BOOK REVIEWS:

BREAKTHROUGH:  EIGHT STEPS TO WELLNESS by Suzanne Somers

This was a really interesting book.  Suzanne interviews some truly inspiring doctors about their health, wellness and anti-ageing advice.  She also discusses 8 steps to wellness that seem to be a common denominator as recommended by the doctors she interviewed.  These 8 steps are:-

1.  Get BHRT (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy)

2.  Avoid chemicals and detoxify your body

3.  Take nutrition seriously

4.  Create a Healthy GI Tract

5.  Avoid Pharmaceuticals unless absolutely necessary

6.  Supplement your diet

7.  Exercise regularly

8.  Get proper sleep

This is a part of Suzanne's introduction to her interview with Dr Russell Blaylock.  "Dr  Russell Blaylock is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about the effects of chemicals on humans.  As a brain surgeon, he was able to see firsthand the horrible effects of chemicals on the brain and was profoundly shocked to realise it was happening to younger and younger people. 

Dr Blaylock attended Louisiana State University of Medicine in New Orleans, and completed his internship and neurosurgical residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.  After twenty-six years of practicing neurosurgery, in addition to having a nutritional practice, he has recently chosen to devote his full attention to nutritional studies and research.  Dr Blaylock has authored three books on nutrition and wellness, including Excitotoxins:  The Taste that Kills;  Health and Nutrition Secrets that can Save your Life;  and Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients.
Dr Blaylock is devoted to helping us, the patients, understand the devastating effects of chemicals relative to our health. You will never eat the same way after you read his interview."


Dr Blaylock went on to talk about food manufacturers who add harmful excitotoxic amino acids such as MSG (monosodium glutamate) to all kinds of foods to enhance taste.  The government regulatory agencies allow food manufacturers to call these additives by any name they choose - such as caseinate, autolyzed yeast enzymes, beef or chicken broth, natural flavoring, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, soy protein concentrates, soy proteins, soy isolates, and autolyzed yeast extract.  All of these names are disguised names for glutamates, but as long as the glutamate content is less than 99 percent pure it is legally allowed by the FDA.  All of these substances, Dr Blaylock warns, can and do cause brain damage.  Learning how to read packaging for these tricks will keep excitotoxins out of your diet and will save your life.


Dr Blaylock suggests that you avoid omega-6 so-called heart-healthy oils such as corn oil, safflower oil, canola oil, peanut oil, soybean oil.  Dr Blaylock and other doctors in this book believe they are the primary source of arteriosclerosis.  Dr Blaylock also suggests that Canola oil contains both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids but has been shown to promote cancer.


I found this book extremely interesting and would strongly recommend it to anyone truly interested in good health and anti-ageing.


My Rating:  (out of 5 stars)
      ****

This book may be purchased from my website www.lifewave.com/mindbodycounselling