Popular Nutritional Practices: A Scientific Appraisal

Yetiv has produced a valuable reference for both health professionals and laymen interested in evaluating pop diets, health plans featured on the bestseller lists and ""alternative'' therapies such as homeopathy and herbal medicine. The author is strictly conservative about nutritional efficacyit takes controlled, double-blind studies to convince himand thus much of the book strikes a cautionary note. Indeed, after explaining scientific method and frequently citing medical research, his arguments become convincing. Among his targets: laetrile, starch-blockers, many fad diets and health-store remedies. Some are harmless, he writes, but some are deadly. For self-prescribers, this last note should make what is otherwise a dry read compelling. (May)