Review by timd -- Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks
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Tim Terry
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Review by timd -- Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks
[Following is a volunteer review of "Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks" by Morton E Tavel, MD.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Tips, Myths and Rips: A Physician’s Advice, by Morton E. Tavel MD
This is a highly informative yet entertaining book about facts and fallacies that everyone should be aware of regarding their own health, as well as information about common medical misconceptions, alternative treatments and the plethora of herbal food supplements, vitamins and other nutritional additives currently flooding the market. It is clearly and concisely written in an engaging and easy to understand style with a useful summary at the end of every chapter. As per its title, it is divided into three sections, namely, Tips, Myths and Rips, each of which handles separate issues which are highly relevant, from a wellness point of view, to all of us today.
The author is a retired medical doctor who specialised in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases, amongst various other medical disciplines throughout his career, and also held the post of a Clinical Professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and is thus eminently experienced and qualified to write a comprehensive and informative book such as this, particularly from a medical point of view.
In the first section of the book, titled, “Tips,” the author examines common issues which many of us struggle with, such as, losing weight, fighting colds and flu, whether you should eat breakfast or not, is coffee good or bad for you, and a host of other contemporary issues. Some of the good news that he gives us, is that dark chocolate, in moderate quantities, is actually beneficial for you as well as coffee and green tea although the former two should be consumed unsweetened if possible! There are also no cures for colds and flu currently available although some products are useful for combating the symptoms of these conditions while they persist.
The second section of the book, titled, “Myths,” deals with subjects ranging from genetically modified foods, organic foods, bottled water, Wi-Fi and it’s affect on your health, paper towels versus wind blowers, The Polygraph Test, and, is it really necessary to go for regular medical check-ups, or are you simply wasting your money? Once again, the author clears up many misconceptions which exist and provides solid scientific and medical advice explaining why so many of these issues are widely misunderstood and how this is exploited by unscrupulous salesmen eager to convince you to part with your money and to purchase products and services related to them.
Of particular interest are issues such as The Polygraph Test, or “lie detector,” which the author explains to be inaccurate despite the fact that it continues to be used in courts of law across the world, and also for the screening of candidates for job interviews and similar career orientated reasons by human resources managers of major companies.
Gluten allergies, the irradiation of food, genetically modified foods, bottled water versus tap water, “raw milk,” versus pasteurised milk, and organic foods, as a healthy alternative to normally grown foods, are amongst topics dealt with in a lucid and convincing manner which demonstrates the faulty logic, incorrect facts, and assumptions used to describe them and to convince consumers to spend money on alternative products which are usually expensive and offer no real or tangible benefits that are supposed to result from their use and consumption.
The third section of the book, titled, “Rips,” handles popular misconceptions regarding issues such as, the detoxification of the body, The Atkins Diet, and Chiropractic Treatment versus standard medical treatment. Needless to mention, these are explained to have no medical foundation and should be avoided, especially if you do not want to waste good money on them for useless treatments which usually don’t work unless as a result of the so called “placebo effect.” The author also examines the use of celebrities and sports athletes by media and companies to promote products and treatments which are often essentially useless. A notable example of this is the media celebrity, “Dr Oz,” who is renowned for his endorsement of treatments and products on popular television talk shows, which have very limited, or no medical credibility or foundation.
Today’s world is overwhelmed by advertisements quoting fake scientific studies endorsing food supplements such as vitamin cocktails and herbal products, apparently effective for the treatment of a variety of conditions from flagging sexual libido to weight loss. The actual use of certain of these herbal products has been shown to be potentially detrimental to your health, particularly if used in combination with certain prescribed drugs. Examples of such products are dealt with, as well as the medical reasons as to why they should be best avoided are explained. Examples of products which may be useful are also given and discussed as well as their possible side effects. The author also clearly relates how actual pharmaceutical breakthroughs of new wonder drugs are usually rare, and when made, are not advertised in the sensational manner that most non-medical products always are and are therefore not usually familiar to the general public outside the medical fraternity.
Relevant references are quoted throughout the book and there is also a comprehensive list of all references included at the end of the book for readers who may require some more information and details regarding any of the issues dealt with. This book is not only scientifically and medically accurate and concise, but is well written, engagingly informative, and is an invaluable resource to assist and inform readers of the truth regarding common medical issues and fallacies that we may believe, as well as to help prevent one from falling victim to dubious health schemes, ineffective products and to alternative treatments slickly marketed but which don’t work and are usually also somewhat expensive. I have therefore confidently awarded this book a 4 out of 4 star rating as it is well worth reading!
******
Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like timd's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
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Tips, Myths and Rips: A Physician’s Advice, by Morton E. Tavel MD
This is a highly informative yet entertaining book about facts and fallacies that everyone should be aware of regarding their own health, as well as information about common medical misconceptions, alternative treatments and the plethora of herbal food supplements, vitamins and other nutritional additives currently flooding the market. It is clearly and concisely written in an engaging and easy to understand style with a useful summary at the end of every chapter. As per its title, it is divided into three sections, namely, Tips, Myths and Rips, each of which handles separate issues which are highly relevant, from a wellness point of view, to all of us today.
The author is a retired medical doctor who specialised in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases, amongst various other medical disciplines throughout his career, and also held the post of a Clinical Professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and is thus eminently experienced and qualified to write a comprehensive and informative book such as this, particularly from a medical point of view.
In the first section of the book, titled, “Tips,” the author examines common issues which many of us struggle with, such as, losing weight, fighting colds and flu, whether you should eat breakfast or not, is coffee good or bad for you, and a host of other contemporary issues. Some of the good news that he gives us, is that dark chocolate, in moderate quantities, is actually beneficial for you as well as coffee and green tea although the former two should be consumed unsweetened if possible! There are also no cures for colds and flu currently available although some products are useful for combating the symptoms of these conditions while they persist.
The second section of the book, titled, “Myths,” deals with subjects ranging from genetically modified foods, organic foods, bottled water, Wi-Fi and it’s affect on your health, paper towels versus wind blowers, The Polygraph Test, and, is it really necessary to go for regular medical check-ups, or are you simply wasting your money? Once again, the author clears up many misconceptions which exist and provides solid scientific and medical advice explaining why so many of these issues are widely misunderstood and how this is exploited by unscrupulous salesmen eager to convince you to part with your money and to purchase products and services related to them.
Of particular interest are issues such as The Polygraph Test, or “lie detector,” which the author explains to be inaccurate despite the fact that it continues to be used in courts of law across the world, and also for the screening of candidates for job interviews and similar career orientated reasons by human resources managers of major companies.
Gluten allergies, the irradiation of food, genetically modified foods, bottled water versus tap water, “raw milk,” versus pasteurised milk, and organic foods, as a healthy alternative to normally grown foods, are amongst topics dealt with in a lucid and convincing manner which demonstrates the faulty logic, incorrect facts, and assumptions used to describe them and to convince consumers to spend money on alternative products which are usually expensive and offer no real or tangible benefits that are supposed to result from their use and consumption.
The third section of the book, titled, “Rips,” handles popular misconceptions regarding issues such as, the detoxification of the body, The Atkins Diet, and Chiropractic Treatment versus standard medical treatment. Needless to mention, these are explained to have no medical foundation and should be avoided, especially if you do not want to waste good money on them for useless treatments which usually don’t work unless as a result of the so called “placebo effect.” The author also examines the use of celebrities and sports athletes by media and companies to promote products and treatments which are often essentially useless. A notable example of this is the media celebrity, “Dr Oz,” who is renowned for his endorsement of treatments and products on popular television talk shows, which have very limited, or no medical credibility or foundation.
Today’s world is overwhelmed by advertisements quoting fake scientific studies endorsing food supplements such as vitamin cocktails and herbal products, apparently effective for the treatment of a variety of conditions from flagging sexual libido to weight loss. The actual use of certain of these herbal products has been shown to be potentially detrimental to your health, particularly if used in combination with certain prescribed drugs. Examples of such products are dealt with, as well as the medical reasons as to why they should be best avoided are explained. Examples of products which may be useful are also given and discussed as well as their possible side effects. The author also clearly relates how actual pharmaceutical breakthroughs of new wonder drugs are usually rare, and when made, are not advertised in the sensational manner that most non-medical products always are and are therefore not usually familiar to the general public outside the medical fraternity.
Relevant references are quoted throughout the book and there is also a comprehensive list of all references included at the end of the book for readers who may require some more information and details regarding any of the issues dealt with. This book is not only scientifically and medically accurate and concise, but is well written, engagingly informative, and is an invaluable resource to assist and inform readers of the truth regarding common medical issues and fallacies that we may believe, as well as to help prevent one from falling victim to dubious health schemes, ineffective products and to alternative treatments slickly marketed but which don’t work and are usually also somewhat expensive. I have therefore confidently awarded this book a 4 out of 4 star rating as it is well worth reading!
******
Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like timd's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Mobius by Garon Whited
