Books on Health and Nutrition

Books on Health and Wellbeing

Magnificent Mind at Any Age: Natural Ways to Unleash Your Brain's Maximum Potential
Daniel G. Amen (Author)

To date, psychiatry has diagnosed mental problems by matching self-described and obvious symptoms to diagnostic lists such as the DSM IV, then prescribes medications on a "try it and see" basis", as patients with the same symptoms may respond differently to the same medications. Dr. Daniel  Amen is at the forefront of a revolution,  transforming Psychiatry into a science, based on objective diagnosis and testing. He performs SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) scans to identify brain differences in conjunction with standard psychiatric diagnostic tools. Amen shares how brain dysfunctions can be identified by scans and then tests the effectiveness after treatment by looking at an updated scan.  He then describes various alternative (non-medicinal) treatments, as well as the indicated medications. Amen recommends an improved diet, exercise, avoiding sources of brain trauma, improved hydration, reduced stress, avoiding negative thoughts, better sleep, reduced caffeine and alcohol, avoiding aspartame and MSG, eliminating environmental toxins, and reduced TV, video games, computer use, and mobile phone calls & texting. Amen will likely be looked back upon as a leading pioneer in transforming how we treat and help people with different neurologies.

Getting Rid of Ritalin: How Neurofeedback Can Successfully Treat ADD without Drugs
Robert W. Hill and Eduardo Castro

I do not support the authors premise that Ritalin and stimulants are addictive, dangerous and should not be used help ADD children. However there is some very interesting discussion on EEG Bio-feedback/Neuro-feedback, dietary management, chemicals/toxin avoidance and allergy treatment. Neuro-feedback continues to tantalise with prospects of drug-free long term cure or at least change but the unfortunate truth is that still little conclusive studies exist and the treatment is often prolonged and expensive. There is no doubt however that diet can have a profound effect of behaviour and that allergies effect mood (after all histamine, the allergy hormone, regulates dopamine and nor-adrenaline, in fact forthcoming ADD medications target histamine) so this information is valuable, Finally the book has some help with behavioral modification along with diets and other detailed information.

The Mind Body Bible: Your Personalised Prescription for Total Health
Dr. Mark Atkinson

I am a great believer in how our minds and bodies profoundly influence each other. Depressed patients feel pain more acutely, IBS is helped by antidepressants, studies are linking bulimia and ADD. From my own experience I believe a holistic approach to being healthy helps both body and mind, This book is a significant development in integrating approaches to health, medicine, healing and wellbeing. Atkinson shares his extensive knowledge in a clear, consistent and approachable manner. The book has questionnaires for the reader that make the theory relevant and a fantastic reference section. A great open-minded complementary, alternative and integrated approach to wellbeing.

Food is Better medicine than Drugs: Your prescription for drug-free health
Patrick Holford & Jerome Burne

This book contains some good advice on dealing with common conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, menopause and depression through diet and if appropriate through vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements. It does tend to be somewhat over-simplistic when it comes to complex problems such as ADD and the author is quite anti-stimulant medication. However Holford does show how common drugs have negative side effects that often require further medication to counteract those symptoms!  He offers tested alternatives whilst advocating that a patient works with his/her GP to bring about change to a more natural approach. Holford offers advice on how to prevent diseases and offers hope for the future of medicine where GP's would work closely with nutrition and supplements to prevent and reverse disease and to minimise drug use.

The Care and Feeding of Your Brain: How Diet and Environment Affect What you Think and Feel
Kenneth Giuffre with Theresa Foy DiGeronimo

Dr. Giuffre's book is a great summary about food, supplements and life style in relation to keeping the brain in good health. Written in a clear and concise format the information is based on solid scientific research and is a good reference for both professionals & lay people alike. He explains how dietary changes can affect the structure and physiology of the brain written, in a nontechnical fashion. Giuffre is well-intentioned and independent and has produced an excellent insightful guide to how what we eat affects our neurology, brains and ulitmately wellbeing.

The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook: the Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet
Pamela Compart & Dana Laake

This book starts with a concise description of the symptoms and behavioral patterns of ADHD and Autism. The following chapters provide background nutritional information that all healthy people should be aware of, with emphasis on children. Information is provided on glutens, casein and soy, but also on cholesterol, sugar, trans-fatty acids and others. Compart and Laake   clearly explain the GF/CF diet in great detail, how it works and why it works. The second half of the book has over 100 pages of recipes, from snacks and treats to main courses. The recipes are simple and tasty from Oven-roasted Vegetables to Wonderful Waffles.  The nutritional information on each recipe is very helpful, at the top of each recipe there is a key that shows which allergens are present, helpful for those dealing with multiple food sensitivities. The book also provides several clever ways to sneak in vegetables and fruit into meals too!