medstudents HELLPPPP!! (can't pick a good biochem book)?

Question

I've recently moved from Carson, CA to pakistan. After finishing high school and some college, i've started my first year of medschool. The trouble with school here is that most of the teachers and local textbook authors promote rote memorization of facts instead of conceptual understanding i've come to rely on in the past 8yrs.

I was wondering, in ur experience, what's the best biochem book i should use to learn medical biochemistry as it is taught in the states. I already use Lippincott's Illustrated Review: it's a great book, but the trouble is that it's a "review" book. Which "TEXTBOOK" (like gyton and hall for physio...or gray's anat ) would u recommend to someone who hasn't taken organic chem, i.e.,ME!
Thanx for ur help; feedback from former/current medstudents will be most appreciated, nevertheless, this question is open to anyone who's taken biochem(and didn't fail it...lol) . Please remember, i'm looking for a MEDICAL biochem book...not a general biochem book.
Thanx = D

Answer 1

if u realy want a text book then its Harper's ......which ,ll give u a detailed view.but i fear u wud forget all, u r in first grade n wht i know abt biochemistry is , its volitile, rather telling u my experience n keep it secret that do study hard n try to get whatever u can but dont get urself confused .study whtever u can retain. dont go for bulky books, see it wud be ur professional life whic ,ll make u doc . n belive me when u ,ll move to ur third grade u wud only be knowing the basic n will forget the detail, so never be tense for this stuff.....medical studies r volitil n u need to read things again n again....hey if u r in pakistan .... i know its not research work here.....but i hope u get good education,
again will like to add, study hard but dont get urself confused with bulky books, just go thorugh it n try to get wht is easy to, n dont waste time with whatever is above ur level, u ,ll know that thing when u reach that level,
btw i hate biochemistry though i got good marks in it :P

Answer 2

i would recommend (Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry ) by the (Lange) series,, it is really good ..and it will explain the biochemistry right from the start even if u didnt take organic ,, and by the way ,, most of the medical studies will depend on memorizing not on understanding ..
All the best

Answer 3

I remember how difficult was boichemistry, but there are more difficult parts when studying medicine. I used Lehninger or Matthews. When you study biochemistry, you have to do it by heart, and first it is so difficult but then you catch it and it gets easier.
If you have any other question don't doubt it and ask me, I'm in 4th grade of medicine, I still have 2 more.

Answer 4

all the medical students i know take orgo and love their general biochemistry text such as leninger's principles of biochemistry. it introduces topics then goes into detail