Testimonials
In Praise of UltraPrevention and Dr. Hyman
"Dr. Mark Liponis and Dr. Mark Hyman are two of the country's leading authorities on preventive medicine. In Ultraprevention, they describe the latest scientific approaches to preventing disease and enjoying life to the fullest."
Dean Ornish, M.D., author of Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease; Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, and Founder and President, Preventive Medicine Research Institute
"Ultraprevention is the answer for anyone who wants to hear the bottom line from credible medical experts about how to live long and well. Words of wisdom, personal stories of triumph over life's adversities and practical, easy-to-do tips and techniques make Ultraprevention a must-read."
Pam Peeke, M.D., author of Fight Fat Over Forty; Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Maryland; and NBC Today and Discovery Health's medical expert.
"A healthy lifestyle is the cornerstone of cardiovascular prevention. Hyman and Liponis provide a provocative, practical, accessible, and highly readable guide to this important subject and challenge aspects of the traditional medical model."
Peter Libby M.D., Chief, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
"An earthquake is shaking our traditional medical establishment as patients realize that longer and better-quality lives are truly within their grasp. Ultraprevention is a major tremor that is heralding a new direction in the practice of medicine. Drs. Mark Hyman and Mark Liponis have developed an exciting, easy-to-understand, and - most importantly - eminently achievable model of health. Whatever the current state of your health, Ultraprevention can guide you to greater personal wellness."
Florence Comite, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, and Founder, Destinations Health
"Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Mark Liponis got it right! And not a moment too soon, given the fraying of the sickness-care safety net in the US. Don't wait for health care reform - it's not coming soon and it will not make you healthy anyway. Start these simple Ultraprevention steps now! Create extraordinary health, enjoy the lifetime benefits of Ultraprevention and dazzle your doctor with great results at your next visit!"
Glenna Crooks, Ph.D., author of Covenants: Inspiring the Soul of Healing, and President, Strategic Health Policy International
"The popular, up-to-date prevention and treatment programs of Canyon Ranch are now clearly explained and made available to us all, right in our homes."
Herbert Benson, M.D., author of The Breakout Principle, and Founding President, Mind/Body Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Any program promising better health is only as good as the work you put into it, but Ultraprevention authors Mark Liponis and Mark Hyman, Co-directors of Medicine at Canyon Ranch, have designed their program so that not everyone must follow every little detail to the letter. Their six-week program is divided into three stages, but you can decide which suggestions will help speed you toward your goals. They begin by simplifying illness and reducing the various causes to five possible categories: Burnout (metabolism), Heat (inflammation), Rust (presence of free radicals or absence of antioxidants), Sludge (nutrition), and Waste (poor detoxification). These five categories are individually complex, but it's not at all difficult to find a few simple steps to take in the direction of healthier living. Some choices - filtering drinking water via reverse osmosis, improving your sleeping habits, or choosing specific supplements to add to your daily regimen - are quick and painless. Others, such as weaning yourself off prescription medications (like anti-inflammatories) and replacing the drugs with micronutrients, are best done in consultation with your own physician. Balancing general suggestions with a deep understanding that people vary greatly in their habits, Liponis and Hyman present a range of possibilities for every age and level of fitness while simultaneously addressing the specific needs of particular illnesses. While the terminology is potentially overwhelming to total novices in complementary medicine, the book offers clear and excellent possibilities for those who are willing to look outside the box for improved health - Jill Lightner
From Publishers Weekly
Bets are on that pharmaceutical companies are not fans of doctors Mark Hyman and Mark Liponis, Co-medical Directors of Canyon Ranch, a practice affiliated with Harvard University. Their fact-packed book presents a convincing argument that most prescription and over-the-counter medications do nothing more than treat the symptoms of sickness, ignoring the root cause of illnesses like asthma, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. They also blame pharmaceutically indoctrinated doctors for neglecting their duty to examine the real causes of illness in their patients. "If you have high blood pressure," they remark, "doctors give you a high blood pressure pill, instead of trying to figure out why you might have high blood pressure in the first place." In lieu of such quick fixes, Hyman and Liponis suggest a plan of far-reaching life-style changes that combat "the 5 Forces of illness" (i.e., malnutrition, impaired metabolism, inflammation, impaired detoxification and oxidative stress). For example, instead of treating arthritis with commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs that can "burn a hole in your stomach, your kidneys, or your liver" they suggest taking nutritional supplements like glucosamine and chondrotin.
From AudioFile
Two likable physicians weave every new and worthwhile idea about nutrition into a useful guide to healthy living. Even the trickiest language of today's metabolic lexicon is a breeze to understand in the hands of these two articulate authors, who also have fabulous speaking voices. The five forces of illness - malnutrition, impaired metabolism, inflammation, impaired detoxification, and oxidative stress - call attention to processes that are operating in our bodies, whether we know it or not, and which require regular attention if we want to live a long time. A well-done audio that should be a top listening priority for health pros and anyone interested in physical health. This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Book Description
Two physicians unveil a revolutionary, accessible, science-based, patient-centered program for living an active, age-defying, disease-free life.
Health care is pulled and shaped by many forces: by drug and insurance companies looking for profits; politicians in search of votes; and by stressed, overworked physicians who barely have time to talk to you before writing a prescription or packing you off to a specialist.
So is anyone interested in keeping you well?
Yes. Created by two physicians who both survived catastrophic illness, the Ultraprevention program will work for absolutely everyone - old, young, healthy, sick, or somewhere in between. The promise of its practice is huge - a health span that matches life span - and you'll experience increased energy, weight loss, enhanced mood and memory, better digestion, deeper sleep, diminished stress, and more.
Ultraprevention is the new science of staying healthy, an innovative program that shatters the myths of today's "fix-the-broken-parts" medicine. These myths - drugs cure disease, genes determine your fate, getting older means aging, and fat is a four-letter word - are actually believed by many doctors and are keeping you sick.
Ardent general practitioners, Drs. Hyman and Liponis reject the current healthcare system of specialists paid to find something wrong, specialists who don't consider how their "cure" for one ailment affects the entire body.
Working at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, Hyman and Liponis have broken free of the vicious quick-fix prescription cycle of the managed care model and formulated a program that identifies and eliminates the cause of disease instead of just masking the symptoms.
Isolating the source of more than 90% of today's most common diseases, from cancer and heart disease to diabetes, stroke, and Alzheimer's, they enumerate the 5 Forces of Illness - Sludge (malnutrition), Burnout (impaired metabolism), Heat (inflammation), Waste (impaired detoxification), and Rust (oxidative stress). Through the practice of the six-week Ultraprevention program, you'll learn three simple steps - each only two weeks long - that stop these forces and create a lifetime of good health by removing allergens, infections, and toxins from the body and environment; repairing the body through personalizing nutrition, boosting the immune system, and balancing hormones; and recharging with stress management, sleep restoration, and gentle movement.
So stop falling for the myths that make you sick and start Ultraprevention, the powerful plan to get older without aging, to maintain health for all of life.
Reviewer: A reader from Hamden, CT United States
This book has made a huge difference in the way I look at health. This easy-to-read book makes me feel empowered to take my health into my own hands, as opposed to being at the mercy of doctors who may simply put a band-aid on the problem. I find the book extremely helpful in defining how to go to the source of my health issues, and be proactive to reverse them. I now know how to eat healthily and adopt a lifestyle that will allow me to minimize my health issues and increase my longevity. This book has changed my life! Thank you Dr. Liponis and Dr. Hyman!
THIS BOOK COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE! September 19, 2003
Reviewer: A reader from New York City, NY United States
I realize that's a big statement. It's a true one, however. Ultraprevention is remarkable philosophies that can help you move from feeling so-so to terrific without an enormous amount of work. It's really more about a change in your attitude. The doctors feel that there are five forces that can destroy your health; they lucidly and concisely explain what each one is and then go on to tell you exactly what you need to do to overcome them. In the back of the book is an extensive list of possible changes you can make to ensure a disease-free life. Yes, it is a long list. But if you read the book carefully, you'll see that you don't have to adhere to each one. You decide. You pick what makes most sense for you. I doubt even the world's healthiest person could do all of it. Do what makes sense, and profit from it!
Best book to read for staying healthy!, March 28, 2004
Reviewer: gclepine_1999 from So Hadley, Ma United States
I have read many books on how to stay healthy, and by far, this is the best book that I have read on the subject. I suggest that anyone who is interested in taking control of their health destiny to sit down and absorb what these two very informed doctors have written on the subject. We need more doctors who, "look outside the box," and desire to educate people as Dr. Hyman and Dr. Liponis have undertaken with their wonderful and enlightening book. It is a must read for everyone!
Sound Information; Great Guidelines; Great Checklists....,January 22, 2004
Reviewer: A reader from Chicago, IL USA
This is a special book because it has extensive information about a variety of causes for health problems, and how to correct the situation. It tells you how to make changes to prevent problems. It tells you how to get tests performed to see where you are at with certain risk factors - this was particularly useful because some assessments are not "traditional" enough for the average doctor to immediately know how to get the test done and you'll need to know what labs do them. The food lists are excellent, to let you know what is best, next best, least good.... A ton of useful information from reputable authors, about health issues that are important but often undervalued by mainstream. A very interesting and useful book.
One of the most up to date nutrition books, January 17, 2004
Reviewer: bonfig from Rochester, NY USA
This is a very well written book that breaks things down into simple terms for a "novice nutritionist" like myself. It offers clear and concise explanations of the points they're trying to get across. They're also not one sided. They don't bash the current medical establishment. They offer a new direction to go in when concerned about your health and quality of life. It has truly changed my life.
Get Well for Good, January 14, 2004
Reviewer: A reader from Grand Rapids, MI United States
If you'd like to get off your prescription medications, break free from fatigue, and experience true wellness, read Ultraprevention... then follow the six-week path to good health. Full of stories about real people, the book is interesting and engaging... an easy weekend read.
Authors Hyman and Liponis are both U.S.-trained physicians who write frankly about the strengths and weaknesses of our "health care" system. One is a cancer survivor, cured by the drugs and surgery of Western medicine, who was left wondering how he could ever have gotten so sick in the first place. The other had a back that was deemed unfixable by Western medicine, but he found a cure through Chinese remedies. Both came out of their experiences determined to find a better approach for their patients.
After reading this book, I'm convinced that our "health care" system is really a "sick care" system; because of the way it isolates and treat illnesses rather than seeking to treat the root cause of our problems. Of course, we have a capitalist health care industry in which the profits come not from healing people, but from treating them. And we live in a quick-fix culture. And most of our food is tainted with pesticides, antibiotics, and artificial hormones. That can't be good. (As if all that disgusting information on mad cow disease isn't enough!)
So I'm changing the way I'm buying and preparing food (no more hydrogenated anything ever!), I've joined a gym, and I'm already feeling lots better. My 10-year-old son is off steroids, and continues to show great improvement with acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy. Many "chronic" conditions really can be cured, and this book is a great start to finding out how. There really is a better way!
If I could give this book 10 stars I would..., January 8, 2004
Reviewer: Marianne Sinclair Tipps from Houston, Texas USA
After hearing about this book and its authors I felt it would be helpful in my search to take better care of my family's health. My expectations were low to say the least. It has, however, become one of the most influential books/studies of my life. I very quickly went online and purchased an additional 6 books to give to friends and family. Everyone should know what these men are trying to tell us. The book is written in common sense English, and gives very moving examples of how others have come to benefit from their studies and practice. It has forever changed the way I look at oils, fats, sugars, carbs, and dairy - especially dairy! You will be doing yourself the greatest favor to buy this book and read it right away. Good reading, and good health.
Don't knock it till you've tried it., November 29, 2003
Reviewer: A reader from CT, United States
My husband and I transformed our life through Ultraprevention. And we've completed only part of what is recommended so far. We are gradually continuing on the path because it works. As patients of doctors Liponis and Hyman, it is hard to overstate their genuine caring and desire to help their patients live as fully as possible. How terrific that everyone can try their program through this book, not just those fortunate enough to be able to go to Canyon Ranch. The most important points we've learned from our experience: 1) Take charge of your own health. You cannot count on today's harassed, malpractice-threatened, inappropriately incented doctors to do it for you. Even those with the best of intentions are hamstrung by the system. 2) The smallest steps in the right direction can bring significant rewards. The program is not overwhelming and complex when you think of it incrementally. Just take one bite at a time - it's not an all or nothing exercise.
Ultraprevention: The 6-Week Plan That Will Make You Healthy for Life
From Our Editors
Shattering the myth that modern medicine is only supposed to "fix the broken parts," two physicians from Arizona's famed Canyon Ranch health resort have developed a program based on science, prevention, and personal empowerment. Rather than relying on drugs to fix ailments or succumbing to genetic predispositions, you can employ this six-week program to flush out toxins, restore healthy sleep patterns, and learn how to exercise in a gentle, effective way. This new science of wellness is required reading for health-conscious folks looking to stay happy and balanced.
Customer Reviews
A reviewer, retired and working on myself, May 4, 2004,
Extensive Valuable Information. Great Resource!
This book is very impressive. The vastness of the information covered in this book was great. There is information about what might be trouble for you and what you can do about it. Then there are very useful lists of foods, organized in terms of how good they are for you. There are excellent suggestions on how to work with your doctors. Just a great and valuable resource on timely powerful topics. Highly Recommended!
Katherine P. Hux, A reviewer, April 15, 2004,
A terrific guide to improving one's health!
A friend who has experienced cancer insisted I purchase this book. I did, although I was skeptical (I've worked in health care 30 years). I haven't finished the book but everything I've read rings true, and the logic of cause and effect of what we ingest sends a powerful message of how we can take better care of ourselves and maybe reduce the number of medications we take. There are often alternatives. Much of my intuition as to why I decline some prescriptions recommended to me, hits pay dirt in this book. The book will reform the way you understand medicine and your body. It will cause you to be a much more alert consumer of medical care.
Karen, an executive in Boston, March 24, 2004,
A MUST read!!!
This book should be on the table of every home in America. It is a handbook of wellness and prevention that offers guidance to healthy behaviors and eating. It is the best way to take care of yourself and eliminate toxins and medications from your world.
THE DETOX BOX
Reviewer: A. Tipps (Houston, Texas USA)
This is a wonderful and very thorough detoxification program. After reading his book, Ultraprevention, I was excited about taking another step toward better health. The CDs are informative and very helpful as encouragement and justification for detoxification. As the mother of four very young children, I also found it difficult at times to follow the (several times daily) regime of yoga and resting as suggested. I had to put it in whenever possible. So plan to make time in your schedule for this. Since it is a short 8, 14 or 21 day program, it is do-able - but you have to want to. I do recommend this detox program in spite of the negatives. I lost quite a bit of weight (even though that is not the intended goal) and I have never felt better. It has been a life-altering experience for the better.
