8 Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body’s Natural Healing Power
Filed in Natural Healing on Jun.27, 2010
- ISBN13: 9780345498021
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Now expanded and updated–the #1 New York Times bestselling book in which one of America’s most brilliant doctors shares his famous program for improving and protecting your health
Eight Weeks to Optimum Health lays out Dr. Andrew Weil’s famous week-by-week, step-by-step plan that will keep your body’s natural healing system in peak working order. It covers diet, exercise, lifestyle, stress, and environment–all aspects of daily living that affect hea… More >>
June 27th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
In an age when so many Americans rely upon pharmaceutical drugs to cure their ailments, Dr. Weil has suggested a sensible, proactive approach to healing yourself and maintaining excellent health.
I will admit that I’ve not been totally successful in incorporating all his suggestions, but everything here is at least worth a read. Especially notable to most are Dr. Weil’s recommendations regarding supplements and his dietary admonitions.
Initially, I was drawn to this book after seeing Dr. Weil on TV. At first, my critical mind wanted to cast his ideas as folksy mumbo-jumbo, with just enough medical rationality to make it seem legitimate. But the more I listened, the more I became intrigued. The next day, I picked up this book, wondering if it could do more for my recurring stomach problems than what doctors had done for me.
I had been in pain daily, and had even (wrongly) thought I was having a heart attack (several times). I was saddled with a bevy of drugs and antacids to give relief of this gastro-intestinal reflux disorder, which is VERY common, and is OFTEN mistaken for heart attack.
Within 2 weeks of ceasing ibuprofen and caffeine intake, and taking a few recommended herbal supplements, I was pain- (and drug-) free: I was even able to eat a spicy Thai dinner with no repurcussions!
Today, I rarely suffer any stomach discomfort, and feel much stronger and healthier in general, thanks in large part to this book. It makes so much sense.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to take an active role in their overall health, rather than just let health problems happen to them.
Rating: 5 / 5
June 27th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Several years before the tipping point occurred and Americans were alerted in significant numbers to the dangers of trans fats (also known as hydrogenated oils), Weil, in 8 Weeks to Optimum Health, sensibly and clearly laid out the dangers of these kinds of processed fats and warned us of their dangers so emphatically that he made the elimination of them from our diet the first step in his 8-step plan. Weil uses credible science to backup his assertions, never offers fads or extremes, and best of all, he writes in an intelligent, personal voice, using phrases like “I’d like you to . . .” which give the book an intimate feel, as if you were consulting with a personal nutritionist. Further, he has the wisdom to see that improving our health is not based on micromanagement, tweaking one thing or another, but rather is a holistic approach requiring daily walks, bringing beauty into our lives with something as simple as having fresh flowers on the table, and meditating or doing yoga. While I don’t embrace everything Weil suggests, I have embraced the gist of his message and, more specifically, have radically changed my diet. No longer eating refined sugar and hydrogenated oils, I have lost 40 pounds in the last five months. A great companion book that is compatible with Weil’s philosophy on many levels and which has also helped me is The Philosopher’s Diet by Richard Watson.
Rating: 5 / 5
June 27th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
If you know you need to give your lifestyle a “health makeover” but aren’t sure where to start, this is the book for you. Dr Weil’s eight-week plan helps you gradually phase out unhealthy habits and foods, and start enjoying a more health-enhancing lifestyle. By guiding you through moderate changes over eight weeks, rather than advocating radical change overnight, Dr Weil creates a plan that is easy to stick with. His well-researched, easy-to-read book is an excellent foundation for a lifelong commitment to healthy living. Following Weil’s sensible plan won’t result in “cold turkey” feelings, just a steady improvement in your physical, mental and emotional health. His lifestyle prescriptions will also result in weightloss. But the book’s nutrition plan centres around abundance, not denial. Dr Weil’s mantra is “quality” when it comes to food. If you’re already leading a healthy lifestyle, and seek to expand your knowledge, this title will probably be a little basic for you. Dr Weil’s new title “Eating Well For Optimum Health” may be a more enriching read. Dr Weil’s eight-week plan, on the other hand, strikes me as being perfect “entry-level” material.
Rating: 4 / 5
June 27th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Dr. Weil is a Harvard-trained botanist and MD. More importantly, he has branched out into Integrative Medicine [his new name for alternative medicine] and is making the principles understandable to the general public.
He recently started a 2 year Post-Doc program for medical students and already practicing MD’s at the University of Arizona teaching integrative medicine and an integrative clinic for practice. That clinic now has a waiting list of over a thousand people!
As the title states, this book breaks down the information into 8 weeks, simplifying the complicated process of changing one’s whole life. Weil takes the reader by the hand and takes baby steps instead of huge leaps. [Which is acceptable if there are no current health crises].
One week, he asks you to find out about the water you drink, demonstrates a breathing exercise and asks the reader to go on a “news fast.” No newspapers, evening news, or radio for a day.
The following week he asks the reader to research organic produce and requests that flowers be bought for the home environment.
These are tasks that are understandable making the reader feel successful each week. This work is grounded in good data, simply put and achievable over time. Weil “pads” the radical changes in between easy-to-make additions to one’s life. One goes away feeling empowered instead of overwhelmed. An essential ingredient for changing one’s lifestyle!
This book is a great beginning for the beginner on the path to wellness and prevention!
Dr. Weil is to be commended for breaking away from the myopic thinking of the traditional healthcare practitioner [which is changing!] and incorporating a broader picture of empowering the patient with practical, hands-on information.
This book would have garnered a “10″ had Weil moved a bit more to the left. But, as previously noted, this text is a wonderful place to begin!
My hat! is off to him!
Rating: 5 / 5
June 27th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Andrew Weil is a legendary figure in the Health business. He advocates a mix of conventional medicine( for crises) and alternative medicine ( prevention and maintenance). He is a best- selling author and this present work is a revised edition of one of his best known books.
In it he provides an eight- week health plan for optimum health. Each week he gives his recommendations for changing one’s self. Diet, exercise, breathing, overall mental and spiritual attitude are the fundamental subjects he deals with.. He provides case – histories which recount the cures of those who took his ‘medicine’
Weil recommends a number of changes in Diet which most nutritionists would accept wholeheartedly. He recommends a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, fibre, and fish – derived Omega- three..
Where Weil is controversial is in his wholehearted recommended of various alternative medicines and vitamin supplements. I do not know whether or not he is right in his claims for Gingkao Bilbao,, Milk Thistle( LIver illness) ,Saw Palmetto ( prostate ) but his use of anecdotal rather than statistical evidence is less than wholly convincing.
I found most interesting his emphasis on ‘ breathing techniques’ as basis for improved health. And I will perhaps make efforts at exploring it.
He has special sections for those fifty years old, and for those seventy years old.
On the whole I have a sense that he is sane, balanced and by and large correct in most of his recommendations.
But I think caution is required in undertaking many of the supplements he recommends. Perhaps it is best to read this book, and take whatever practical messages one derives from it, to one ‘s own personal physician for evaluation.
Rating: 5 / 5