Let's Eat Right to Keep Fit

Rating:
Summary: "Let's Eat Right..." great long-standing nutrition advice
Review: Although I risk the limits of good taste, I am compelled to say that this is the only useful nutrition book I've read in the last 40 years. I began to apply the Davis nutrition principles in my teen's and have been thankful for the energy, stamina and shameless good health I've enjoyed since. This book is readable, accessibile, and clearly describes human biochemistry in a way that anyone can understand. Davis does not present fad diet propaganda as every other writer seems to do; instead, she describes the delicate and fascinating work of the food we eat and its effect on our bodies. She describes the process of digestion, the action of trace minerals and vitamins on enzymatic reactions, and the nutrional losses to food when it is processed or overcooked. Did you know that calcium cannot be absorbed in the gut unless it is dissolved in the presence of fat and hydrochloric acid? Davis explains why. Most importantly, there is a chapter in the revised edition devoted to serum cholesterol and its relationship to lecithin and magnesium levels in the body, heavily documented with research that is still valid today. This ought to be required reading for every person concerned about heart disease! The biochemistry she presents is the same biochemistry still being taught in colleges today.

I must disagree with other readers who believe that Davis' information is dated. Many of her principles have withstood the test of time and are again being validated by current research and practice, sometimes depressingly so. She spoke out long ago against low fat/low protein/high carbohydrate diets that have became fashionable of late. If her advice had been heeded, this country might not now be facing the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases that are epidemic in America. Of course, 'Lipitor' and 'Lecithin' may start with the same letter in the alphabet, but you can patent the former and not the latter. While this might explain the economics of our present situation, it does not begin to present the tragedy of it.

All her assertions are backed by copious references to research, and there is a comprehensive index. It is the only book of all those in print that I would recommend to someone truly interested in achieving health through nutrition.

Rating:
Summary: A CLASSIC FROM THE MOTHER OF NUTRITION WRITINGS
Review: Before Pritikin, Ornish, Brody, the New Pyramid, and all that no fat, low fat insanity - there was Adelle Davis. Through her writings she introduced a nation to good balanced nutrition. From her we learned what vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, good fats, etc. were important for our health. She wrote in a no nonsense easily understandable and at times entertaining manner (she made learning about nutrition fun). Though there have been many new discoveries in nutrition since then, much of her writings remain basic and true today. I still often refer to this book and only wish that the publisher re-issues it - as my copy is barely holding together.

Rating:
Summary: "Let's Eat Right..." great long-standing nutrition advice
Review: I've used "Let's Eat Right to Keep Fit," on and off, for 30 years. It's the best "no fad" nutrition advice for everyday living I have ever seen.

What I like about the book is that Adelle tells me what to expect when I eat or don't eat certain foods. She tells me the EFFECTS of what I choose to eat, mental, physical, general outlook, and health symptoms such as skin tone or heart rate.

For example, the relationship of protein to blood sugar is discussed (the more protein you eat, especially at breakfast, the more stable your blood sugar level stays throughout the day -- fewer highs and lows), and that has served me well over the years in planning for high-performance days that require an alert mind and body all day long.

These "old" studies still apply -- I think the book was written when they were studying vitamins intensely, as she cites a lot of studies on this with human volunteers, and what happens if you are missing just 1 vitamin, B6 for example.

She puts together this type of information:
- mental state
--- depression
--- irritability
- physical symptoms
--- sore mouth
--- dry, cracked lips
--- magenta tongue!
- vitamins
- minerals
- soils
- oils
- protein
- food preparation and growth style
--- organic
---frozen
--- fresh
- supplements
- What to Eat in certain cases:
--- to recover from long-term chronic stress
--- to keep your blood sugar level stable
--- each day

... and she walks you through how to establish a daily diet (you can do the quick view or spend time and do it more completely).

You can take one or two tidbits of info, or really read what happens at the cellular level (i.e., the relationship of SALT to POTASSIUM -- inside each cell and outside each cell - it's fascinating).

I recommend the hardcover book. You may want to skim it, get what you need today from it and apply it, and put the book on the shelf.

Sure as can be, pretty soon you'll remember, "didn't I read in Adelle..." and you'll want to reference it again.

You know why you'll do that? Because your mind will be functioning better, and you'll have a better outlook on life, be more curious about new things, and have the energy to do something like write this book review, which I've never done before!

By the way, she says if you put several healthy choices of food in front of a young child, she'll pick the ones her body needs! I found this to be true, and I do it myself -- if those apricots are calling to you (for me it was the dried sweetened mangoes), it may mean you NEED something they have (vit. A).

Some things we go to our shrinks for can be helped by adding a few key nutrients -- look up depression, for example. We may still need therapy, but we won't be fighting the battle at the cellular level in addition to dealing with our histories!

Rating:
Summary: The most complete guide to nutrition from A to Z and beyond!
Review: My dad bought this book for my mother about 20 years ago. We still use it as a reference today. Adelle Davis covers a wide range of ailments from the common cold or muscle ache to chronic diseases and the role nutrition has in relieving their symptoms. All examples are documented medical cases which include reference credits. The book is based on the sound principle: "You are what you eat." I would recommend this book to anyone interested in maintaining or improving their health and well being. So much so, I took the time to write this review. I'm sorry to hear it's out of print. I certainly hope you can find it somewhere. (Mine's not for sale!)

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Summary: Two generations of allergy-prone family helped
Review: Thirty years ago my mother used the nutritional principles in this book to "cure" my numerous childhood food allergies. I have always been skeptical of this claim, because it's possible that I simply outgrew my allergies at the same time that she pursued this therapy.

Now I have my own severely allergic children, and all that mainstream medicine has to offer me is total avoidance of the offending foods. Could it be that my children's immune systems are not functioning properly because of nutritional deficiencies that my family is prone to? Ms. Davis gives concrete, detailed information on the relationship between essential nutrients and immune system function, and how to improve your diet to provide what your immune system needs to function well. I picked up this book feeling very skeptical; having read it, I am persuaded that it is very likely that my mother's nutritional therapy played a larger role in my "cure" than I was willing to credit before. Mom, I'm sorry I doubted you. To anyone else struggling with allergies, this book is an excellent addition to your arsenal.

Rating:
Summary: A CLASSIC FROM THE MOTHER OF NUTRITION WRITINGS
Review: This was one of the first books I read that explained the power of nutrition and the weakness of the present 'drugs-only' medical model towards health. Adelle really lays the ground rules for what has elsewhere been described as 'orthomolecular' medicine -- using natural substances to restore and maintain optimum health. She introduced me to Dr Abram Hoffer (try ISBN 1550820796) and Dr Linus Pauling (try ISBN 0380702894), both of whom you should pursue if you want to gain more knowledge than your GP about the power of nutrition to heal both body and mind. It's true that some of Adelle's content will be dated, as diets and theories have come and gone. She was a professional with great wisdom from her years of practice, and a dedicated writer. This is a book worth seeking out. Who knows -- in your travels its possible you might just stumble across cures for schizophrenia and cancer...

Rating:
Summary: A Classic that is still relevant
Review: We own this in both hardback and paperback and its nice to see that it is still in print, and with a few changes. First became aware of Ms Davis in the late 60's and she was the one who was at the forefront of the whole foods movement here in California and what would later become known as holistic living and the belief that supplements like vitamins and minerals could alleviate and even rid a plethora of medical concerns. That it is additives, coloring and preservatives in foods that cause problems including hyperactivity and obesity.

She was ahead of Ornish and McDougal and all the others when it came to teaching moderation and healthy oils like olive oil, as well as the need to drink more water. This is a book I still recommend.

Rating:
Summary: A Classic that is still relevant
Review: We own this in both hardback and paperback and its nice to see that it is still in print, and with a few changes. First became aware of Ms Davis in the late 60's and she was the one who was at the forefront of the whole foods movement here in California and what would later become known as holistic living and the belief that supplements like vitamins and minerals could alleviate and even rid a plethora of medical concerns. That it is additives, coloring and preservatives in foods that cause problems including hyperactivity and obesity.

She was ahead of Ornish and McDougal and all the others when it came to teaching moderation and healthy oils like olive oil, as well as the need to drink more water. This is a book I still recommend.