Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Health Tips, Myths and Tricks: A Physician’s Advice is a nonfiction health/medical book written by Morton E. Tavel. He discusses his views on health, exposes the fads that don't work, and recommends steps to healthier living. His first topic is a popular one -- diets and weight loss. He discusses the options dieters seeking to lose excess stored fat have and the pros and cons of each one. His nutritional information include why eating breakfast is important, the possible benefits of coffee, chocolate and green tea, and he provides a list of comforting foods one should definitely avoid. Tavel’s section on tips includes information on olive oil, artificial sweeteners and hypertension. He discusses treatments for back pain and alternatives to surgery. In the section on Myths, Tavel counters conspiracy theories, fears about GMO foods and irradiated foods, and gives his take on energy drinks. In the concluding section on Tricks, he exposes false cures and misleading claims both within the alternative and the pharmacological industries.

Morton E. Tavel’s nonfiction health/medical book, Health Tips, Myths and Tricks: A Physician’s Advice, is a veritable grab-bag of useful information, advice and common sense solutions. I found much that was relevant to my diet and lifestyle in this book, especially his Tips about the presence of arsenic in rice, mercury levels in different types of seafood and the benefits of olive oil. On some issues, such as the safety of genetically modified foods, I found his material to be informative, but I’m still not convinced that, world hunger aside, I personally want to eat foods containing GMO products. Likewise, I’m still not convinced that irradiating foods is as fail-safe as it’s made out to be, despite the information provided. I was impressed by his presentation of prescription medicines and their drawbacks in the Tricks section and disturbed by his reports on herbal and alternative medicine. Tavel gives the reader a lot to think about. He doesn’t seem interested in compelling the reader to believe as he does; he simply gives his opinion, states his facts and data where appropriate, and goes on to the next topic. I was quite impressed with the breadth and scope of information presented in this book and highly recommend Health Tips, Myths and Tricks: A Physician’s Advice.