A couple of months ago when perusing amazon.com for some nutrition related books I found Robert Crayhon’s Nutrition Made Simple: A Comprehensive Guide to the Latest Findings in Optimal Nutrition. I quickly placed a hold on this book with my branch of the Los Angeles Public Library.

The author, Robert Crayhon, M.S., is the President of Designs for Health, a New York nutrition program as well as the host to a nationally syndicated radio show. The foreword is by Ann Louise Gittleman, M.S. the author of Beyond Pritikin. This guidebook is divided into six sections with forty-one chapters covering the following:

I The Basics – In the chapters listed under this section you will learn what is a carbohydrate, the trouble with margarine, healthy cooking basics along with a few top ten lists including water facts. Under a healthy diet the author states that nutrient density is more important than fat, cholesterol or calorie content. The nutrient density balances the positive and negative aspects of food. There was a study of Seventh Day Adventists eating raw nuts reduced the incidence of heart disease.

I learned what the difference is between saturated fats, unsaturated fats and toxic fats. Saturated fats are in meats, dairy products and palm oils. The Japanese have the lowest intake of saturated fats and a low rate of heart disease. Eskimos and African American Tribes have high intakes of saturated fats and low heart disease rates. The unsaturated fats should be taken in small amounts. Later in the book it is listed that butter is better than margarine plus margarine is a toxic fat.

There is also a chart showing which oils to use for baking, sauteing and stir-frying. Sugar is one of the most nutrient-depleting substance known. This is found in the healthy cooking basics in the first section. There is also a comparison of enriched white bread verses white flour products.

II Supplements – Vitamin B Complex, top ten supplements, health benefits of garlic and a summary of minerals are listed here. Magnesium is the most important nutrient for the heart. Magnesium deficiency is the most common mineral deficiency in diabetics.

A chapter entitled, Free Radicals and Antioxidants lists to drink plenty of water, eat enough protein, eat yogurt, get enough sleep and not too much of Vitamin D. Only those who are house bound and never see the sun should take vitamin D supplements. Too much of this vitamin can lead to organ and artery damage. I have been concerned since my youngest son drinks only milk. Garlic has two levels of protection in that it reduces the free radicals and inhibits the free radicals of damaged fats and cholesterol through the walls of our arteries.

III Body Health – Listed here are chapters on Hair health, nutrition and aging, strategies to stop smoking, boosting your energy and ways to enhance your lovemaking ability. Zinc is needed for female hormone balance. Basically exercise, avoid alcohol and manage stress were in the list plus mentioning herbal products such as Ginseng and Ginkgo stimulate organs in the body. Vitamin A has been found to protect those who have suffered a stroke.

To maintain healthy skin vitamin C is recommended while smoking and fried foods should be avoided. Iron is critical for maintaining energy levels. Oxygen is the important strategy for maintaining health and energy. Coffee is the most damaging stimulant and should be substituted with unfermented green tea. For maintaining healthy hair it is advised to avoid sugar, eat protein and take Vitamin A, while consuming too much dried fruit can damage hair.

IV Health Problems and Nutrition - Solutions to PMS, lowering blood pressure, calcium and osteoporosis plus cholesterol and blood pressure chapters. The first chapter begins with explaining Hypoglycemia, which is inability to maintain normal levels of sugar in the blood. There is a list of symptoms once someone shows signs of hypoglycemia such as dizziness, depression and panic attacks. There are suggestions for lowering your cholesterol and boosting your immune system for those needing help in these areas.

I was very interested in the PMS chapter and have started consuming more protein to combat this. It also mentions eliminating colas, including diet ones as well as fried foods and chocolate. If there are missing nutrients, low blood sugar, the ride will be a bumpy one. The depression, mood swings, food cravings, cramps and panic attacks that can be part of PMS can make life miserable. It is a sign that you are missing nutrients. A healthy diet and lifestyle can eliminate PMS!

There are habits for healthy bones like avoiding the sodas, decreasing sugar and salt, and for those of us over forty having a bone scan to determine the density. Besides being a risk of Alzheimer’s disease, aluminum may increase the risk of osteoporosis as well. Avoid fluoridated water. Use bottled or filtered.

V Weight Loss – There are guidelines, ways to fight cravings and which supplements will help weight loss in the chapters listed in this section. Cinnamon is one of the spices mentioned that help the body balance blood sugar. Pleasure is the most important nutrient in any weight loss program. For those who crave chocolate it is suggested to try Magnesium instead. Have small amounts of protein throughout the day to stop those cravings, like yogurt and left over chicken.

VI Aggressive Preventive Medicine – There is a listing of the ten reasons Doctors do not know anything about Nutrition that was amusing. I found the list of questions to ask potential Nutritionists helpful in my quest for turning my five-year old son’s eating habits around. The author even makes some suggestions for future professionals in this area as well as making a tax for junk food.

The book ends with an Appendix, Notes and an Index combined that covers about thirty pages. Under the index can be found the heading vericose veins and how sugar is the major cause of this. Pregnancy, nutrition, prostate disorders, Niacin as used to treat Schizophrenia can be found as well. If you want to know the nutritional benefits of any food item or what ingredients to avoid in lowering your blood pressure this would be the guidebook to consult.

I felt the book was worth perusing for the PMS, healthy lifestyle tips and hints, nutrition facts to help my children eat better plus learn about minerals, vitamins, nutrients and weight loss ideas.

This is worth keeping on hand for those who take care of elderly parents, have to watch their blood pressure or cholesterol and want to achieve optimum health. This is available in hard cover as well as paper back in used or new condition at all the book outlets and chains.


Recommended: Yes