84 of 91 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life Changing, Mar 1 2005
By hawkeyestc - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health (Hardcover)
Few books prompt me to want to TELL THE WORLD because it may make a big difference in the quality of life of anyone who reads it. This is the first book I've read about the Zone diet, inflammation and fish oil supplements so it was all news to me and makes sense. An excellent companion book is Zone Meals in Seconds which enabled me to apply the theory using recipes, canned/frozen food, and even restaurant visits.
A high cholesterol report and watching Morgan Spurlock's movie, Super Size Me, prompted me to pursue some changes in my diet. in the month since entering the Zone I have discontinued Sudafed use (after years on it) and my husband is off of glucosamine and pain free. Plus, we are not hungry, have energy, and sleep better than before. Don't underestimate the health effects of the right food if you are currently in pain or taking any medications this book "might help, won't hurt".
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you have Arthritis- Read this Book, Feb 25 2008
By Janet W. Jesse - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health (Paperback)
I was lucky enough to find an internist who recommended this book to me when I went to him with symptoms of cold intolerance, fatigue, swollen and inflamed joints, thyroid disorder and a host of other symptoms. In the meantime, while awaiting the results of the tests, he advised me to read this book as it would explain inflammation in the body.
Previously I had been diagnosed with arthritis and treated for symtoms and became progressively worse. Within two weeks of implementing the changes outlined in this book; both diet changes and adding 5 grams of enteric-coated fish oil per day I had significant reduction in the swelling and inflammation.
To understand how inflammation works on the body and to reduce a host of symptoms and beliefs associated with Alzheimers, etc. this book is a valuable tool for self-enlightment. Many physicians today don't take the time to treat underlying causes of illnesses before they progress to more serious problems for the patient. Read this book and Help Yourself. It won't do any harm and may do you a world of good.
100 of 112 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
There are some good ideas in this book, but Sears' sloppy argumentation is a burden on the reader, Aug 28 2007
By ninjasuperstar - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health (Paperback)
My chiropractor gave me this book to read after I complained that working out wasn't ceasing my back spasms. He wanted me to start a core workout program rather than continue with a bodybuilding workout program (after a month, the former has greatly reduced my back pain and increased strength in my back and legs), and he also thought I wasn't eating right. I began the core program immediately and started reading Dr. Sears' book, initially in earnest.
I don't think Dr. Sears is wrong about the significance of all kinds of inflammation as well as the health benefits of taking purified, high-dose fish oil. Like a good theorist, he compiles the work of many, many previous researchers and concludes an untested theory that truly deserves a massive study to confirm Sears' contentions. All of that is fine.
But I now understand why my doctor gave me the book while mentioning some reservations about its content. First and foremost, this is probably the most repetitive book I have ever read. In fact, I did not read every word, or even every chapter. I felt insulted when I would read the same ideas in every chapter, often the same sentences and phrasing. The exercise section is pathetic and possibly dangerous if you have a bad back. Don't bother reading it. The week's worth of meals is also weak, yet the exercise and meal sections together total 100 pages. Notes and appendices comprise another 100 pages. Discounting those sections, Sears leaves only 200 pages to explain what his book is about. And he's not going to make it pleasant. What's funny about repetition in a book is that it actually confuses the reader, because each time a concept is repeated, something new is added to it so that it becomes foreign again. Sears truly needs an editor.
That being said, the essence of his ideas is interesting, but I imagine there are not more than 100 pages of text worth reading here. In a nutshell, Sears believes you should take high-dose fish oil (make sure it's pure, like Eskimo-3, or a similarly reputable brand); avoid grains, rice, and pasta; eat small portions of protein at most meals; eat fruits and veggies; avoid sugar and juices; and avoid egg yolks, butter, vegetable oil, and a few other "bad" oils. That's it. Now if you really want to know why you should eat this way for the rest of your life, you'll have to read his book. Although it takes him a few hundred pages to get it out, the reasons for this diet and for taking fish oil are in there.