Ronald M. Bazar

A blend of good advice and misinformation. There are suggestions here that I had never heard before. Some might be worth considering.

The author believes in dietary relativism—that what is good for you might be bad for me. And what is good for you today might be bad for you tomorrow. That may be true to a point, but he takes it too far. Our digestive systems are not that dissimilar. Our dietary needs are not that changeable. He believes in personally testing foods for compatibility, but I doubt the validity of his testing methods and the need for testing. He tells readers what to eat, but based on what? On the same dubious kinesiology tests he uses on himself? He does cite studies from reputable sources, but warns that “diet theories just do not work." Only personal testing can be trusted, he insists. “There are no theories or facts about what you should or shouldn’t eat.” Then why read the book, if it is all relative? If there are no objective facts?

He recommends sea salt, which is no better than any other kind of salt because it is inorganic. So what if it contains more trace minerals? If they are not in an organic form that the body can use they are worthless. We don’t need any kind of salt. We need organic sodium and organic chloride from organic food sources—plants or animals. Salt is not from a plant or an animal. It is inorganic, hence indigestible and harmful, including sea salt.

He says not to eat nuts without first preparing them by soaking, sprouting, or fermenting. Tell that to the apes and the squirrels! He calls this the “traditional” way, but I have never heard of primitive peoples doing these things. He says the raw food diet is a fad diet. Tell that to animals in the wild.

He recommends saturated animal fats, lard, and butter, discounting the “China” study and practically every other study. He calls butter an aid to digestion. He recommends Pacific Ocean seafoods without a mention of Fukushima. There is a whole chapter about “superfoods,” but according to Herbert M. Shelton, “There are no superfoods.”

This book raises many contentious issues:
• Does cooking make foods more nutritious?
• Is kinesiology reliable?
• Do phytates cause prostate problems?
• Does estrogen cause prostate problems?
• Fermented foods—good or bad?
• Is the fructose in fruits harmful?
• Is a vegetarian diet deficient?
• Will a raw diet harm you?

Toxins cause prostate problems, he says. That may be true. He says that the prostate gland absorbs toxins from the nearby colon and urethra. True or false? I never heard that before.

His STOP lists are interesting and may be helpful in pointing out to readers what they should STOP doing. I learned a few things from this book and made a few minor changes in my life. But in my opinion, there is too much science and not enough nature here. A mixed bag, but a provocative book with some original ideas worth considering.

Readable type fonts. No index is provided.… (mere)