Book Reviews

EAT RIGHT 4 YOUR METABOLIC TYPE
by Cass Ingram, Knowledge Health Publishers, 2008

Dr. Cass Ingram is a frequent speaker at Toronto’s alternative health shows where he has built up a large and loyal following. Recently he teased his audience about “nagging and bullying” him to write a book covering material he has shared with them. Eat Right 4 Your Metabolic Type is that book, hot off the press in March 2008.

Endocrine type and metabolic type are synonymous. The endocrine system is essentially the hormone system which controls all cell functions. Four major metabolic types (determined by several external physical traits) are thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid-pituitary. As well, adrenal-pituitary and thyroid-muscular are two subtypes. Other subtypes exist but are much more rare. Questionnaires in the book further assist the reader to determine their own individual type.

As Ingram discloses the components of different diets, the reader becomes astonished by what his thirty years of research have revealed about salt, eggs, dairy, red meat and more. Avoidance depends upon your metabolic type. He insists diet must be individualized. A single regimen for all obese/heart/diabetic or cancer patients is totally unacceptable. One size can never fit all.

Strategies for strengthening one’s metabolism are explained in terms of vitamins, fatty compounds, cholesterol, omega 3 oils, animal products, herbs, and proteins as related to individual types.

Diseases are caused by chemical, nutritional or hormonal imbalances. A chart in the book demonstrates how these are erroneously treated by drugs while Ingram discusses foods that should be eaten or avoided by specific metabolic types.

Many influences must be taken into account. For instance, it is not enough to follow a single track such as blood type. While this is important, other elements to be considered are climate, genetics, heritage, and region of residence. For example, Ingram distinguishes between residents of Africa and those of far northern countries. Africans could hardly benefit from a mainly fatty diet, because carbohydrates and local fruit would be more suitable for that climate. A strictly vegetarian diet, on the other hand, could be catastrophic for northerners, especially those of European stock, including people from Russia and Canada who live in a cold climate.

Endocrine deficiencies that hinder absorption of nutrients play havoc with well-being. Iodine is one example. Goitrogens, found mostly in raw vegetation, inhibit uptake of iodine. Goitrogen foods are mainly from the mustard family – radishes and turnips and cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts. Regular consumption of these, as well as carrots, can aggravate the symptoms of thyroid-deficient people who should never eat them raw (only cooked).

Endocrine-boosting recipes that complete the book are generally simple and require few ingredients. Ingram brings a creative turn of mind to soups, salads, entrees, snacks and deserts. He identifies the metabolic type for which each recipe is most suitable but neglects to mention how many people it will serve. Some foods and condiments may take time to track down but farmers’ markets and health stores should prove helpful. Eat Right 4 Your Metabolic Type does not propose a regimen of mind-boggling deprivation, although there are a few no-nos: no wines, spirits, coffee or black tea – and chocolate only occasionally as a special treat.

Ingram’s research has resulted in greatly improved health for many people, including myself. Adherents to this diet claim that adjusting meals to one’s metabolic type contributes to more energy, stamina, and well-being in a surprisingly short time period.

The endocrines are vital. Removal of portions of the spleen, stomach, colon, thymus, and lymph nodes can be carried out without endangering life but loss of the endocrines is a different story. All or partial removal can destroy quality of life, and even cause death. Health practitioners need to go beyond superficial symptoms and tackle root causes of diseases, many of which are related to the metabolic glands.

Review by Gerry Shepherd

(Editor’s note: This book is available at Hooper’s Pharmacy & Vitamin Shop in four locations – Port Credit (88 Lakeshore Rd. E.), Brampton (31 Main St. N.), The Beaches (2136 Queen St. E.), and Oakville (1011 Upper Middle Rd. E.).

(DVD REVIEW) PILATES ON THE GREEN
Golf Conditioning Series, Stott Pilates Merrithew Entertainment, 2007

Now that summer is finally here, golf enthusiasts are in full “swing” mode, with many looking to improve their game. What many don’t realize is that if they first improve their overall physical health (core strength and flexibility, for example) they will not only improve their game, but avoid injury as well.

A recent survey revealed that 30 percent of golfers were not able to finish a round of golf because of an injury. Swinging a golf club is a physically demanding movement; therefore, golf should be considered an athletic sport, not just a technical skill.

Golf stresses the body in unique ways that can lead to acute and chronic injuries. However, preventive measures can reduce golf-related injuries of the back, shoulders, elbows, hands, knees and wrists. According to professional golfer, Mike Wright, “maintaining optimum dynamic posture and spine angle can reduce lower back strain; and improved shoulder girdle stability can relieve shoulder, wrist and elbow pain.”

Proper mechanics and swing plane require strength, flexibility, and a strong core – all key elements of the exercise modality known as Pilates. Joseph Pilates developed this mind body form of exercise (he referred to it as Contrology) in the early 1900s. Pilates principles relate very well to golf and golf related exercise.

If you are looking for help with your golf game through Pilates, start with Moira Stott Merrithew, the developer of Stott Pilates. Merrithew is often referred to as the “First Lady of Pilates” and the Stott Pilates DVD collection consists of more than 60 titles. With Golf on the Green, Merrithew has once again provided a sound mind body approach to help people use intelligent exercise for profound results (which incidentally is the company slogan).

Golf on the Green features targeted warm-ups and drills to help improve balance and flexibility, as well as to condition those muscles that are needed in golf. From the explanation of the Five Basic Pilates Principles (breathing, pelvic placement, rib cage placement, scapular movement, and stabilization and head and cervical placement), the pre-game workout and conditioning exercises, the mat workout and the golf swing drills, Merrithew covers all the elements that will help to achieve what most golfers want: increased club head speed and driving the ball further down the fairway.

As is her trademark, Merrithew provides amazing detail on the do’s and don’ts for training specific muscle groups. Her voice is soothing and calm, but still upbeat enough to keep the viewer’s attention. The instructor models give excellent performances, so that along with Moira’s perfect cuing and visualization guides one can’t help but “get” what the exercise is meant to do, as well as how it should look and feel.

And while she is an expert in the field of Pilates, Merrithew emphasizes that she and her instructor models are not golf instructors. In this DVD, that role is given to Michael Hunt, Master Instructor at the Jim Mclean Golf School, and one of Golf Magazine’s named top 100 instructors. He is very knowledgeable and has a similar instructing style to Moira’s (stressing the importance of form and safety), so you can’t go wrong paying close attention to his tips and guidelines.

While obviously intended for the golfer with its focus on golf specific functionality, anyone watching this DVD will find something of value. The section on the Five Basic Principles in particular, as well as the mat work can help with focus, balance, core strength and flexibility; all necessary elements for peak physical condition and performance.

Review by Susannah Kent

THE ORGANIC FOOD SHOPPER’S GUIDE
by Jeff Cox, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2008

It seems to be the summer for organics this year as fresh fruits and vegetables have health-conscious city shoppers looking to the farm. For the ordinary city slicker, The Organic Food Shopper’s Guide is a great resource. Written by Jeff Cox, former editor of Organic Gardening magazine and author of the James Beard Award-nominated The Organic Cook’s Bible, this guidebook could not have come at a better time.

With profiles of over 100 organic foods and more than 100 tasty recipes combined with dozens of cooking tips, The Organic Food Shopper’s Guide could easily occupy a place of honour on many kitchen shelves as the missing link between fresh, organic groceries and memorably delicious meals. This book contains complete coverage of organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, dairy, eggs and meat as well as convenient, at-a-glance advice on peak seasons, nutrition, good varieties, and what to look for when shopping at your local organic outlet. It provides detailed information on preparation, storage, complementary flavours, and kitchen uses for a wide variety of organic ingredients. The recipes are inspirational and creative, each showcasing the versatility of even the simplest foods.

“The perfect dish requires perfect ingredients,” writes Jeff Cox. “That doesn’t mean blemish-free produce. It means that the variety of fruit, vegetable, nut, or what-have-you is the right one for the dish being prepared, and that it’s as ripe and full of flavour as it will ever get on the very day the cook is inspired to use it. And yes, it should be organically grown.”

Topics cover Twenty Foods You Should Buy in Organic Form, Label Lingo (what “local”‚ “organic”‚ and “natural” really mean), and Buying Organic for Your Baby. Besides food information, this book also explains why buying organic is important. For added convenience, this 310-page publication is packaged as a small, easy-to-carry and easy-to-pull-out guidebook. With The Organic Food Shopper’s Guide, anyone can become an expert organic shopper.

Review by Vanessa Rodriguez

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