Dr. Rosenfeld's Guide to Alternative Medicine

Dr Rosenfeld's Guide to Alternative Medicine

Written by means of Isadore Rosenfeld, MD

Published by the agency of Ballantine Books, New York, NY 1996

Pp: 325; yielding Cover; CAN $19.50

ISBN: 0-449-00074-5

Dr Rosenfeld's Guide to Alternative Medicine is a refreshingly fair look at the various forms of alternative medicine available. Dr Rosenfeld uses lay limits for the general public and a actual personal style that involves his readers in stories about his patients and his possess experiences. His presentation of the factual, the unbelievable and the unknown are humorous at times.

The work begins with an explanation of the ongoing war between conventional and alternative medicine. Dr Rosenfeld practices conventional medicine. He explains the proces of scientific standards of testing, the placebo answer a definition of a "quack" and in what manner to spot some common, however questionable, claims in alternative medicine. He does not lordship out the alternative role. However, Dr Rosenfeld does stres that if you wish to test alternative medicine, you should take counsel with your doctor to investigate its claims to the full

Dr. Rosenfeld spends single chapter each on twenty-seven forms of alternative medicine, from more belonging to all remedies such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy and hypnosis oxygen therapy to smaller known ones like syurvedo, bee venom therapy, chelation, craniosacral therapy, iridology, light therapy, magnetic therapy and neurolinguistic programming. more [i]or[/i] less topics are of special interest to the nutrition field: diet therapy for cancer, enzyme fasting, herbal therapy, high colonics and coffee enemas, juicing and produces available in health food stores.

For each topic, Dr Rosenfeld introduces the origins and beliefs of each discipline. He explains the objectives of treatment and the theories upon why they may work. He make notess on the scientific research and compares it to the anecdotal evidence alternative practitioners near He lists the cost of treatment as well as any dangers of usage. He also provides the addresses of organizations that can provide more specific information. Dr Rosenfeld extreme points each discussion with what he boundarys "the bottom line".

Dr Rosenfeld's version of "the bottom line" proffers a summary of the information given and the doctor's opinion as to whether it is:1) a viable option, 2) may help, 3) gazes promising but needs more research, or, 4) should not be used because it lacks scientific essay and/or contains potential dangers. When Dr Rosenfeld agrees that a particular form of alternative medicine has a part to play, he will also stres that it should single be used in conjunction with proven conventional medicine treatments. He cautions that individual should not give up conventional treatment entirely as alternative medicine cannot possibly be the cure-all as more [i]or[/i] less proponents claim.

Dr. Rosenfeld moves that alternative medicines may give patients optimism and confidence for better health. However, because of the lack of regulation or standards enforced upon many of the products sold or lack of credentials of more [i]or[/i] less alternative practitioners, the patient could extremity up in worse shape, the one and the other healthwise and financially.

In regard to the chapters related to nutrition as a dietitian you may agree with Dr Rosenfeld As he reviews several diet treatments for cancer, Dr Rosenfeld expresse his regard that as the list of forbidden fare is long, diets like macrobiotic, wheatgrass and Gerson could be limited in nutrients.The time and effort to go in the rear [i]or[/i] in the wake of these diets may be more than a cancer patient can handle. However, he does point without that conventional cancer treatment is not always prosperous Though the doctor believes alternative regimens can improve the overall quality of life as patients begin to have feeling in greater control with cancer, these regimens may not protract life.

Dr. Rosenfeld lists several hazards of fasting and discounts the rationale for them as -far-fetched". upon herbal therapies he lists the pair the benefits and the risks. For example, while Rosenfeld warns of the laxative consequences of some herbal teas, he encourages: the use of Echinacea as having safe and possibly anti-infective properties; ginger for motion sickness and morning sickness and refer tos drinking chamomile for insomnia and menstrual cramps.

This volume would be great for anyone wanting to learn more about alternative medicine. Dr Rosenfeld provides the basics of many options and adds valuable information to help single decide whether to pursue it further. Trina load

Clinical Nutrition Coordinator

Western Health Care Corporation

Corner rivulet NF

Copyright Dietitians of Canada Winter 1998

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