Review of "What You Must Know About Food and Supplements for Optimal Vision Care," by Jeffrey Anshel

Review of

What You Must Know About Food and Supplements for Optimal Vision Care, by Jeffrey Anshel ISBN 9780757004100

Four out of five stars

 Although the focus is on eye health, Anshel opens in the only sensible manner, by discussing the principles of overall health. Healthy eyes are based on an overall healthy body, so the first section covers the basics of good nutrition, from the macronutrients through vitamins and down to the key trace minerals needed for good health.

 The next section describes the most common eye ailments and the best nutritional supplements, herbal supplements and homeopathic remedies that will treat that specific condition. The final section covers nutritional approaches to good, healthy eyes.

 This us not a book based on hype of natural remedies as a cure-all, Anshel is very careful to explain the potential advantages and disadvantages of the herbs and other treatments that can be done without formal medical intervention. There are several times when phrases similar to “scientific studies have (not) shown . . .” are used, but no formal references are given. However, in the modern world of the Google search, this is less of a hindrance than it used to be.

 There is a role for supplements and natural treatments in the modern health care system. While there is always the danger of the exploiters making extravagant and self-serving claims, there is also a growing body of hard evidence in favor of many of the treatments described in this book. Even though some of them are in the area of “eat your fruits and vegetables,” there is much more than that. Healthy, functioning eyes are a key component of life and the content of this book should be read with an open mind and some skepticism.