Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-to-Z Guide to Supplements

352 Pages·2008·1.11 MB·English

by  Phyllis A. Balch

P R E S C R I P T I O N

for
Nut r i t iona l Hea l ing
T H E A - T O - Z G U I D E

T O S U P P L E M E N T S
P R E S C R I P T I O N

(for
Nut r i t iona l Hea l ing

T H E A - T O - Z G U I D E T O

S U P P L E M E N T S

Based on Part One of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fourth Edition
PHYLLIS A. BALCH, CNC
A V E R Y
a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. M New York
Published by the Penguin Group

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Previously published as part of Prescription for Nutritional Healing (Fourth Edition)

Copyright © 2006 by the Estate of Phyllis A. Balch

Copyright © 1997, 2000 by Phyllis A. Balch

Copyright © 1990 by James F. Balch Jr. and Phyllis A. Balch

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or

electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials

in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Balch, Phyllis A., date.

Prescription for nutritional healing: the A-to-Z guide to supplements / Phyllis A. Balch.

p. cm.

“Based on Part One of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fourth Edition.”

Includes index.

ISBN: 1-4362-8219-5

1. Dietary supplements—Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Balch, Phyllis A., 1930–2004 Prescription for

nutritional healing. 4th ed. II. Title.

RA784.B2483 2008 2008018665

615'.1—dc22

Neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual
reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for
consulting with your physician. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision. Neither the
author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any
information or suggestion in this book.
While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the
time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors, or for changes that
occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any
responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
Contents

(
Preface, vii

About This Book, xi

Introduction, 3

Nutrition, Diet, and Wellness, 7

Vitamins, 32

Minerals, 69

Air, 96

Water, 104

Amino Acids, 122

Antioxidants, 150

Enzymes, 166

Natural Food Supplements, 177

Herbs, 234

Drug Interactions, 315

Index, 323
Acknowledgments

(
There are many people who have come and gone in my life and
have contributed to my books in many different ways, but I
want to dedicate this to three loyal and true friends who are no
longer with me: Judge Wendell W. Mayer, Charles R. Cripe, and
Skeeners Balch. I also wish to acknowledge the following peo­
ple, who both advised and supported me as I prepared and
wrote this book: my daughters, Ruby Hines and Cheryl Keene;
my grandchildren, Lisa, Ryan, and Rachel; my brother, Al Hen­
ning; and my research and editing staff, Jeffrey W. Hallinger
and Gary L. Loderhose and editor Amy Tecklenburg.
My gratitude also extends to Laurence Royse, D.Sc.; Aftab J.
Ahmad, Ph.D., consulting molecular biologist; Philip Domenico,
Ph.D., microbiologist and nutrition editor; Deborah A. Edson,
R.Ph.; James J. Gormley, editor-in-chief, Remedies Magazine; and
also to members of the faculty of Southwest College of Naturo­
pathic Medicine, Paul Mittman, N.D., president, and Mona
Morstein, N.D., associate professor; all of whom graciously
assisted in preparing and reviewing this book.
Finally, I would like to thank all the readers who have re­
mained loyal throughout the years.
Phyllis A. Balch
2004
Preface

(
“A wise man should consider that health
is the greatest of human blessings.”
—Hippocrates
Socrates once said, “There is only one good, knowledge, and
one evil, ignorance.” This statement should guide us in all of
our actions, especially where our health is concerned. Too
many of us do not have the slightest idea of how to maintain
good health. When illness strikes, we rely on our doctors to
cure us. What we fail to realize is that “the cure” comes from
within. Nature has provided us with a wondrous immune sys­
tem, and all we have to do is take proper care of this inner heal­
ing force.
Does this sound too simple? Basically, it is simple; our mod­
ern lifestyles have gotten us off the right track, with fast foods,
alcohol abuse, drug dependencies, a polluted environment, and
high-tech stress. Nature intended to fuel our inner healing force
with the right natural substances to enable the body to function
up to its fullest potential. Nature’s resources—whole foods, vi­
tamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, phytochemicals, and
other natural bounties—are designed for use in our immune
systems. However, because most of us have a profound lack of
knowledge as to what our bodies need to function properly,
we find ourselves out of balance and susceptible to all sorts of
illnesses.
All individuals should take an active part in the mainte­
nance of their health and in the treatment of their disorders
with the guidance of a health care professional. The more we
take it upon ourselves to learn about nutrition, the better pre­
pared we will be to take that active role. Attitude is also an
viii P R E F A C E
important factor in the processes of health maintenance and
healing. We must have a positive state of mind in order to bring
harmony to the body. The realization that body (lifestyle), spirit
(desire), and mind (belief) must come together is the first step to
better health.
This book is the culmination of half a lifetime of study, work,
and research. It is intended to provide you and your health care
professional with a more natural approach to healing, which
may be used in conjunction with your current medical treat­
ment. A number of the suggestions offered, such as intravenous
therapy, can be administered only by or under the supervision
of a licensed physician. Also, because our body chemistries
differ, some of us may have allergic reactions to certain supple­
ments.
Before taking any nutritional supplement, check with your
health care professional regarding its appropriateness.
Should you experience an allergic reaction to any supple­
ment, immediately discontinue use of the supplement. You
should never attempt to treat yourself without professional
advice.
No statement in this publication should be construed as a
claim for cure, treatment, or prevention of any disease. It is also
important to point out that you should not reject mainstream
medical methods. Learn about your condition, and don’t be
afraid to ask questions. Feel free to get second and even third
opinions from qualified health professionals. It is a sign of wis­
dom, not cowardice, to seek more knowledge through your ac­
tive participation as a patient.
Every effort has been made to include the latest research
available on nutritional healing. We also have added new
sections on many health disorders at the suggestions of our
readers. All the information in this book has been carefully
researched, and the data have been reviewed and updated
throughout the production process. Because this body of
knowledge promises to continue growing and changing, we
suggest that when questions arise, you refer to other current
sources of information to verify textual material. We will strive
to keep abreast of new scientific information, treatments, and
supplements.