8 Weeks to Optimum Health, by Andrew Weil M.D. from Alternative Medicine Books.com

"Health," Dr. Andrew Weil writes, "is a dynamic and temporary state of equilibrium destined to break down as conditions change." In other words, there's no such thing as the type of health that allows you to feel equally great every day of your life. Instead, Weil suggests, your goal should be to improve your resilience to disease, and while you're at it, feel more joy and strength.

As to how you should gain this strength, joy, and resilience, Weil doesn't come on with a hard sell to give up every bad habit or all of the foods you enjoy. Instead, he suggests gradual changes: clean your pantry of whatever cooking oils you have there, except olive oil; start taking vitamin C three times a day; walk a few minutes a day; eat some fish and broccoli. The program is so simple and sensible that anyone trying it probably will feel better in a week.

The program then gets progressively more involved--more supplements; more of a shift toward a diet based on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; more exercise. Besides these steady changes, each week's program has a focus: In week 2, you start drinking bottled or filtered water; week 3 focuses on organic produce; week 4, on sleep; week 5, using a steam bath or sauna; week 6, trying a "universal tonic" like ginseng; week 7, volunteering in your community; and finally, in week 8, figuring out how to integrate permanently the elements of the program into your life.

Even those who don't go for the entire program will probably find something here to like--the recipes, maybe, or the suggestion that you cut back on strenuous types of exercise like running and competitive sports in favor of brisk walks. It's perfectly useful either way: as a total lifestyle overhaul, or a series of suggestions, any one or two of which will probably help you feel better. --Lou Schuler

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This book is an important item for anyone concerned about healthy living. The author will teach you step by steps how to convert from a junk-eater and prescription-drug-user to a self-conscious and knowledgeable healthy-lifestyle-adopter. The author gives you 8 weeks for all the necessary changes in you diatery habits so that they are easier to make. Dr. Weil's approach very much reminds me of M. Tombak, the author of a few books on health. In particular "Can We Live 150 Year" is another MUST HAVE volume. I think Weil, and Tombak together make a good collection covering most of what you need to know to live long and healthy

Andrew Weil is a crank

I read the first chapter and though this book might be enlightening. I advise anyone who buys this to stop after the first chapter or at least skip 2,3,4. The author doesnt offer much in the first several chapters of the book he simply glorifies him self and doest stop talking about himself, "I did this, i did that, i am this,.." When he does finally quit floating his own boat and start to talk, he gives the impression that all modern medical practice is a conspiracy. Oh you have cancer!, dont go to a dr. there evil, get some ginsing and meditate. Im not saying alternative medicine is bad but it has its place along side modern medicine, and should not be considered a complete replacement.

Some Good Advice/Some Bad Advice

It's great that Dr. Weil recommends that we get fresh air, exercise, eat lots of vegetables, avoid fast food hamburgers, breathe and think positive healing thoughts. But that's the extent of his good advice. He also gives some very bad advice that is effectively shredded in 2 new books that have come out. "The Whole Soy Story" by Kaayla Daniel and "The Fluoride Deception" by Chris Bryson. Between soy and fluoride you'll have a wiped out thyroid in 8 weeks (+ or -) and that doesn't bring optimum health.

A wonderful addition to your library.

I first saw Dr. Weil on the Wisdom channel and I was impressed by his programme. I bought the book in late 2003. I was pregnant at the time and I was surprised to see a section for pregnant women. I'm sorry that I did not get a hand on my copy earlier. As it was, during the last month of my pregnancy and first month post partum, I followed his advice on eating salmon, kippers, sardines etc. Today my daughter is 14 months old, healthy and thriving. I recommend this book to all pregnant women. If I had all his information from the beginning of my pregnancy, I might have had an easier delivery. It's a great book.

Health plans for different age groups

"8 Weeks to Optimum Health" is an excellent informative book with sensible ideas. One of the points that he brings up is keeping the body at homeostasis, the purest and most healthiest period of one's life. It is hard to believe that in eight weeks one can bring his body back to a healthy state. And with Weil's suggestions for mental and physical well being you can continue to improve. Though going through your pantry or fridge and throwing out probably most of what is in it may be hard, it is the first and hardest step to achieving good health. It is also shocking to learn how bad oils and fats are for you. Another very surprising part of the book is about the ways water is bad for you. Clean water is essential for healthy living. One adjustment that may be very hard to make is replacing meat with soy foods, which Weil claims to be healthier. There are many healthy atlernatives to everyday diets and the book is filled with useful information. The most useful, and probably easiest to adjust to is the customized plans that Weil lays out for different genders and age groups. Weil also doesn't just preach healthy living but he gives excellent recipes at the end of the book to help one adjust and start being healthy. It is a good read and a good resource to refer to when your health is in question.

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8 Weeks to Optimum Health

Andrew Weil M.D.

Ballantine Books, 1998-06-16

Price: $13.95

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