Prescription for Nutritional Healing by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis Balch is an excellent reference book for families. I just discovered it and was amazed to find that it offers nutritional advice for just about any ailment imaginable. I used it to put myself on a regimen for vitiligo, a skin condition characterized by white patches on the skin. Somehow, since I've been in sun-drenched Texas, it's taken over. I hope it works, as conventional medical treatments involve scary side effects!
The book recommends an intensive vitamin regimen of Vitamin B complex, PABA, primrose oil and an Indian herb, among others. I also referred to it for my daughter's attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). I wanted to try taking her off Ritalin and experiment with a vitamin program. Dr. Balch's book recommends a host of vitamins, aimed at boosting brain function and naturally calming the body. So far, she seems to be doing fine. (The real test will be when she starts school!)
What I like about the book is that it is so easy to follow. So many other books are written in medical lingo and are difficult to understand. In this book, all health concerns are listed in alphabetical order. The problem is summarized, then dietary and vitamin recommendations follow. Pretty simple. The guide includes very comprehensive, but well written descriptions of every vitamin, herb, mineral, amino acid, enzyme and natural food supplement. There is also a section on nutrition, diet and wellness. The introduction asserts: "The human body is a complex organism with the ability to heal itself-if only you listen to it and respond with proper nourishment and care."
The book has sold four million copies and has been translated into four languages. It is sold in bookstores, health food stores and some pharmacies; I have seen it in Walgreens. Obviously, there are people who are hungry for information on how to improve and maintain health. Dr. Balch, who lives in the Dallas area, talked with me this week: "People want to take control of their own health. They are tired of being misled by the medical system. The old saying 'you are what you eat' is very true. Certain foods can make you sick and other foods (and vitamins) can keep you healthy and stop, or even reverse, many diseases."
Twenty years or so ago, Dr. Balch was a surgeon and part of a system, he says, "that was not teaching patients how to stay healthy." Close friends who were ill challenged him to find a better way. He researched and found "underground literature" that helped him to put the pieces of the puzzle together. He was amazed to find the miraculous effects vitamins and nutrition played on a host of chronic conditions. He was able to help people to get well without surgery in many cases. He developed a loose-leaf notebook that chronicled his findings. This later was published as the first edition of Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Now, in its second edition, the book is helping many to take the reins of their health care into their own hands.
"We are on the cusp of a medical revolution," Dr. Balch said. "People are not going to allow themselves to be controlled by the vast system of doctors, pharmaceutical companies and insurance carriers any longer. If you knew even a small percentage of what goes on, you would want to go out and assassinate someone! People have simply not been told that what we eat (and drink) is the key to health. So much of the serious illness that children and adults suffer from is directly related to what is consumed."
He added, "It has always been the philosophy that there is a pill for every ill. We should really be looking at good nutrition."
Dr. Balch gives the following excellent advice:
o Eat healthy food, close to nature-raw, organically grown vegetables and fruits. (By the way, the peels we always are quick to discard are actually loaded with nutrients!)
o Consume less animal products (meat and dairy). These products are full of hormones, antibiotics and other damaging things. The hormone factor has been linked to many serious illnesses, such as breast cancer.
o Eat fewer processed foods.
o Avoid overcooking your foods. Valuable nutrients are destroyed, and when foods are cooked to the point of browning, the organic compounds can produce carcinogens!
o Drink lots of water (at least eight 8 ounce glasses a day). But, BEWARE of the water you drink!
Dr. Balch refers to a study conducted by the National Resources Defense Council, which found that 18,500 of the nation's water systems (serving 45 million Americans) violated safe drinking water laws at some point during 1994-1995. The report blamed 900,000 illnesses and 100 deaths per year on the poor water quality: "The greatest concerns about water quality today focus on chlorine, pesticides and parasites. In addition, many ailments and disorders, such as osteoporosis, mottled teeth, cancer and Down's Syndrome have all been linked to fluoridated water."
(So what about all the doctors telling us that our kids need fluoride for their teeth?!!)
Dr. Balch: "No convincing scientific proof has ever been generated that shows fluoridated water makes for stronger bones and teeth!"
Questions regarding this subject date back to 1961, when fluoride was exposed as a lethal poison in our drinking water, as recorded in the Congressional Record.
I for one have never trusted the tap water and have always used bottled water for drinking. Lately, I've been questioning its integrity! I asked Dr. Balch about this. He recommends steam-distilled water as the safest option. As the steam rises, all bacteria and pollutants are left behind.
Flavor can be added to distilled water by adding 1-2 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar per gallon of distilled water. Vinegar is also an excellent aid to digestion. Lemon juice is another good option.
o Moderate exercise.
o A good multivitamin and an antioxidant formula. (He also suggests that all men over the age of 50 take lycopane to prevent prostrate cancer.)
I would recommend this book to all families. I plan to use it extensively with mine. Good health!