dunk easy. John La Puma MD, one of the top physicians and nutritionists in the world, shows you how, step-by-step in his new book REFUEL: A 24 Day Eating Plan to Shed Fat, Boost Testosterone and Pump Up Strength and Stamina.

Endorsements

Refuel is the book we women have been waiting for to give to the men in our lives! With this information, men can regain the stamina and health they once took for granted!” — Christiane Northrup, M.D., and bestselling author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause

“Let Dr. La Puma be your personal doctor. Few doctors really get it–but with REFUEL, John helps you master a few simple ways to exercise that will burn the most calories in the least time. Love the high intensity training, clean fuel and lifestyle!” – Jillian Michaels, New York Times bestselling author of Slim For Life and Master Your Metabolism

“Peppered with clever, pithy ‘man memos’… La Puma’s diet is practical and user-friendly.” – Publishers Weekly

“A practical guide for men…with a lot of good recipes for health” — Eric J. Topol, M.D., Cardiologist, Scripps Clinic; Author, Creative Destruction of Medicine

“Dr. John La Puma has a deep and comprehensive understanding of what makes people tick: in particular, the drivers that cause men to develop unsustainable lifestyles. Here he provides practical answers to what had seemed impossibly complex problems using warmth, humour, and refreshing simplicity.” — Glenn Riseley, Founder & President, Global Corporate Challenge

“Finally! A great book for a man who wants to eat to optimize his body.  Written with the skills of a great physician and chef, Dr. La Puma’s REFUEL is packed and practical. This book is a game-changer.” — Alan Greene, M.D., Author, health pioneer, and Founder Dr. Greene.com

Promotional Info

Whenever promoting the book, please link to https://www.drjohnlapuma.com/Refuel or www.RefuelMen.com

The site offers the Refuel Cheat Sheet/ Master Chart as a free book bonus, along with Refuel recipes.

Interview Resources & Topics; Press Release

What is Refuel?

REFUEL is a proven three phase, 24 day program to help men shed fat, boost testosterone, get strong and pump up stamina naturally. Specifically engineered for the male brain and body, REFUEL aims to change how men think about what they eat–as fuel too–and make it slam dunk easy.

What is the crisis in men’s health and why is it important?

In a world where we hear millions of health messages daily, very few of them focus on men, unless they’re about eight pack abs and prostate health.

Men die 5.2 years earlier than women. They get diabetes at BMI of 31 vs 33. They get 3x the heart attacks and fatal cardiac events before the age of 64.

They have 4x the suicide rate of women. Over a quarter of men have a major psychiatric event in their lives, but less than a quarter of women.

50% of men will get cancer, but only 33% of women.

23% of men don’t see the doctor in a year, versus just 12% of women.

Social norms pressure women to be thin. But the current obesity epidemic is really an epidemic in men.: 27.5% were obese in 1999, but 35% are now; in women, it has been 35% for the last 15 years.

Men’s tolerance for ignoring high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol is very high–much higher than that of women

Men have more than caught up to women in obesity, and are leading them in diabetes, back pain, heart disease and cancer.

Not to mention that testosterone levels have dropped 25% in the past 35 years, and sperm counts have dropped 35% in 25 years. What is the crisis in men’s health, and how can men REFUEL? You’ll find out in this foundational interview.

What can women do to communicate with men about their health?

Many men already have tried weight loss in fad diet or group programs, but still can’t seem to gain any traction. There are a few key take-home points they can focus on and practice even if they don’t do the 24 days of the program. These are all techniques Dr. La Puma has derived from his 20+ years  of medical practice, and after reviewing the records of all the men he’s taken care of over the last 15 years. He’s learned, first hand, what works…and what definitely doesn’t. His experience will allow anyone who wants to REFUEL to avoid all the common pitfalls.

Succeeding When You Have Always Failed—Strategies That Make a Big Difference

REFUEL is a 24 day eating plan specifically engineered for the male brain and body designed to boost testosterone levels, help men shed fat, pump up strength and stamina and improve sexual performance.

Press Release from Random House/Crown/Harmony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Lauren Cook

Harmony Books Publicity

(212) 782.9486

LCook@randomhouse.com

An easy 24-day drug-free plan for men to boost testosterone and sexual ability, zap toxic visceral fat, and look and feel better, by the New York Times bestselling author of ChefMD’s Big Book of Culinary Medicine.

REFUEL

By John La Puma, M.D.

Refuel is the book we women have been waiting for to give to the men in our lives! With this information, men can regain the stamina and health they once took for granted!” –Christiane Northrup, M.D., bestselling author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause

“Dr. John La Puma has a deep and comprehensive understanding of what makes people tick: in particular, the drivers that cause men to develop unsustainable lifestyles. Here he provides practical answers to what had seemed impossibly complex problems using warmth, humor, and refreshing simplicity.”Glenn Riseley, Founder & President, Global Corporate Challenge

According to board-certified internist and New York Times bestselling author JOHN LA PUMA, M.D., men have a metabolic advantage over women in strength and stamina, one that can be lost by making lifestyle and food choices that don’t work for their unique biology. In his new book REFUEL (Harmony; December 31, 2013, $25.00), DR.LA PUMA offers an easy, proven, 24-day eating plan designed specifically for men to restore optimal testosterone levels, eliminate dangerous visceral fat, and improve sexual performance, naturally.

The scientific research pilot data about REFUEL is remarkable: 57% have improved erectile function, 62% lost 10 pounds or more, 67% have more energy, and 75% improved muscle mass and sleep quality. Presented at Stanford’s prestigious Medicine X and Quantified Self conferences, the research shows the success of a gender-specific, targeted approach to weight loss for men.

DR. LA PUMA’s innovative plan shows that men’s testosterone is converted into estrogen through belly fat. REFUEL restores men’s metabolic advantage by identifying and eliminating hidden estrogens, prescribing food men like to eat, pairing it with time-efficient exercise, and making other smart, simple lifestyle changes that shed the fat and get the toxins out. REFUEL gives you the rules, skills, and step-by-step plan needed to optimize the male biochemical blueprint, including:

  •  How to boost T-levels and supercharge sex naturally, without hormones or drugs
  • Gender-specific nutritional engineering—or why a generic weight-loss approach just doesn’t work
  • No sweat tactics to jumpstart your metabolism, build strength and maximize energy, naturally
  • The 5 commandments for getting it up and dropping the gut
  • How to man a kitchen—with 15 great tasting dishes anyone can and should make
  • How to engage and include the women in your life as partners in your program

With REFUEL, men who want to rebuild and rediscover their competitive edge and sex drive will regain strength, stamina, and sexual prowess without calorie counting or hunger.

Men can stop dieting. And start refueling.

###

About the author:  JOHN LA PUMA, M.D., is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine, cofounder of the popular ChefMD® video series, and medical director at the Chef Clinic® in Santa Barbara, California. The New York Times bestselling author of ChefMD’s Big Book of Culinary Medicine, he is also the coauthor of the bestselling Cooking the RealAge® Way and The RealAge® Diet, and a national PBS television host. The first physician to teach cooking and nutrition in a U.S. medical school, with Dr. Michael Roizen, and formerly Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago, Dr. La Puma has been called a “Secret Weapon” by the Wall Street Journal.

REFUEL

Harmony Books • On Sale December 31, 2013

Hardcover • $25.00 • ISBN 978-0-7704-3746-6

Sample Interview Questions

What is Refuel?

REFUEL is a 24 day eating plan specifically engineered for the male brain and body designed to boost testosterone levels, help men shed fat, pump up strength and stamina and improve sexual performance.

What is the crisis in men’s health?

  • Men die 5.2 years earlier than women. They get diabetes at BMI of 31 vs 33. They get 3x the heart attacks and fatal cardiac events before the age of 64.
  • They have 4x the suicide rate of women. Over a quarter of men have a major psychiatric event in their lives, but less than a quarter of women.
  • 50% of men will get cancer, but only 33% of women.
  • 23% of men don’t see the doctor in a year, versus just 12% of women.
  • Social norms pressure women to be thin. But the current obesity epidemic is really an epidemic in men.: 27.5% were obese in 1999, but 35% are now; in women, it has been 35% for the last 15 years.
  • Men’s tolerance for ignoring high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol is very high–much higher than that of women.

What did the REFUEL research show?

  • Men (age range 34-64, average BMI 32.4 (range 26.6- 46.4 kg/m2) participated in a 24 day online, gender-specific eating plan.
  • Videotaped instruction was posted online with sample recipes, meals and blog posts. Men took pre/post questionnaires and sent photos of their pre/post scale readings online.
  • Average weight loss was 10.9 pounds (range 4-20.5 pounds) and 5% of body weight (range 1.8-9.9%); average waist loss was 3.3 inches (range 1-5 inches).
  • 62% of men lost over 10 pounds. Both perceived muscle mass and sleep quality improved in 75% of men; energy level increased in 67%; morning erection frequency and erectile ability increased in 57% and 56% respectively.
  • Men with testosterone levels predicted to be very low reported fewer than average pushups and burpees before the plan, and lost less weight than men with testosterone levels predicted to be low or normal.
  • We conclude that this 24 day facilitates rapid visceral fat loss, improves sleep, sexual capacity and strength in overweight and obese men.

As presented at Stanford University Medicine X, Palo Alto, CA.

How is it different than other programs?

Three ways

  • it is designed for men, although when women do it with men, men succeed even more
  • it has been beta tested and presented at Stanford and SXSW, with remarkable test results (data)
  • it is part time: 2 days per week of 50g of carbs per day; 3 liters citrus water daily; and 5 minutes each of resistance and aerobic HIIT, plus sleep and stress tactics, and you’re done.

What can you eat?

The food and recipes are restaurant-quality, with no added sugar and gluten free, have the vitamins and minerals men need.  I offer meals that men love in ways they understand (Best Breakfast to Eat in Front of Your Monitor, for example). The truth is that a deck of cards sized piece of chicken doesn’t work for everyone, and men need meals they like, are satisfying and help them look and feel better.

What can’t you eat?

Foods that are starchy and sugary make overweight men hungrier: REFUEL helps you choose food that is not. It helps you swear off sugar sweetened beverages and food that you can crush or crumple…which has been overprocessed and is putting the pounds on you.

What are the 5 Refuel Commandments for Getting it Up?

  1. I will not eat foods I can crumple or crush.
  2. I will eat primarily undisguised lean protein and strong vegetables
  3. I will eat only small amounts of grains,starches,sweets,dried fruits, and full-fat dairy, and I will tart up my carbs
  4. I will use a 6-inch plate for meals at home.
  5. I will drink 3 liters of filtered (when possible) water with citrus juice daily.

Is the program just food?

The program is a lifestyle reboot, not a diet.  The exercise is high intensity interval training, starting with just 5 minutes a day and your body. The sleep program lets you get more and better sleep, and make testosterone at night.  And the mindset component allows you to fight the fat and cravings for junk food that chronic stress brings.

It does provide 15 essential, quick, easy, no-nonsense, no-added sugar, satisfying recipes in 30 minutes or less, plus:

  • 40 off the shelf snacks that take 10 minutes each–or less–to prepare
  • A Table of 12 Easiest Steps (e.g., Eat Breakfast with Eggs; and Plan Your Splurge Meal Date and Time)
  • The Menu Decoder with the REFUEL Top 10 Strategies for Restaurant Survival (#8: Pour coffee or salt on the food still in front of you if you don’t want to be tempted to continue to eat it. Or box it.).  Whether you eat out or at home.

Can't I make up for some unhealthy food choices by exercising?

You can burn calories while exercising, but you’d have to spend 8 hours on the treadmill, running at 3.5 miles per hour , up a 15 degree incline, to burn off the calories in one “Bloomin™ Onion”.  And even if you burn off the calories, you do not reverse the aging of the arteries and immune system the aging starches and trans fats inside that appetizer.

What do you say to those who claim to be too busy to Refuel?

I say try the 3 day jumpstart and look at the Table of Easiest Steps.. You can do anything for 3 days. If you don’t feel lighter, more energetic, recharged and better after 3 days, fine.  But if you do, then try the whole 24: it’s designed to be drop dead easy.

What are some of your favorite recipes from the book that even a man with no cooking experience or skills can make?

  • All the recipes taste like restaurant-quality, many are high in protein and all have the vitamins and minerals men need.
  • How does Pan-Seared Mahimahi with Red Cabbage, Roast Chicken with Lemon and Garlic Juices and Grilled Sirloin Steak and Asparagus sound? Or Easy Homemade Breakfast Sausage, Central Mexican Chili and  Coconut Rice Pudding with Bourbon and Toasted Pecans
  • Every man can learn to blend, simmer, grill, roast, stir-fry: I show you how in the book. And the good news is that you don’t have to eat perfectly to succeed

Does the program include women?

Yes, it does. Women are the secret weapon men have in doing REFUEL: the best way for men to succeed is to invite a woman to do it with them.

How does the program supercharge sex?

Refuel helps men get their sex drive back, both by naturally raising testosterone levels as belly fat declines, by improving sleep quality, and by looking and feeling better. The average American man has 58 orgasms a year, but having dessert more than once a night is unlikely. Quantity of sex is important for men; quality, for women.   We asked men: 56% had better morning erections and 57% who could improve their sex drive, did, in just 24 days.

Should men take testosterone and do your plan at the same time?

If they like, and their doctor recommends it, sure. But for most men, taking testosterone pills usually just puts a Band-aid on the problem, and sometimes upsets female partners. Not a good thing for sex. Or relationships.

What can be done about the drop in testosterone among men?

We have to help men sleep better, neutralize toxins and get the right type of exercise for their time. All will help, because at all age points, men today have lower average testosterone levels than their predecessors.  Overweight men are nine times more likely to have low testosterone than those who are not overweight. Declining testosterone, increased insulin resistance and weight gain in men are all strongly associated with deposition of visceral (belly) fat. That’s increasingly recognized as a primary factor in the development of many medical problems for men, because visceral fat is, more or less, an estrogen factory, converting testosterone to estrogen.

What are the foods that can raise testosterone naturally ?

Here are three:

Eat Crucifers: Cruciferous veggies like Brussels sprouts, watercress, kale, mustard greens, cauliflower, broccoli, and daikon are packed with glucobrassin and other sulfur compounds that convert estrogen to its least estrogenic forms. Steaming is the best way to cook them, or eat them raw.

Add Vitamin D: This vitamin lowers sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). In one study, men who had D levels under 40, showed a 10% increase in total testosterone following supplementation that raised serum D levels over 50. If men are vitamin D-deficient they will show a testosterone rise after 3,000 units.

Eat More Mono-unsaturated Fats: Avocados, olives & olive oil, nuts and nut oils are extremely healthy, because mono-unsaturated fats help Leydig cells transport cholesterol increase manufacture of testosterone. The leydig cells need adequate circulating unsaturated fats to make testosterone, which is why men on very low fat diets (<30% fat) show lower T levels than those on higher fat diets.

What is one of the most surprising contributors to low testosterone and poor health in men?

The CYSYP Test: Nothing quite makes the point about visceral fat like having a man look up, then look straight down, and asking, “Can you see your penis?” An answer of “No,” will likely provide way more motivation than a battery of biomarkers and lipid measures.

and

Our lack of vitamin D3: you can make about 2000 units just by letting the sun shine on your arms, legs and face for 12 minutes, without sun block (otherwise, you’ve got to eat cod liver oil by the spoon full…be my guest.). Vitamin D3 helps you absorb calcium, prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and decreases the risk of colon, prostate and breast cancer.  And 60 percent of us are deficient. Take about 1000 IU every day…max 2000. Try to get to a level of 50.

What can be done about the plastic chemicals that change men’s hormones or imitate estrogen in the body?

Make men aware that many forms of plastic contain estrogenic compounds. Whenever possible avoid plastic food containers and bottles, and seek out Phthalate-free and BPA-free containers. Never heat plastics, as heat will cause the release of toxins. That means no microwaving food containers.

Why with all these diets is America getting fatter?

Two reasons. 

First, because most diets do not work, and people can’t stay on these diets and do not like them.  They are like prison sentences—no fats, or no protein with carbs etc. People in a prison can’t wait to break out, and then all the weight comes back. 

Second, and more importantly, limit Carbs Twice Weekly: Carving out the carbs forever is not a feasible option for most guys. But the vast majority can handle a major carb-cut every few days. Dr. La Puma recommends that patients commit to eating no more than 50 grams of carbs twice weekly. On other days, they can eat carbs freely (within reason of course). This pattern, which most guys can embrace, simulates the alternating cycles of caloric plenty & poverty that our paleo ancestors faced.

Don't your genes control your conditions? If my father got diabetes, won't I?

Scientists used to think that was true.  But in the past 25 years or so, that belief has been changing.   Now we know that your food choices help you lose the gut, get strong, build stamina and boost testosterone.

Can you give 3 more core messages to men on the fence?

  1. Give yourself something to brag about
  2. You can be wrong and still be in the game.
  3. You’ll win if you don’t quit.

Helping men get healthy is not about having another salad. It’s about getting lean and strong, about building testosterone and not converting it to estrogen, and about not waiting for insurers or the government to catch up.

What are some memorable patient moments from your practice?

  • 72y/o reached the bottom of the Grand Canyon, >9 miles from the start.
  • 54 y/o no longer needed seat belt extenders, and moved the seat forward
  • 48 y/o had to take 2 links out of his wristwatch—the tan line caught his eye.
  • 39-y/o pulled the airplane tray table down without hitting his stomach.