Optimal Wellness (Paperback)

~ Ralph Golan M.D. (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Prevention and self-care are the watchwords for this hefty health manual by a Seattle physician whose practice combines conventional and alternative medicine. Golan examines the underlying causes of chronic ailments, which he dubs the Ten Common Denominators of Illness. Dietary hazards and nutritional deficiencies receive the greatest attention; most of the other sources of illness he lists are also diet-related, e.g., toxic bowel, food allergies. In another section, he offers an alphabetical list of 100 common ailments from abscesses to water retention, identifying symptoms, common causes and suggested treatments and preventive measures for each. While approaches to wellness occasionally include conventional medical treatment, most are recommendations for dietary changes, herbal remedies and nutritional supplements. Although Golan, who teaches naturopathic medicine, slights other alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, chiropractic and massage, his holistic approach will appeal to those frustrated by the disease-oriented approach of conventional medicine.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Holistic physician Golan provides here a detailed compilation of self-care methods from both New Age and "age-old" approaches. His focus is on developing health rather than "fixing" disease. Chapters cover fasting, herbal therapies, acupuncture, homeopathy, natural immunity, improved diet, environmental health, and detoxification. Golan also includes a master symptom survey to identify conditions for which modern medicine has no cure, offering specific guidance in using alternative methods to create optimal wellness. This useful health reference is recommended for public libraries.?Valerie Vaughan, Hatfield P.L., Mass.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Wellspring/Ballantine (September 26, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345358740
• ISBN-13: 978-0345358745
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #459,361 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Optimal Wellness, December 9, 1999

By	Carol Mockridge - See all my reviews

The doctor can write! I finally understand the immune system, which vitamins to take and what's the big deal about free radicals and antioxidants. My friends constantly call me to look up what their doctors didn't explain clearly to them. The answers are always in Optimal Wellness. I tell them to buy the book. It's a real bargain.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for investigating chronic health problems., June 13, 1999

By A Customer

If you've been sick for a long time, and doctors have been unable to help you, this book is a great resource. Dr. Golan provides a comprehensive look at 10 major underlying causes of chronic illness, and gives specific recommendations for laboratory tests, and for both conventional and alternative treatments. Whether your problem is depression, chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, exhaustion, or anything in-between, this book has something to say to you. But don't get this book unless you're willing to make some lifestyle changes. Most of the recommendations involve diet and nutrition. Dr. Golan practices what he preaches--my visit to him resulted in tests and treatments that were right from his book. I've given or recommended this book to several friends and family members. Though the index is not as comprehensive as it could be, the book is well-organized and accessible to the lay reader.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishingly comprehensive and cutting edge!, February 15, 1999

By A Customer

I am a 24 year old student who does not have a whole lot of money to spend on buying books. I did not hesitate to buy Ralph Golan's Optimal Wellness book! It is probably worth at least twice the cover price. The thing I liked most was his condensing so much of the alternative health field into what he calls "The 10 Common Denominators of Illness" including hypoglycemia, yeast infection, adrenal exhaustion, malabsorption, sluggish liver, etc. Finally, someone who is giving us a good, detailed look at the roots of most of our symptoms. Yet it's not too textbookish. He also talks about the value of unheated sea salt (Celtic salt) while many other authors criticize salt flatly. He talks about how some individuals may actually need to incorporate some meat in their diet, unlike some stubborn authors who stick to their vegan or vegetarian guns. He goes into natural sunlight and full spectrum light and even suggests top of the line products to give us a headstart on our search! All interspersed with actual case histories, which are like enjoyable little stories that I could relate to. I feel that this book is indeed a diamond in the rough and that more people should consider having it in their library at home. I pick this book over Prescription for Nutritional Healing, or Gary Null's latest books or even Burton Goldberg's Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Ralph Golan's book is more like hands on learning than a bunch of mental-memorization-stuff. I've learned so much. Ralph Golan's book is a shining example of what all doctors should and can know (and practice). It's really a piece of art. I can't praise it enough. Check it out!