Reader Views

You Can Fix the Fat From Childhood and Other Heart Disease Risks, Too

Article first published as Book Review: You Can Fix the Fat From Childhood and Other Heart Disease Risks, Too by Gerald S. Berenson, MD, NancyKay Sullivan Wessman, MPH on Blogcritics.
 
Obesity (whether ‘obese’ or ‘morbidly obese’) is one of those topics we simply can’t avoid.  Not only are we surrounded by it in our communities but scores of books and other resources are constantly released, promising to have the answers and provide the key to escape.  With the sheer amount of information being thrown out to us – some sources contradicting others – how can we determine which ‘facts’ to believe and which to discount?  Why not start with the Bogalusa Heart Study?  After all, it’s the “only long-term, cardiovascular, community research program in the world in which both African-American and Caucasian individuals have consistently participated from early childhood through adulthood and middle life.”  With that single qualification, you may not need to go any further in your search.  “You Can Fix the Fat From Childhood and Other Heart Disease Risks, Too” is a comprehensive yet concise look at the obesity epidemic and its horrific effects on the human body. 

Authors Dr. Gerald S. Berenson, MD, and NancyKay Sullivan Wessman, MPH, utilize their extensive wealth of knowledge gained from the Bogalusa Heart Study and lay out the facts in an organized fashion and in understandable language.  The book’s format ensures that the reader gets exactly what they need to implement a healthier lifestyle without overwhelming them with hundreds of pages, difficult medical terminology, or extended explanations.  You can literally pick it up, read it in a day, and get started on the road to better health right away. 

Dr. Gerald S. Berenson, MD, and NancyKay Sullivan Wessman, MPH, write with an authoritative yet playful tone – they may be medical professionals with years and years of practical experience but they are also relatable and likable.  They convey intelligence, empathy, and encouragement and I felt like I was getting the best advice from true experts in the field.  The organization of the book flowed well, too; I felt like each section led to the next with ease.  Other than one editing issue (a three-sentence paragraph on page four was repeated word for word on page 52), I found no other problems.  “You Can Fix the Fat From Childhood and Other Heart Disease Risks, Too” is definitely recommended for anyone looking to eat and live a healthier life while avoiding heart disease and other health issues associated with obesity!


You Can Fix the Fat From Childhood and Other Heart Disease Risks, Too
Gerald S. Berenson, MD, NancyKay Sullivan Wessman, MPH
AuthorHouse (2012)
ISBN 9781477257852
Reviewed for Reader Views by Vicki Liston (10/12)

Live Better Longer: Your Guide to a Healthier Life

Article first published as Book Review: Live Better Longer: Your Guide to a Healthier Life by Hugh Wilson, M.D. on Blogcritics. 

While there is no escaping the fact that, if we are lucky, we will get older, there are certainly ways of getting older more gracefully. The information on how to achieve this abounds, and approaches to this issue vary greatly. “Live Better Longer” by Hugh Wilson, M.D., is one in the long list of books dealing with the issue of aging, and his approach to it is both pragmatic and practical.
 
As the author says himself in the Introduction, “Aging is mandatory, debility is optional.” This is the sort of philosophy I believe in myself, although my motto would be, “I don’t mind getting older, I just don’t want to be decrepit...” Dr. Wilson opens the book by discussing the downside of living longer and basic explanations of age management, followed by two extensive sections on what one should know about aging and age management as well as what one could do.

While this is not a “how-to” book and it offers no clear-cut program for achieving the desired results in the step-by-step manner, it presents a lot of food for thought, and it directs the reader’s attention to the most important areas of one’s life where one could actually take measures to minimize the effects of aging on one’s well-being. The concise chapters dealing with various elements of the process are supplemented by a very extensive reference section, both for web resources and printed material.
 
“Live Better Longer” by Hugh Wilson, M.D., is without a question a book written by a professional in the medical field and is packed with medical information. In spite of that, I never found the writing to be overly technical or unnecessarily complicated.  I would recommend it to those readers who are willing to put some effort into aging more gracefully, and who are open-minded enough to really listen to what Dr. Wilson is saying.


Live Better Longer: Your Guide to a Healthier Life
Hugh Wilson, M.D.
Seton Publishing (2012)
ISBN 9781475017779
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (8/12)

Prescriptions from Paradise: Introduction to Biocompatible Medicine, an A – Z Compendium

In his latest book, “Prescriptions from Paradise,” Carlos M. Viana, OMD (oriental medical doctor), and the creator of his own biocompatible medical protocol, continues to make his case for alternative and complementary medicine. Biocompatible medicine is based on the assumption that no two individuals and their bodies are alike. Integrating traditional medicine with alternative medicine in a complementary way to address the prevention and treatment needs unique to each individual is the essence of Viana’s protocol.
 
The book’s sub-title is “Introduction to Biocompatible Medicine, an A – Z Compendium.” More accurately, the book is an edited compilation of Viana’s most recent and relevant articles for electronic and print publications, most notably his weekly column in the Aruba Daily, an English newspaper. These articles are well written and described by the back cover jacket notes as “Simple enough for a layperson to use…and extensive enough for practitioners.” Indeed, I found the book overall to be generally easy to follow and comprehend.
 
The components of the author’s Biocompatible Medical protocol would appear to be well thought through; by Viana’s account, they have been successfully applied to his patients, most of whom he characterizes as “willing to open their minds to alternative, complementary medicine.” The components incorporate a diverse mix of alternative medical options, mostly reflecting the Eastern medicine philosophy. On the matter of Western versus Eastern Medicine and what constitutes “alternative” or “holistic” approaches, an interesting point that runs throughout “Prescriptions from Paradise” is the notion that the patient receives the most benefit when the barriers between these often seemingly conflicting philosophies are eliminated. Viana quotes author Richard Dawkins who proclaims that “There is no alternative medicine. There is only medicine that works and medicine that doesn’t work.”
 
At the Viana Healing Center, the clinic he founded fifteen years ago, Viana practices what he preaches in “Prescriptions from Paradise.” His current protocol has been developed in treating patients of all ages, and using a variety of medical methods. Each of these diverse medical philosophies is clearly discussed in the book’s “A – Z” format, beginning with Acupuncture. Many practitioners in various fields have recently taken to publishing books intended solely to “sell” their approach and services and to solidify their “expert” status - this book stands on its own. Viana writes passionately about what he and his professional collaborators and patients have learned about the methods he discusses, and the author does not include any of the “marketing baggage” often associated with such books.
 
There is general agreement in the Western medical community that the use of alternative medicine is growing in America and other developed countries. Carlos Viana’s “Prescriptions from Paradise,” offers substantive reasons why the alternative and complimentary approaches, such as those which he has developed and included in this own biocompatible medical protocol, explains why he and other like-minded practitioners believe strongly in this philosophy. If you’re serious about living a life of good health and wellness, “Prescriptions from Paradise” belongs on your short list of books on the subject.


Prescriptions from Paradise: Introduction to Biocompatible Medicine, an A – Z Compendium
Carlos M. Viana, OMD (China), CNN
Healing Spirit Press (2012)
ISBN 9780978992040
Reviewed by Joseph Yurt for Reader Views (8/12)

The Deep Massage Book: How to Combine Structure and Energy in Bodywork

Article first published as Book Review: The Deep Massage Book: How to Combine Structure and Energy in Bodywork by David Lauterstein on Blogcritics.
 
First of all, if you are looking for a deep tissue massage book, “The Deep Massage Book: How to Combine Structure and Energy in Bodywork” by David Lauterstein is not that at all.  It is a book that gives detailed information and how-to use energetic methods in facilitating healing of body, mind, and spirit within the massage therapy modality.  This book takes the practitioner to a much deeper level in being a conduit for multilevel healing of the client.

The book is divided into three parts.  Part one encompasses science and theory of deep massage.  Part two focuses on philosophical aspects exploring the seven dimensions of touch.  This section includes illustrations that position the “fulcrums” in the body structure to enhance the energy flow.  The third part combines theories and techniques for the practitioner to design an individual treatment session/plan for the client.
 
Sprinkled throughout the book are quotes by noted persons, which add to the energetic component of the book.  The content is written in a concise and clear manner, not only explaining the function of each area of the body but also giving a glimpse into the energetic factor of each.  The illustrations, by medical illustrator Christy Krames, are very detailed and give exact positioning of the practitioner’s hands as well as detailed muscle/bone placement.

As a former healing practitioner and a proponent of energetically healing the body, mind and spirit through touch, I feel Lauterstein’s “The Deep Massage Book:  How to Combine Structure and Energy in Bodywork” is one of the best books, if not the only book, on the market that explains the exact nature of energetic healing combined with massage.  Any massage therapist or hands-on practitioner will be able to add an array of modalities to their present sessions and take the client to a higher level of healing.  Having personally experienced Lauterstein’s “deep massage” sessions, I can vouch that the treatment was like none other and certainly escalated my healing process.  I encourage all hands-on practitioners to consider expanding their knowledge and their own energetic field by incorporating “deep massage” into their present modality.  Not only will your clients be elated with the difference it makes for them, you, as the practitioner, will also benefit from the healing on all levels.   Highly recommended!

The Deep Massage Book: How to Combine Structure and Energy in Bodywork
David Lauterstein
Complementary Medicine Press (2012)
ISBN 9780967303482
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (6/12)

The Take-Charge Patient: How You Can Get the Best Medical Care

Article first published as Book ReviewThe Take-Charge Patient: How You Can Get the Best Medical Care by Martine Ehrenclou, M.A. on Blogcritics.
 
If one would be completely honest with oneself, I think most of us would admit to quite a few issues with the way we participate in our own healthcare. And no, I am not simply talking about taking better care of ourselves and doing “the right things,” but also about being proactive in any actions related to the healthcare we receive, or should receive. All too often we don’t give that enough thought, if any, and when disaster strikes, we are very ill equipped to deal with it, and its consequences.  That’s why I believe that every American family should read and keep a copy of the excellent “The Take-Charge Patient,” the well researched and fantastically organized book by Martine Ehrenclou.

This is one of those books where the author truly makes you re-evaluate your involvement in the process, and while it is filled with information, it does not become boring or overwhelming at all. All of the information is very practical and explained in an approachable, easy-to-follow and easy-to-understand way. The personal stories from healthcare professionals, patients, and their “advocates” transform a simple “how-to” guide into something much more interesting and give the reader a look behind the scenes and into the inner workings of the health system.

The information deals with all of the important aspects of being truly involved in the process, starting with a lot of helpful information on how to choose the right doctors and tips on building better relationships with the doctor and his/her staff and continuing with how to be really prepared for your office visit and getting the most out of it. While some of those tips might seem a bit obvious, they are all too often overlooked, and it is the patient who will have to suffer the consequences. The following chapters offer helpful advice on medications, preventing medication and medical errors, proper way to research the health conditions, understanding insurance and dealing with it, negotiating the prices for procedures, alternative venues for health care and much more.
 
As the author herself stresses in the special note in the Introduction to the book, a lot of the information is repeated in separate chapters for the benefit of those readers who might not read the entire book. While I can understand her reasoning, I would have liked it better if she simply referred those readers to the appropriate passages in other chapters, and kept the book somewhat more concise.

I found “The Take-Charge Patient” by Martine Ehrenclou to be a definite keeper, and I believe it offers credible and properly researched information, necessary for a solid foundation on which to make better health care related decisions fore ourselves and those we care about.


The Take-Charge Patient: How You Can Get the Best Medical Care
Martine Ehrenclou, M.A.
Lemon Grove Press (2012)
ISBN 9780981524030
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (5/12)

The Essential Cancer Treatment Nutrition Guide & Cookbook: Includes 150 Healthy & Delicious Recipes

Article first published as Book Review: The Essential Cancer Treatment Nutrition Guide & Cookbook on Blogcritics.
 
I was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer so was elated to receive “The Essential Cancer Treatment and Nutrition Guide and Cookbook” by Jean LaMantia, RD, with Dr. Neil Berinstein, MD, to help me sustain my body during treatment.  I had been to an oncology nutritionist and received specific directions for diet and supplement plans to implement.  It was refreshing to read in this book much of what was explained to me.
 
For example, “In patients undergoing chemotherapy, the most common cause of anemia is suppression of red blood cell production by chemotherapy medicines.  This is a cumulative effect that may occur after several cycles of chemotherapy.  Iron replacement will not help this type of anemia.”  The chart indicates that pork liver has the highest amount of iron while other sources could be chicken or beef liver, oysters, beef, shrimp, sardines, lamb, turkey, tuna, chicken, or salmon.  If taking an iron supplement, it is suggested it is taken throughout the day in two or three doses, eat foods with high vitamin C at each meal, and cook with cast-iron or stainless steel  cookware to help absorption.
 
This book contains information on managing side effects such as constipation, depression, heartburn, nausea, and many more that are common.  It also contains complementary cancer care, menu planning for side effect management, and recipes for cancer treatment and beyond.
 
I decided to test one recipe and I chose “Suppertime Lentil Soup.”   It is recommended for constipation with bonus features of high fiber, high protein and low in fat.  I used my own prepared chicken broth I had previously made and frozen and to this I added dried green lentils, mushrooms, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme and parsley.  This combination was simmered for about 45 minutes and then served.  It was hearty and my husband enjoyed it with a butter crusty roll.  Because I’m on a low glycemic diet I couldn’t add the roll because the serving already had taken up 30 grams of carbohydrates.   The soup was tasty and easy to make. 

I encourage anyone diagnosed with cancer or any family member to check out “The Essential Cancer Treatment Nutrition Guide & Cookbook.”  It will give you a better understanding of the importance of nutritional health and how to achieve it.  Cancer diagnosis is devastating enough but with nutritional support much of the side effects from treatment can be eliminated or lessened.  Being proactive in our own recovery is important; LaMantia and Berinstein offer support as well as information to help us achieve our goals of overcoming the challenges that come from cancer treatment. Excellent resource!


The Essential Cancer Treatment Nutrition Guide & Cookbook: Includes 150 Healthy & Delicious Recipes
Jean LaMantia, RD with Dr. Neil Berinstein, MD
Robert Rose Publishing (2012)
ISBN 9780778802983
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (5/12)

Physical Properties of Foods: Novel Measurement Techniques and Applications

Article first published as Physical Properties of Foods: Novel Measurement Techniques and Applications Edited by Ignacio Arana on Blogcritics.
 
The Preface of “Physical Properties of Foods,” edited by Ignacio Arana, states “Foods are characterized by their physical properties.  These properties intensely affect the quality of foods and can be used to classify or identify them...It [this book] aims to provide the engineer, the researcher, the food market, and the food industry with critical and readily accessible information on the modern techniques for measuring physical parameters affecting food quality and food characterization.”
 
There are two parts to this book.  The first part shows principles and measurement techniques and the second part deals with the application of measurement to “classify, identify, and differentiate various foods.”  Such foods are vegetables, fruits, meats and meat products, cereal products, and dairy.  Some example chapters are: Basics of Electronic, Nondestructive Technologies for the Assessment of Physical Characterizes of Food; Rheological, Textural, Optical and Flow Properties of Food; Mechanical Damage of Food; and, Physical Properties of Cereal, Meat and Dairy Products.  Each chapter is thorough, giving an introduction, data, conclusions, and references.
 
Considering society is showing concerns about not getting high quality food, e.g., pink slime in hamburger, and First Lady Michele Obama advocating healthier eating, it is important for all of us to be cognizant of what is happening to our food supply.  It is more so important for research to continue measuring and providing this information to the industry.  In “Physical Properties of Foods” the internationally prominent scientists and engineers have provided the latest methods and “low-cost techniques to characterize physical properties without destroying the food.”

Aside from food engineers and scientists benefitting from the information in this book, nutritionists and clean-food advocates would benefit from the data presented.  It would give them a better understanding of diagnostic testing and measurements, as well as quality of food products presented to consumers.  As for the lay person, “Physical Properties of Foods,” edited by Ignacio Arana, will give an insight into types of measurements and studies that are made of the foods we ingest and the minimums of food quality control.  This, I'm sure, will have you thinking the next time you bite into an apple or drink a glass of milk. Recommended!


Physical Properties of Foods: Novel Measurement Techniques and Applications
Edited by Ignacio Arana
CRC Press (2012)
ISBN 9781439835364
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (4/12)

Flavor, Fragrance, and Odor Analysis, Second Edition

Article first published as Book Review: Flavor, Fragrance, and Odor Analysis, Second Edition Edited by Ray Marsili on Blogcritics.
 
Contributions from renowned experts give researchers valuable data in “Flavor, Fragrance, and Odor Analysis,” edited by Ray Marsili, to support “preparation techniques for isolating and concentrating flavor-active chemicals from foods prior to performing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis...” (Preface) The book contains nine chapters and addresses areas such as: Sequential stir bar sorptive extraction; Analysis of musty microbial metabolities by stir bar sorptive extraction; Characterizing aroma-active volatile compounds of fruit; and, Character-impact flavor and off-flavor compounds.  The chapters include: introduction; data using content, tables, graphs, and charts; conclusion; acknowledgements; and references.

An example taken from Chapter Six “Characterizing aroma-active volatile compounds” we study the mango.  According to contributor Patricio R. Lozano, from Kerry Ingredients & Flavours, Americas Region, Beloit, Wisconsin, the mango has “more than 300 free volatiles and about 70 glycosidically bound compounds.”   Further research finds “Straight-chain ester formation through oxidation of fatty acids has been reported in mango. Biosynthesis of fatty acids, the precursors of esters, has been found to be high during ethyl 2-methylpropanoate and 2-methylbutanoate as well as ethyle (Z)-3-hexenoate and butyl 2-butenoate, the latter being with a characteristic green mango note.”
 
“Flavor, Fragrance, and Odor Analysis” edited by Ray Marsili is directed toward the researcher, scientist, chemist, or student of food and nutrition supplying the most recent methods for evaluating and improving flavor and fragrance of specific foods.  Considering the expert presentation, this book is highly recommended for those that require concise and proven facts.


Flavor, Fragrance, and Odor Analysis, Second Edition
Edited by Ray Marsili
CRC Press (2012)
ISBN 9781439846735
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (4/12)

Eat Raw, Eat Well: 400 Raw, Vegan & Gluten-Free Recipes

Article first published as Book Review: Eat Raw, Eat Well: 400 Raw, Vegan and Gluten-Free Recipes by Douglas McNish on Blogcritics.
 
If you are a raw-food foodie, “Eat Raw, Eat Well” by Douglas McNish is for you! And, if you are just embarking on the raw food tract, this book is for you also.  There are many benefits of a raw food diet; for one, it is believed high heat necessary for cooking food kills enzymes that help you digest food. As well, it is believed high cooking destroys vitamins and the life force of food which basically means eating dead food.  It is also believed eating raw foods gives more energy to the body thus requiring less sleep, improves the immune system and prevents or reverses diabetes.  If all that is in your realm, I encourage you to try recipes from this cookbook and see for yourself.
 
For the purpose of the review, we are asked to test three recipes.  I chose “Banana Cinnamon Goji Berry Cookies.”  Raw cashews and raw almonds as well as cinnamon, goji berries, chopped banana, coconut oil and agave nectar were placed into a food processor until the mixture came together.  The cookies were placed on a sheet and refrigerated for 2 hours and then served.  Yum!!!  There were soooo good!

The second recipe I tested was “Pasta Bolognese.”  “Zucchini Noodles” were first made using a spiralizer.  The sauce was a combination of “Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce,” “Walnut Mince” and “Almond Parmesan Cheese.”  The marinara sauce was a combination of sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, basil leaves, and chopped tomatoes.  The mince was a combination of walnut pieces, cumin, chili powder, salt, wheat-free tamari, and olive oil. (This was processed until it resembled meat.)  All this was tossed together which chiffonade basil leaves.  Topped with “cheese” made from raw almonds and nutritional yeast, this made a very delicious dinner.  It sounds like there was a lot to make but essentially it wasn’t.  The end result was to die for!  I highly recommend this recipe and I will be making it again.
 
The third recipe I made was “Eat Your Greens Smoothie.”  What a great way to get your green in a fun and delicious way!  Using Hemp milk I added mango, kale, romaine lettuce, parsley, banana and a pitted date.  Blend all this together and you have a thick slurry that is scrumptious, easy to digest, and has fiber.  It is so good!  Since I made the original recipe I’ve also used papaya instead of mango, and dandelion greens instead of kale.  This was also a good combination.
 
With summer coming, “Eat Raw, Eat Well” by Douglas McNish would be a perfect cookbook to invest in; not only to keep the kitchen from heating up during cooking, but to incorporate a healthier eating style.  As I perused the remainder of the recipes I saw many that I’m going to be making.  I also noted the ingredients are ones you can purchase at any local grocery story (providing they are organic) and found in the kitchen pantry.  Recommended!!


Eat Raw, Eat Well: 400 Raw, Vegan & Gluten-Free Recipes
Douglas McNish
Robert Rose Publishing (2012)
ISBN 9780778802952
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (4/12)
Eat Raw, Eat Well: 400 Raw, Vegan & Gluten-Free Recipes
Douglas McNish
Robert Rose Publishing (2012)
ISBN 9780778802952
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (4/12)

Food Flavors: Chemical, Sensory and Technological Properties

Article first published as Book Review: Food Flavors: Chemical, Sensory and Technological Properties, Edited by Henryk Jelen on Blogcritics.
 
In the Preface of “Food Flavors,” edited by Henryk Jeleń, it says “Flavor is one of the main sensory attributes of crucial importance for consumers’ acceptance of food. Therefore, it attracts the attention of not only food technologists but also psychologists and neurophysiologists.” The chapters address areas such as: Smell, Taste, Flavor; Flavors from Amino Acids; Flavor Suppression and Enhancement; Legislation; Red Meat Flavor, Essential Oils and Spices, Food Taints and much more.  Each chapter spotlights on: introduction, aroma, flavor, examples of flavors, and analytical approaches.

A good example is of my favorite herb, Basil, in the chapter “Essential Oils and Spices.”  It is explained the herb is native to tropical regions of Asia and Pacific Islands and cultivated as a culinary herb in Europe.  (Canada and the United States are not mentioned but I assume that’s because the contributor is from Poland and only focused on Europe.) “Essential oil is isolated from leaves, stems, and flowers with a low yield of about 0.1%.  Fourteen tons of the oil is annually produced in Comoros, Madagascar, and France.”  As well, the data gives major components and use.  All chapters give similar data as related to the topic.
 
Each contributor is an expert in his or her field, including chemists, professors, and researchers from all over the world.  The data is concise and informative, giving references for further study or research.  Due to the nature of the content, the information is geared toward those in the food industry, nutritionists and health practitioners to help them better understand components and properties of foods.  I believe “Food Flavors,” edited by Henryk Jeleń, is a well compiled and addresses the major foods.  Recommended.


Food Flavors: Chemical, Sensory and Technological Properties
Edited by Henryk Jeleń
CRC Press (2012)
ISBN 9781439814918
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (4/12)