Suggested Reading

Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems by Bill Gottlieb, Rodale Press, 2000. 716 pp. This book is packed with wonderful information on how to treat yourself naturally - from A (acne) to W (wrinkles).

Brain Allergies: The Psycho-Nutrient Connection by William Philpott, M.D. Keats Publishing, 1980. 229 pp. An oldie but goodie. This book was one of the first treatise on the connection between food allergies and seemingly disparate diseases such as schizophrenia,diabetes, mono and depression. Philpott was also one of the first M.D's to suggest that most diseases are not caused by a deficiency of pharmaceuticals ie. of Advil or Prozac or Celebrex , but by excesses of allergens such as those from food, heavy metals and/or chemicals and furthermore how necessary it is to detoxify these allergens. Historically important and interesting.

Cancer: An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide by W. John Diamond, M.D., W. Lee Cowden, M.D. with Burton Goldberg. Future Medicine Publishing, inc., 1997, 1116 pp. Everything you have always wanted to know about alternative cancer care. A very good reference tool.

The Cholesterol Myths: Exposing the Fallacy that Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease by Uffe Ravnskov, M.D., PhD., New Trends Publishing, 2000, 297pp. Extremely well documented, lots of references from reputable journals, very convincing. His chapter headings are all "Myths": For example, Chapter one discusses the myth that high-fat foods cause heart disease, Chapter Two discusses the myth that high cholesterol causes heart disease. And so on. After reading this book, you will wonder why everyone doesn't have this information and/or why the medical community is so stubbornly slow to change.

The Diet Cure: The 8-step Program to Rebalance Your Body Chemistry and End Food Cravings, Weight Problems, and Mood Swings - Now by Julia Ross, M.A. Penguin Books, 1999, 402 pp. Ross covers pretty nearly everything in her 8 step program: 1) Correcting Brain Chemistry Imbalances 2) Ending Low-Calorie Dieting 3) Balancing Unstable Blood Sugar 4) Repairing Low Thyroid Function 5) Overcoming Addictions to Foods You're Allergic to 6) Calming Hormonal Havoc 7) Eradicating Yeast Overgrowth 8) Fixing Fatty Acid Deficiencies. I would have set up the book in an easier to read manner, but her information is very sound and helpful.

Eat, Drink and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating by Walter C. Willett, M.D., Fireside Books, 2001, 299pp. Critical of the USDA outdated food pyramid ("dangerous"), Willet debunks current dietary myths such as the evil of eggs or how great milk is and explains in detail the new healthy way to eat which is what I preach - no sugar, low refined-grain carbohydrates, plenty of vegetables and fruits, good fats and lean meats. He is also very interested that we keep our weight under the normal guidelines and helpfully includes about 100 pp of recipes and menus.

The Fat Flush Plan by Ann Louise Gittleman, M.S, C.N.S. McGraw-Hill, 2002, 254pp. A great book to have on your shelf for times when you want to do an easy detox - like at the beginning of a new year. Gittleman has years of experience behind her as a nutritionist and shares a lot of good information with us, including recipes and which supplements to take to aid weight loss. Most patients I have suggested this book to have reported that it works for them and that they feel better after doing her two-week plan. I know I did.

Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar and Survival by T.S. Wiley with Bent Formby, PhD. Pocket Books, 2000, 354 pp This is one of my all time favorite books. Not only is it cleverly written and fun to read, but certainly supports much of what I try to teach my patients; that sugar is bad and what happens when you do too many Krispy Kremes; that sleep is good and what happens when you don't get enough quality zzz's. One of the authors seems to be an X-Files fan in that the chapter headings are things like Secrets and Lies, We Are Not Alone, Earthling Autopsy. As I said, it's fun and informative. Read it.

The Metabolic Typing Diet by William L. Wolcott, Doubleday, 2000, 428 pp. Very good book. It explains why some of us thrive on a vegetarian diet while others feel terrible and why some of us do great on a high protein diet while others get sick on it. It all boils down to differences in metabolic typing. For example, in some of us the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is stronger which predisposes us to high blood pressure, insomnia, poor digestion and irritability. If we are sympathetic dominant, we must eat in a certain way for optimum health. He explains other parameters as well: Protein vs. Carbohydrate vs. Mixed Type and has devised a nifty questionnaire to determine which you are and how you should eat for optimum health. (Back to the future here as Dr. Philpott first mentioned biological individuality back in the early 80's in his book Brain Allergies [see above]) This is a useful book and you would not be unhappy adding it to your library.

Tired of Being Tired by Jesse Lynn Hanley, M.D. Putnam, 2001, 384 pp. Dr. Hanley is the founder and medical director of the Malibu Health and Rehabilitation Center so it makes sense that she sees many super-achievers whose stress levels are off the charts. Her book centers around adrenal burnout and what to do about it and suggests ten simple solutions, each a chapter of its own: 1) Eat, Eat, Eat, All Day long 2) Exercise Less 3) Calm Your Central Nervous System 4) Pay Off Your Sleep Debt 5) Let Go of Your Favorite Poison 6) Supplement a Tired Food Chain 7) Oxygenate Your Body 8) Learn About Hidden Toxins 9) Have Fun Every Day 10) Cultivate Self-fulfillment. It's a good book with meal plans, recipes and good suggestions.

Links

Following are links to other sites that may be of interest. (The links are solely provided as additional resources and are not part of drbea.com).