The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book: Protect Yourself and Your Family from Heart Disease, Arthritis, Diabetes, Allergies -- And More

by Jessica K. Black

Book Overview

The connection between inflammation and heart disease, arthritis, and other chronic ailments has become increasingly clear. Many food allergies and poor dietary choices over stimulate the immune system and cause inflammatory responses that erode the body s wellness and pave the path for ill health. Based on her naturopathic practice, Jessica Black has devised a complete program for how to eat and cook to minimize and even prevent inflammation and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0897934857
• ISBN13: 9780897934855
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Hunter House Publishers
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

M.D. Convert

Ok, I'll admit I'm an M.D., but I've begun to see the huge flaws in allopathic medicine. Suffering from multiple chronic conditions, some of which are a direct result of pharmacologic treatment for others, I rejected the "check box" medicine practiced today and opened my eyes. Utter frustration and a google search for "how to find a doctor that gives a hoot about your health" somehow got me to a fellow M.D. that now stands in the gap between traditional and alternative medicine. He found and corrected my nutritional deficencies and asked me to go off milk. He gave me information and space, knowing that I would eventually work this out in my head. Back to the book - I read it in the morning, ate some oatmeal with added ground flaxseed and blueberries (my own concoction, but very tasty) and headed to the health food store, book in tow. I made lunch, a snack dip, dinner, and some granola for the next day right out of the cookbook section. They were all home runs! I LOVE to cook real food, need to chop, simmer, experiment, smell and taste complex flavors. This fits the bill. The recipes are well written and easily modified. Much of the information is included as tidbits with each recipe. The framework is well stated and easy to understand, and includes a list of foods and equipment helpful to have on hand, a couple sample week-long meal plans, and a handy chart summarizing the recommendations. Back to me. I woke up after one day of following these recommendations headache-free, without any joint stiffnesss, and well-rested. Wow! I have NEVER experienced a dietary change that screamed "keep it up!" likes this does. Simply eliminating foods, without knowing what to add or how to make up the difference, can leave you perplexed and unbalanced. This gives you the whole picture. I do feel like I can live without tomatoes, potatoes, milk, pork, cane sugar, wheat and corn, because I have so many other tasty alternatives. Who knew there was rice syrup (tastes like caramel)? Thank you, Dr. Black!

Learning to like tofu

I am female, age 55, and in my second round of physical therapy because of a frozen shoulder. When I realized that my shoulder has both bursitis and tendinitis, I thought about some things I could do so as not to work against my therapist's treatments. I found Dr. Black's book, and have been following the anti-inflammation diet for about 2.5 weeks. Actually, after the first 2 weeks, I noticed something interesting. One Saturday, I was up early and giving the house and yard everything I had.... just on my feet all day. Well, this kind of frenetic activity typically aggravates my plantar fasciitis so that my feet are killing me after a few hours. Didn't happen this time! I barely noticed any pain. How great. So, now, I am even more motivated to stick with the plan. I must say that having these great recipes in my mind does make the trips to the market so much more interesting and stimulating. Give up beef? I barely miss it, and it was lacking in flavor, to boot. It seems that on this diet, I don't want a whole chicken breast, either (even though it is allowed). I'm not perfect; I do drink one cup of green tea daily (caffeine load, a measly 25 mg.). I also eat Ezekiel bread, sparingly. That bread has a low glycemic index and should be OK in small amounts, right? Oh, by the way, I could stand to lose 10 pounds. But that is not what motivates me right now. Armed with the excellent information and very tasty recipes contained within this book, I trust that I am working toward a new, more vital and healthy lifestyle. Thanks, Dr. Black.

Learn about the silent epidemic

I am very glad that Dr. Black has had this book published, it could save lives. Currently we have a growing epidemic in this country that few are aware of, it is silent inflammation. Unlike the inflammation we see on our skin due to irritation or the pain we feel from a stubbed toe or broken bone there is also silent inflammation going on in our bodies if we abuse ourselves by eating fast food, sugar, white flour, trans fats and many other unnatural items that are toxic to our bodies. Constant inflammation can lead to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, allergies, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and even cancer. This book will show you how to combat this with a natural eating style that is delicious. Yes, it does take time to adapt to it if you currently eat the regular American diet, but the effort is worth it. She has it all correct in this book, the importance of the 40% carbs, 30% fats, and 30% protein distribution of calories. The foods to avoid, and 125 delicious recipes that you will like. This book is written by a Naturopathic doctor as opposed to the Allopathic (Traditional medical) doctors that we are use to. The difference is that while an M.D. will give you an aspirin if you have a headache a N.D. will ask: Why do you have a headache? and seek to solve it permanently through diet or lifestyle. I believe in N.D.'s because headaches are not caused by an aspirin deficiency. Read this book and follow the suggestions for health. It works, I have been eating this way for 7 years and have been sick only one time!

If I could only know which book is the best source....

I read about nutrition every day and have a library of texts on the various subjects. I am a researcher by profession and an avid 'truth seeker' about nutrition and health. I have read many texts concerning inflammation (probably the greatest new area of medical research in the next 20 years, excluding cancer - which also has a good deal in common with inflammation issues) and this is a book that I would recommend above all the others. It has good solid accurate information concerning the many causes of inflammation and the ways to counter act the body's state of inflammation. There is information in this text that I have never found anywhere else (i.e.: What CANOLA OIL is really all about!). The details surrounding the condition of inflammation in the body are more complete and concise here. If you are going to buy one good book on inflammation - this would be the one to buy. (Save your money on "Inflammation Nation" - I wish that I had not wasted mine purchasing it.)

Getting to the Root of the Problem!

As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I am concerned about getting to the root of my clients problems. One of my biggest "pet-peeves" with our current health care system is that we are trained to look at our problems, illnesses, and conditions as a "events" rather than as "processes"... or we conveniently blame our troubles on our genetics. So much of what happens to us is due to our own choices over time, leading to a process that causes our cells, tissues, and organs to breakdown... leading to dysfunction, dis-ease, and finally to a crisis (disease/illness). Dr. Black clearly understands these principles and leads you step by step through the understanding of how your dietary choices can clearly affect your well-being... and then empowers you with her recipes so that you can start regaining your health and have a return of your vitatlity. This book is a great tool for someone looking to recover from an illness, for someone looking to maintain theirs & their family's health, as well as an educational tool. You'll refer to it often, as I have... in fact, I regularly recommend that my own clients purchases this book. Dr. Miller