My general sense of this book: Lots of great information offered, but the reading experience is too much like sitting through an infomercial.

To begin with, most, if not all, of this information is not new. That being said, the content is arranged well and is easy to follow. Somers talks about a variety of issues behind chronic illnesses, from diet and digestion to environmental toxins like mold. She offers insight into avoiding the pitfalls of our modern life, as well as treatments for the wide array of resulting chronic health problems. While the tone is overly enthusiastic, bordering on preachy, the content is solid and well researched. She also interviews a few doctors at length, offering us a professional viewpoint.

All good, right?

Not so much. And here we come to my main problem with this book. Somers tells us throughout her narrative that each of us can get well if we simply follow her instructions and see the right doctors when necessary for treatment. She proclaims this with such excitement, over and over, that we begin to believe her. Until we take a closer look.

To give you a general idea: I have chronic Lyme disease with severe neurological complications. In this book, Somers mentions a doctor who has an incredibly high success rate in treating this disease. She talks about his treatment plan and how anyone in my situation can get well. I looked him up and found, much to my amazement, that he is within a 45 minute drive from my house. I was thrilled. Momentarily, at least. Then I explored his website. No insurance information, because he does not accept insurance. (Most of his treatments wouldn't be covered, anyway.) But I'm prepared for that. What I want is a cost estimate. I looked. And looked. His website doesn't even list the cost of an office visit. Not a good sign. Next I explored message boards talking about his treatment. And, yes, patients love him. The cost? A minimum of $3,000 per WEEK! Someone like me, with long term, multiple problems, would need about six months to stabilize just enough to cut visits to once or twice a month.

Not once throughout this book does Somers acknowledge the absurdity of her proclamations for those of us who do not have unlimited funds. Even for those with an upper middle class income, following these treatment plans for any sort of chronic illness is an impossibility. If you're wealthy, then, sure, this book and these doctors will help you. If you're an average person with a chronic illness mainstream medicine can't handle, then you're still very much on your own.

But don't despair yet. The last quarter of the book lists an assortment of ailments, along with all the supplements/herbs you need to take in order to get well. Somers even gives us the best brand and recommended dosages for treating the ailments. So, if we can't afford the doctors, we can at least help ourselves this way. Right?

Maybe. Depending on how sick you are, that is.

If I took every supplement recommended for every symptom and health issue I have, I'd need to stop paying my mortgage. Even if I could afford it, I'm not sure I could swallow that many pills.

I should also mention that all the recommended supplements come from companies Somers has her hand in. She directs us to these websites several times throughout the book. One website of hers won't even allow me to look at articles unless I sign up, which I won't do, so I have no idea how helpful anything there might be.

In the end, I found this book too self-serving, and completely out of touch with the main problem many of us with chronic illness face: finances. While some of the content is important, this is not the book I'd recommend reading.

*I received this book from Blogging For Books, in exchange for my honest review.* ( )

First off I would like to say that this book is scholarly. It’s 367 pages long and 29 pages of that are lists of medical journal articles for further study. Also several interviews with medical doctors are included. I would also call this book thorough and exhaustive.

Some (not all) of the topics talked about are gluten intolerance, mold, phthalates, probiotics, enemas, leaky gut, inflammation, supplements, EMFs, home care products, and coconut oil. There are complete chapters on certain body systems such as the gut, the brain, the heart and the thyroid.

There are plenty of stories (some like case studies) for encouragement and motivation. Her own personal stories were relevant and interesting.

Some notable quotes are:

If you only take away one thing from this book, take this. This simple message is the most important change you can make: No sugar, no carbs (until you are healed.) [page 78, bolded in the original]

Coffee enemas are the single most important technique that you can do. [page 108]

There’s nobody walking around today who wouldn’t do better with a probiotic. [page 108]

After telling us why we need to detox, interviewing various doctors to back it all up, going through various body systems then she rounds it all out with a basic detox regimen which includes a very detailed list and information on different supplements. Very comprehensive and no real “fluff” either!

If you are sick and the doctors have not been able to help and you want to know what you can do from a natural perspective (as opposed to a spiritual perspective, like getting prayer or healing ministry) then this book is for you!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

A special thank you to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Great cover!

TOX-SICK: From Toxic to Not Sick by talented Suzanne Somers, is a "must read" for all women and men of any age, and especially parents in today’s toxic world--from foods, belly fat, chemicals, to the environment; deadly. I read a number of books on this subject, due to my serious MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities), and severe food allergies; this is one of the best- highly recommend!

Toxins are the invisible enemy. They have invaded our lives, our homes, our places of work. You cannot see them but they are there wreaking havoc on our health and environment. We are exposed to more than six thousand common everyday chemicals and each of them come with a list of symptoms. Toxins have many ways of interfering with the normal physiology of life. We are all overloaded, and we have reached a breaking point.

From big business, government, FDA, drug companies (deceit); our water, our air, our food and its packaging; creating serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autoimmune diseases, thyroid issues, ADD, allergies, and the list goes on and on. Toxins can mimic and lead to all of these issues. These chemicals were not meant to be processed by the human body. "95% of cancer is caused by diet and the environment."

The purpose of this book is to unravel the mystery illnesses in your body and offer you the recipe for health, for change. We have to take a stand, and take control of our health. I am a firm believer, and is reiterated in in TOX-SICK. It is up to each of us, to control the amount of our individual toxic exposure. To live and thrive, we need to truly think about every product we use and every bite of food we take. (I do). No-drug solutions do exist. (I am living proof). Learning to detox your body is key to a better life to effectively fight and reverse the effects of this phenomenon. You have to rid your body of these toxins, and replace with nutrients to heal.
 
In addition to being a talented actress, advocate, and a successful business woman, Suzanne has always been my “go to” author for years, when it comes to health, fitness and wellness. I admire her passion, drive, and intelligence, in regards to healthy living. I am in total agreement – TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH by the choices you make regarding your diet and your lifestyle.

I am very obsessed with allergies, foods, toxins, wellness, and health facts. Having read ALL her books, she is my hero, as I devour each and every one of them. For the last fifteen years, I have been impassioned about learning how foods, medications, and our environment contributes to health; from toxins, allergies, to hormones. I appreciate how Somers incorporates and works with a list of highly trained medical professionals, and offers readers a wealth of information; nicely packaged, very informative, researched, useful examples, and summarizes each chapter with a wrap up. I particularly enjoyed the cancer parts, since my mom has colon cancer which has metastasized to the liver and the abdominal area, and in particular steps to take to rid the liver of toxins when taking chemo, as well as the myths of cholesterol and low fat deceptions. (also proactive solutions).

From the low-fat food movement, processed, sugar filled foods, plastics, chemicals, pesticides, toxic mold, overuse of pills, GMOs and EMFs, TOX-SICK addresses it all, and most of these we interact with daily (a scary thought).

Being in the same age range and growing up in the same generation, as Suzanne--I have experienced this toxic thing from childhood, teens, marriage, and child bearing, divorce to menopause. I am a stickler for researching medical information regarding my health, and have actually taken her books highlighting page after page and bookmarking to the doctors and specialists for my visits to discuss (thanks), among other information from online research.

Knowledge is power. Just because the doctor says something, does not mean you do it. This is my pet peeve with friends and family. It is your body. Start with your food and what goes in to you body -pay attention.

Thank you Suzanne, for this insightful book. Many folks have begun taking a stand against our toxic world, with blogs, recipes, and education. I bookmarked so many pages in this book; some valuable information to refer to, time and time again. This is not a once read book.

On a side note: I am thrilled Panera Bread has taken the step recently with their cleaner journey mission; hope it will be an inspiration for others to follow, naming all NO, NO chemicals, additives, and preservatives in their foods; the ones which do not exist, and the ones which will be removed by 2016. Wow, think about it…if Panera has a list this long, can you imagine McDonalds or other fast food restaurants? Our children deserve optimum health and so do we!

We need more books like TOX-SICK to educate, create awareness, and help rid our toxic world of poisons, illnesses, and diseases. I highly recommend this book and all Suzanne’s books! Read, study, and act now, as you can reverse the damage in your body by taking charge of your personal health and the choices you make from this moment on relative to diet and lifestyle. I urge readers to also visit ForeverHealth.com which offers a wealth of information.

In addition to Susan's books, if you enjoy this journey, would also recommend two additional books, both excellent references for a vegan and allergy-free healthy cooking lifestyle.

Deliciously Ella by Ella Woodward
Cooking Allergy-Free by Jenna Short ( )