Excerpts from reviews
[The Potbelly Syndrome] is written in a lively way with an oft-humorous touch. My admiration for this book has only grown since I first glimpsed the manuscript four years ago. It belongs in every doctor’s library. Richard Huemer, M.D., in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine Vol. 21, No. 2, 2006. (The complete review can be read at JOM_Review.)
Would I buy this book? Yes. I recommend it warmly. . . . the medical establishment is on the verge of accepting persistent and unresolved intracellular infection as a cause of much chronic morbidity. David Wheldon, MB, FRCPath. The complete text of Dr. Wheldon's review is at: http:⁄⁄www.cpnhelp.org⁄book_review
* * * * * "The Potbelly Syndrome" may lead to a rethinking of one of the most common yet challenging health conditions. A welcome addition to both academic and community library Health & Medicine collections, "The Potbelly Syndrome" is directly accessible to the non-specialist general reader, and has substantial value and appeal to health professionals as well. Midwest Book Review, and on Amazon.com. The complete text of the review is at http:⁄⁄www.midwestbookreview.com⁄sbw⁄aug_06.htm
* * * * * This is one of the few health related books that I have read that does not put all of the blame for weight problems on the overweight person. Linda Cooper, on Amazon.com.
* * * * * I've found many profound ideas here. . . . [Farris] had me practically in stitches. . . . If this was on Oprah, I missed it. If it wasn't, I believe it should have been. E. Ellerbe, on Amazon.com.
* * * * * This book also confirmed for me that I was not crazy, and my symptoms are real and can be treated. . . . I would highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to stay healthy and feel great. We need more books like this! Patricia Duty, on Amazon.com.
* * * * * This book has changed my thinking more than any other so called "diet" book out there. Lisaannevictoria, on Amazon.com.
* * * * * First and foremost, this book made me think. It opened up perspectives I would never of stumbled upon otherwise. If insulin resistance does precede obesity, that drastically changes research perspectives and treatment options. . . . The facts on obesity, appestat, were very interesting as well. Paul Theodorescu "Paul T." on Amazon.com
A critical review
Treating obesity, diabetes, and heart disease is difficult, and I obviously don't have any easy answers. A reader named "Bill P" commented on this in a critical review of The Potbelly Syndrome. Here is what Bill wrote:
This book does an interesting job of describing the problem, but don't buy this book thinking that it will tell you how to lose weight. As the author says on page 124, "There is no safe, effective, and proven way to lose weight. . . . I believe that most cases of abdominal obesity, and perhaps most cases of any kind of obesity, can be traced back to chronic infections. If this is correct, then the best way to fight obesity will be to fight chronic infections. This is, needless to say, an unproven theory." The author holds out the hope that in the future, sophisticated medical treatment will be available. For now, the author recommends reducing stressors: avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, air travel, television, etc. The author also recommends some changes that are easier said than done: marry the right person, live within your means, trust God, and so on. And if you have depression, get that cured somehow. None of this advice has actually made my potbelly any smaller. (Bill P. on Amazon.com)
Everything Bill said is true, but I still think it was an unfair review because there was a lot more that Bill could have said that he didn't.
Bill could have mentioned that I wrote about treatments for Chlamydophila pneumoniae on pages 27 and 28, and again in Chapter 20. He could have mentioned that Dr. Mårin gave suggestions for diagnosing and treating chronic subtle hypercortisolism (potbelly syndrome) in Chapter 16. He could have mentioned that Chapters 17 through 20 were full of suggestions for reducing stress and treating chronic infections.
Bill could also have mentioned that Dr. Mårin and I never promised to shrink his potbelly. The purpose of The Potbelly Syndrome, like the purpose of this website, is to explain how infections cause obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. We did that, and we did as much more as the scientific evidence would allow. There simply isn't enough evidence available right now to tell Bill how to shrink his potbelly in five easy steps.
Bill isn't the only person who has been critical of The Potbelly Syndrome, he's just the only one to write a review. If you run into Bill somewhere, please ask him to contact me at russ@potbellysyndrome.com.
