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93 reviews for:
Do You Believe in Magic?: Vitamins, Supplements, and All Things Natural: A Look Behind the Curtain
Paul A. Offit
4.07 AVERAGE
93 reviews for:
Do You Believe in Magic?: Vitamins, Supplements, and All Things Natural: A Look Behind the Curtain
Paul A. Offit
4.07 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5 stars.
While I agree with the author, his dismissive, mocking attitude can be unpleasant. I guess I understand where his tone is coming from, because when I see people online claim that vaccine's cause autism or cancer is a government conspiracy or whatever, I don't feel like they can be reasoned with, so most people tend to argue in an emotionally charged manner. We should always question scientific results - this is how science works. Truth is more important than fulfilling a hypothesis. But some people just like to question science as a process, and this is where the danger lies. These people don't seem to care about evidence or scientific reason.
While I agree with the author, his dismissive, mocking attitude can be unpleasant. I guess I understand where his tone is coming from, because when I see people online claim that vaccine's cause autism or cancer is a government conspiracy or whatever, I don't feel like they can be reasoned with, so most people tend to argue in an emotionally charged manner. We should always question scientific results - this is how science works. Truth is more important than fulfilling a hypothesis. But some people just like to question science as a process, and this is where the danger lies. These people don't seem to care about evidence or scientific reason.
I skimmed a few sections that covered information I was already familiar with. This book is very readable and accessible for most readers, but at some cost to the depth of coverage.
I strongly dislike quackery in all of its forms, so Offit's latest book was right up my alley. He sticks to the facts in his assessment of a variety of so-called alternative or complementary medical treatments. My problem with this brand of quackery is similar to Offit's: so many of these practitioners prey on desperate people, whether they're desperate to save or extend the life of a loved one or desperate to maintain their own youth or vigor. He presents a number of sad stories of people lured in by unethical "healers" who make outlandish promises and hawk questionable "medications."
I did wish that there was more depth, although there's plenty of useful factual information that will come in handy the next time someone recommends some kind of wack-a-doodle "alternative" treatment to me. If the topic is new to you, or if you use or are interested in alternative medicine, this book could (and should) be a real eye-opener.
I did wish that there was more depth, although there's plenty of useful factual information that will come in handy the next time someone recommends some kind of wack-a-doodle "alternative" treatment to me. If the topic is new to you, or if you use or are interested in alternative medicine, this book could (and should) be a real eye-opener.
Great book! But I'm holding on my opinion about acupuncture...
Science rules. This is a fascinating account of quackery through the past few centuries. From Linus Pauling's megavitamins to Susanne Somers's empire, there is much that gets hawked around of which to be wary.
On the other hand, the title is misleading, suggesting a balanced rather than biased critique. The attack on Traditional Chinese Medicine in particular is out of hand, because (a) one cannot isolate acupuncture apart from the full TCM prescriptions, which include herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments; (b) TCM prescriptions are based on an individual's unique biology and not a matter of matching a distinct diagnosis to a standardized treatment; and (c) the absence of a large-scale epidemiological study funded by the NIH that concludes efficacy does not disprove it. (The are ample case studies and other research for those interested.)
And when it comes to herbology, the fact that 25% of medicine prescribed by the UK's National Health System is herbal is testament to its medical acceptance. After all, oral medicine is about chemistry; there is a great body of solid research on herbal medicine.
Overall, I have to say the tone of the book is exciting, and I like the author's enthusiasm for Western medicine, but the book is slanted by a crusade against further research and development of additional therapies that are not "alternative" but developing and available for the ever-expanding body of medical knowledge, diagnosis, and treatment.
On the other hand, the title is misleading, suggesting a balanced rather than biased critique. The attack on Traditional Chinese Medicine in particular is out of hand, because (a) one cannot isolate acupuncture apart from the full TCM prescriptions, which include herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments; (b) TCM prescriptions are based on an individual's unique biology and not a matter of matching a distinct diagnosis to a standardized treatment; and (c) the absence of a large-scale epidemiological study funded by the NIH that concludes efficacy does not disprove it. (The are ample case studies and other research for those interested.)
And when it comes to herbology, the fact that 25% of medicine prescribed by the UK's National Health System is herbal is testament to its medical acceptance. After all, oral medicine is about chemistry; there is a great body of solid research on herbal medicine.
Overall, I have to say the tone of the book is exciting, and I like the author's enthusiasm for Western medicine, but the book is slanted by a crusade against further research and development of additional therapies that are not "alternative" but developing and available for the ever-expanding body of medical knowledge, diagnosis, and treatment.
LOVE LOVE LOVE. As a physician, I’m really wary of quackery. This excellent book is like a history lesson in how unhelpful medical rumors got started. Highly recommended!
Lots of interesting information, but too political and repetitive for my taste. Good start but quickly faded.