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Breakthrough
Who would have guessed that Suzanne Somers, who played the conspicuously ditzy blonde Crissy Snow on Three's Company, would emerge as an articulate, respect health advocate? In Ageless and The Sexy Years, Somers offered readers valuable information on the benefits of bioidentical hormone therapy and alternative cancer therapies. In the aptly named Breakthrough, she taps the expertise of numerous top doctors and researchers for fresh tips on keeping us alive and well.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
114 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Somers
69 books113 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Suzanne Somers was an American actress, author, and businesswoman. Best known for her role as the ditzy blonde Chrissy Snow on the ABC sitcom Three's Company, she also had a noted starring role on the sitcom Step by Step as Carol Foster Lambert. She later capitalized on her acting career by also establishing herself as an author of a series of self-help books. She had released two autobiographies, two self-help books, four diet books, and a book about hormone replacement therapy. She had featured items of her design on the Home Shopping Network.
Suzanne Somers was an American actress, author, and businesswoman. Best known for her role as the ditzy blonde Chrissy Snow on the ABC sitcom Three's Company, she also had a noted starring role on the sitcom Step by Step as Carol Foster Lambert. She later capitalized on her acting career by also establishing herself as an author of a series of self-help books. She had released two autobiographies, two self-help books, four diet books, and a book about hormone replacement therapy. She had featured items of her design on the Home Shopping Network.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
April 8, 2016
This book took me like a month to read. Of course stopping to read other books probably didn't help, lol. This book kind of reminded me of her other book that I read called Knockout. It has SO much information and your mind gets a little boggled. Its like a text book, you can only read a few chapters at a time, then take a break so you can soak in what you just learned.
This book says that it's about the 8 steps to wellness, but really it kind of just seemed like another chance for her to get people to do bioidentical hormones.
The 8 steps are: 1.) Get Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (told ya), which basically from what I understood is that when your hormones go all wacky, like during menopause, you can just this other hormones that are identical to the ones that you lost. It makes sense and based on readers letters, it sounds like it works. And it also sounds like its pretty expensive.
Step 2.) Avoid Chemicals & Detoxify. Well that's a given.
Step 3.) Take Nutrition Seriously. Well, yeah. We all need to start eating 'real' foods. After hearing about all the chemicals that are in your foods, how could you not want to?
Step 4.) Create a healthy GI Track.
Step 5.) Avoid Pharmaceuticals Unless Absolutely Necessary. She's kind of anti drugs. This whole book talks about how drugs don't work and just mask the problem instead of fixing it. Makes sense. I'm seriously bothered by how the drug companies sell products that don't actually work just so they can make money.
Step 6.) Supplement Your Diet. Take supplements, but she and the doctor she spoke with stressed that the One-A-Day vitamins that I think most of us take are basically crap. Darn it, because that's usually what I take.
Step 7.) Exercise Regularly.
Step 8.) Get Proper Sleep. She talks about Melatonin a lot in this book and I have friends who say that it works. I tried it, it liquid form, and it did nothing for me. I might try it again in pill form to see if it works a little better.
Some notes that I took while reading:
Drink 8 ounces of Pomegranate juice a day.
Premarin, Prempro, and Provera are VERY bad synthetic hormones that come from pregnant horse urine and it sounds like it doesn't even work. Ick, why would you want horse urine in you?
MSG is bad, and the FDA only puts 99% of it in foods under a false name like natural flavoring otherwise if there is a 100% of it they have to actually say that its MSG and by now we all now that its deadly.
Diet soda is a no-no. They say that it can cause cancer, and if that is true, it worries me because my mom and other family members drink (or drank) it. One of my friends told me that it can make symptoms for MS super bad.
She also talks a lot about how birth control pills are bad, that they can mess up your hormones. She pretty much blames them for the reason why she got breast cancer.
Water, sea salt, good oils, and exercise keeps constipation away.
And breast message and nipple stimulation can prevent breast cancer.
All in all, it was a very interesting book. If you don't want to read the whole thing, at the end of each chapter where she spoke with a doctor, there's a little breakdown of the important things, so you could just read those and save some time.
This book says that it's about the 8 steps to wellness, but really it kind of just seemed like another chance for her to get people to do bioidentical hormones.
The 8 steps are: 1.) Get Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (told ya), which basically from what I understood is that when your hormones go all wacky, like during menopause, you can just this other hormones that are identical to the ones that you lost. It makes sense and based on readers letters, it sounds like it works. And it also sounds like its pretty expensive.
Step 2.) Avoid Chemicals & Detoxify. Well that's a given.
Step 3.) Take Nutrition Seriously. Well, yeah. We all need to start eating 'real' foods. After hearing about all the chemicals that are in your foods, how could you not want to?
Step 4.) Create a healthy GI Track.
Step 5.) Avoid Pharmaceuticals Unless Absolutely Necessary. She's kind of anti drugs. This whole book talks about how drugs don't work and just mask the problem instead of fixing it. Makes sense. I'm seriously bothered by how the drug companies sell products that don't actually work just so they can make money.
Step 6.) Supplement Your Diet. Take supplements, but she and the doctor she spoke with stressed that the One-A-Day vitamins that I think most of us take are basically crap. Darn it, because that's usually what I take.
Step 7.) Exercise Regularly.
Step 8.) Get Proper Sleep. She talks about Melatonin a lot in this book and I have friends who say that it works. I tried it, it liquid form, and it did nothing for me. I might try it again in pill form to see if it works a little better.
Some notes that I took while reading:
Drink 8 ounces of Pomegranate juice a day.
Premarin, Prempro, and Provera are VERY bad synthetic hormones that come from pregnant horse urine and it sounds like it doesn't even work. Ick, why would you want horse urine in you?
MSG is bad, and the FDA only puts 99% of it in foods under a false name like natural flavoring otherwise if there is a 100% of it they have to actually say that its MSG and by now we all now that its deadly.
Diet soda is a no-no. They say that it can cause cancer, and if that is true, it worries me because my mom and other family members drink (or drank) it. One of my friends told me that it can make symptoms for MS super bad.
She also talks a lot about how birth control pills are bad, that they can mess up your hormones. She pretty much blames them for the reason why she got breast cancer.
Water, sea salt, good oils, and exercise keeps constipation away.
And breast message and nipple stimulation can prevent breast cancer.
All in all, it was a very interesting book. If you don't want to read the whole thing, at the end of each chapter where she spoke with a doctor, there's a little breakdown of the important things, so you could just read those and save some time.
November 29, 2012
When I was in my late thirties, I started noticing all of these changes happening with my body. After reading this book, I can honestly say that more people need to take this woman seriously. She really knows her stuff. She has done her research, and she has even used her body as its own "guinea pig" to try prove to everybody that bioidentical hormones really works. My fear is that she still hasn't shaken that "blonde bimbo" persona from her Three's Company days, and that a lot of people are going to see this book as nothing but a bunch of mumbo jumbo. But it's not. She has interviewed the top physicians in this field who all know what they're talking about. I have done a lot of the things in this book, and I can honestly say that I am finally on the permanent path to wellness.
May 15, 2012
The beginning of this book was book was a little too overly personal for my taste, it was still a great read. I've heard about bioidentical hormones for a long time. But, I didn't fully understand them. This book really educated me on the whole issue, even though I don't need them yet. It helped me understand the reasons why so many women suffer sad symptoms of menopause and old-age. This is a must read for women in my opinion. There was a lot too this book. It had 8 steps to optimal health. Great interviews by amazing doctors in our country. Ones that I already adored, like Dr. Eric Braverman and Dr. Khalid Mahmood.
Obviously, I'm not a super wealthy actress like Suzanne Somers so I won't be jumping into a hyperbaric oxygen chamber today. But, I've been saving my pennies for doing a vitamin-C chelation. Overall it was a great reminder that good nutrition is essential but if you want to avoid disease and hormone imbalance supplementation is absolutely essential.
Obviously, I'm not a super wealthy actress like Suzanne Somers so I won't be jumping into a hyperbaric oxygen chamber today. But, I've been saving my pennies for doing a vitamin-C chelation. Overall it was a great reminder that good nutrition is essential but if you want to avoid disease and hormone imbalance supplementation is absolutely essential.
October 3, 2008
I am really enjoying this book and plan to keep it in my library for the latest research/interviews from the top breakthrough anti-aging doctors. Learn how with the latest research to sleep all night without drugs, preserve eyesight, and about bioidentical hormones, and much more. One of the many studies I found interesting is on page 207. "Studies show this: Mammograms increase the incidence of breast cancer from 1 percent to 3 percent, and one radiation oncologist said it's actually higher than that- it may be as high as 10 percent a year."
to-buy
January 17, 2019Samantha Jones brought me here to this book! I'm very interested in reading it, especially when I learned that the author is the woman who invented the thigh master! My mom had one and had the best legs! She and I need to start using it... again!
June 20, 2011
Suzanne is bright and knows her stuff. Her animosity towards westernized medicine is a little too zealous for me. Although, I do agree with much of what she says, and completely agree with her endorsement of bio-identical hormones. I really liked her interviews with many of the experts in the field of preventative medicine. That was my favorite part. I could do without Suzanne's biting commentary.
One final thought: Suzanne's daily routine is extensive. She may feel and look GREAT, but she is spending an incredible amount of money and time to do so. Her whole routine just isn't practical for most of us. However, I think using bits and pieces of what she advocates is certainly achievable.
Good for her for taking charge of her health!!
One final thought: Suzanne's daily routine is extensive. She may feel and look GREAT, but she is spending an incredible amount of money and time to do so. Her whole routine just isn't practical for most of us. However, I think using bits and pieces of what she advocates is certainly achievable.
Good for her for taking charge of her health!!
July 24, 2009
My dear friend Denise gave this book to me.
My only regret about this book is that I did not read it immediately after it was given to me! This book is a must read for every American, especially for American women. I learned so much from this book and I now have nothing but great respect for Suzanne Somers. Information is Power. This book is a collection of interviews with some of the best, think outside of the box-doctors practicing today & their personal advice. If you are tired of the conventional, pharmaceutical grind and want to start seeing your health in a different perspective-read this book!
It has changed my life for the better and I am certain it will also help you.
My only regret about this book is that I did not read it immediately after it was given to me! This book is a must read for every American, especially for American women. I learned so much from this book and I now have nothing but great respect for Suzanne Somers. Information is Power. This book is a collection of interviews with some of the best, think outside of the box-doctors practicing today & their personal advice. If you are tired of the conventional, pharmaceutical grind and want to start seeing your health in a different perspective-read this book!
It has changed my life for the better and I am certain it will also help you.
April 27, 2010
An interesting account of the steps you can take to prolong your life. Mostly well researched comments on nutrition, but it reads like a new age bullshit book. I expect that's a product of the author being savvy enough to know where her likely audience lies. The doctors the author quotes seem pretty reputable, though it's clear she didn't always understand what they were telling her. Nonetheless, I think this is a valuable health book with many good insights. Especially if you are a skeptic and can tell which bits are likely to be worthwhile and which are a waste of time. It'll sit on my bookshelf next to the nutrition bible as a useful reference.
July 12, 2012
This was an informative book. If you like to hear information from many doctors to make things more believable when it comes to fighting cancer, this is the book for you. It's not an easy read but you will learn a lot. I didn't care to read about what Suzanne does on a daily/weekly/monthly basis because it's not practical for most of us. My all-time favorite book on cancer that encompasses everything I've read in one book is called, "Cancer is Not a Disease, It's a Survival Mechanism." That book is a must read for everyone, in my opinion.
March 17, 2009
Self-help book - Always searching for another way to tackle chronic illness without pain pills. This book has info and then some! Interviews doctors on the cutting edge of a new concept in medicine - 'wellness'.
Through Nutritian, Natural Supplements (after testing to see what your body is lacking). Worth the time to read! More than once!
Remember the movie line " I want some of what she's having! " Well, that's how I feel about Ms.Somers!
Through Nutritian, Natural Supplements (after testing to see what your body is lacking). Worth the time to read! More than once!
Remember the movie line " I want some of what she's having! " Well, that's how I feel about Ms.Somers!
August 31, 2014
I have to admit that the larger than life photo of Suzanne on the cover made it hard for me to pick it up but it turns out the cover does not match the content at all. My functional medicine doctor agrees with a lot of this and it was great to have access to in-depth interviews with leaders in this field. It is a fantastic resource for knowing which tests to ask for and how to get help for chronic conditions that haven't responded to the traditional western medicine approach.
July 8, 2010
This book what my beginning to a healthier me. I now eat mostly organic and am very into health, nutrition and wellness.. It can kind of be a depressing thought after you realize how unhealthy Americans are. This book was definitely a great eye-opener and I'm glad to have picked it up while I was on vacation in Boise, Idaho! GREAT READ!
February 4, 2011
I enjoyed the interviews with the doctors. This is a book I would buy if my chiropractor believed in bio-identical hormones. We haven't connected yet on this topic. I need to learn more about this topic. I did enjoy the book and her writing. She also has good podcasts on itunes from interviews about this book that are informative for someone who is a listener and likes the info free.
September 20, 2015
Her best book so far. I wish this information had been available 30 years ago; it would have made a huge difference for me from age 29 on. I recommend it to anyone who cares about his/her own health and children's health from conception forward.
April 10, 2010
Incredibly informative book! I have a notebook full of notes I took while reading this book and have already started to implement some of the advice that resonated with me.
February 25, 2021
This is the second time I've read Breakthrough and I got just as much out of it as the first time. Interviews with health and wellness experts are alternated with chapters on eight wellness steps (hormone replacement, detoxification, nutrition, gut health, pharmaceutical dangers, supplements, exercise, and sleep). I love the cutting-edge thinking and technology Suzanne offers us, such as nanotechnology patches that increase energy, immunity, and quality of sleep. Traditional medicine is great for things like healing bones and fixing defects. However, if you're looking to optimize your health and prevent disease, you've got to look outside traditional medicine and its pharmaceuticals. I'm keeping this book around for reference.
February 2, 2021
Wow this book was CRAZY interesting and I’m shocked it was written in 2008 since it discusses things that are just now starting to be more commonly known. I want to see what her most recent book is and read that next. Maybe grab a thighmaster while I’m at it.
February 29, 2024
I enjoyed parts of this book in subjects I was interested in. I wasn’t a fan of how the book is written interview style with different doctors. I did find some useful information in this book regarding hormone therapy.
June 15, 2021
very interesting topic
March 6, 2022
Very well written, summarized in actionable format. Suzanne Somers is knowledgeable about health and wellness.
June 11, 2024
The information in this book is amazing. I’ve already altered some of my behaviors/routines and have implemented many of her recommendations.
November 5, 2024
Eye opening and must read for women!!!
April 27, 2022
Life-changing! Everyone should read at any adult age!
June 10, 2016
The entire book is about taking bioidentical hormones, which are expensive. It is a promotion for these antiaging doctors that she recommends and for the company where she purchases other wellness products from. I read the whole book to try to get some health tips; I didn't find many. Again, like in her other books, she emphasizes the importance of water. I have started incorporating that habit into my daily routine. I have seen amazing results. I drink 16 oz of lemon water as soon as I wake up in the morning, and again 30 minutes before each meal. I feel much better and I am losing weight steadily.
Even though I can't do many of the things that Suzanne suggests, I enjoy these little tidbits of information. Suzanne takes bioidentical hormones every day. She buys or grows all organic fruits and vegetables, along with herbs. I will make small changes at a time.
Even though I can't do many of the things that Suzanne suggests, I enjoy these little tidbits of information. Suzanne takes bioidentical hormones every day. She buys or grows all organic fruits and vegetables, along with herbs. I will make small changes at a time.
December 24, 2008
Overall an intriguing read. I try to keep up with research about supplements and diet but I had not yet gone to the effort to get curcumin/turmeric and resveratrol until repeatedly reading of their virtues in this book.
I've never read any of her other books; I think what made this book palatable to me was the interviews with the cutting-edge doctors. If it had just been the views of an actress, I don't think I'd have gotten far.
I have no opinion about the bioidentical hormone thing. It seems so out there and either ill advised or the best thing since sliced bread so I'm just going to continue to ignore it for now.
I've never read any of her other books; I think what made this book palatable to me was the interviews with the cutting-edge doctors. If it had just been the views of an actress, I don't think I'd have gotten far.
I have no opinion about the bioidentical hormone thing. It seems so out there and either ill advised or the best thing since sliced bread so I'm just going to continue to ignore it for now.
March 8, 2009
I must admit that I'm not a big Suzanne Somers fan, but this book was given to me so I figured I'd see what she had to say. I really took a lot of useful information away from this book. I totally agree that we, as Americans, are far too reliant on pharmaceuticals. The interviews with "breakthrough" doctors were very eye-opening and informative. I'm not a "health nut" by any means, but I do believe in trying natural means to keep yourself healthy. I took notes while reading, and plan on adopting some of the natural ways to keep my body running in top condition. I may even pick up one of Suzanne's other books!
August 26, 2012
I tread carefully into this book. It was recommended by my sister who is a cancer survivor. She prefaced her recommendation by telling me the book is not so much Suzanne Somers but her interviewing medical doctors.
A lot of the medicine in the book is sound. We know that hormones,the endocrine system and our diet are important. Furthermore, the book is packed with good advice about eating clean, avoiding pharmaceutical involvement whenever possible and getting good exercise.
Based on this book, I fully intend on getting a hormone testing panel completed to determine any imbalances. I also am renewed in focusing on better overall health.
A lot of the medicine in the book is sound. We know that hormones,the endocrine system and our diet are important. Furthermore, the book is packed with good advice about eating clean, avoiding pharmaceutical involvement whenever possible and getting good exercise.
Based on this book, I fully intend on getting a hormone testing panel completed to determine any imbalances. I also am renewed in focusing on better overall health.
November 5, 2008
This was an excellent source of information in terms of being proactive about our health. I learned that I should be investing money now in supplements and healthy food. If I can spend the money on Starbucks I can certainly splurge on healthy food! About three quarters in I started skipping the chapters written by Somers and only reading the interviews with the physicians. It was much more rewarding that way!
June 26, 2009
Okay, I haven't read every single page but the information that I have read and studied so far is incredible. If you are looking for answers that don't come out of a prescription, this is a good place to start to find understanding. The book is not Suzanne Somers selling stuff but is discussions with Doctors who are finding new and better ways to fight the onslaught of life and it's effects on our bodies. If you are struggling with hormone issues, it's a good place to find information
April 13, 2010
Wow--she really is investing her time and money into health preservation! Interesting topic and information, whether or not you can adopt her practices. I learned that: macular degeneration starts in the stomach; testosterone level in men today is dramatically lower on average than in 1980s (possibly due to stress, obesity, toxins and insecticides); MSG is a nerve toxin; and Aspartame "produces the very same brain damage that MSG does".
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