PRAISE FOR FOOD OVER MEDICINE “Very few people, and even very few doctors, really understand how powerful nutrition can be in preventing and in treating most of the illnesses that afflict us today. Food Over Medicine is an outstanding resource for anyone wanting to maximize their health and minimize their dependence on western medicine.” —JOHN ROBBINS, author of No Happy Cows and Diet for a New America “Food Over Medicine explains nutrition in an original, highly compelling way. A totally digestible, accessible approach to learning how to maintain or regain your health.” —RORY FREEDMAN, author of Skinny Bitch “Reading Food Over Medicine is like having nutrition explained to you in a no- nonsense way by a dear friend. This is not some dry textbook; it’s a jargon-free conversation—one that will change your life!” —LINDSAY S. NIXON, author of the bestselling Happy Herbivore cookbook series “Food Over Medicine is brimming with useful information that is both detailed and yet easy to understand. The question-and-answer format is very effective with excellent points. It’s the sort of book that everyone who cares about their health should read.” —LEE FULKERSON, director of Forks Over Knives “Food Over Medicine is a must for anyone remotely concerned about health. It is incredibly funny, totally engaging, and promotes a diet that just happens to be the best for the planet.” —ED BEGLEY JR., actor and environmental activist “Reading Food Over Medicine could be the best health insurance you ever had. This no-nonsense approach to solid health information may save your life!” —HOWARD F. LYMAN, author of Mad Cowboy and No More Bull! “Food Over Medicine is an excellent book that reveals the truth that health is more about dietary choices and plant-based nutrition than about doctors, diagnostic tests, surgeries, procedures, and medications. The book is easy-to- read, entertaining, and humorous. But, above all else, it is incredibly informative, enlightening, inspiring, and self-empowering. It will open your eyes. It will encourage you to take charge of your life.” —DR. WALTER R. JACOBSEN, author of Forgive to Win! “Food Over Medicine cuts through every nutrition-related controversy to give you the information you need for a lifetime of health and trim weight.” —JANICE STANGER, PH.D., author of The Perfect Formula Diet FOOD OVER MEDICINE FOOD OVER MEDICINE ...................................................... THE CONVERSATION THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE PAMELA A. POPPER PH.D., N.D. and GLEN MERZER All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Copyright © 2013 by Pamela A. Popper and Glen Merzer BenBella Books, Inc. 10300 Central Expressway, Suite #530 Dallas, TX 75231 www.benbellabooks.com Send feedback to Fax: 800-351-5073 E-mail: This book has been written and published strictly for informational purposes only. All of the facts and opinions expressed in this book come from medical files, clinical journals, scientific publications, personal interviews, published trade books, magazine articles, the personal practice experience of the authorities quoted or the sources cited, the personal experiences of both authors, and the professional experiences of Dr. Pamela Popper. You should not consider the educational material herein to be the practice of medicine. Nor should it replace consultation with a physician or other practitioner. The authors and publisher of this information are providing you with this information so that you can have knowledge. You can choose, at your own risk, to act on that knowledge. In no way should the information in this book be used as a substitute for recommendations from your own health care practitioner. You may also consider the possibility that your health care practitioner may not be fully informed about some of the subjects covered herein. All the decisions about your health are ultimately your own to make, including the decision about where best to seek out information and which information to believe and to act upon.