References

Accurate, clearly written books are a necessity and a joy. The following is the basic reference material upon which the information in this website is based.

Practical Asthma Review

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Medical Physiology,. Rhoades, R.A. and Tanner, G.A.; Little Brown and Co, 1995

Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition, Whitney, E.N., Cataldo, C.B., Rolfes, S.R., West Publishing Co, 1991

Immunology, Roitt, I., Brostoff, J and Male, D., Mosby International, Ltd., 1998

A standard text approaching the status of classic

Hormones, Baulieu, E-E and Kelly, P.A., Eds., Chapman and Hall, 1990,

"classical knowledge coupled with recent information, findings and concepts, with a suggestion of implications for the future. . . . From the world's leading specialists and with the participation of experts in areas that have undergone considerable development in recent years"

Food Allergies and Food Intolerance, Brostoff, J and Gamlin, L, Healing Arts Press, 2000

This is not, strictly speaking, a reference book. But principle author Jonathan Brostoff is a leading authority in the field (see Immunology above). A sometimes poetic look at a much misunderstood topic. Comprehensible for the ordinary reader. Any asthmatic or allergenic person should buy this book immediately. Our compliments to Dr. Brostoff for a magnficent work.

"As civilized inhabitants of temperate climes, we can indulge in the luxury of regarding nature as safe and welcoming and thinking of food as entirely wholesome and beneficial..... Much of medical prejudice against the concept of food intolerance is rooted in the idea that food— as long as it is part of a balanced diet— cannot be bad for you."

"In the wild, most food items are reluctant food items. They don't want to be eaten......they were not destined specifically for human consumption [and the foods we eat today] were drawn from a pool of wild plants... that were domesticated by the first farmers..... Their defense is based partly on thorns and prickles but far more important.... is an array of chemical weapons that pervade almost all plant tissues. Some of these simply taste bad, others cause vomiting.... a few can even mimic the hormones of insects or mammals and thus disrupt their growth or sexual development."

Even fruits and nuts, which do come willingly to the mammalian or avian palate in hope of dispersing their seeds, "often have a chemical coating on their skins to speed the transit of the fruit through the gut so as to minimize the damage done to the seed by the digestive juices."

"Plant eating animals have, in the course of their evolution, simply adapted to these chemicals in their food. They can detoxify them sufficiently to be able to feed on their chosen foods and the plants can ward them off sufficiently to stay alive.... The term 'biological arms race' aptly describes this situation."

Food Allergies and Intolerances, pp 17-18

Secondary References

The following books are not standard texts but are hardly less worthy than the basic references noted above.

A Textbook of Natural Medicine, Bastyr University Publications, Pizzorno, J.E. and Murray, M.T., 1993 (updated 1997)

This modestly titled expandable double volume is THE textbook of natural medicine; heavily referenced yet comprehensible.

Optimal Wellness, Ralph Golan, MD, Ballantine Books, 1995

The best book we know to bridge the gap between modern medicine today and the slew of alternative modalities that are too often presented in a scientific vacuum. Accessible for the civilian; essential for the serious student.

Total Wellness, Joseph Pizzorno, ND, ?????, 1997

As good as the Golan book (above). Highly recommended.

Natural Health, Natural Medicine, Andrew Weil, Houghton Mifflin, 1990

Can be read cover-to-cover, a must for anyone with more than a passing interest in health. Essential background for understanding human health, particularly in relation to food, exercise and the many other aspects of daily living that comprise Life.

Understanding Allergy, Sensitivity & Immunity Rutgers University Press, 1994, Joneja, J.V. and Bielory, L

Clear standard exposition.

Asthma, the Complete Guide to Integrative Therapies, Brostoff, J, Gamlin, L, Healing Arts Press, 2000

Complete, including drug therapies, and well worth buying.

Molecules of Emotion, Candace B Pert, PhD, Scribner, 1997

An inspirational story of groundbreaking research

Sinus Survival, Robert S Inker, DO, Tarcher/Putnam, 1995

Best book on practical sinus care

Optimal Digestion, Nichols, TW and Faass, N, Eds, Avon Books, 1999

Fine compilation, comprehensible

Spontaneous Healing, Andrew Weil, MD, PhD, Alfred A Knopf, 1995

A superb, inspirational book

Allergies and Holistic Healing, Skye Weintraub, ND, Woodland Publishing, 1997

Our favorite of all popular allergy books

Beyond Antibiotics, Schmidt, MA, Smith, LH and Sehnert, KW, North Atlantic Books, 1994

Reversing Asthma, Tichard N.Firshein, DO, Warner Books, 1996

Best natural therapy book for asthma

Your Body's Many Cries for Water, F.Batmanghelidj, MD, Global Health Solutions, 1997

Information probably accurate and if so, of stunning importance. Stylistically amateurish; with references but not correlated in text.

Gesundheit!, Patch Adams, MD and Maureen Mylander, ?????, 1998

An inspiration; a powerful statement of humanist health politics. Must read for anyone interested in health.
The Gesundheit community is now building a hospital complex in West Virginia. Their guiding principle is holistic health care, including MDs, for anyone, regardless of money or ability to pay.

Excitotoxins, Russell Blaylock, MD, Health Press, 1997

"Ex~cit~o~tox~in: A substance added to foods and beverages that literally stimulate neurons to death, causing brain damage of varying degrees. Can be found in ingredients such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame (Nutrasweet c), cysteine, hydrolyzed protein and aspartic acid."

"Excitotoxins is a valuable contribution to the understanding of the brain and the need to protect it from assaults......" Townsend Letter for Doctors

Diet and Nutrition

The Schwarzbein Principle, Diana Schwarzbein, MD, Health Communications, 1999

Our favorite of many popular books on diet and nutrition.

Nutrition Almanac, Dunne, L.J., McGraw-Hill, 1990

Mainly for its composition of foods table, complete nutrient analysis

Nutrition Against Disease, Roger J Williams, PhD, Pitman Publishing Corp, 1971

A classic, inspirational reading of the foundations of the science of nutrition

The Paleolithic Prescription Harper and Row, 1988,Eaton, S.B., Shostak, M., Konner, M.

The Nutrition Desk Reference, Garrison, R and Somer, E, Keats Publishing, 1995

Competent, not controversial

Nutrition and Neurotransmitters, Michael D. Chafetz, PhD., 1990

Know Your Fats, Mary G. Enig, PhD , Bethesda Press, 2000

The latest in standard science by a recognized authority

Omega-3 Oils, Donald Rudin,PhD Clara Felix, MSN, Avery Publishing, 1996

Dr Braly's Food Allergy and Nutrition Revolution , James Braly, MD, Keats Publishing, 1992

Terrible title, excellent content though somewhat rambling

The Felix Letter, a comentary on nutrition, POBox 7094, Berkeley, CA 94707

Useful information on critical subjects, well referenced. $12 for a 6 issue subscription.

Official References

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, 1997, 146 pages

The most official set of guidelines for doctors and health professionals

Family Guide to Asthma and Allergies, American Lung Association, Little, Brown and Co, 1997

Covers airborne allergens and triggers. Lots of info on drugs. Recognizes the value of exercise.

Essential Guide to Asthma, American Medical Association, Pocket Books, 1998

Guidelines for the public. Similar to the Family Guide, but more informative.