[.ca] Prescription For Nutritional Healing (ISBN 1583330771)

From Amazon.com:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch and James F. Balch, M.D., has long been considered one of the most trusted, comprehensive sources on the mind-boggling array of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other dietary supplements now available. Working from the premise that a good diet promotes good health, this third edition of PNH still starts with the basics: consume fresh produce, grains, and lean meats; avoid foods that are processed or high in saturated fat; cook using glass, stainless steel, or iron--never aluminum; and drink filtered water. The authors also stand by their claim that the government-prescribed recommended daily allowances are ridiculously low, and that the book's optimal daily intake for nutrients should be followed instead. So what's new in the third edition? Along with now-accepted remedies, like zinc and echinacea for the common cold, the Balches also explore many of the newer supplements to hit the market: SAMe (recommended for depression and joint pain), phosphatidyl serine (mental acuity), red yeast rice (cholesterol), and 5-HTP (weight loss, insomnia, depression). You'll also find an expanded chapter on alternative therapies that encompasses Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, along with a hefty section on pain control that offers a grab bag of options such as acupuncture, biofeedback, guided imagery, chiropractic care, and massage. Still, the bulk of the book remains the more than 250 health conditions--from everyday problems such as insect bites and bad breath to serious diseases including bulimia, cancer, and AIDS--and the nutritional protocols the Balches recommend for treatment. Since any number of supplements can be taken for the same condition, the Balches make sifting through the glut of information a little easier by separating their nutrient recommendations into four categories: essential, very important, important, and helpful. And they take a lot of the guesswork out of buying supplements by listing the brands they know and trust. Once again, the authors have squeezed in an impressive amount of information, including valuable sidebars on topics such as the dangers of aspartame; how to choose a calcium supplement; common heart problems and procedures; cancer risk factors, diagnosis, and treatments; and sports nutrition. This is not relaxing reading, but it's enormously useful. While the material can be dense, the authors still manage to present it in a straightforward manner that's understandable even for readers without a medical degree. --Norine Dworkin

Change your nutritional habits:
This book is a good starting point for living an organic, non-toxic lifestyle. It can be the start of a healthy journey for the rest of your life. You'll get advice on designing and living a life that minimizes the onset of some illnesses that seemingly require only pharmaceuticals. Even if you already have an illness, some simple lifestyle changes may be all it takes to reverse the condition; that's how powerful healthy habits are. Prevention and healthy maintenance is the cure of all cures. Another great book that I highly recommend is Natural cures, also by Balch. Or if you want to add to the bundle another author's point of view the best option would be Cure the incurable by Mikhail T.

The only book you'll really need:
If you buy only one reference book this should be it. Practical information on vitamins and minerals, recommended dosage, and deficiencies. As well as valuable information on nutrition and the role it plays in our overall well-being. I just recently purchased the third edition, and my 75 year old Mom was happy to take my tattered second edition off my hands. It's a must have reference item for everyone on your gift list.

Excellent reference.:
At times I say to myself, if it isn't in this book, it just isn't. You will refer to it A LOT!!!

Good but not so easy to use:
This book is a good resource and it has valuable descriptions of all the nutritional supplements, vitamins and minerals available in the market. However, in the section on diseases, this book fails to give a complete description of the disease (symptoms and related problems) and the treatment is written in a very confusing way, in short, you don't really know where to start and what to do. If you are going to buy one single medicine reference book, I would recommend: "Smart Medicine for Healthier Living" by Janet Zand, Allan Spreen and James B. Lavelle, this book is more complete and much clearer on the treatment part.

Best Home Remedy Book:
This book will help you prevent and heal most ailments and illnesses using herbs, minerals and "home remedies" that work versus drugs. You will also learn a lot about your body from this book as it is written in an easy to understand format. It will help you understand the root of medical problems versus doctors just perscribing drugs to mask a problem versus finding out what could be the cause of problem and how to overcome them in a safe and natural way.