The New York Times Guide to Alternative Health - Softcover

Brody, Jane E.; Grady, Denise

3.6

5 ratings by Goodreads

9780805067439: The New York Times Guide to Alternative Health

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0805067434 ISBN 13: 9780805067439

Publisher: Times Books, 2001

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An indispensible resource for anyone interested in alternative medicine.

Nearly half the American population has at some point consulted a practitioner of complementary medicine -- a chiropractor or a specialist in acupuncture, homeopathy, massage therapy, or herbal or Chinese medicine. The amount of money spent on treatments and products in these areas is staggering, yet we still know little about their efficacy.

Adhering to the same high standards of investigation used by mainstream medical science, Jane Brody, Denise Grady, and the reporters of The New York Times take a hard look at the products, the research -- and the scams. They reveal the facts about unregulated dietary supplements, interactions between herbal and prescription medicines, and the many theories about the power of the mind over physical ailments. They evaluate claims about popular remedies like echinacea, ginkgo, and St. John's wort, and review the increasing body of scientific data on alternative treatments, including critical government case studies.

Contributors to this timely and authoritative guide include star writers of the health, science, and business pages of The New York Times, whose articles are prized by those seeking practical, reliable, well-researched reporting on vital health issues.

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Review:

Self-healing can be a long journey--one that starts with having to wade through miles of misinformation and flavor-of-the-week hype. In an attempt to help sort out the hodgepodge of material on various methods of improving your health, Jane Brody and Denise Grady have assembled a book filled with carefully analyzed articles written by themselves and the reporters of The New York Times. Insightful and informative, The New York Times Guide to Alternative Health doesn't present a specific how-to plan for anyone; rather, it provides readers with a practical reference tool for everything from herbs to homeopathy.

The chapters are divided into general categories, most of which involve items that are ingested. Herbs, foods, minerals, vitamins, combination supplements... the list seems endless. Remaining chapters are devoted to a variety of more physical remedies like tai chi, acupuncture, massage, and meditation. In every case, you'll find a distinctive newspaper style quite different from the personal--not to say touchy-feely--format of most alternative health books. After noting the studies and statistics cited, even the hardiest skeptics may decide to add a daily multivitamin or reconsider hormone replacement therapy. Some of the writers are the biggest skeptics around; as one says on the topic of vitamin-rich cosmetics, "I've been known to skip the workout and just tone my eyelashes." Whether you're a chronic doubter or have a tendency to believe everything you read, this guide has a deserved spot on the shelf, especially as a reference for double-checking suggestions from Web sites, well-meaning friends, or other less straightforward sources. --Jill Lightner

About the Author:

Jane E. Brody is the personal health columnist for The New York Times and the author of several bestselling books, including Jane Brody's Good Food Book and Jane Brody's Nutrition Book. She lives in New York City.

Denise Grady is a science and health reporter for the popular Science Times weekly section of The New York Times. She lives in New York City.

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