Customer Reviews

Empowering Your Health

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

My wife and I are fifty-somethings in need of more HDL and less of everything else. We get regular check-ups, eat reasonably well, don't smoke, don't drink, etc. However, we find that our relationship with the doctor is usually symptom-fixing, not prevention. So we bought this book. It's a good book, full of good information on nutrition and health, based in the idea that the body is constantly replacing itself so you want to provide the best materials with which to do it. It collects many of the more recent studies and research findings. Dr. Andrew also pays attention to the important but oft overlooked effects of mind health on bodily health.

BUT, then I find a tip about wearing a magnet to ward off the effects of electromagnetic radiation from your microwave and to increase your energy by "50%". I'm no doctor but I am an electrical engineer with more than a passing knowledge of E-M fields. I read this tip and my heart sank. "Oh great,another New Age quack." (Hint: blood is not magnetic, and even if your microwave was leaking, a magnet wouldn't stop it from shining radio waves on you any more than it would stop a lamp's light.) There are other conclusions, such as the alleged production of trans-fats during cooking with olive oil, that are vigorously disputed by other authorities. In short, Dr. Andrew seems to have assembled a rather mixed bag of the good with the strange, good science with bad science. Would I recommend the book? Yes, because it will lead you to study many things you might have otherwise overlooked and I believe that your health would be much better off by following the advice inside. But do your homework before applying some of it.

"Empowering Your Health" by Asa Andrew is a motivating book that is easy to read and understand. If reading it will get you on the path to better health, I would recommend this book. However, before you purchase it, realize that it is not all it is raved about.
I have issue with Dr. Andrew's claims that, "through years of research, Dr. Asa Andrew has developed Natural Medicine, a new approach to transforming your health that is on the cutting edge of health care". I believe Natural Medicine has been around for a long time and practiced by many long before Dr. Andrew came on the scene. Dr. Andrew claims his system involves the health triangle: mental, chemical and structural sides of optimal health. How interesting that I have a brochure dated 1993, and copyrighted by Systems DC that is almost verbatim to what Dr. Andrew states he created. Furthermore, I read sections in his book "Empowering Your Health" that was identical to text I read authored by Jordan S. Rubin: "The Maker's Diet" and "The Great Physican's Rx". (Plagiarism?) Yet, there were no acknowledgements by Andrew for using Rubin's material. I also think you will find that Dr. Andrew's Appendix A Top 40 Countdown is ironically similar to Kevin Trudeau's "Natural Cures"

I have read or gone through at least 500 health books written in the last 5 years. This is simply one of the best and clearly written ones I have come across. I'd never heard of Asa before and I saw this book in the library, so I checked it out. I was just expecting the same rehash of health information that's generally out there with probably an emphasis on something or other that would distinguish this book and the author. Boy, was I surprised. After years of reading about health and applying what I thought useful to my own diet and routine, I finished this book knowing at least 30% more than I had known. In other words, I changed 30% of what I was doing. And it was easy. Rarely has a book made such a difference to my routine. Most of what he suggests makes total sense to me and and is explained quite clearly. I found out he has a radio show available on itunes and have been listening ever since. Asa is a gifted writer and speaker. I can't recommend this book enough, and I can't wait for his next one.

What's worse than paying $20 for a book, spending 5 hours reading it, and then getting to the end and feeling like you've wasted your time? The answer is nothing! I have become a book snob over the past couple of years because there are so many bad books out there. So before I read any book I always ask my friends for their reading experience and read books reviews.

I will tell you that this book was worth the read. There are stories, charts, specific plans for health conditions, and things are explained simply. There is also a section in the book that has natural cures for about 50+ different health conditions. So for instance if you have high blood pressure or need to lose weight, he tells you exactly what to eat and what supplements to take.

As a Wellness Physician like the author, I can tell you he has done a great job in teaching people to empower their health.

My husband and I have been following the health suggestions in this book, and have been following closely Dr. Asa's Anti-Inflammatory diet. We are experiencing much less pain in our arthritic joints, and have lost some weight. We are noticing a need for less sleep, more energy, and a general overall better feeling of health. Dr. Asa has a way of explaining various issues that are easy for the layperson to understand.

I have suffered from hot flashes for years. The many doctors that I have seen have had me on everything from Xanax to seizure medicine at 3200mg a day. I personally asked for bio identical hormones and they did not do for me what the doctors said. Between the advice in Dr. Andrew's book and a few lifestyle changes. I suffer only a few minor flashes a day and none at night. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to take control of their own health and quit relying on doctors who tell you it's just your age..,.best money I ever spent. Will be getting them for all my friends for gifts...

It is only six words - "Do you want to get well?" but the power in those words pervades the entire book. Written in a clear and easy to understand format, Dr. Asa moves you through the steps to health. It is practical, but not just a surface 'get well quick' kind of a book. Methodical health steps guide you through a transformational process. Bringing to light some of the good things that common sense would tell us (but which we tend to ignore) and backed up by helpful scientific and medical learning, the book opens up a clear path to empowering your health. The passion that Asa Andrew has to see people get well and live healthy lives is evident throughout the book. The writer is not just one who has written a book on the theory of wellness (there are enough of those) but is a daily practitioner and coach to those he sees in his wellness center. He devotes three hours each week to callers on his powerful talk show (check his web site for details - www.asaandrew.com)and gives freely of his knowledge in answering an incredible variety of health related questions. "Do YOU want to get well?" This book resonates with the question and provides a transformational answer. Be well!!

A book that our family will use as a reference from now on. It was very insightful and taught us things we did not know. Everything is explained in a way that you can understand it. We would recommend it to anyone who is looking to live a healthier lifestyle!

If you are truely wanting to turn your health around, then you get this book now. He explains how the body works from the ground up and how different parts of the body affects other parts. The book is an easy read, and will help you get the whole picture concept quickly. This is a great gift for College students,as it will get them to a healthy start before life hits them.

I am huge fan of this book! I cannot account for the reputation of this doctor as to his local practice, but I can promise you that the information contained in the book will and can change your life. I began January 1, 2009 at almost 300 pounds. Being 5'3" I felt hopeless to make necessary changes as they just seemed overwhelming. I opened this book on 1/1/2009. It was sent to me by a friend a few months earlier. I bought into the plan to change my eating and health elements in my life. I came late to this health party but now I am on board! I don't buy my supplements from Dr. Andrew, but discovered Vitacost.com and save 50% over my local health store or Vitamin Shoppe. Yes, it's costly to eat this way and purchase these supplements - even from Vitacost - but it's an investment into me and the purpose for which I was created. By the end of 2009, I weighed 230 and although I have plateaued now, I am beginning to read the book again to keep focused on being healthy. Even on this plateau, I still eat healthy and for once in my 56 year old life, the way I choose to eat isn't a race or diet to lose the weight at any cost. Instead, the focus is on getting healthy and I'm happy with 1-2 pounds of weight loss a week. That is translating to HEALTH and everything has changed in my life. I recommend you read this book cover to cover, not pick and choose certain portions of it. I wish you all the best and success as you find true health.