Eight Weeks to Optimum Health (Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body's Natural Healing Power) (Paperback)

~ Andrew Weil M.D. (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Health," Dr. Andrew Weil writes, "is a dynamic and temporary state of equilibrium destined to break down as conditions change." In other words, there's no such thing as the type of health that allows you to feel equally great every day of your life. Instead, Weil suggests, your goal should be to improve your resilience to disease, and while you're at it, feel more joy and strength.

As to how you should gain this strength, joy, and resilience, Weil doesn't come on with a hard sell to give up every bad habit or all of the foods you enjoy. Instead, he suggests gradual changes: clean your pantry of whatever cooking oils you have there, except olive oil; start taking vitamin C three times a day; walk a few minutes a day; eat some fish and broccoli. The program is so simple and sensible that anyone trying it probably will feel better in a week.

The program then gets progressively more involved--more supplements; more of a shift toward a diet based on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; more exercise. Besides these steady changes, each week's program has a focus: In week 2, you start drinking bottled or filtered water; week 3 focuses on organic produce; week 4, on sleep; week 5, using a steam bath or sauna; week 6, trying a "universal tonic" like ginseng; week 7, volunteering in your community; and finally, in week 8, figuring out how to integrate permanently the elements of the program into your life.

Even those who don't go for the entire program will probably find something here to like--the recipes, maybe, or the suggestion that you cut back on strenuous types of exercise like running and competitive sports in favor of brisk walks. It's perfectly useful either way: as a total lifestyle overhaul, or a series of suggestions, any one or two of which will probably help you feel better. --Lou Schuler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Weil (Spontaneous Healing, LJ 5/15/95) has designed an easy, step-by-step program for wellness. The book's audience is the over-40 crowd. Weil's philosophy is that "most bodies come with warranties for eighty years of productive...trouble-free service, if basic requirements for preventive maintenance are followed." This book is meant as a guide to such maintenance. Its strength lies in its design, which uses small, easy steps to achieve big changes. For instance, Weil suggests eating broccoli just twice in Week 1, then builds on this to create a complete change of diet by Week 8. Recipes reinforce the message and make it palatable in every sense. Weil also stresses the importance of the holistic approach and includes a simple mental/spiritual component in each week's program. As a physician, Weil is careful to substantiate every claim, and he debunks some of today's more extreme alternative health theories. He also includes chapters outlining the special needs of seniors, children, and people at risk for cancer or cardiovascular disease. Sure to be a winner; libraries should stock many copies.
-?Elizabeth Braaksma, Thunder Bay P.L., Ontario
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Knopf; 1st edition (March 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679447156
• ISBN-13: 978-0679447153
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #903,285 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

222 of 229 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An End to Stomach Pain, January 13, 2000

By	sherman a nelly ("Alabama" Between P & P) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eight Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body's Natural Healing Power (Paperback)

In an age when so many Americans rely upon pharmaceutical drugs to cure their ailments, Dr. Weil has suggested a sensible, proactive approach to healing yourself and maintaining excellent health.

I will admit that I've not been totally successful in incorporating all his suggestions, but everything here is at least worth a read. Especially notable to most are Dr. Weil's recommendations regarding supplements and his dietary admonitions.

Initially, I was drawn to this book after seeing Dr. Weil on TV. At first, my critical mind wanted to cast his ideas as folksy mumbo-jumbo, with just enough medical rationality to make it seem legitimate. But the more I listened, the more I became intrigued. The next day, I picked up this book, wondering if it could do more for my recurring stomach problems than what doctors had done for me.

I had been in pain daily, and had even (wrongly) thought I was having a heart attack (several times). I was saddled with a bevy of drugs and antacids to give relief of this gastro-intestinal reflux disorder, which is VERY common, and is OFTEN mistaken for heart attack.

Within 2 weeks of ceasing ibuprofen and caffeine intake, and taking a few recommended herbal supplements, I was pain- (and drug-) free: I was even able to eat a spicy Thai dinner with no repurcussions!

Today, I rarely suffer any stomach discomfort, and feel much stronger and healthier in general, thanks in large part to this book. It makes so much sense.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to take an active role in their overall health, rather than just let health problems happen to them.

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Weil is Way Ahead of the Curve, April 12, 2004

By	M. JEFFREY MCMAHON "herculodge" (Torrance, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Eight Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body's Natural Healing Power (Paperback)

Several years before the tipping point occurred and Americans were alerted in significant numbers to the dangers of trans fats (also known as hydrogenated oils), Weil, in 8 Weeks to Optimum Health, sensibly and clearly laid out the dangers of these kinds of processed fats and warned us of their dangers so emphatically that he made the elimination of them from our diet the first step in his 8-step plan. Weil uses credible science to backup his assertions, never offers fads or extremes, and best of all, he writes in an intelligent, personal voice, using phrases like "I'd like you to . . ." which give the book an intimate feel, as if you were consulting with a personal nutritionist. Further, he has the wisdom to see that improving our health is not based on micromanagement, tweaking one thing or another, but rather is a holistic approach requiring daily walks, bringing beauty into our lives with something as simple as having fresh flowers on the table, and meditating or doing yoga. While I don't embrace everything Weil suggests, I have embraced the gist of his message and, more specifically, have radically changed my diet. No longer eating refined sugar and hydrogenated oils, I have lost 40 pounds in the last five months. A great companion book that is compatible with Weil's philosophy on many levels and which has also helped me is The Philosopher's Diet by Richard Watson.

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Healthy Living 101, May 6, 2000

By	Heather (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eight Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body's Natural Healing Power (Paperback)

If you know you need to give your lifestyle a "health makeover" but aren't sure where to start, this is the book for you. Dr Weil's eight-week plan helps you gradually phase out unhealthy habits and foods, and start enjoying a more health-enhancing lifestyle. By guiding you through moderate changes over eight weeks, rather than advocating radical change overnight, Dr Weil creates a plan that is easy to stick with. His well-researched, easy-to-read book is an excellent foundation for a lifelong commitment to healthy living. Following Weil's sensible plan won't result in "cold turkey" feelings, just a steady improvement in your physical, mental and emotional health. His lifestyle prescriptions will also result in weightloss. But the book's nutrition plan centres around abundance, not denial. Dr Weil's mantra is "quality" when it comes to food. If you're already leading a healthy lifestyle, and seek to expand your knowledge, this title will probably be a little basic for you. Dr Weil's new title "Eating Well For Optimum Health" may be a more enriching read. Dr Weil's eight-week plan, on the other hand, strikes me as being perfect "entry-level" material.