Customer Reviews

ABC's of Hormones

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The ABCs of Hormones is a welcome addition to the Keats's family of Good Health Guides. Author Jack Challem, who has written extensively in the health field, says that "hormones are unquestionably among medicine's most powerful, more remarkable drugs."

The body produces at least 200 different hormones. Challem chose the ten most common to describe in detail: melatonin, DHEA, pregnenolone, estrogen, testosterone, insulin, thyroid, adrenocortical, and human growth hormones. Challem gives a brief explanation of how each hormone works, and the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. He then discusses natural alternatives for each.

Challem also includes advice from several medical doctors, who warn people about the dangers of taking hormones indiscriminately. He also condemns the aggressive marketing efforts of the major drug companies. He quotes Dr. Susan Love as saying that "one of the most powerful marketing techniques used to influence both doctors and patients is the manipulation of fears of aging and death." Challem emphasizes that "there's no agreement about the benefits of hormones when used as an antiaging therapy."

Hormone therapy has, of course, saved many lives, as the millions of people taking insulin for diabetes will attest. Challem's message to people is that hormones "are drugs, and they are very powerful drugs." Just because many of them are easily available OTC doesn't mean they are safe. The ABCs of Hormones will provide readers with the basic information they need to decide whether or not they should take supplemental hormones, and if so, how much and in what form.

Sometimes I like books like these to be laid out in a not too detailed, yet informative view.
I learned quite a bit of useful information.