[.ca] Fasting And Eating For Health: A Medical Doctor's ... (ISBN 031218719X)

Very motivating:
It is a well written book in layman language but with scientific evidence. The book is very motivating. So much so that after reading half of it I started my 10 days fasting program. I assure you that most of the readers will decide for some kind of fasting, too. The fasting is difficult at the first stage (day 1 to day 3) but after that it is very invigorating. A friend of mine went through one months of fasting!!! Since applying Dr. Fuhrman's recommendations a few weeks ago, I have lost almost 20 pounds. I must also add here, that a very important part in the whole process was the advice of Dr. Tombak in his book "Can We Live 150". Combining the wisdom of both authors does really bring great great results. These two books are my new bibles. They should be sold together.

THE RIGHT STUFF!!!:
I am Dr. Steven Acocella and I have been in private practice for 15 years. In addition to my training as a doctor I completed post-graduate studies in Human Nutrition at the University of Bridgeport and a residency program in clinical nutrition directly under Dr. Fuhrman. My knowledge and experience allows me to comment on his work with a depth of understanding shared by only a few. That said, I am writing this because I felt the strong need to comment having viewed some of the weird, self-serving posts and 'reviews' in recent weeks. Dr. Fuhrman's Eat to Live is the most comprehensive research-supported and scientifically credible diet book, offering significant health improvement, longevity and sustained weight control, simultaneously. Dr. Fuhrman has successfully treated thousands of over-weight patients (with a variety of related medical problems) many of which were referred to him by other physicians because of his impressive results. (see physicians comments on drfuhrman.com). But, there are crazy people and those who feel threatened by Fuhrman's ideas who will work feverishly to attack and discredit him. His powerful message poses a resounding danger to the profits of the food, drug and weight loss industry; industries that have billions of dollars to spend on advertising. Dr. Fuhrman's rise in popularity will unquestionably cost these industries untold millions in lost sales. They will wisely make large investments to discourage the ever-increasing popularity of Eat to Live and plan appropriate counter-attacks against him. One such group is called the "Center for Consumer Freedom" established with a grant from Philip Morris (its funding now largely derived from the liquor and fast-food industry). They have previously been hostile to Mothers Against Drunk Driving and have also stood in opposition to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, The Center for Disease Control, numerous animal protection groups and The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. In reality, the group seeks to impair consumer choice. They achieve this by disrupting the discussion and dissemination of information by anyone's message that details the dangers of certain (unhealthy) foods and substances. Their approach is simple: "If you can't argue with the message, shoot the messenger." Rather than intelligently discussing health issues, CCF attacks health advocates, like Fuhrman. The attacks against Dr. Fuhrman are directly proportional to his book sales. They're both on the rise! But these phony, unsupported attacks are easy to spot. Be particularly skeptical of vicious attacks with a similar style with rotating names and city locations that instantaneously pop-up again as soon as Amazon decides an old posting was too unbelievable and inappropriate to leave on their system. These 'objective reviewers' also typically claim they are a doctor. Or they claim to have spoken to a doctor who invariably indicts Dr. Fuhrman's book as dangerous. Physicians and the scientific community don't make critiques or advise in this method. Dr. Fuhrman always evaluates another author's diet book by looking at scientific research studies that point to its value or dangers. This is clear in his discussion of high protein diets or diets rich in trans-fats or refined foods. I am very interested in watching what will happen as the opposition gets more creative and uses more of their big budgets to protect their profit and loss statements. I hope Dr. Fuhrman has a bullet proof vest. For me, having already seen many, many lighter, healthier and happier people successfully embrace Eat to Live I know which side I'm on! Read the book and decide for yourself.

a great motivator!:
I love to eat and never thought I could go on a strict water fast but this book changed that. It motivated me to go on my first three day fast. I read the book primarily to discover if I could go on a fast with my medical problems. I have controlled type II diabetes and I also take medication for schizophrenia. In addition, I take vitamin and mineral supplements. The author explained that I could go on a fast and why avoiding supplements was important during a fast. He briefly states that fasting can improve certain autoimmune conditions like fibromyalgia, skin disorders, and other diseases. I was mostly interested in how to fast, how to break a fast properly, and what physical symptoms to expect during a fast. I did feel some hunger during the first day but that went away when I drank water. I did not feel any hunger on the second or third day but I did miss the sensation of eating and tasting food. I felt just fine with no headaches or lightheadedness. I plan on going on my second three day fast in a couple months. By summer of next year, I hope to go on a seven to ten day fast, with a doctor's supervision. You do not have to be supervised on a short three day fast but he does advise medical supervision for longer fasts. He also provides addresses and resources for medical professionals to receive training supervising patients on fasts. He explains that even a thin person can fast safely. Dr. Fuhrman also advises that you eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and avoid junk food, especially sodas. I rarely give a book five stars but this one deserves it.

Piqued my interest...:
While I found the information regarding fasting to be intriguing and am excited to start fasting, I wish there had been a chapter devoted solely to preparing for and starting a fast. Most of the book is devoted to different heath conditions and diseases with little bits of information about how to fast scattered everywhere. Additionally, I found some of the information contradictory. In the beginning Dr. Fuhrman explains that while fasting your body uses its stored energy (fat) which produces ketones that your brain then uses to function (a state called ketosis). Later in the book he talks about how low-carb, high-protein diets are bad because a person on the diet will go into ketosis and their body will produce ketones which are detrimental to the kidneys. Which is it - are ketones bad or good? Lastly, Dr. Fuhrman's anti-fat propaganda has little research to back it up, and he never differentiates between the vastly different qualities/types of fats. He claims that naturally thin people are thin because they consume less fat, not less calories. However the French & Mediterranean people consume a higher percentage of fat in their diet (as much as 50%) and are overall thinner, and have less heart disease than Americans. (They do however eat less overall, and way less processed foods.) Dr. Fuhrman neglects to point out that fat is essential for your body function and that the majority of Americans, though they consume vast quantities of bad fats (saturated, etc.) are chronically deficient in Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3 & 6). Overall this book is great introduction to the idea of fasting, however I will still be looking for a more thorough and up-to-date guide to fasting. I'd recommend the book, but not as a comprehensive "how-to" guide, but rather an thought-provoking introduction to an age-old practice.

Wonderful book, however...:
It's premised on the idea that if you are going to fast for more than 3 days, you obtain a trained physician to assist you in your fast. Good luck finding one. Most MDs won't support the necessary regimen or have the training to perform it. Frequently, one finds that chiropractors or naturopaths are main the ones offering this service. But even then, there are only a handful certified by IAHP (Hygeniec Physicians). That leaves the reader in a quandry. Do you I go it alone and risk complications or resign myself to 3 days or less without many of the benefits a longer fast has. To me, the only flaw of Dr. Fuhrman's book is that it leads the reader to the hope of fasting for health without the necessary support work of physicians or health professionals to provide this service. Flying to New Jersey to spend a month with Dr. Furhman isn't realistic for me or many I would imagine. Perhaps it would be better to empower the patient and train individuals in what to look for regarding their own health. Order their own blood tests, etc. I'm frustrated that there is a wonderful treatment potentially so close and yet so far. BTW, otherwise, his book is wonderful (which is why I gave it 5 stars). It's an excellent buy whether you can find a doctor or not.