Reviewed by Ann Linus for Readers' Favorite

In a world rife with chronic disease and endless health advice, Benjamin L. Smith presents the Ultimate Health Model, which illustrates how everyday lifestyle factors influence whether a person experiences optimal health or chronic disease. The Model has two sides: the green side, which contains positive lifestyle factors, and the red side, which contains negative lifestyle factors. Each side has distinct effects on the body, down to the cellular level, and ultimately leads to either Optimal Health or Chronic Disease. The green side includes factors such as nose breathing, structured water, and stress management, while the red side includes chronic stressors, poor diet, and EMFs, among others.

What I liked most about Why Are You Sick? was its simplicity. The author explained health concepts in conversational language, defining medical and biological terms and often illustrating them with analogies. For instance, mitochondria were described as the “power plants” of the cell. I also found the book relatable because the factors in the Ultimate Health Model—breathing, water, sleep, stress, and diet—are relevant to everyone. Smith does a meticulous job of dedicating chapters to primary lifestyle factors. As the author acknowledges, some of the content is controversial, but the book nevertheless offers valuable insights on living a healthier life. I learned several new concepts and am curious enough to research some of them further. I appreciate his encouragement to think more consciously about the lifestyle that affects our wellbeing.

Beyond being educational, Why Are You Sick? was engaging and entertaining, largely because of its narrators, GM Hakeem, Gillian Williams, Tom Wayland, Rachel Sloane, and Elias Khalil. The book is presented as a talk show featuring Healthy Heidi & Hank and Diseased Debbie & Dan. In a conversational, slightly advisory tone, Healthy Heidi & Hank educate Debbie & Dan on the importance of the positive lifestyle factors on the green side. I particularly enjoyed the Gameshow Trivia at the end of each chapter. The narrators were humorous and engaging, sometimes even breaking the fourth wall to address the listener directly. There is also a moderate amount of swearing—to drive the message home—which I found amusing. Suffice it to say, the narration was excellent. Overall, Why Are You Sick? is an informative and thought-provoking listen.