Staying Healthy with Nutrition, REV: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine

I keep picking this book up and referring to it for information I need about health, diet, supplements, etc. It's big alright, but eventually I've been to all the sections. It's a sensible, reasonable book with no hype.

Dr. Haas has put together one of the most complete nutrition books that can be enjoyed by the average reader. From what I have read, he makes no outrageous claims, though he does believe nutrition can offer health benefits (which would distinguish this book from a standard nutrition textbook). While the price may seem a little steep, there are 1140 pages that contain a wealth of information. The first 353 pages list virtually every popular nutrient (vitamins, minerals, fats, etc) and food category (such as beans, citrus fruits, etc). He even gives relevant information on the pseudo-vitamins such as Pangamic Acid (B15), amygdalin (B17), and Vitamin U. He also lists many of the popular diets and their benefits and drawbacks. He also includes a very helpful section on "the Environmental Aspects of Nutrition." Possible pollutants and common food additives are discussed. He lists "88 Survival Suggestions." Over 100 pages are dedicated to a Seasonal Cookbook. The foods are healthy, but possibly difficult for the average reader to obtain. It is possible with a little work however. There is a section on "Nutritional Application," which has special diets and suggestions for people with cancer, heart disease, yeast syndrome, and other disorders. He also includes suggestions for executives, adults, children, alcoholics, and adolescents. Overall the Nutritional Application section is very complete.Finally he includes around 80 pages of health questionnaires that test health knowledge and actually intend to estimate one's health level. I use this whenever I have general or specific health questions. I recommend it highly.

Not only does this summary provide a comprehensive review of traditional nutrition, it also provides information on less traditional supplements and discussion of current nutritional issues. I highly recommend this book for both lay people and professional nutritionists.

For those looking for the omnibus, cover-all reference book on nutrition, this is it. It is a thoroughly comprehensive examination of nutrition from just about every possible facet. Dr. Haas incorporates most of the more modern and alternative thinking on nutrition, even going so far as to examine environmental and spiritual issues, while avoiding the extreme, faddish ideas either of the medical establishment or the alternative fringe. He really does seem to have taken the time to weigh the value of studies done in both the mainstream and alternative research communities and brought together the clear, probable truths from both camps. And by the same token, he provides warnings against the doubtful claims of both sides.This is not a book, however, for those looking for a quick, capsule synopsis of a dietary approach. Those people might be better served with Patrick Holford's "Optimum Nutrition Bible" which provides much of the same information in a condensed form. Rather this book is ideal for those looking to make an informed decision based on their own choices.