Trans-Fats Books

I love this book. It's small but don't let that fool you. Each page packs a punch as the author gets straight to the point. Trans Fats: The Hidden Killer... is extremely useful in providing extensive information on TFA's (trans fatty acids), educating the consumer on how to identify products containing TFA's and most importantly, how to avoid them. This book, among others regarding our scandalous government and food industry has opened my eyes to the unfiltered version of our controlled society. I no longer spend my hard earned money supporting food companies that manufacture foods with TFA's and I hope that the information in this book impacts enough people so that they too will reject purchasing foods with TFA's to send a reminder on who's really in charge.

Big business does not care about the public's weel-being; they are only interested in the bottom line! This little book exposes them for the greedheads they are, and reveals the truth about the toxins they are feeding us every day, everywhere. It should be required reading for every high school student in the world.

The author urges us to read labels so that we are informed about
the contents of the food we eat. For instance, canned sodas can
have a widely varying amount of sugar per can. Sugar grams can
vary from 0-50 or more grams/can of soda. For diabetics, diet
soda, seltzer, bottled water and certain diet teas contain
a minimum amount of sugar-near zero grams in most cases.

Transfats and partially hydrogenated fats contain little nutrient value. They can be colorless and odorless yet cheap to manufacture. Most physicians will recommend 5 or more fresh fruits and veggies a day in order to receive the highest nutritive value in the daily diet.

The author provides the public a service by depicting sample
food labels to demonstrate the non-food content which can be
detrimental to our health. The acquisition would be valuable
for any personal health library.

A book like this is worth it's weight in gold when it comes packed with references, and this book excels with the references and research that was included. I've long found it ridiculous that food companies label their products as "trans fat free" in bold print, while the ingredient list clearly states "partially hydrogenated oil", all thanks to the FDA's approval (apparently if the trans fat serving is small enough, it doesn't exist! Amazing!) That the FDA could make this approval of deceptive labeling is just unbeliebable!
I've cut trans fats completely out of my diet and I've seen a much improved quality of living and health. I would advise people to check out this book, and then start reading labels on foods. A simple rule: IF THE INGREDIENT LIST INCLUDES HYDROGENATED OIL, PUT IT BACK ON THE SHELF!

For the past couple years, I have been half heartedly avoiding trans fats. But mostly in the grocery store where labels can easily be read. Now I will re-double my efforts. And I am putting my money where my mouth is. I'm buying 120 copies from the publisher to give away to our 75 employees and a few friends, with a few left to sell in our hotel restaurant.

The historical perspective was great, but was I left wanting to see a little more technical / scientific data. It is an easy, quick read which I appreciate. I just wanted more scientific information to satisfy my curiosity. This is probably one of the least understood and most important issues facing people today. From all that I have read from this book and others, cutting out trans fats is absolutely crucial for good health.

I consider Jean Carper to be a little better nutritional writer because I think she is more direct. On my underlining test, I find myself underlining a lot more in Carper's books. But Judith Shaw is now on my short list of good authors writing about important issues. Occasionally she got a little wordy, but I would not call the book too wordy overall or verbose. It is relatively direct, and the subject matter is of utmost importance.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is still breathing and able to read. Thanks Ms. Shaw for researching and writing it.

This is great read for everyone because the information in this book about trans fats is so important to understand. Each one of us needs to take personal responsibility to rid our bodies of trans fats. This book is easy to read and understand in order to make diatary changes.

The information in this book, and that of it's author Dr. Demaria has had a life changing impact on my family. His info makes logical sense. His other book on ADHD also is a great work. It will save so many of our children from uneducated people trying to medicate them with poisons.

I am a retired nurse and was diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome 15 years ago. I am always looking for something to help the dryness. I first saw Dr. Robert Demaria on TBN and the things he talked about made sense to me. So I bought his book "Dr Bob's Trans Fat Survival Guide". I cut out all trans fat (which takes some time reading labels) and incorporated good fat, including flax oil, in my diet. My eyes are much better, not near so gritty, and I've only been doing this for 2 months.
I did not know the impact trans fat had on your life and as I talk with my friends and family I realize they don't either. This is something that needs to be exposed. It can kill you!
Dr. Bob has a wealth of knowledge in health. He has been a blessing in my life and I'm glad I bought the book!

Following the advice in Dr. Bob's Trans Fat Survival Guide isn't always easy, but the resulting increased energy, enhanced mental awareness, and reduced pain makes it very worthwhile. Dr. Bob DeMaria not only tells you the "do's and don't's" of a healthy diet and lifestyle, he explains why in detail. I don't feel like I'm exaggerating when I say that this book can literally save a reader's life if he or she follows the advice in it.

This 134-page book is written by Robert DeMaria,a chiropractor, and Laura Meyer, a former English teacher with a master's in exercise science. According to the authors, trans fats are dangerous. Veiled, covert, and debilitating, these fats wreak havoc on our hearts. Trans fat is the George Bush of food. DeMaria said "It's actually stealth", the insidious killer.

Trans fat, like sucrose, does not occur naturally in foods apart from dead animals or meat. It is manufactured. Like heroin is manufactured from opium, so is sucrose refined from sugar cane, and so is oil heated with a metal catalyst and hydrogenated. Dr Bob is against sucrose and hydrogenated oils because not only do they cause disease, but they cause pain. Dr Bob is a chiropractor who treats pain, and he's found that what you put into your body is often responsible for alot of pain. Most people feel pain in their back, then their knees, then their head, followed by legs, shoulders, and feet.

Dr Bob is sincere about practicing what he preaches. He does not drink alcohol because that is like ingesting sucrose. He doesn't smoke or drink soda pop. His only bad habit is organic coffee rather than raw coffee. He probably doesn't know that roasting the coffee bean produces a carcinagenic tar same as when you burn tobacco leaves, and that tar causes colon cancer. He eats alot of nuts, but it is unclear if they're salted or not. The DRA of sodium is 500 milligrams, and if Dr Bob is eating salted nuts on a daily basis, then he's not doing his kidneys any good.

However, he gets a colonic peroiodically, jogs daily, and takes no medication. The value of this book is the message that there is no safe level of trans fats, so stop ingesting them. Also, the warnings about the effects of sucrose are well said. This means no more fast foods, although some Wendys restaurants fry their fries in non-hydrogenated vegetable oil, but you have to ask because their all different; or better yet - get the baked potato!

Dr Bob also has a website: www.DrBob4Health.com .

I love this book. I have a better understanding of the true meaning of "trans fat". Understanding the dos and don'ts is a big help. This book is such an important tool for everyone's health.!!

The Trans Fat Free Kitchen is a an invaluable tool that should be a must in every kitchen! Not only are the recipes delicious and easy to prepare but the shopping lists, menus and eating out tips are extremely helpful! This book is complete guide to eating healthy!

We have seen diet fads come and go, but this book helped us adjust our eating habits, not our lifestyle. The recipes are easy to follow, and the changes made to the original recipes to exclude trans fats were not noticeble in taste, nor did the taste make you ask the question "is this Diet"?

This book should be in everyone's kitchen.

I was fortunate enough to hear the author speak at a book signing. She speaks as well as she writes. I like her practical approach on nutrition. The fact she's a mother raising children adds value because I feel like she relates to me. I found her book easy to understand, easy to read, and easy to follow. She's made shopping easier with her varied lists of foods we can eat, including name brands. Changing eating habits is very difficult, yet after seeing her and reading her book, making changes seems obtainable. In fact, our family was able to make instant changes in our food buying/eating habits. Her book is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to make informative and positive changes in their nutrition.

Great book. Easy to read, concise and to the point. Makes it easy to eliminate harmful fats from your diet.

From casual newspaper and magazine reading, I was aware Trans Fat were bad for you, but it was eye opening to realize how bad. Severson writes in a very calm, factual way. Also, there is just enough detail (versus deadly dull level of detail!). It is a very quick read, and I would recommend it for all harried moms and dads as we make alot of choices while pounding the aisles at the market, and I know I have changed my shopping choices based on the information I learned in this book.

This is the most well written and researched book that I've found on the subject of Trans Fat. Severson's tone is non-alarmist and spiced with humor. She presents scientific facts and research in an understandable and immediately practical fashion. This doesn't have all "the sky is falling! the sky is falling" rhetoric of Fast Food Nation, and for that reason alone is utterly believable--and sobering.

This book is presented in an easy-to-read format and is full of great information and fabulous recipes. I finally understand what trans fat is and why it is so bad for you. The recipe for Chicken-Tarragon Potpies is so delicious and easy to make it is going straight into my Family Favorites file. This book should be on everyone's cookbook shelf.

I am well-versed on the chemistry here and the book is right on target there. A nice explaination for the intelligent lay-person. What was useful to me was the exposure of all the places this stuff can be found. A few surprises there. Thanks! The last factor is the cookbook. Can't say I have tested that part, but it is great to have yummy stuff that is more healthy. Short and easy to read.

Trans fat takes the reader deep into the food asles of your groccery store- Buyer beware! If you step into any of the asles with food in boxes or wrapedup- your in for a really eye opener!
I learned a lot of ways to cook my food diffrently after reading this book and how to shop for food. This book has brought awarness to the number one killer in our fast food world. Some of the more common foods have trans fatty particles just waiting to enter your blood stream. Highly recommend.

Outstanding health and nutrition book, easy to read and understand. I followed Dr. Kummerow's suggestions and not only feel so much better, but have actually lost weight while eating all the great foods I thought were forbidden. I wish I'd known all this years ago, but it's never too late to change your diet to maximize your health.

This is a great book. Very well written and easy to understand and really enlightening about the US food production process as well as how to eat healthier and really live a long and fruitful life. There are plenty of great tables to reference as well concerning vitamins and minerals in certain types of food. It's also great to know that eggs aren't bad like once thought and that cholesterol isn't as big a concern. Before this I didn't even know how trans fats were bad, but now after reading it I feel MUCH more informed on the subject and now know what foods to avoid and what to eat more of for a good balanced diet.

Along with all that good information, the book also spans over decades of research and the Author clearly knows exactly what he's talking about. He's 93!!! and still working and exercising! Amazing.

I highly recommend this book to anyone concerned about nutrition and health as well as anyone who just wanted to be informed on the current path to banning trans fats and why certain things are bad for you.

I had to read this book 3 times as there is so much information to digest. Mr Deddo has done a fantastic job of putting all of the information in one place. I have been trying to sort through the data for over 15 years and make some sense out of our food chain and the impact on the health of all America. We are all at risk because of food being processed and centralized by large corporations that worry about shelf life and return for the stock holders. Connecting The Dots fills in all of the missing peaces and provides a way to help every one sort out the food chain in our world today....
READ the LABELS....

This isn't a book about diabetes--this is a book about big business and its attempt to keep Americans in the dark.

The funny part is that the message that Mr. Deddo relates isn't some outlandish conspiracy theory; it is a fascinating series of studies and facts that when pieced together, paint a bleak picture of the health of Americans in the coming years.

Quoting numerous studies (each with detailed references), Mr. Deddo explores the factors in our society that have led to America's epidemic of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

What has this book done for me? It has provided me with an education on the history of the American diet, marketing, and how far companies will go to sell products, regardless of their effect on the health of its consumers.

Armed with this knowledge, I have been able to do more than "manage" my high blood sugar. In as little as five weeks, by making informed decisions about what I eat, I have gained complete control of my blood sugar throughout the day, every day. As an added bonus, I've even lost some weight!

"Connecting the Dots" has helped me take control of my health and diminish my fears of facing a future of declining heath. The author isn't kidding when he states this book "may save your life!"

"Essential Fatty Acids in Health & Disease" by Edward N. Siguel,

I was lucky to find this book before it was listed here at Amazon.com. It is not promoted by a major publisher so I would not have seen it in bookstores. I was searching the Web and found the Web site of the author describing this book and the research it is based on. Since then I have given away several copies as gifts.

Although the author is M.D. and Ph.D., and did original research on essential fatty acids, he has a sense of humor and the book is very readable and entertaining. It has some sections where you will find more medical terminology, but those sections are clearly marked "For health professionals" and you may skip them.

Dr. Siguel developed a test for measuring amounts of fatty acids in the blood. He used that test to analyze the blood of healthy people and people with wide variety of diseases. He noticed that people with a disease had fatty acids in different proportions than healthy people. It appears that one necessary condition for restoring health is restoring the healthy balance of fatty acids.

The book starts by comparing types of fats: saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. It explains the term essential fatty acids. I must confess my ignorance. I did not know that anything in fats was essential for life. I new about essential amino acids but not about essential fatty acids. In both cases the name essential identifies those acids that our body can't make from other ingredients. To sustain life we must get them from food. Further, the book divides essential fatty acids into two groups, known as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It describes functions of fatty acids in both groups. It describes effects of both groups on many serious diseases with more emphasis on heart disease.

I find the part that describes nutritional requirements for disease prevention even more important than the discussion of specific diseases. This describes the healthy balance of fatty acids and how to achieve it. It compares the fatty acid composition of oils available on the market: vegetable oils and fish oils. It gives hints on how to find quality oil and what to avoid. It deals with misconceptions about fats and cholesterol. It describes other nutrients required for proper utilization of fats and healthy nutrition in general. It warns about unnaturally modified fats in processed foods. This is where I first found the explanation of the terms trans-fatty acids and hydrogenated oils, why I should not eat anything that contains them, and how the ingredients list on the package will not always tell me about them.

Based on the results of his research, Dr. Siguel criticizes USDA Food Pyramid which places fats at the top and suggests that all fats should be used sparingly. He also gives some unique insights on medical research and the practice of medicine.

This book had made me curious to learn more about the role of fats in supporting human life, the subject I was so ignorant about. I have found more books that debunk the notion, until recently so fashionable, that all fat is bad. I found that different authors promote different types of fat. Many recommend mainly monosaturated oils like olive and canola. However they do not support that recommendation by the analysis of those oils or by the explanation of their role in human metabolism. This book recommends polyunsaturated oils because only they contain the essential fatty acids that our body can't make from other types of oils. It also provides detailed analysis of those oils to help you choose the one that is right for you.

I hope that further research may find some essential nutrients in bacon, but for the summary of the current research results on fats in human nutrition I still come back to this book.

I am a young mother who wants to eat well for her baby. This book explained the essence of eating polyunsaturated fats to grow a good brain. The scientific reasoning is solid, the explanations are easy to follow, and the book is easy to read because of its humorous approach. This should be required reading!

Dr. Irven hits the nail on the head with this one. It's messages are all about what you CAN eat and not just what you shouldn't eat. With a focus on a wholesome food choices that isn't too restrictive, this book is an engaging journey into the creation of a new outlook on a healthy diet. It's informative and interesting and will certainly capture the attention of the teenage reader. Adults can learn quite a lot, as well. I especially like the emphasis on learning to read food labels with a critical eye. This should be a mandatory read for all middle school to high school students.

Very easy reading for young adults! I gained alot of useful knowledge. My family and I are now eating healthier and reading labels.

An Innovative Approach to Fighting Childhood Obesity

By William Sun, PhD


Book Title: New Prescription for Childhood Obesity
Author: Billy C. Johnson, M.D., PhD
Publisher: iUniverse, inc.
Publishing Time: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-595-45343-6 (pbk)


Childhood obesity is a common health issue around the major part of the world, including the developed countries like the United States and many newly emerging countries like China. There are over 155 million children who have suffered from this illness around the world. In the United States alone, there are over 9 million children with childhood obesity. This health issue seems to be more critical now than before, as more and more children have increasingly got overweight and the solutions to this problem have proven to be less effective. This is why the book New Prescription for Childhood Obesity looks important, as it promises to provide a new and effective solution to the childhood weight problem. This gives a genuine hope for all the frustrated children and their parents.

The ineffectiveness of the mainstream prescriptions to childhood obesity is due to conventional limited understandings of this illness. For instance, many people including medical professionals believe that the cause of obesity is "eating more and exercising less". And then the treatment for obesity is simply "eating less and exercising more". Dr. Johnson, the author of this book, argues that this approach does not work over the long term because it is unsustainable. Furthermore, the traditional approach does not address the fundamental cause of childhood obesity. According to Dr. Johnson, the actual cause of obesity and its associated chronic diseases is rooted in damaging free radicals throughout the body, which trigger oxidative stress and low-grade silent inflammation. It is oxidative stress and the silent inflammation that produces inflammatory hormones and chemicals, which turn on genes causing fat storage and disease and in the meanwhile, turn off genes reducing inflammation and health risks. Therefore, any effective solution to childhood obesity must address the issue of damaging free radicals.
It is based on the fundamental understandings of childhood obesity that Dr. Johnson provides a newer approach to fighting childhood obesity. This new solution rests on employing nature's powerful super-antioxidants and phytonutrients to deactivate damaging free radicals. Rather than focusing on conventional "dieting" approach producing only short-term weight loss and fat reduction, in this book Dr. Johnson provides children with specific simple strategies, techniques, and skills for eating not only high quality foods, but the right amount of food appropriate for their level of physical activity without dieting or restrictions. The easy-to-follow long-term solutions teach children to maintain a healthy lifestyle that can automatically become a normal part of their daily routine. In so doing, children will have a better chance of reducing excess body fat and maintaining a healthy body that produces less oxidative stress and inflammation and leads to less craving and overeating. The benefits of this new approach can be more, such as increase in energy, growth of muscle tissue, and a faster metabolism that converts calories into cellular energy instead of toxic fat.
It is noticeable that unlike the traditional approach that prescribes universally applied treatments for all children, this book emphasizes tailored programs to meet the actual demands and requirements of individual children. Hence, specific factors like children's personalities, eating habits, levels of physical activities, and food varieties and cooking styles must be incorporated into a therapy program and considered as a strategy for reducing obesity and inflammation.
Dr. Johnson also informs us that Inflammation comes not just from foods and diets, but also from many other sources, such as the body conditions (bacteria, viruses, infections, the digestive systems, etc.), the natural environment (e.g., environmental pollutions), and the social environment (e.g., cultures, social conventions and life styles). Thus, an effective solution to childhood obesity should be a comprehensive and systematic solution, rather than purely relied on a single diet program or a physical activity program. This holistic way of thinking about childhood obesity is inspirational.
Another remarkable characteristic of this book is that it provides valuable information and knowledge as well as workable strategies and skills directly to parents. Indeed, it is parents' duties and responsibilities to care about their children's overweight problem and the long-term solutions. Particularly, parents need to educate themselves before they can teach and help their children. To use Dr. Johnson's words, parents should be "a positive role model" (p. 46). In many cases, children's obesity comes from their parents, particularly their unhealthy life styles and eating habits. Therefore, the key solution to childhood obesity actually rests upon the minds and behaviours of parents. For instance, in their reproductive years, women need to plan ahead of pregnancy to ensure that their children will not be overweighed before they are born, thereby to reduce the possible risk for their children of developing obesity in their childhood and adulthood. This parents perspective throughout the entire book is very insightful.
This book has 14 chapters with five appendices. The first six chapters contain the basic theories and knowledge on childhood obesity, in which the theoretical foundation for the new approach to fighting childhood obesity is laid down. However, the new theory on childhood obesity looks thin in here. More articulations and explorations may be needed to widen and deepen the understandings and to address the complexities of childhood obesity. The later eight chapters focus on food choices, diet styles and food supplements, which provide very detailed information and skills and techniques for parents to help their children to get enough antioxidants and phytonutrients to neutralize the high levels of free radicals produced from eating foods and from environmental pollutants. The appendices are also very useful, as they offer a daily meal plan and more than 40 recipes for obesity reduction.

Overall, this is a very valuable book on childhood obesity. The understanding on obesity issues is distinctive and fairly fundamental, the new approach to fighting childhood obesity is innovative, and the strategies, methods and techniques used in the new remedy program are helpful. The presentation of this book is clear, fluent and easy to be understood by all readers even with little knowledge of medicine. To all the parents who care about their children's weight, this book is an essential read.


Biography of the Reviewer:

Dr. William Sun holds Certificate in Complementary and Alternative Medicine from the US National Institute of Health, and Certificate in Assessment and Treatment of Depression in the Primary Care Setting from Harvard Medical School. He received Doctor of Philosophy in Law from Leeds Metropolitan University, England. He is a member of the international Scientific and Medical Network, and British Holistic Medical Association. He is currently Senior Lecturer of Leeds Metropolitan University, England, Visiting Professor of Harbin Engineering University, China, and Director of The Process Centre, England.

This book packs a medium amount of information into a pretty tedious reading experience. Although the information is good, everything is repeated over and over again. The book spends too much time talking about cocunut oil and cod liver oil also. Everything pretty much comes back to those two oils--notice the coconut tree on the cover of the book. Also, almost all of the recipes involve coconuts.
I was disappointed in this book. The first 50 pages were good, but all the new info stopped after that.

Eat Fat, Lose Fat: The Healthy Alternative to Trans Fats This book has successfully dispelled many of the myths I had about healthy foods to eat, namely the low-fat diet promoted in our country. It has transformed the way I eat and, so far, I feel great and am having a lot of fun. It just makes sense to eat the foods that people have always eaten.

This book has so many helpful ways to recover you health.
It is amazing how many misconceptions there are about foods and what is healthy and what is not.... This book helps you to see the truth.
I found it very helpful in helping me with the quest for better health.

We've heard and read a great deal about the misrepresented saturated fat of red meat, equating it with the harmful trans fats which are neither a saturated fat nor a polyunsaturated fat. In this book the authors provide a comprehensive job of explaining the truth about another healthy saturated fat, coconut oil, which is very different from animal- source fatty acids that are also needed by the body. The easily understood and practiced protocol provided for losing fat while eating it, includes this unique medium chain fatty acid (MCFA). Thanks for an important service, Dr. Enid and Ms. Fallon.

Sylvia W. Zook, MS, PhD
Author of Eatin' After Eden

I have been studying diet and nutrition for the past three years and this book by far is the ultimate best book that I have in my nutritional library. I have recommended this book to everyone!! After 3 years of chronic migrains lasting litterally from 3-15 days at a time, with a maximum 4 day repreive in between, and all attempts with many specialists failed, as well as nearly causing me to have a stroke from preventitive medication. I was desperate to find a cure and not a bandaid. My doctor assured me that diet had absolutely nothing to do with my migrains or any of my other illnesses either, but what did I have to lose? Not only did I change my diet by cutting out refined products, preservatives, sugars, few carbs, high fructose corn syrup, and soy, I added coconut oil on a regular basis as the only oil in my home. I have only had 4 migranes in the past 8 months in which they only lasted a day or two and always followed an unhealthy eating binge of the wrong foods. I actually feel like I have more energy and have not put on any extra pounds, although I am eating a lot more fats like butter, cream, and of course coconut oil! This book is a must have for anyone who wants to get control of their life again!!! DW