Product Description

"This may well be a seminal book--a courageous eye-opener that could fundamentally alter our approach to the treatment of chronic fatigue." -- From the foreword by Michael Rosenbaum, M.D.

Answering the question on the minds of 75 percent of Americans, Why Am I Always So Tired?, leading nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman shows us how we canbe more alert and active by eliminating excess copper in our diets and increasing our zinc intake. The time-tested formula points out which culprits steal energyfrom us--namely trendy, low-fat diets--that make otherwise healthy people feel drained.

This revolutionary book offers Gittleman's insights into how we can modify our diets and lifestyles to increase our energy and prevail over the chronic fatigue thatplagues us with symptoms such as: anxiety, insomnia, skin problems, frequentcolds, and roller-coaster emotions. Using her research and breakthroughfindings, Gittleman helps us eliminate these problems and access the energywe didn't know we had.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #253266 in Books
• Published on: 2000-01-01
• Released on: 1999-12-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Amazon.com Review
Copper overload is an insidious but increasingly common nutritional problem, says Ann Louise Gittleman, author of the bestselling Beyond Pritikin. She says that difficulty getting out of bed, midday slumps, mood swings, insomnia, and anxiety may be symptoms of a copper/zinc imbalance. She discovered this link after she encountered several patients in her nutritional practice--most of them women--who were not suffering from hypothyroidism, adrenal problems, or anemia (as she had suspected), but rather a mineral imbalance that was diagnosed after simple hair testing.

Vegetarian diets, low-fat diets, and taking multivitamins--all ostensibly healthy moves--can make you more susceptible to copper overload. So do less-healthy activities, including drinking alcohol and coffee, taking cortisone, and being constantly stressed. (These activities sap the body of zinc, says Gittleman, jeopardizing the delicate zinc/copper homeostasis in the body.) Home tap water may also be overloaded with copper, and women are susceptible to absorbing copper from intrauterine devices.

To remedy the overload, Gittleman outlines an easy plan for renewing health and increasing energy. She includes a questionnaire to help determine if copper overload may be a problem for you; gives resources for hair analysis in case your doctor doesn't have one; instructs on how to read a tissue-analysis report; and outlines a sensible diet plan, including menus to keep the zinc/copper balance in check.

Up to 80 percent of the general population complains about fatigue; Gittleman's book may very well offer a simple solution for thousands of people. --Erica Jorgensen

Review

"Ann Louise Gittleman's ground breaking new book on copper toxicity is a blessing. In it she openly exposes what we know to be one of the biggest causes of fatigue we have seen in our work with over a thousand patients. Our own extensive research and experience confirms what she has written about so cogently. Perhaps this enormous hidden epidemic will finally be exposed so that those who suffer will have some answers and more importantly, solutions. Give a copy of this book to your physician!" -- David Vaughan, NC, DHom; and Ralph Wood Wilson, ND

"Anne Louise Gittleman has written a new book on chronic fatigue and constant tiredness from the perspective of an overload of copper in the body's cells and tissues. I can't imagine me working as a clinical psychologist without having this type of perspective on the role of copper overload in so many psychological problems today. The copper overload problem is at epidemic proportions contributing to a host of physical and psychological problems. Depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and ADD are just a few of the psychological problems associated with copper overload." -- Richard Malter, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and Nutrition Counselor, Bloomingdale Counseling Services, Bloomingdale, IL

"Copper is an essential mineral and is required for normal health. However, in excess its presence in biological systems can become detrimental as illustrated by Bertrand's Law of optimal nutritive concentration of an essential trace element. Conditions associated with copper deficiency are well known, although other than inborn errors of metabolism such as Wilson's Disease, the effects of copper excess are not widely recongnized. Ann Louise Gittleman's book is probably the first to deal with the subject of copper excess in the American population. A condition that is becoming more prevalent in each generation but clinically unrecognized until now." -- David L. Watts, D.C., Ph.D., C.C.N., D.A.C.B.N., F.A.C.E.P., F.I.A.A.C.N.

About the Author
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD., C.N.S., is the author of more than a dozen health books, including the bestselling Fat Flush Plan. Her books have sold over 3 million copies. Ann Louise has been named one of the country' Top Ten Nutritionists by SELF MAGAZINE and has also been named a Pioneer in the 21st Century Approach to Optimum Health by TOTAL HEALTH FOR LONGEVITY Magazine. She maintains a private practice, consults for medical establishments, contributes regularly to national magazine features, and is a popular guest on television and radio.

Customer Reviews

Superb
As a physician working with hundreds of "tired" women, I found this book intriguing to say the least so I put Gittleman's theory to the test. Out of the 50 women I have tested for serum copper and zinc levels nearly 75% of them have demonstrated a zinc defienciency and copper dominance. I am treating these women with Gittleman's protocol and diet plan. Nearly 50% have already noticed a more even energy level - it has been 6 weeks since they have been on the plan - and all say they feel better overall. Ann Louise Gittleman has always been a pioneer and ahead of the crowd by at least five years. I am glad that my patients can take advantage of her insights now. A brave book and I feel so sad that so many readers have truly missed the boat on this one.

Finally, an answer to my problems!!!
After suffering for many years from acne, dry skin, hair falling out, anxiety disorders, occasional insomnia and hormonal problems like bad pms, I have finally found what the causes of all these problems were; Copper toxicity! After reading Gittleman's book, I had a hair mineral analysis done and my copper levels were 5 times the normal limit! I have been following the advice in this book for 3 months and I feel like a totally new person. A very overlooked problem that could be the cause of many health problems especially for women. Go buy the book!

Worth spending a few coppers on... (sorry, couldn't resist)
In this book, Ms. Gittleman suggests that excess copper is a common cause of fatigue and other chronic health problems, especially among women. Many popular foods, such as tea, nuts, beans, avocados and whole wheat, are high in copper. Even if we don't consume excess amounts, other factors (including stress and the Pill) can cause it to build up in our tissues instead of being excreted.

It's true that the author doesn't have a lot of evidence from peer-reviewed medical journals. Still, the idea makes sense, and her profile of the typical person with excess copper, especially the "physically tired/mentally overactive" part, describes me quite well. It also describes a good friend of mine to a 'T'. (She even has the characteristic orangish hair color.) I can't say I'm a true believer, but I figure it can't hurt, so I might as well try it. The suggested eating plan seems healthy and simple enough, and the optional supplements - B6, C, zinc, manganese - aren't expensive or dangerous.

I agree with some other reviewers that this book is a bit light on content: it's less than 150 pages, with a fair number of anecdotes and some repetition. Also, the useful material is scattered all over the book; an index would be greatly appreciated. But if it works, it will be well worth the price.