Customer Reviews

Get Healthy Now! With Gary Null: A Complete Guide to Prevention, Treatment, and Healthy Living

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

After seeing Dr. Null discussing this book on PBS two weekends ago, I was anxiously awaiting its arrival. However, I find the book to be somewhat of a let down because it is not as specific as Dr. Null made it out to be on television. For example, there was a clear-cut list on the television that broke down the steps, the time frame, and the products necessary to detoxify the body. (Remember, this television show was Dr. Null's lecture which supposedly correlates with the book, Get Healthy Now.) This recipe was something that I could follow and use. Yet, the book has nothing of the sort; the lists are short and hidden throughout the text in a variety of places. Another example is how Dr. Null, during an interview with a PBS fundraiser, named a lot of ailments that the reader would be able to locate in the index and find the treatement for, yet I cannot find one of the mentioned ailments in particular anywhere in the index after attempting every possibility.

I find that the book makes a lot of statements about what to do and why, but it is not altogether specific as to HOW one should carry out such tasks. I am new to Dr. Null's philosophy/medicine, and I need to have my hand held as I attempt to get healthy. Is it that I need to buy more of his books for specifics? If they are as vague as I find Get Healthy Now to be, then I think I will save my money and pay a nutrition specialist.

Having seen Gary Null on the PBS show, I thought I would take a look at this book. I had previously been a long time radio listener of Gary Null, but as his behavior and health claims became more bizarre, I could no longer listen to him. That said, I thought his PBS presentation was interesting and I thought perhaps this book would be as well. Unfortunatly, although there are some good points in this book for people who don't know anything about healthy eating habits, this book is mostly opinion, rather than fact. Rather then waste money on this book, I would advise others to look at books written by authors such as Drs. Ornish and Weil. These authors, I believe, are men of integrity whose main goal is the spreading of the message rather than the aggrandizement of the messenger. Good Health.

There is some great basic information in this book. Through reading part 1, I determined that I've had a Zinc deficiency. I was so relieved to solve this issue that I joined Gary Null's NYC health support group and got on their suggested protocol. It has been very effective for me.

Unfortunately, this book does NOT resemble what we've learned in the group. For example, Part 2 of the book begins with Detoxification and soon after suggests eating plans. The plan suggestions contain foods that Null's actual protocol strictly avoids during detox (i.e. wheat and miso, etc.). Even more annoying is that once I found recipes containing ingredients that I COULD eat, the proportions were wrong! For example, the 'Aromatic Indian Sweet Potato Bake' that allegedly serves 2 calls for 3 oz (1/3 of one) sweet potato. The same problem goes for the 'Nutty Butternut Squash'. The opposite problem occurs on most of the breakfasts, huge portions (i.e. 6 oz. dried grains cook upto about 2+ cups) for serving 1? Those recipes, however, were tasty once I adjusted them correctly.

That brings me back to my review title: Good info but it requires a lot of work to find and use what applies...

Sorry, I can't agree with pretty much any of the previous reviews. They all seem to be based on ideology or personal feelings. For example, one reader who takes exception to the book refers to the author as "Mr. Null," regardless of his PhD.; she may have reason to dislike him, but the fact is, he IS a doctor.

Yes, this book has its problems. Gary Null tends to re-hash stuff from his other books, and clearly, size alone has no bearing an quality: bigger isn't necessarily better.

Still, if you like his radio show and do not yet own any of his other books, this may be something you'd like to have in your library. If nothing else, it has an up-to-date guide on alternative health care professionals throughout the country.

So forget the reviewers who call each other and Gary names. Forget any claims or accusations that are not followed up by FACTS. Forget, too, the dentist who thinks he knows it all about his profession (after all, 99% of dentists consistently use unnecessary "check-up" X-rays, despite tons of evidence that the cumulative effect of radiation is VERY, VERY bad for us).

Instead, get the book from a library or look at it in a store. If this 3-star book has some things you want, come back to Amazon and save a few bucks in buying it. If not, pass it by and chalk it up to the fact that most books (in fact, most human things) are of average quality, and not every author is Tolstoy.

This book, as well as Null's others on alternative health, are a mixture of truths, partial truths, misleading truths, and falsity. He combines them in an inextricable amalgam that is not only unenlightening but actually dangerous. To give you some idea of this man's professed credentials, you needn't know more than that his Ph.D. is from Union Institute, which offers degrees in what is essentially a mail-order set-up. I know, because about four summers ago, while between jobs and desperate for some cash, I signed up to teach on their faculty (they have satellite "campuses" at various locales). After I attended the orientation meeting and went through an interview, I was offered a position. But after I met with several students to arrange the "tutorials," I decided to quit despite my financial need: It was such a wink-wink bogus arrangement that I just couldn't have lived with my conscience. It was a complete joke. And this is where he gets his degree! My Ph.D. is from Harvard, where we actually had to take classes, conduct experiments, go through rigorous training for years before we could call ourselves "doctor"; but alas, at least our degrees represent intellectual rigor and have substantial meaning. If you decide to read "Dr." Null's book, which I advise against, then at least do so knowing that your expert got his "training" from Union. Surely you have better things to do with your time and money. One other thing. For those of you who lack technical background, Null's reviews of the literature are highly selective "narrative" reviews. Many studies have demonstrated that this kind of review, because of its inherent subjectivity, are far more likely to be biased than are the so-called "meta-analytic" or systemative-quantitative reviews that are regularly published in real science. Covering literatures as large as the ones Null covers, anyone can pick and choose the studies that support your view while ignoring others; and you can do this while neglecting crucial factors such as sample size and other aspects of methodological quality that vary from study to study. In his books, and on his radio show, Null ONLY does the subjective-narrative reviews -- despite the fact that objective meta-analyses have been published on many of the points he addresses. Imposing this filter of his own wants onto the literature, he sifts and pans for what typically is a scewed and highly biased report to the reader. Listen, I am totally sympathetic with his critical attitude toward establishment biases. But let's not replace one bias with another! Let's try to abolish bias entirely. Null doesn't do that.

I've heard about Gary Null for so long that I thought, as someone committed to alternative health, I should know what he's about. Well now I know: and believe me, save your money. A poorly written mishmash full of half-truths more damaging to our movement than it is helpful. Vague advice, at times contradictory: really, hard to believe this was written by an "expert." Shame on PBS for promoting this trash!

The book has a wealth of information on a number of chronic disease processes and alternative medicinal treatments. The section on arthritic diseases contains much valuable information. For instance, Dr. Null explains the many benefits of chelation for capillaries and general wellness. Chondriatin Sulfate is helpful for both arthritis and osteoarthritic conditions.

The restorative foods; such as, fruits and veggies will help to ease these conditions and maintain health. The green lip mussel, pure spring water, rhus tox (musculoskeletal disorders), mind/body relaxation techniques, rolfing and the Alexander technique for cranial balancing are cited to relieve the debilitating aspects for a constellation of arthritic conditions.

A high fiber diet is another condition precedent for maintaining colon/gastrointestinal health-key to maintaining wellness to combat arthritis. I've found that the fruit/veggie and high
roughage diet is helpful for arthritic conditions together
with other supportive therapies. i.e. magnets, colonics,
acupuncture, chondriatin sulfate and related derivatives.

Sugar and excessive gluten must be eliminated to make the
diet component work properly. Daily exercise and professional
help from a physical therapist will be extremely helpful to
refine the treatment methodology and regimen. Eliminate high
fat foods, bad cholesterol, white sugar, heavy oil cooking
and too many processed food groups in order to facilitate
overall health. Too much acidity is another aggravant for
sufferers having arthritic/musculoskeletal conditions. Stress
reduction and relaxation will help cement a steady management
of the arthritic disease processes.

In my own experience, successful arthritic condition management consists of a considerable program implemented consistently over a permanent time frame. You can't have 12 cups of coffee with sugar additives each day or a pound of macaroni a week and hope to combat arthritic conditions successfully. Eliminate smoking because the toxins in cigarettes are absorbed by the body-perhaps with permanent residual side-effects. It's important to keep
abreast of the rheumatology profile i.e. SED Rate and blood
inflammation indicators i.e. C-reactive protein. These
indicators are a pointer to more profound trends in the body
chemistry which require treatment or a special anti-inflammatory
protocol and/or dietary change.

This volume is not a cure-all. Nothing is a cure-all for middle-
aged arthritis. Successful symptomatology management and
a cessation of disease progression is the ultimate treatment
goal. Emcellular transplantation has been shown to have positive
aspects with some risks; however, the procedure is limited to
a few clinics outside the United States. Over time, the U.S.
will have experimental protocols on board. In the interim,
disease management of symptoms and progression is the ultimate
treatment goal for arthritic conditions. Some authors discuss
a gut permeability linkage to arthritis and derivative conditions.

The work provides helpful protocols for implementation by the
general public. Some of these protocols have been published
extensively in peer-reviewed journals. i.e. The Lancet

Dr.Null gives credit to some well-known protocols in the
citations toward the end of the book. His works contain
a variety of protocols. Some are proprietary to him. Others are
well known through peer-reviewed journals i.e. The Lancet
Another group of protocols are specific to popular disease
management in India, Asia and indigenous cultures.

The book would be a valuable asset for any personal medical
library. The September 2006 new edition is eagerly awaited.

For those of us who "know" Gary Null, through his radio program on WBAI (99.5 FM in NYC), there is no doubt that he is very knowledgable, and has and can provide valuable information. Some of which I have benefitted from. However, this book is not it.

We also know that his ego is as large as they come, and that from this book, that he has a negative self image. Why do I say this? His books (and products) include words such as "The Ultimate Guide..." or "The Complete Guide..." It's a sign not only of arrogance, particularly, as most of the reviewers comments have pointed out, the book lacks information, but also a need to prove himself or see himself as "the one."

I agree with the reviewers who did not like the book, and I did return this book for a refund -- the first book that I recall doing so.

This book is far from "Complete." Try looking up something as simple as how to determine what your daily carbohydrate intake might be. Its not there. Or as one reviewer pointed out, the importance of arginine for treating heart disease is also missing from this "Complete" book.

This is a poorly written, overly-wordy book that is painful to read, and an exercise in grandiosity, demonstrating that Gary is trying to "prove" his importance. While there may be some "good" information in it, ie, his protocol for hair/reversing the aging process, I concluded that it is not worth the money.

I think that for people that have not heard Gary over the years that he has been on WBAI, may find the information useful and the book more acceptable. But I also think the positive reviewers may be more of a cheering section for Gary, rather than objective critics.

When Gary promotes his books on the radio, he marvels at the size of the book - how many pages it contains. Gary should know, that while initially size may be an attention grabber, "ULTIMATELY" it's not the size that counts, its how you use it.

Rather than simply taking excerpts from the books of others, seemingly without any thought as to what is being said, Gary could have presented the information in a more succinct and meaninful way, making the book more worthwhile and palatable.

If you've listened to Gary Null's radio program, you know he tells it like it is. He goes in depth on every topic he speaks about and that's what I love about him. Why he doesn't do that in his books is a good question.

This book is chock full of information. You can find information on pretty much any ailment, any herb, food, etc. But the information on each subject is extremely limited. Also, the information he gives out on these topics isn't his own. Most of the time, it's Gary writing on someone else's opinion. For example, on ulcers, he said "Martin Feldman, MD, recommends..." Most of the information and advice in this book is not his own. Why he did this, I do not know.

I'm a huge Gary Null fan, but not a big fan of his books. This book could be a lot better, for sure. Not to say it isn't helpful, it is. But I feel that he didn't approach this book with the same go-getting enthusiasm he puts into his radio program and lectures. I long for the day he puts that kind of effort and hard hitting information into one of his books.

Let me first say that I am an unlikely reviewer to be so hostile to this type of book; I am extremely committed to healthy food choices, environmentally sound policies, and all the basic values Gary Null ostensibly embraces. I have no problem with Null's basic premise that we should consume a fresh, non-processed, plant-based diet(although some studies have concluded that those who supplement their food with some fish and dairy products are healthier), buy organic food when at all possible, and avoid toxic household products. But I am totally outraged by Gary Null's voodoo nutrition approach to these legitimate issues. I bought the book and promptly returned it because it was so filled with woozy-new age drivel and devoid of reliable references to support the more controversial points. We don't need any more evidence that a plant-based diet low in trans-fats is healthier than eating at McDonalds. This book adds NOTHING legitimate to the basic health information you can obtain from any reliable print or internet source, and is far inferior to, for instance, "The Food Pharmacy" by Jean Carper, in which virtually every statement of fact is supported by one or more scientific references. Save your money and buy some nice fresh organic produce!