Rating: 
Summary: Losing 40 does not make you an expert in nutrition!
Review: The fact that Marilu lost 40 pounds does not qualify her to write a book on nutrition. Initially, the book looked like it might be helpful to get someone to make nutritional and lifestyle changes. However, after reading the book I was very disappointed to find that many of the statements in this book look like excerpts or headlines taken from newspaper articles. Mostly half truths that are used as scare tactics to the untrained person. Much of her advice contains little, if any scientific data to support it. She inter mingles some facts with misinformation like "Milk is the equivalent to human growth hormone IGF-1". There are several things wrong with this statement. Human growth hormone and IGF-1 are not one in the same. IGF-1 is insulin like growth factor and is used as an indirect measurement of human growth hormone (HGH) in humans. Direct HGH measurement is a very difficult, hence, the use of IGF-1 which is a very simple blood test. While bovine milk may contain many nutrients, it clearly does not contain HGH. While obtaining a degree in Food Science, I don't recall any of my dairy science professors ever mentioning that bovine milk contains any type of growth hormone.There is much more misinformation in the part of her book regarding red meat. She makes the statement "that cattle are shackled and hang upside down alive for three to five minutes before they are actually killed". It is clear that Marilu has never toured a meat processing plant nor has first hand knowledge of modern slaughter practices. If she had, she would have learned that the animals are typically shot with a stun gun to render them "brain dead" prior to any shackling procedure. The chapter about determining your correct weight was laughable. She makes a statement that "your weight will be in a range". Well, what range? I don't think she understands the concept of BMI at all probably because it involves a mathematical formula. BMI is not the best way to determine optimum weight, particularly for someone who has a high lean body mass (LBM). Marilu makes no mention of the most important factors in determining your optimal weight, LBM and percent body fat. Marilu makes several statements regarding food allergies which are once again inaccurate. Like me, most people do suffer from undiagnosed food allergies. Food allergies can be determined by a simple blood test that looks for an antibody response (IGG) to each food. Constantly, eating foods that you are allergic to creates chronic inflammation and stresses the immune system. Food intolerances such as lactose intolerance are not an allergy at all. Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme required to digest lactose. Marilu's concept of food mixing was quite amusing. As a person who is trying control insulin levels, I would not recommend eating only carbohydrates without the addition of some monounsaturated fat and protein to lower the glycemic response of the meal. Rather than avoid certain foods because your body might be "confused about what to digest", I would recommend that you use digestive enzymes at each meal. It is well known that as a person ages, your body produces lower levels of digestive enzymes which can lead to digestive problems. Supplementing with natural digestive enzymes will boost the digestive process. After reading over the BEST food list, I would like to point out to Marilu that catsup contains a sugar, colloidal silica, and red coloring. Since tomatoes tend to get moldy, she might also be interested to learn that there is a standard for allowable mold hyphae in catsup as well as other tomato products. Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, so I do eat tomato products without added sugar. Rather than buy Marilu's book, do yourself a favor and buy "A Week in the Zone" By Dr. Barry Sears. I have been "Zoning" for two years and have lost 48 pounds and still going down.
Rating: 
Summary: The Title Says It All
Review: Yes, this truly is a TOTAL health makeover. It may seem a little extreme, but rightly so as Marilu explains. She goes through the ill effects of much of the food we frequently consume. I've never felt so healthy after giving up dairy products; drinking milk is just wrong, but easy to live without. She gives excellent examples of what to do and the reasoning behind it.
Rating: 
Summary: Extreme attitude toward food
Review: If you can change your eating habits to follow Marilu Henner's health makeover, well good for you. You are a better person than me. In this book she asks people to give up dairy, most meat, caffeine, sugar and to combine foods every time you eat. So, if you eat melon, never eat anything with it. But if you eat chicken, then you had better have a grapefruit too. I found the overall makeover really demanding. I could never follow it to the letter. BUT, Marilu does have some good points on why foods like dairy, sugar and meat are really pretty bad for you. I liked her ideas, and have modified my diet because of some of her ideas. I feel better and more energetic, as she promised. And she also asks you to address your health makeover one step at a time. I think that is realistic. This easy read is good information to have if you are looking for a way to eat healthy. But don't read it and follow it to the letter. It is way too demanding, and I think some of her ideas are medically uninformed. So, balance this book with another book on eating well.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable intro to food combining
Review: This book was the first I'd read about food combining. I only heard the philosophy mentioned before this in one of Anthony Robbins' tapes. It goes back to a Dr. Hay (see his books here, too) who discovered that foods digest better when you don't mix protein with starches, and when you eat fruit by itself. Marilu's book is a good introduction to this philosophy, but you might find some of what she says a bit hard to swallow (er, sorry) - things like taping a piece of fruit to your stomach helps with motion sickness, all cattle being butchered by being hung upside down by one hoof (not true), and so on. If you can take what she says with a grain of salt (just a grain - sodium isn't advocated, either), there's lots of interesting stuff in here that *does* make sense. A couple things I wish - I wish Marilu had gotten a better editor to correct some things and double-check some facts. The wording in some places is either confusing or incorrect, and the grammar and spelling at times needs improving (example: "flower" instead of "flour" in the appendix). I also wish she had given more recipes for real-life cooking. The recipe section in the back is quite small and most are not "real life" type recipes for those of us who use ingredients found in most kitchens or most supermarkets.
Rating:
Summary: Honest and Logical Health Book
Review: I loved this book. I had already turned toward becoming a vegetarian because of stomach and digestion problems and feeling tired all the time. After doing away with dairy and using more soy products and with the food combining (and of course exercising!), I have more energy than I have had in years and as an extra bonus have lost weight. I love Marilu. She simply wrote of her trial and error way of discovering this wonderful and logical way of eating (and with a sense of humor!) and I so much appreciate her sharing it with all of us. Thank you Marilu!
Rating:
Summary: One of the BEST health books around
Review: Excellent book with ideas on eating right/well, exercising, gusto/energy and alternative medicine. Marilu also includes information on caffeine, sugar, dairy, food combining, vitamins, chemicals, beauty, sleep, poop, face reading and SO MUCH MORE!!! Everyone will find at least one thing to help them feel healthier in this book. Marilu is informative, knowledgeable, honest and funny. You will be entertained as you learn how to be healthier. Marilu is a great motivator!
Rating:
Summary: Henner's book offers good sound nutritional information!
Review: Marilu Henner's book offers detailed information on how and why one should try a vegetarian/vegan diet. She offers testimonials of how these nutritional changes have affected her life and health. She also gives recipes for tasty dishes that do not include meat or dairy. She also offers suggestions of tastier and good quality products on the market.
Rating:
Summary: It just makes sense!
Review: I thought that this book was well written and, unlike most "self-help" books, it was very easy to read. The author writes with candor and goes into great lengths to explain why she has chosen her nutritional path and even dives into the topic of poop. I've never learned more from a book regarding health and have it all make sense.
Rating:
Summary: I'm so grateful for everything I've learned in this book
Review: I believe this book has changed my lifestyle in so many ways. I'm a happier person and feel good on the inside and outside. Not only does Marilu teach us her concepts of losing weight, but she teaches us how to have the BEST lifestyle for ourselves and that we can be truly be happy with our lives. I loved reading all the testimonies at the beginning of this book. I even read them over the phone to friends and family to try and make them believers of this way of life. If everyone lived this way we wouldn't have all these angry people running around. I belive this book is great and should be given a chance as soon a possible. I'm trying to get all my friends and family hooked!!! It's a little expensive buying healthier food, but it's definetly worth it. No more diet pills and no more starving yourself. I can actually enjoy my life now, and it's better than ever thanks to Marilu Henner's "Total Health Makeover."
Rating: 
Summary: Good reinforcer for the book
Review: I read the book many times before purchasing this tape. I think reading the book helps, because it fills in so much more information about the program. The tape is wonderful for a reminder and motivator to keep you on track with the program. It outlines all the steps in her makeover, and Marilu's sense of humor makes it fun to listen to. I wish this tape were unabridged!!!
| 
