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The Hundred-Year Lie: How Food and Medicine Are Destroying Your Health
Books: CookBooks: Food Science: Item 4
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The Hundred-Year Lie: How Food and Medicine Are Destroying Your Healthby Randall Fitzgerald
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful: Noteworthy , July 5, 2006 Reviewer:Sreeram Ramakrishnan (Rolla, MO United States) - In an interesting set of observations (and perhaps an unnecessary over-alarmist tone), the author points out how we are exposed to harmful chemicals in our daily life (and even when we are in the womb!). Clearly, the point is well-made. An author of this reputation could have served the audience better without the seemingly alarmist tone and posture taken throughout the book, though. Very often, it seems that the author wasnt sure who the intended audience is. Some sections are well-organized with relevant data/conclusions from scientific studies and then there is a questionnaire (true to his background from Readers Digest) which has Yes or No questions (60 or so) ranging from "do you breathe air with pollution" to "do you have suicidal thoughts". All these answers are then tabulated for a score to determine a level of toxicity. There is an appropriate set of notes at the end along with some suggested reading and action items for the reader to "detox" one's body. The writing style is easy-going but the tone is more often than not alarmist. The facts the author points out meticulously are enough anyone to ponder, the bold-faced typecase to emphasize the points and the tone actually takes away from the otherwise good read. (At first glance, I thought this book would take a wider sweep than what Fast Food Nation did for that industry - while it does move in that direction, the writing style makes me wonder if an opportunity was lost). A good read.
From Publishers Weekly
This provocative and frightening look at the synthetic chemicals used by the processed foods, pharmaceutical and chemical industries delivers an excellent, up-to-date summary of "what is really in our food, water, vitamins, prescription drugs, childhood vaccines, cosmetics, and in our homes." Former Wall Street journal investigative journalist Fitzgerald (Mugged by the State) takes aim at the belief that "lab-created synthetics are as benign as—and more effective than—naturally occurring foods and medicines." The "hundred-year lie" dates from 1906, the year Congress enacted the Pure Food and Drug Act. Utilizing a range of articles from science journals and government reports, along with interviews with scientists and environmentalists, Fitzgerald looks at synthetic chemicals—from artificial sweeteners to antidepressants—that are diminishing our health. Throughout, Fitzgerald explodes various myths such as that one right dose of a particular drug works for everyone and that all food additives have been tested for safety. Still, Fitzgerald's faith in Eastern and other natural healing processes will not convince everyone. The author concludes with practical steps for "choosing a diet of pure foods and a lifestyle free of synthetics." (June)
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Book Description
Combining the impact of the classic bestseller Silent Spring with Fast Food Nation, The Hundred-Year Lie presents a devastating exposé of how chemicals in everyday products are ruining our health.
Over the past one hundred years, we have been guinea pigs in a vast chemistry experiment that uses our bodies, our health, and our good will to test the proposition that modern science can improve upon nature.
In The Hundred-Year Lie, investigative journalist RandallFitzgerald shatters dozens of myths being perpetuated by the chemical, pharmaceutical and processed food industries.
Find out why you would never be FDA-approved—and why humans are becoming one of the most polluted species on the planet:
• The average American now carries a “body burden” of 700 or more synthetic chemicals, including Teflon, plastics, and dozens of pesticides.
• Musk fragrances used in detergents and air fresheners are not filtered out by our current water treatment facilities, ending up in our drinking water.
• The artificial sweetener aspartame, an ingredient in 1,200 food products from diet drinks to chewing gum, has been linked to eighty-eight toxic symptoms.
Fitzgerald not only sheds light on the problems we face from the unprecedented chemical onslaught, he presents suggestions for what we can to do to turn the tide.
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