Boosting Immunity: Creating Wellness Naturally [Paperback]

Len Saputo (Author), Nancy Faass (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2002

Every day, the human body fights off environmental toxins, airborne germs, chemicals in food, and any number of other damaging substances. How the body manages it and how people can help the process along are the subjects of Boosting Immunity. Topics include acidity/alkalinity, allergies, body temperature, diet, digestive flora, nutrients, exercise, and sleep.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... has enough specific information... to provide a powerful incentive for adopting healhy practices once and for all. -- NAPRA ReView, March/April 2002

Boosting Immunity...gives the reader a logical foundation for making wiser lifestyle choices. -- Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients, April 2002

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; 1 edition (February 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577311272
• ISBN-13: 978-1577311270
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get Well by Understanding Your Immune System, March 25, 2002

By 

marshmallow jane "book lover" - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Boosting Immunity: Creating Wellness Naturally (Paperback)

Len Saputo, M.D. practices integrative medicine and promotes a "person centered" medical treatment. Nancy Faass, M.S.W., M.P.H. has written "Optimal Digestion" and "Integrating Complementary Medicine into Health Systems." In "Boosting Immunity," these two writers/editors strive to fill the gaps left by traditional medical care, by focusing on the immune system. They have compiled chapters written by specialists in internal medicine, nutrition, environmental medicine, and alternative and complementary therapies.

If you are a medical practitioner who's frustrated at your inability to help some of your patients, "Boosting Immunity" offers a different perspective in treating disease Many people are ill today with a syndrome of symptoms of unknown origin. These people (I have been one of them) are slipping through the cracks of traditional medicine. No matter what the cause of illness, strengthening the immune system helps the body rid itself of toxins and operate more efficiently, leaving energy to fight unwanted invaders. This book is of value to anyone wanting to enhance his or her health and vitality.

"Boosting Immunity" is easy to understand, but contains some noteworthy details for patients/readers who are already savvy about medical treatments. It is based on common sense but includes ideas that are on the cutting edge. Chapter One's description of the body's assault forces, i.e., phagocytes, T-cells, antibodies, etc. is the key to understanding how our actions impact our own immune systems. In other words, we've all heard, "drink more water," or "eat less junk," but seeing how specific components of the immune system work, shows how the behaviors we choose make a difference.

The remaining chapters explain the importance of getting enough sleep, the beneficial effects of water, the impact of nutrition and digestion on immunity, how to clear the body of allergens and toxins to enhance health, and how the mind-body-spirit connection affects our immune system and, therefore, our well-being.

Some of this information I've come across before, but having it compiled under one cover makes it easy for me to take responsibility for my own health by asking myself if I am, in fact, doing everything possible to strengthen my immune system. I can go through each chapter as a checklist. Am I giving my body actual building blocks by eating the right kinds of food, or am I clogging it up with useless garbage? Am I drinking enough water, or am I drinking a good quality of water?

Speaking of water, "Boosting Immunity" has an excellent resource section that includes how and where to get your water tested. The unique resource section helps this book become a working tool, instead of leaving me hanging and wondering what to do next. Besides other books, the resource section provides websites for further research, lists for finding alternative and integrative practitioners, and where to get state-of-the-art medical testing done.

I highly recommend this book for anyone with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, arthritis, lupus, hepatitis, or any ailment with a compromised immune system.

"Boosting Immunity" is an easy to read, practical reference book. Because I can periodically review a section here and there and ask myself if I am doing everything possible to strengthen my immune system, the book empowers me to take charge of my own healthcare. This feeling of empowerment prevents me from becoming despondent or discouraged or victimized while working to get well.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Disappointment, May 6, 2003

By 

A reader (Tucson, Arizona USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boosting Immunity: Creating Wellness Naturally (Paperback)

What a disappointment! Boosting Immunity is a collection of chapters by different authors that is poorly focused and lacks continuity. There is nothing new in this book. It is mostly a rehash of commonly available information and some of the chapters, like chapter two, read like they were copied out of an enclyclopedia. The most attractive thing about this book is the title. Save your money.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent primer on immunity., July 5, 2005

By 

Margo, San Francisco - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boosting Immunity: Creating Wellness Naturally (Paperback)

This is an excellent primer on immunity that covers all the basics without being overwhelming (or terrifying, for that matter). The moderate sized chapters are written in user friendly language by eight experts in a variety of fields. Each chapter offers helpful and practical suggestions. The book makes getting well and staying well seem pretty easy.