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Foods That Heal: A Guide to Understanding and Using the Healing Powers of Natural Foods

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Hippocrates once said, "Let food be your medicine". Foods That Heal takes that advice to heart by presenting a history of foods that heal, offering an explanation of the ancient philosophy, and providing an easy-to-understand guide to the fruits and vegetables which have special benefits. Foods That Heal presents an age-old common-sense approach that can be easily incorporated into a modern lifestyle.

252 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1988

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Bernard Jensen

186 books24 followers

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Eric.
122 reviews12 followers
June 10, 2018
While I don't doubt the wisdom and experience of Dr. Jensen I am not overly impressed with his skills as an author. He tends toward rambling. He makes many unsubstantiated claims. And he never lays out any specific dietary program for health.

The first third of the book is history. His ramblings on the first doctor, Hippocrates as well as Dr. Victor Rocine are interesting. Undeniably important figures in the field of nutrition-based health. I certainly learned a few things here. These influential histories lead into Dr. Jensen's own autobiographical section which is also interesting. He essentially saved his own life at an early age by devoting his attention to nutrition.

The second third of the book is an analysis of 70-some fruits, vegetables, berries, melons and greens. The nutritive values are from 1988 so, unfortunately, much higher than what you can expect to buy today. He also writes variously on how to prepare/history/wive's tales/trivia and health benefits.

The final third of the book is devoted to recipes. I found it disconcerting that he stressed earlier in the book that we reduce the proportion of grain in our diet, primarily wheat. And yet his recipes seem to be rather heavy on wheat. Naturally he is recommending whole wheat, but the inconsistency is frustrating. That aside, I did identify quite a number of recipes that I will try.

Finally, Dr. Jensen is supportive of dairy in the diet. He grew up in an era where pasteurization was unlikely. I am convinced through the research of Dr. Weston Price that despite the unnatural practice of consuming a different mammals milk (even past a weaned age) that the consumption of raw milk and its byproducts could be beneficial to those able to digest it.

It should be general knowledge that heating milk above the mammalian body temperature alters it. Milk proteins coagulate and become indigestible. The body doesn't like indigestible items in the gut and responds accordingly, inducing inflammation and mucous production.

Also, milk is a hormone laden product. Most products like cheese and yogurt are concentrated so they create elevated hormone levels.

Starting to feel like I should write a book on nutrition! So much BS and nonsense in the mainstream.

This book is not nonsense. Seems like the well meaning ramblings of an old prophet that didn't have anyone on par to challenge his inconsistencies.
Profile Image for Darius Murretti.
422 reviews66 followers
October 7, 2018
Dr Jensen was not the real pioneer of health food . That distinction belongs to Dr Norman walker but this is an OK book that explains the healing properties of raw foods. It is also a reference guide giving the nutritional composition of various fruits , vegetables , grains and pulses .

I studied the worlds literature of human nutrition and the books that tally with it are(in order of importance :

Fresh fruit and vegetable Juices -Dr Norman Walker ( the first chapter of this books sums it all up in only 10 pages )
Survival Into The 21st century - Viktoras Kulvinskas
The wheat grass book by DR ANN WIGMORE
THE COLON HEALTH HANDBOOK: NEW HEALTH THROUGH COLON REJUVENATION BY ROBERT GRAY (just the pages on diet )
Foods that heal --Dr Bernard Jensen

above all you need to understand WHY eating foods containing active ENZYMES will vastly increase teh vibrancy of the health of teh cells in your body . You need to eat on a cellular level realizing that you are providing nutrients to teh cells of your body when you eat . Your cells are the building blocks of your tissues and determine if your tissue succeed or fail in the demands you put on them. I can tell you that my tissues have not failed and life is fun not sitting on the side lines but doing what ever I want .
Profile Image for Galaxyflyer.
41 reviews2 followers
December 29, 2009
This was one of Grandpa Rogers books, that I have now. the date that he wrote in it says Apr. 1991. I plan on reading it after collage.
Profile Image for Katheryn.
124 reviews
June 12, 2011
One of my favorite nutrition books. Food is an amazing healer. He gives detail as to the benefits of each type of food.
Profile Image for Angela.
550 reviews18 followers
April 6, 2019
I will try to eat an apple every day, not to mention more peppers, melons, etc. Thank you for this insightful book about foods we should eat more of. Get those veggies in!
Profile Image for Amy.
369 reviews3 followers
January 11, 2013
Could not finish this book. Read like densely packed pseudo-science and mumbo jumbo fluff. While some of it may certainly be truthful and beneficial, it's hard to say what with so few foot notes or end notes. Would not recommend.
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