DR. PFEIFFER'S TOTAL NUTRITION

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1980

The second half of this sketchy book contains recipes formulated by Jane Banks (co-author of The Arthritic's Cookbook); the first half is a description of Pfeiffer's program for total health based on recognition of the importance of trace elements in the diet, and a confusing affair it is. Pfeiffer, director of the Brain Bio Center in Princeton, is known for his biochemical work on schizophrenia; here he rightly points out that nutritional deficiences go unchecked because doctors don't know how to test for them. But then he contends that it's impossible to obtain an ideally balanced diet from food alone because of depletion of nutrients through processing, improper cooking, and soil exhaustion. Thus we should all take supplements which provide the (probable) 16 essential trace elements. The authors explain what little is known of the functions of these nutrients, but the programs for supplementing them are so complicated that one would have trouble following them without a much more extensive background than is offered here (or indeed is known at this point). Pfeiffer's prime purpose is to ""educate the reader so that he can educate his doctor. . . . The reader should encourage his general practitioner to have him tested by such means as blood, hair, and nail studies."" There is no advice here, however, on how to find a doctor who would be able--or willing--to help with this effort. The general chapters on good eating habits are better done elsewhere; the chapters on specific problems ("" . . . 15 mg. of zinc gluconate night and morning plus at least 500 IU of vitamin C night and morning plus a chromium tablet will help delay membership in the geriatric set. . . . Really, isn't it awful to forget your best friend's name on the point of introducing her?"") are simply hopeless.

Pub Date: April 1, 1980

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1980

Categories: NONFICTION