Review by nimi_sun -- Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks
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nimi_sun
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- Latest Review: "Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks" by Morton E Tavel, MD
Review by nimi_sun -- Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks
[Following is a volunteer review of "Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks" by Morton E Tavel, MD.]
3 out of 4 stars
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This book has the most clear and literal title ever!
"HEALTH TIPS, MYTHS, AND TRICKS: A Physician’s Advice (by Morton E. Tavel)"
As the cover says, it has these 3 sections - Tips for health, Myth busting and Tricks which can help the reader be in better control of his health. Generally speaking, this kind of clarity and simple flow is quite representative of the book as a whole. It has been written in a no-nonsense language, usually starting with context in each chapter, followed by quotation of scientific research supporting the tips, referring multiple credible sources and ending with a helpful few lines with the 'conclusion' advising the reader to act. So the structure is very helpful and easy to follow.
Moving on to the content - after completing the first section of 'Tips', I felt that that more than two thirds of content and tips was information which any well informed individual would already know!
For example, it has entire chapters on how breakfast is important, how more fruits and vegetables should be eaten etc.
This is not to say that there were absolutely no new insights - for example, I found the chapter of brown rice, e cigarettes and interpreting your BMI quite enlightening.
The content gets more interesting in the second section on myths. The author throws light on several current issues such as:
• Whether paper towels are safer/ more hygienic than blow dryers?
• Is gluten free food desirable?
• Is organic food really superior?
• How much fish to have and what kind of fish to have to minimize mercury exposure?
• Is soft water safer than hard water?
• Is rapid weight loss less effective and desirable compared to slow and steady weight loss?
• Is yearly checkup really useful?
It also addresses topics such as diet and weight loss supplements, herbal products, multivitamins, safety of drinking water and yes - the commercial air travel safety! Other topics which I enjoyed were – the correct role of stretching in a workout, and the hype about ‘detox’.
What I liked particularly was the fact that author does not just leave it at a generic do’s and don’t’s, but actually goes into detail. For example, when talking about usefulness of yearly checkup – he goes a step further and share which particular tests should be done and which are not required.
He also provides detailed positive and negative reviews of popular brand names in area of health food/ medicines etc. So it is very action oriented advice in that sense. He has put a disclaimer after every such recommendation that he is in no way affiliated with any of the brands he recommends.
The author also comes across as very credible and a refreshing change compared to most experts who are merely peddling one brand or the other, and have an ulterior motive behind recommending a product. For the most part, his advice was not only simple and encouraging reader to go back to basics, but he also ensured he made clear his less than flattering opinion of the marketers who fool the public.
One particular point I did not care for (and this could be a personal preference) – that as someone who has tried and benefitted from alternative/ natural healing therapies, I found myself disagreeing with author as he went ahead and said there is no science supporting the alternative therapies.
Well, it is actually expected, as the author has spent a lifetime in classic allopathic medicine field. I do appreciate though that the author has a strong point of view, even though it might be different than those of mine. The author clearly knows what he is talking about and even though some of his opinion may be opposite to popular beliefs, he does not shy away from making a strong points.
Another puzzling thing - In the tricks section, there was a chapter on 'polygraphic machines' - whether they work or not. Though I found it enlightening I was puzzled why would it be in a health book!
What differentiates this book is that it is written by an accomplished retired doctor with several years of experience in practicing medicine. Hence every chapter quotes credible sources of research which goes on to prove the credibility of the content. That helps the reader understand the points and knowing the science behind the claims and makes them less susceptible to other myths which might not be covered in the book.
• Pros:
o Easy to read language
o A good flow of content especially the ‘conclusion’ section at the end of each chapter
o Good refresher of common sense insights with some new wisdom
o Detailed research backed information
o Detailed brand level reviews- both positive and negative
• Cons
o Limited new information if you are somebody who is extremely updated on the latest health trends
o Language is simple, but not particularly inviting or attractive for a lay man reader (though you can see traces of some dry humor across some chapters)
In summary, this is a good prescriptive book if you are looking for some useful scientific research backed data on health. This book suggests a good primer on key lifestyles changes which will make you healthier, in addition to busting quite a few myths.
It is also a good option if you are someone who is confused with various conflicting messages you receive in media about health fads, and hoping to get some credible science backed opinion with some do's and don’ts.
For the above reasons, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. 3 star is for content. 1 star deducted as it could have been better with a more inviting style and more relatable examples.
******
Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks
View: on Bookshelves
Like nimi_sun's review? Post a comment saying so!
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
This book has the most clear and literal title ever!
"HEALTH TIPS, MYTHS, AND TRICKS: A Physician’s Advice (by Morton E. Tavel)"
As the cover says, it has these 3 sections - Tips for health, Myth busting and Tricks which can help the reader be in better control of his health. Generally speaking, this kind of clarity and simple flow is quite representative of the book as a whole. It has been written in a no-nonsense language, usually starting with context in each chapter, followed by quotation of scientific research supporting the tips, referring multiple credible sources and ending with a helpful few lines with the 'conclusion' advising the reader to act. So the structure is very helpful and easy to follow.
Moving on to the content - after completing the first section of 'Tips', I felt that that more than two thirds of content and tips was information which any well informed individual would already know!
For example, it has entire chapters on how breakfast is important, how more fruits and vegetables should be eaten etc.
This is not to say that there were absolutely no new insights - for example, I found the chapter of brown rice, e cigarettes and interpreting your BMI quite enlightening.
The content gets more interesting in the second section on myths. The author throws light on several current issues such as:
• Whether paper towels are safer/ more hygienic than blow dryers?
• Is gluten free food desirable?
• Is organic food really superior?
• How much fish to have and what kind of fish to have to minimize mercury exposure?
• Is soft water safer than hard water?
• Is rapid weight loss less effective and desirable compared to slow and steady weight loss?
• Is yearly checkup really useful?
It also addresses topics such as diet and weight loss supplements, herbal products, multivitamins, safety of drinking water and yes - the commercial air travel safety! Other topics which I enjoyed were – the correct role of stretching in a workout, and the hype about ‘detox’.
What I liked particularly was the fact that author does not just leave it at a generic do’s and don’t’s, but actually goes into detail. For example, when talking about usefulness of yearly checkup – he goes a step further and share which particular tests should be done and which are not required.
He also provides detailed positive and negative reviews of popular brand names in area of health food/ medicines etc. So it is very action oriented advice in that sense. He has put a disclaimer after every such recommendation that he is in no way affiliated with any of the brands he recommends.
The author also comes across as very credible and a refreshing change compared to most experts who are merely peddling one brand or the other, and have an ulterior motive behind recommending a product. For the most part, his advice was not only simple and encouraging reader to go back to basics, but he also ensured he made clear his less than flattering opinion of the marketers who fool the public.
One particular point I did not care for (and this could be a personal preference) – that as someone who has tried and benefitted from alternative/ natural healing therapies, I found myself disagreeing with author as he went ahead and said there is no science supporting the alternative therapies.
Well, it is actually expected, as the author has spent a lifetime in classic allopathic medicine field. I do appreciate though that the author has a strong point of view, even though it might be different than those of mine. The author clearly knows what he is talking about and even though some of his opinion may be opposite to popular beliefs, he does not shy away from making a strong points.
Another puzzling thing - In the tricks section, there was a chapter on 'polygraphic machines' - whether they work or not. Though I found it enlightening I was puzzled why would it be in a health book!
What differentiates this book is that it is written by an accomplished retired doctor with several years of experience in practicing medicine. Hence every chapter quotes credible sources of research which goes on to prove the credibility of the content. That helps the reader understand the points and knowing the science behind the claims and makes them less susceptible to other myths which might not be covered in the book.
• Pros:
o Easy to read language
o A good flow of content especially the ‘conclusion’ section at the end of each chapter
o Good refresher of common sense insights with some new wisdom
o Detailed research backed information
o Detailed brand level reviews- both positive and negative
• Cons
o Limited new information if you are somebody who is extremely updated on the latest health trends
o Language is simple, but not particularly inviting or attractive for a lay man reader (though you can see traces of some dry humor across some chapters)
In summary, this is a good prescriptive book if you are looking for some useful scientific research backed data on health. This book suggests a good primer on key lifestyles changes which will make you healthier, in addition to busting quite a few myths.
It is also a good option if you are someone who is confused with various conflicting messages you receive in media about health fads, and hoping to get some credible science backed opinion with some do's and don’ts.
For the above reasons, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. 3 star is for content. 1 star deducted as it could have been better with a more inviting style and more relatable examples.
******
Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks
View: on Bookshelves
Like nimi_sun's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks" by Morton E Tavel, MD
