And It's About Time There Was Some Support For Cushing's!
Many helpful books are prohibitively expensive, so you may want to check them out of the library, if possible. I found these from amazon.com interesting.
| Chronic Illness | Fibromyalgia | Pituitary |
| Doctors | General Health |
If you know of any good books that I've left out from this list, please let me know.
The Diet Cure: The 8-Step Program to Rebalance Your Body Chemistry and End
Food Cravings, Weight Problems, and Mood Swings-Now
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
For most health books, the word cure in the title is a definite sign to steer clear. The Diet
Cure is a refreshing exception. Author Julia Ross has the unusual job description of
"nutritional psychologist," which means that she works with people to eradicate food
cravings, addictions, and eating disorders (including overeating). The gist of The Diet Cure
plan is that food allergies, hormonal irregularities, blood sugar swings, and thyroid
dysfunction, among other factors, cause biochemical imbalances that lead to food
addiction and weight gain, and that these problems can usually be lessened or eradicated
with the proper diet and supplements.
To be sure, most of these health problems ought to be diagnosed by a medical professional, but they often get overlooked because their symptoms can be numerous and vague (fatigue, depression, inability to concentrate). They're not easily diagnosed by the common managed-care tests (such as the TSH, or thyroid-stimulating hormone, blood test; Ross advises several more specific tests if a thyroid problem is suspected). Ross's questionnaires, worksheets, and profiles of case studies from her 10 years of clinical experience will enable you to determine what may be the hidden causes that sabotage your weight-loss efforts.
Ross's book should be lauded for its educational tone. She warns of the dangers of zinc and vitamin B1 deficiencies, two common problems found in chronic dieters, along with protein and fat deficiencies and adrenal exhaustion (which is particularly common in caffeine fiends). She rails against the most popular diet programs, including the Zone, the Atkins Diet, and even Weight Watchers, for (among other things) their ignorance of food allergies such as grains, dairy products, and sugar. For those whom Ross terms, perhaps frighteningly, sugar addicts or "recreational sugar users," she suggests an amino-acid and fish-oil supplement plan to curb sugar cravings and aid weight loss. Many of her patients over the past decade testify in the book that their environmental allergies and weight-loss problems disappeared after they cut sugar from their diets.
Ross's suggestions may seem radical to many primary-care physicians; her approach to health and weight loss definitely takes a holistic approach. She does, however, back up her suggestions and plan with references to medical studies, along with dozens of print and online resources on finding a nutritionist, naturopathic physician, holistic M.D., and testing labs (many of them mail-order). This is one diet that Americans in particular ought to pay attention to.
"On Wings of A
Dove" is a CD recording made in tribute to cancer and hospice patients and anyone wishing to invite a sense of peace into their lives.
COMMENTS BY LISTENERS:
From a chemotherapy patient, "It takes my mind and spirit to a place where cancer does not exist."
From a nurse/massage therapist: "Listening to your CD helped me to finally sit in a dentist chair without clenching my fists. This music makes me melt away my stress."
"The therapeutic harp CD is often played in the office. Everyone comments about how calming and uplifting the music is in our hectic environment. Hospice families and patients are amazed that we offer such a beautiful gift and are very grateful for the music." -- Bereavement/Hospice Volunteer Coordinator
"It is an emotional/spiritual comfort played with a loving sensitivity." -- Hospice Chaplain
A portion of the proceeds from this recording will support cancer and hospice programs. You may place an order for "On Wings of A Dove" by sending a check or money order made payable to Christine Magnussen to:
Holistic Harmony
P.O. Box 560, Phoenix
OR 97535.
CDs are $16 plus $2@ shipping and handling. (For additional copies, contact us for our bulk rate). Please indicate if you would like us to send a gift card, including name and address of recipient.
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using
Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, and Food Supplements by Phyllis A., C.N.C. Balch, James F., M.D. Balch
Editorial Reviews
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
The
Secret Life of the Brain by Richard Restack,
David Grubin
From Book News, Inc.
A companion to a series on public television in which Restak (neurology, George Washington U.) describes the working of the human brain at five stages of life: baby, child, adolescent, adult, and senior. There is no bibliography. Co-published by Dana Press.Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR
Simone, a message board member, said in a recent chat: "The Secret Life of the Brain is a great book that has a lot of information on stress and its affects on the brain. There aren't many books on Cushing's but this is pretty close because its all about CRH and Cortisol levels and all these things we now test and research."
