Re: Official Review: Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks.

[Chrys Brobbey]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks" by Morton E. Tavel, MD.]

Health issues must be of great concern to everyone, since they are vital to our wellbeing. Food is one of the key determinants for staying healthy. But how many of us read the labels on food to check the ingredients? And do we even know the ingredients that make for a healthy diet? These and many other questions relating to health, and their answers, are revealed in the three hundred pages of Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks: A Physician’s Advice.

Dr. Morton E. Tavel, the author of the book, is a physician specialist in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases. According to him, his motivation for writing the book is to offer advice on healthy living, to set the record straight on many subjects, and to debunk unscientific claims and myths on health matters.

The book contains sixty-two chapters. The first thirty-two chapters are devoted to ‘Tips’ on food and nutrition. Food types like meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, beverages, etcetera are fully divided into the good, the bad and the ugly. Dr. Tavel advises on what to eat, and what to avoid. In the next twenty chapters he thoroughly discusses ‘Myths’ and conspiracy theories in health matters. Topics covered include immunization, energy drinks, fortified foods, organic foods, artificial sweeteners, allergies, probiotics, weight loss, etcetera. The last ten chapters on ‘Tricks’ shed light on the practices of ‘snake oil’ salesmen, TV Talk Show Doctors, chiropractic treatments, alternative medicine, dietary supplements, electronic cigarettes, etcetera.

The author uses the first person narrative that speaks directly to the reader. His experience and expertise in the subjects he writes about are never in doubt. After covering each topic he concludes by offering his professional opinion and advice on the issue. His views on dietary supplements, prescription weight-loss drugs, human growth hormones and others are matters of life and death that have to be taken seriously. While reading the book I had the feeling that I was having a personal consultation with him. And, with the chart on page two I could easily check my Body-Mass-Index (BMI).

Research findings of third parties are incorporated into the topics to buttress their authenticity. Dr. Tavel cites noted authorities such as the American Medical Association, Mayo Clinic, the Food and Drugs Administration, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Heart Association, National Institutes of Health, and many more. He also provides links to websites where additional information can be found.

I found only three minor issues with the book. On page 249 there is a split in a sentence, with a wide gap in between. And on page 203 there is this sentence: “A women had been brutally murdered in her apartment." Also, on page 163 there is a ‘period’ missing at the end of a sentence in the first paragraph ending with ‘intestines’. Otherwise, the look of the book and everything else are spot on.

Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks is a gem of a book, and a treasure resource on health matters. I am more enlightened on healthiness by reading it, and I wish it had come to my notice earlier. It is a ‘must read’ for every Tom, Dick and Harry. Those who are still healthy will benefit from the knowledge to preserve their good health, and those who are afflicted with health issues can learn how to improve on their health. I wish I could rate the book above 4 stars on account of its quality and wealth of health information. However, I am left with no option other than to rate it 4 out of 4 stars, and to highly recommend it to all and sundry.

[kandscreeley]

Good review. I think we can all watch out for our health a little more carefully. It's good to have a book like this that helps us to do so. Thanks!

[PaigeA]

I enjoyed reading your review! I also found the book to be full of useful information. But I found a few more errors than you. There were punctuation and grammatical errors scattered throughout. It definitely needed some cleaning up.