Phyllis A. Balch

(also posted on my site The Paperback Stash)

If you're into vitamins, minerals, and supplements, this book will be sure to please you. I'm not one into pill nutrients much, but hold this book in high regard because it is seemingly endless with its information. There are countless disorders, with information on them - then treatments - then final notes. The authors were obviously not in a hurry as some seem to be, or pressed for space. It's a great resource that covers so much more than just show more what it says it does. There are chapters on vitamins, minerals, herbs, but the great heart of this book is the index referencing various conditions and ailments - everything from research, herbal suggestions, vitamin and mineral therapies with dosage recommendations - wonderful stuff. There are of course some eyebrow raising points, such as how orange juice is bad for everyone, but the authors seem to know their stuff and it shows. Highly recommended. show less

I bought this enormous book many years ago before we started growing old and riddled with this or that health problem, assuming it would come in handy one day. It is a super comprehensive book on just about any ailment in the world that might hit you, from minor stuff to major. It also provides a list of vitamins and/or herbs for each ailment that might help the situation. It's interesting and very useful as a natural living, self-help sort of book.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-to-Z Guide to Supplements by Phyllis A. Balch

I have read a number of nutrition books over the last few years but this book by Balch ranks at the top of the pile in my estimation. The vast amount of useful and relevant information contained within the cover is astounding. Every nutritionist should have a copy of this book on his or her bookshelf. In fact, I would even go so far as to say that anybody interested in improving his or her health through show more nutrition should have a copy of this book. There are more than 1.75 million copies of this book in print; that speaks volumes about the benefits this book provides readers.

Balch discusses how nutrition, diet and wellness are entwined in creating good health. There is great material covering vitamins, minerals, air quality, water, amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes, natural food supplements, herbs, and drug interactions we should aware of.

Let us look at how Balch presents this information. Take vitamins for example. First, she gives us a general understanding of the role of the item in question. Then she tells us where we can find that item in the foods we eat. She also provides any comments and cautions that we need to be aware of. Vitamin D is necessary for bodily absorption of calcium and phosphorous, necessary for growth and many other things. Some of the best sources of Vitamin D are fatty saltwater fish, dairy products and eggs. But be careful taking too much Vitamin D (more than 1000 IU daily) as it will decrease bone mass.

This book has been one of the biggest and best information sources that I have read about healing with nutrition. Some of the other books that I have do present information better is some areas and are weaker in others. This tome is strong throughout the entire length.

This is definitely one nutrition book everybody should have.

Happy Reading,
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I may not always choose the natural way of healing, but the authors have done a great job of describing various maladies along with their causes and effects. They then give many options of nutrition which will help you to heal or treat those maladies. I find this interesting, informative and helpful in deciding how I want to respond to an illness.