By now you've probably heard that antioxidants are good for you, but a growing number of researchers are beginning to believe that adequate or even more-than-adequate amounts are absolutely vital to our health and well-being. This book by James F. Balch, M.D., author of the bestselling Prescription for Nutritional Healing, describes a wide range of antioxidant substances in food and extracted into supplements that can help prevent or conquer illness and even slow the aging process itself. As Balch points out, when our bodies turn oxygen into energy the reaction creates damaging byproducts known as free radicals, which "eat away" at us almost as rust does metal. Antioxidants help keep free radicals from forming and eliminate those already in the body, putting the brakes on at least some of this long-term damage. But while many people are aware of the antioxidant value of vitamins such as C and E, there are also powerful free-radical-scavenging substances in a wide variety of products-- including fish oils, tree barks, herbs, wine, and tea, as well as colorful fruits and vegetables. Because antioxidants may be more effective in combination, Balch makes a good case for taking concentrated antioxidant supplements as well as eating a diverse diet. A few of the substances he mentions are controversial (and he's careful to provide brief cautions), but it wouldn't be surprising if many of the antioxidants he recommends eventually become mainstream tonics. --Ben Kallen

This book provides detailed information about various illnesses and how they can be prevented or cured through the use of anti-oxidants.

IN A NUTSHELL: WRITTEN IN A DUMBED-DOWN CONDESCENDING MANNER WITHOUT MUCH SUBSTANCE

Since the Author of this book is an M.D. I was rather shocked and disappointed with his style of writing which included making numerous unsubstantiated claims mixed in with very insulting and distracting humor. An earlier reviewer compared the text of this book with "reading the back of a cereal box" and sadly I must agree.

Also, the author has an annoying habit of quoting many other writers in the field, most often Dr. Michael Murray, which tended to reinforce my notion that one should be reading a different book on this very important and worthwhile topic.

There are obvious errors and ommisions within the text, the worst which is the author's constant compulsion for not referencing the results of the numerous studies that have been conducted and which do demonstrate the importance of anti-oxidants in our daily diets. Instead, he simply makes statements without any referencing. Somehow everything within this book is distilled down to anti-oxidants vs. free radicals which is an obvious oversimplification.

As a well-read reviewer on this subject, perhaps I am being overcritical. However, I found his testimony throughout the book that the only purpose of antioxidant consumption is to desotry fre radicals to be missing the point of good nutrition. He tries to extrapolate all benficial qualities of antioxidant rich food to their free radical scavenging abilities, which he does not back up with valid scientific sources. He neglects the vast epidemiological studies attributing better health from of consumption of antioxidant-rich foods because of their high fiber, unsaturdated fats, and low cholesterol.

I was also irked by his too-common slip-ups in seemingly basic biochemistry and toxicology. I understand his thesis that free radicals are one of the primary contributors to disease, but he tries to extend this theory to situations in which free radicals pale in comparison to other carcinogens in terms of their disease-promoting potential. For example, ciagrette smoke contains a group of scientifcally-proven very potent carcinogens, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, that he neglects entirely in explaining smoke's toxicity. Of course, he says that cigarette smoke is carcinogenic because of its radical producing chemicals, which he chooses not to name.

In addition, he mistakenly says that alpha lipoic acid is an amino acid that is an integral part of an antioxidant enzyme, when in fact alpha lipoic acid is a lipid (and antioxidant itself). Lastly, I was concerned with his suggestion that people take oral supplements of antioxidant enzymes to render free radicals harmless, as the HCl and proteases of our stomach and small intestine would surely destory any activity of these "enzymes" before they can can catalyze the intended reaction.

There are many claims throughout the book that are not backed by any scientific data, the majority of which I cannot argue against due to my incomplete knowledge of the subject. However, the fact that on several instances I found his science not only un-referenced, but also wrong, stopped me from finishing the book. I might as well have read the back of a cereal box, on which marketers attempt to persuade kids why vitamins are good for them (and henceforth their product).

For a more holistic and factual review of good nutrition, try "Diet for a New America" by John Robbins.

If your looking for a book to help you learn about the amazing powers of Anti-Oxidants this is a great book loaded with plenty of info. Worth the price.

This book is a tell-all source for the person wanting to learn about antioxidants and/or free radical damage. The only thing this book does not tell you is the absolute best supplements on the market today that contain all of the antioxidants listed in this book. But I can tell you that . . ....

I couldn't agree more with the focus of Balch's book on Anti-Oxidants! We can no longer expect our food to contain enough of those wonderful supplements necessary for our bodies to sustain/prolong life in these stressful/toxic times. YES we need to eat well - cut out that fast food - to keep our everyday focus on being healthy, but unfortunately that isn't enough. If this book isn't enough to convince you (which I believe it is) access a site, PapaNature, and research further their documentation on anti-oxidants. They offer the same combinations as Balch recommends to his readership.