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Summary: Review from The Book Reader Fall/Winter 2000/01 edition
Review: A passionately written and thoroughly documented battle plan against AIDS related wasting. This book combines the research reviews of Mooney, a longtime medical journalist, and the personal experiences of Vergel, a 16-year HIV survivor -- along with self-experiments by other PWA's -- to offer winning strategies for all who dare to follow. Emphasizing that many HIVers are unsuspectingly losing lean body mass -- starting to waste -- the authors demystify anabolic steroids and other muscle-building hormones. Also included are tips on eating to enhance immunity, optimal use of supplements, weight lifting to fight wasting natural treatments for diarrhea, appetite stimulation and food safety, as well as extensive resources. Favorite Chapter: "Complementary Approaches to Treating Lipodystrophy."
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Summary: More than I hoped for
Review: As a person with HIV I have been curious about using testosterone and steroids because of all I have heard about them. My doctor will give them to me if I want, but he has been of little help in understanding whether I really should use them or not. A good friend bought me this book and told me that it would help me find my answers. I was surprised to find that the authors weren't pushing steroids. In fact, this book convinced me that I do not need them yet. It also gave me enough understanding of what steroids can do and what problems they might cause, that I think that I will know how to make a choice if I get to a point where I might really need them. What I will start using immediately are the book's detailed suggestions on nutrition and vitamins -- no other book I have seen has so much information about using nutrition to stay healthy in HIV. This gives me hope that I may not get to a point where I will have to use steroids. I was also awed to find that the authors donate all the profits from the book to HIV organizations. This made me more convinced of the quality of the information. God bless them.
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Summary: OutSmart Magazine review
Review: Built to Survive is a nuts-and-bolts description of the Program for Wellness Restoration (PoWeR) for HIV-positive people to stay healthy and combat wasting through the medical use of anabolic steroids, nutrition and exercise. Presented in remarkably clear terms, this book is indispensable for anyone who is HIV positive, or anyone in the medical profession who treats HIV. Presented in a series of articles or papers, the book includes detailed information about the various steroids, comparisons of benefits and side effects, information on studies, even a table giving comparisons of cost versus weight gain. The book gives step-by-step instructions for setting up a weight-training program. It also outlines a nutritional program tailored to improving immune response, as well as much other educational material. This book contains forewords by Dr.Mauro Di Pasquale, one of the foremost researchers in HIV wellness; and Houston's dedicated Drs. Patricia Salvato and Shannon Schrader. Di Pasquale writes: "I have watched over the years as both Michael and Nelson have changed from being innocent idealists to being veterans in researching, speaking and writing on various aspects of HIV disease and its treatment....Today they are two of the most knowledgeable and dedicated people I know....This book is a culmination of their knowledge, hopes and desires to help their fellows."
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Summary: Review from The Book Reader Fall/Winter 2000/01 edition
Review: Co-author Nelson Vergel was diagnosed with HIV in 1984. He's still around, blooming with health sixteen years later, and together with Michael Mooney he's written "Built to Survive: A Comprehensive Guide to the Medical Use of Anabolic Steroids, Nutrition and Exercise for HIV(+) Men and Women. Weight loss is real in HIV and so are the life-saving effects of anabolic steroids. Much research here in the judicious use of anabolic compounds, and plenty of information on optimal nutrition, exercise and other methods of treatment. Sensible articles on the wasting disease, appetite stimulation, how anabolic steroids work, scientific studies, steroid legality and the physician, complementary approaches to treat lipodysthrophy, switching antiretroviral drugs, the effects of anabolic hormones, steroids. A smart, no-nonsense guide on what to do before you start the PoWeR (Program for Wellness Restoration) program. The amount of knowledge here could, literally, save lives. A huge reference section in back on the many organizations and paths to follow. Medibolics is the name to follow, and its on the internet. Weight-lifting suggestions. An immensely significant book that addresses HIV in a positive fashion. Mooney and Vergel write with verve and urgency, and their knowledge is nothing short of miraculous. Important - and far too critical to be ignored.
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Summary: Life-saving information, especially for the HIV+
Review: In 1988 I was told that I was seropositive, four years after Nelson Vergel learned of his status. For eight years I obediently followed doctors' orders, assuming with them that only prescriptions would be of help. After nearly dying in 1996, I discovered the website Medibolics, which evolved into this book. Following Vergel and Mooney's suggestions about supplementation and bodybuilding, in addition to the prescriptions, I am now again a healthy man, in fact probably in better shape than in my thirties before the infection. All lab counts are now within the recognized normal range, and there have been no opportunistic infections in five years. The authors' recommendations are thoroughly referenced for those who will read the original research for themselves. It was especially courageous for the authors to recognize the usefulness of anabolic steroids at a time when government policy has been severely restrictive. I remain profoundly grateful for Vergel and Mooney's work in a field that has been decisive for my own health. The information is relevant for the health of all, and serves as a concise starting point in a bewildering battery of literature.
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Summary: Excellent Guide For The HIV+ Beginner Looking to LIVE!!
Review: Just recently purchased and read this book. Excellent reference guide not just for anabolic steroid use, but for nutrition, supplements, exercise and much more. This is a must have and must keep resource book! A valuable treasure I will constantly, be able to refer to.
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Summary: THE BEST "how to live with HIV" book on the market
Review: Mooney and Vergel are committed. They have spent thousands of hours researching lecturing and in the case of Vergel living with their subject. The book provides in laymens terms but backed with numerous scientific citations, how to use exercise, supplements and steroid agents to make living with HIV bearable.The advent of HAART has meant a change in the life expectency of HIV patients. As a result the toxic effects of the HIV drugs are seeing many complications and side effects. This book discusses many of these and provides hands on suggestions for dealing with them. Even if you just exercise you will feel better and you may just slow some of the side effects. You may even reverse some. I have followed this book very casually since I bought it in July last year up until April 2001. I noticed that my "blood" results (other than Viral Load) were getting better and despite 'failing' a drug combination, my overall health was great. For the last 3 months I have followed some of the books recommendations RELIGIOUSLY. Despite having to change drugs due to resistance, my health and fitness has increased amazingly. And as an added benefit friends say I look the best I have in 10 years. My waist has gone from 38" to 31". My chest, arms and legs have all increased in size. My CD4's both in real and % terms are the highest in 4 years and all my other blood works are excellent. I am 40 years young. 2 weeks ago I completed a Vitality and Longevity Analysis and my Doctor advised that I had the Celular Health of a 26 year old. I am so confident of the book and the authors that I bought my Doctor a copy.
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Summary: A useful tool in HIV health care
Review: Nelson and Michael have put together an extraordinarily useful compilation of articles dealing with the causes and treatments of HIV wasting and the host of maladies that accompany it. The current acceptance of steroid, exercise and nutrition therapies to treat HIV can be directly attributed to the good work done by these activists. I recommend this book wholeheartedly...it has profoundly effected my life for the better and is an important tool in my health care.
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Summary: manage my own health
Review: thanks for your great work, since i followed your program i gained > almost TEN POUNDS in less than 2 MONTHS. Being on steroids is a great > asset in my life.....It changed my life...well, i mean NOW i have a > life. thanks very much for being there, we need you !!!! Bruno.
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Summary: A Guide to Survival
Review: This book is filled with incredible tons of information to help HIV+ men and women learn the keys to nutrition and health so that HIV can remain a manageable illness. This book doesn't provide a cookie-cutter solution for anyone - rather, it provides a plethora of information so a person with HIV can ask his/her doctor informed questions bout the patient's proposed care and can make informed proactive decisions. I am recommending this book to every friend I care about who is HIV+.
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