Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #325356 in Books
• Published on: 1990-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

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

From Library Journal
Written by a doctor and a nutritionist, this reliable guide offers up-to-date information on how to use nutritional, herbal, and supplemental therapies to combat health disorders. Disorders are listed alphabetically and described, with possible nutritional therapies evaluated. This reference also includes boxed inserts that provide in-depth coverage and the latest data on a variety of current topics, including controversial nutrients, new treatments, and theories. Thorough and inclusive, the book reflects the expertise of the authors. Recommended.
- Marilyn Rosenthal, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, N.Y.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ingram
Complete and authoritative, this guide to dealing with health disorders through nutritional therapy has been co-authored by a medical doctor and a certified nutritionist. Together they provide all the information needed for the average person to design a personal nutrition program.

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive
With over five million copies sold, this book is one of the most read texts on nutritional health. I say "text" because it measures in at a good inch and three-quarters thick. Written by a certified nutritionist and a bona-fide MD, it is neatly divided up into three parts.

Part I, a quarter-inch thick discusses the basic principles of health and nutrition. This section lists and explains the various kinds of nutrients and food supplements.

Part II, by far the biggest section of the book measuring in at an inch and a quarter, provides the reader with an A-Z listing of many common disorders (such as backache or diabetes) and what you can do about them from a nutritional point of view.

The book ends with Part III, the last quarter-inch of the book, which is devoted to traditional therapies and conventional treatments that can be used along with a nutritional support. Here you'll find info on treatments such as chiropractic, massage therapy, color therapy, and so on.

I have to say, I was pretty impressed with the amount of info contained in this book and I can definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good nutritional reference book to put on their shelf when questions arise. Additionally, is also might give readers ideas of other types of therapies they could try for various medical problems. Other health titles I can recommend also include The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution for people who have trouble with chronic plantar fasciitis.

The only nutritional health book you'll ever need
This book is a treasurehouse of information. I liked it so much that I bought another copy for my mother. Not only does it give advice on treating illnesses and conditions with natural remedies that everyone has access to and can afford, regardless of their economic status, but also offers practical advice for preventing and treating illnesses even without health foods, such as with simple dietary changes and common sense. This is a wonderful resource, an encyclopedia of diseases, vitamins, herbal supplements, and more that you will refer to again and again. I truly believe that if you get this one reference book, you will likely not need another one like it again.

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.