Make Me Well

This book is actually useful. Timely and thorough, it tells us what’s what. -- Tim Key
A much-needed an injection of hard science into the booming global wellness industry. With the deep erudition of an actual doctor, the urgent prose of a proper public intellectual, and the story-telling nous of one of our greatest communicators, Xand van Tulleken's MAKE ME WELL has demolished several shoddy shibboleths and pointed the way to a better, happier, healthier life. I cannot think of a more valuable public service. And frankly I will never look at a vitamin supplement, longevity 'hack', or collagen dose the same way again. -- Amol Rajan
If anyone can drag the wellness industry into the light and make you laugh while doing it, it’s Xand van Tulleken. Beautifully researched, clear-eyed and very funny — essential reading for anyone who’s ever scrolled past a wellness miracle wondering whether any of it actually works. A generous guide to an industry that depends on us not asking too many questions. -- Hannah Fry
Make Me Well made me laugh, made me angry -- and ultimately made me feel better informed about my health. A deeply researched tour of a multibillion dollar industry that's more nutritious than any supplement you've ever seen advertised on a podcast. And he's made it funny, too. Put down your multivitamins and read this at once. -- Helen Lewis
[A] revelatory and eminently accessible book. -- Caroline Sanderson * Bookseller Non-Fiction pick *
In this accessible, illuminating read, the doctor and broadcaster separates fact from fiction. * iNews *
Digs into everything from the supposed benefits of vitamin D supplements and turmeric tablets to wearable health technology, blood tests and so-called anti-ageing pills. [van Tulleken] finds that the claims made for the above mostly don't stand up to hard science ... This can't be documented too many times as we face an extraordinary surge in innovation, transforming drug design, genomics and diagnostics that yields ever more complexity and confusion. So how do we stay healthy, facing such an onslaught -- and naked corporate greed? Quite likely, we could do worse than start here. * New Scientist *
A thorough, entertaining investigation into the unintended consequences of the wellness industry. * Economist *
Combines the rigour of an investigative journalist with medical expertise and the bouncy bedside manner that makes him such a natural broadcaster. He’s also the best kind of science writer, leaning into complexity while making it as easy to digest as a fish oil gummy (another thing you might want to stop forking out for) ... a book that deserves to prompt some kind of industry reckoning. * Guardian *
Pacy and compelling ... an engaging book that makes the science accessible and the findings clear. * The Grocer *