18 August 2011

The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates, Linda Schatz

ISBN #9781401935436

If you’re experiencing discomfort, fatigue, or other symptoms that won’t go away no matter what you do or how many doctors you see, chances are you’re one of the millions unknowingly suffering from a systemic fungal/yeast infection, “the hidden invader.” The result of an imbalance starting in your internal ecosystem, this can be a key factor in headaches, joint and muscle pain, depression, cancer, food allergies, digestive problems, autism, and other immune-related disorders.  
     The Body Ecology Diet reveals how to restore and maintain the “inner ecology” your body needs to function properly, and eliminate or control the symptoms that rob you of the joy of living. Tens of thousands of people have already benefited from the Body Ecology way of life—Donna Gates shows you, step-by-step, how to eat your way to better health and well-being . . . deliciously, easily, and inexpensively!
     In this book, you will learn how to: use seven basic universal principles as tools to gain mastery over every health challenge you may encounter; focus on your inner ecology to create ideal digestive balance; conquer cravings with strategies for satisfying snacking and for dining away from home; and plan meals with dozens of delectable recipes, an array of menus, and detailed shopping lists.

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I was absolutely thrilled to finally be reading the Body Ecology by Donna Gates.  This book is packed with loads of information so it should be said that, although I read it in one day, I will definitely be rereading it again.  And then probably again.  Her thesis is that modern humans are plagued by chronic yeast infections and I think she makes a compelling argument for it in her book.  Granted some of the assumptions she makes are not necessarily backed up through rigorous scientific study but then again most health gurus' claims rarely are.  
Throughout the first half of the book Ms. Gates details the whys and hows of the diet, mentioning various products and recipes along the way without any real clarification on those particular items.  For instance she mentions fermented vegetables quite a bit and kefir but she didn't really explain what they were until fairly late in the book.  I was also dismayed to realize that she also spent much of the book advocating her brand of this or that...saying things like (and I'm paraphrasing here) 'it's very difficult to find authentic such and such anywhere so luckily I sell it on my website...'.  This is disconcerting to say the least and I felt as if I was reading through an infomercial.
The Body Ecology diet is quite popular and many people assert that this way of eating and living has greatly benefited them.  After reading the book I feel dubious yet I admit there might be something here worth understanding.  There is a sense of rightness about a lot of Ms. Gates assumptions and assertions that rang true to me.  The diet itself just doesn't appeal to me.  It feels gimmicky and even downright exclusivistic with its core components being available primarily through her website (as opposed to being readily found at any local grocer), or labor intensive to prepare.  In my heart I don't believe that healing foods are hard to come by nor are they hard to make.  I believe that God has given us all the perfect food we need to eat.  It is us, man, that has corrupted that food into something hideous that is harming every one of us.  It is our intervention and corruption of that perfect diet that has led us all down the path of ill health.  I just don't agree that the path to healing lies in the miracle of a mysterious fermented drink, a powder, or even baby coconuts.  But then again I'm no expert.

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About the Author

Donna Gates, a nutritional consultant, author, and lecturer, has helped thousands of people overcome candidiasis and other immune-system disorders. Drawing on the best of modern medical science, ancient Chinese medicine, and naturopathy—combined with years of firsthand experience counseling clients—she created Body Ecology, her own system of health and healing. Donna regularly appears on radio shows and conducts workshops to educate the public on medicinal foods.

* I received an advance copy from the publisher for purposes of review. I was in no way obligated to write a review much less a favorable one. The opinions stated herein are all my own.

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