Nutrition in the 1980s

Press, 24 September 1988, Page 27

Nutrition in the 1980s

Beyond Pritikin. By Ann Louise Gittelman. Bantam/Transworld, 1988. 239 pp. $29.95. (Reviewed by Sharon Hunter) In the mid 1970 s Nathan Pritikin radically changed the way many people thought about food. His low-fat, high-carbohydrate programme established a new link between diet and health. Those following the Pritikin programme found that, along with easy weight loss, blood pressure levels were reduced, cholesterol levels decreased, and diabetics were able to diminish their insulin use by following a diet which promoted high-fibre wholefooods and regular daily exercise.

Yet, in spite of such positive dietary advances, some of those who followed the Pritikin regime experienced negative responses. Some became ( depressed, others were tired or' hungry all of the time. Minerals were often poorly absorbed and some patients developed arthritis. Something was clearly missing from the diet. Ann Louise Gittelman, a former director of nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Centre in Santa Monica, believes that the missing ingredients are essential fatty acids which may be found as Omega 3 oils present in fish and marine life and Omega 6 oils found in unrefined vegetable oils, particularly safflower and evening primrose, and in the recentlydiscovered plankton — spirulina. By eating a diet rich in essential fatty acids, says Gittleman, you can reduce cholesterol levels and your risk of cardiovascular disease, revitalise your immune system, and lose weight if necessary rapidly and safely. Gittleman’s argument for the

inclusion of essential fatty acids to the basic Pritikin diet makes dietary sense. The book includes a menu plan and recipes and gets my vote for being this year’s most important nutritional reading.

The Omega 3 Phenomenon. By Donald Rudin and Clara Felix. Macmillan, 1988. 286 pp. $30.95. Dr Rudin’s work in the field of fats and the human diet is briefly outlined in “Beyond Pritikin.” His.own book enlarges and expands upon the importance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 in a more scientific manner. “The Omega 3 Phenomenon” also makes for exciting nutritional reading and includes menus and some appetising recipes.

The Complete Natural Health Consultant. By Michael van Straten. Angus and Robertson, 1987. 256 pp. $27.95 (paperback). Michael van Straten’s attractive book is one of several on the market which offers a self-help guide to alternative medicine, drug-free surgery, and natural remedies, with emphasis on a tried and proven diet of wholefoods, fresh fruit and vegetables, more fibre, and an absence of sugar. Straten’s book is divided into three sections. Part one examines nutrition and health; part two deals with the major natural therapies such as acupuncture, herbalism, naturopathy and relaxation therapies; part three lists an A-Z of common disorders and indicates the appropriate natural therapeutic response.

“The Complete Natural Health Consultant” is a sensible, reasonablypriced self-help handbook.