Customer Reviews: Read 22 more reviews...
  Edgar Cayce reincarnated July 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am reviewing the ninth edition (2006) of Dr. Baroody's book, Alkalize or Die. Dr. Baroody's book has helped me understand the relationship between acid-forming foods and alkaline-forming foods, yet I must say it required some level of discernment to sift the wheat from the chaff.
One of the positive features to Dr. Baroody's approach to healthful living is his recognition of each person's unique biochemistry. Throughout this book he continues to remind his readers that each person is an individual and therefore might experience variant results when compared to other people.
It is important to understand that Dr. Baroody's theories and principals are based as largely on his personal alternative health experiences (trial and error) as they are on any demonstrable medical science. It is also important to know that Dr. Baroody gives much credence to the metaphysical teachings of eastern spiritualism, which may be a detractor to some readers. In the book's introduction, Dr. Baroody writes, "My viewpoint is founded on ancient Hindu, Chinese, Tibetan, and Greco-European healing philosophies and on several great modern men in the field of health." One of these great modern men is Edgar Cayce, who is referenced as an authority several times throughout the book.
So long as the reader is a proponent of New Age and/or Eastern spiritualism, this book should be quite acceptable. For those of us who are more Western in their worldview, the book requires discernment to pick and choose what you care to take from it.
An example of how Dr. Baroody's metaphysical beliefs influence his dietary advice can be seen in his counsel for reducing the consumption of red meat: "The destructive emotion of slaughter is assimilated by the person who eats flesh." (pg. 63). For many, this statement might resonate well with their worldview, but for others this statement will likely be challenged as to it's applicability to the subject of acidity/alkalinity.
Dr. Baroody's experience in the alternative health field appears to be quite extensive. No doubt he has learned a lot from published medical research and other practitioners, yet much of what he proposes in this book is admittedly derived from his own experience; some of which he still doesn't fully understand himself (for example, read chapter 4 on the "Vagus Nerve"). Those readers who are looking for a book filled with footnotes and documented scientific research will be disappointed with this work.
What I found most helpful in the book is Dr. Baroody's exhaustive list of foods with a corresponding rating as to their alkaline-forming or acid-forming properties. Dr. Baroody abandons the conventional 0-7-14 pH scale in favor of a scale he developed to measure alkaline-forming and acid-forming foods. Dr. Baroody's scale (pg. 38) ranges from 0.5 to 7.5. All foods below 4.0 are acid-forming and all foods above 4.0 are alkaline-forming.
The chart I refer to above is alone worth the price of the book. Depending on the readers religious and scientific convictions, the rest of the book may or may not be appreciated.
 A few excerpts show that some rational thought is needed January 19, 2008
15 out of 33 found this review helpful
Here are a few excerpts that convinced me that this book is way off base.
For starters, the book's disclaimer: "The information in this book is given strictly for educational and research purposes. The author and publisher do not prescribe or recommend, and assume no responsibility. In no way should this information be considered a substitute for competent health care by the professional of your choice. In the event you use this information without your doctor's approval, you are prescribing for yourself, with is your constitutional right."
p. 57: "An alcoholic is one who takes more than one drink of anything on a daily basis". That gave me a good laugh.
p. 63: "The destructive emotion of slaughter is assimilated by one who eats flesh".
p. 67-8 cites an unnamed "study" from the "turn of the century" of people in northern Europe that lived over 100 years, stating "many of these lived up to 200 years". Many of the same people in the study had bad diet and were drunkards but they all ate food in moderation as their key to longevity. Umm, this contradicts the argument against alcohol from p.57.
p. 109 "To avoid sunburn is foolish" Oh really, what would my dermatologist think?
p. 115 "Red meat is red because it is dyed. The dye is a petroleum product..." There is some truth to this on meats that have hit their expiration date, but -- red meat is red because it is red.
In retrospect the disclaimer should have read "Rather than forming decisions based on decades of medical research using proven protocols including clinical trials, the opinions provided in this book are drawn from the latest trends in alternative medicines with no scientific basis. After reading this book, please go to my website to buy my products."
Time to go barbecue a pork shoulder.
it was like i died reading it. December 21, 2007
2 out of 14 found this review helpful
Not a fun read. It did not keep my interest at all. I wish I purchased another book with the same topic with more "UMPH!"
The Controversy Continues November 4, 2007
8 out of 12 found this review helpful
I've read four books on this subject, and EVERY ONE of them says different things about what is acid and what is alkaline. Even the people who are supposed to be researching and studying this thoroughly don't know what is going on, but they pass the information on anyway and expect us to follow and believe it? In addition, if what all these people are saying is true, then half the American population should be dead. Period. There is no way a human being should be able to live eating the typical American diet of junk food and very little fruits/veggies, smoking, drinking, etc.
There is health-promoting info in here, however, but that is just basic common sense: Eat more fruits/veggies, drink more water, and cut down on meats and alcahol, etc. Because of that, I'll give it a decent rating, but don't expect to find any hard answers in this, or any other book of its kind.
 This is an EXCELLENT book ! October 28, 2007
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
I have been aware of the importance of an alkaline body for over a decade and faithfully drink my alkaline water since the diet is harder to maintain. Dr. Baroody hit's it right on the nose about the importance of alkalinity and acidosis! I haven't had acid reflux, bowel problems, weight problems or sickness issues for 10 years! Cancer isn't even a worry for me or my family. I don't care what some chemistry professor says since he or she is not of physiologist nor a nutritionist and has probably never helped a person get well in their life. GREAT book and great information!
|
