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Summary: A word of caution from a nutritionist
Review: I suffer from psoriasis and am also a nutritionist. I think the overall message of this book (ie psoriasis symptoms can be influenced to some degree by diet and lifestyle, and modifications of an unhealthy diet/lifestyle can therefore help mitigate psoriasis symptoms) is valid. However, I find it extremely unnerving to find a biochemist giving specific guidelines on nutrient intake which are not consistent with current recommended guidelines. Current guidelines are based on clinical studies and scientific research and they should not be ignored. A specific example - Levan recommends a vitamin B12 intake of 1000 mcg twice a day. The known toxic intake of this vitamin is 100 mcg/day (ie Levan is recommending an intake 20x the toxic level). This vitamin is stored in the liver and so toxicity is a real risk. Scary stuff. My recommendation to other psoriasis sufferers would be to believe in Levan's premise - a healthy diet and lifestyle will help alleviate psoriasis symptoms, then avail yourself of a book written by a well grounded nutritionist (Miriam Nelson for example) or consult a dietitian. At the very least, read Levan's book with an open mind, check her numbers vs other texts and use her guidelines with caution.
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Summary: proceed with caution..
Review: I want to believe that taking mega doses of vitamin supplements will cure Psoriasis, but at the same time my common sense tells me to listen to the previous cautionary post from the nutritionist -- the recommended amounts of supplements in this book seem extreme. And I doubt I'd ever get my son to swallow that many tablets on a daily basis! The book promotes a "drug-free guide to stopping symptoms of psoriasis" but doesn't address the toxic effects of some of the recommended vitamins, except to say 'reduce dosage if you experience tingling in your hands' etc. The dietary changes on the other hand, seem very appropriate, but this information is available elsewhere. Anyone wanting to read this book would do well to proceed with caution...
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Summary: Brilliant - at last!
Review: I was a bit dismayed by a couple of the reviews below - here is a book which promises a cure for the frustrated psoriasis sufferer, which in my experience no conventional doctor has ever been able to give anyone and these readers offer a cynical view. Agreed the book mentions a lot of practical advice to do with diet etc but the magic is in Lisa Levans personal history, her biochemical background and the development of a vitamin programme that really works. I have suffered from psoriatic arhtritis for a number of years now with little or no relief from conventional medicine - so I have taken to Lisa Levans book with relish. This book offers real hope and I highly recommend it to anyone who seeks a cure from psoriasis.
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Summary: Uh huh, sure
Review: If there was such a simple solution as mega doses of vitamins, etc, do you think anyone in the industrialized world would still suffer from this humiliating/painful disease? Although I do agree that certain environmental and dietary factors have an effect on outbreaks, I can testify that they are not the root cause. Therefore, minimizing these irritating factors can have a beneficial effect, but they will never make this disease 'go away'. How I wish they would! But you don't have to buy a book to know that overall health will improve psoriasis--it is an auto-immune disease, after all. In my experience, stress is the key culprit--and vitamins won't lower your stress level. The most effective non-medicinal treatments I've ever found are Neutrogena body oil (warm baths with the oil added do wonders), and sunlight. Just my two cents worth with 20 years of experience....
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Summary: The Psoriasis Cure
Review: My life has changed since finding this book - slowly - yes slowly, with the knowledge that it has given me, I have found relief on feet and hands from this distressing condition. For several years I have experienced severe discomfort, particularly in winter time and since reading the book and following the advice, I have begun to feel that what is normal is possible and not to far away. Many thanks Lisa Le Van.
Rating:
Summary: The Psoriasis Cure
Review: My life has changed since finding this book - slowly - yes slowly, with the knowledge that it has given me, I have found relief on feet and hands from this distressing condition. For several years I have experienced severe discomfort, particularly in winter time and since reading the book and following the advice, I have begun to feel that what is normal is possible and not to far away. Many thanks Lisa Le Van.
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Summary: This book is designed to give you answers
Review: The book gives you specific information so you can find outexactly what you need to do and how to do it, and you won't find thisinformation in any of the psoriasis new groups. You will find practical, useful, powerful information. For example, chapter 2 covers what causes psoriasis. It tells you about the factors that can cause your psoriasis to break out or get worse, such as stress, an imbalance in your hormones, allergic reactions, toxic substances, the food you eat, and vitamin, mineral, and nutrient deficiencies. The book tells you how to know what is wrong, what is happening in your body, what you need to do, and why this works. When you help your body on the inside, such taking steps to restore the proper functioning of your glands and liver, and building up your immune system, you will see dramatic improvement. The book tells you exactly what you need to do to help your glands, liver and immune system. The book describes in detail how stress makes your psoriasis worse by depleting vitamins and minerals that are essential to your health. Stress weakens your digestive system by reducing the amount of digestive enzymes you make, making it harder for your stomach and intestines to properly digest the food you eat. Stress does more nasty things to you too, such as weakening your adrenal glands which control inflammation. Your body releases chemical messengers called hormones to get information to parts of your body. They are made in your endocrine glands and turn biochemical reactions on and off. Too much stress can lead to low adrenal function and chronic fatigue, a weak immune system, and low blood sugar [hypoglycemia]. The book goes into more detail about the various hormones released by your body, which ones are released and from where, and what they do for you. Your immune system is your best defense against infection but sometimes may think a harmless substance is a foreign invader. This is what happens in an allergic reaction - your white blood cells overreact, your body releases histamines, and you get the characteristic swelling and inflammation of an allergic reaction. The book will tell you how to figure out what your allergies are and how to control them. Toxic substances in your body can cause your skin to become inflamed and make your skin cells reproduce too fast, leaving behind a pile of silvery scales [sound like anything you know?]. This can happen when your liver is not working properly, when you don't digest your food properly, when you get an infection, and when you have a food allergy. You will learn in the book what parts of your body remove toxic substances from your blood, where your body can actually create toxic substances, and how to handle these things so they don't hurt you. You will have red, dry, inflamed, scaly skin if you are deficient in certain vitamins, minerals and nutrients. You will also feel tired and listless because your body won't be able to use fat properly. When you eat, you feed your skin. If your body is not working right, your skin won't be fed right. The book tells you exactly which vitamin and mineral and nutritional supplements you need, based on research that has shown that people with psoriasis commonly have decreased levels of these things [the endnotes give references to the research studies so you can find out more]. Chapter 5 describes in detail all the vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements you need, how much to take, when to take them, describes why your body needs each one, what role they play in the body, and signs of deficiency. Chapter 7 tells you how to eat to beat psoriasis. You will learn what to eat, what not to eat, and what to choose when you eat out. You will also find out which foods contain which nutrients, which foods offset the negative effects of medications, which foods help reduce inflammation and plaques on your skin, and how to eat to keep your glands and immune function healthy.
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Summary: Relief at last
Review: This book has DRMATICALLY changed my life.I`ve had scalp psoriasis since 3 years and it got worse as a result of many factors.I had a hunch that something was aggravating my condition,but lacked medical knowledge to substantiate my views.Finally I have access to a book that gives many answers to my question.I now that I should never have any children because I could pass on my condition to them and it could be worse for them to bear.After trying the things mentioned in this book my psoriasis has reduced by nearly 60%.I have to comb my hair only once a day now,earlier it was twice as I had to get the flakes off.On certain days I feel that I never had psoriasis in the first place.The book mentions certain dietary supplements which can greatly reduce psoriasis.After exercising regularly (as the book advices)I feel great! Thank you Lisa Levan and please be free to write to me with any advice.
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Summary: Wonderful & Informative! Great Reading! Finally an Answer!
Review: This book is the answer to my prayers. I have been suffering with psoriasis for many years and have tried many solutions. Finally I have an answer. Thank you Ms. LeVan for you diligent efforts and solution to this daunting and age-old problem. Thank you!
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Summary: Makes sense--but expensive
Review: This was a good book and Lisa made alot of sense in what she said, however, the cost of the vitamin program is quite expensive. While on the program my psoriasis was better and I felt great. The only negative drawback I had was the cost of the vitamins, but I guess there is a price to pay for clear skin!
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