Book Review: The Rain Barrel Effect: How a 6,000 Year Old Answer Holds the Secret to Finally Getting Well, Losing Weight & Feeling Alive Again! by Dr. Stephen Cabral

This is one of the first books I read that touches on the topic on functional medicine- from toxins, sleep, stress, weight gain, heavy metals and detox. Dr. Cabral uses the illustration of a “Rain Barrel” to describe how and why we get sick and feeling “blah.” He explains that our bodies are just like those rain barrel that catches water every time it rains and no one notices it. At some point, the water level will reach the rim and overflows, and of course, water will spill over. Just like that our bodies over time accumulate toxins from the environment, pollution, pesticides, plastics, heavy metals, bacteria, parasites, virus, and so and so forth. In a perfect body, our liver and other excretory organs will help flush off all these. However, considering how we eat and age, if the organs are not supported well enough, your body slowly “spills out” and symptoms will start to manifest. Dr. Cabral learned this principle, “The Rain Barrel Effect” from an article he had picked up in the waiting room of his allergist. You can read more about his personal journey in his book!

What I like about this book is that Dr. Cabral does not only focus on one aspect of health and one kind of solution. He generously opens up many others. The principles he gave are pretty universal and he gives direct functional medicine recommendations. His DESTRESS Protocol outlines areas of food, exercise, sleep, stress management, emotional balance. “You are the sum of every action you take.” This is basically what he points to. Each action you do- good and bad will add up into your whole health and wellbeing.

What I can say is that, his health journey can really inspire many people to not give up in finding solutions to get well in whatever dis-eases they are experiencing. “You are not your dis-ease!” He gives references to bring up a point but does not overdo the scientific terminologies that may make it hard for people without a health degree to understand. He does this so that anyone can start doing something to be one step closer in living healthier. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for answers for their own health condition or helping someone else.