On 28 Sep 1997 (!!), Peter Brandt wrote: >> Subject: New book on instinctive nutrition >> >> For those of you who read French, Dr Seignalet, a long time supporter of >> G.C. Burger has recently put out a book out called "Alimentation, la >> troisième medecine" (Food the third medicine). Well, I just found the book. The third (revised and augmented) edition of "L'alimentation ou la troisième médecine", by Dr Jean Seignalet (in French, 490 pages, 180 F) can be purchased from Editions François-Xavier de Guibert 3 Rue Jean-François Gerbillon 75006 Paris France Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 9-12 a.m. and 2-6 p.m. Tel: 01 45 48 97 77 Fax: 01 42 22 56 69 e-mail: [log in to unmask] I don't know if they can ship books abroad or if they accept other currencies than francs. If not, send me an e-mail privately, I can try to send you a copy. --------------- Contrary to what Peter said, the book is not about instinctive nutrition, but many of the author's ideas are inspired from Burger's. The diet he recommends: -Avoid: wheat, most cereals (rye, oats, corn, barley) [but rice is allowed], dairy, refined salt, non-organic chocolate [black organic chocolate is tolerated in moderation], jams, hydrogenated oils, margarines, beers, canned foods. -Not recommended: all cooked foods, in particular cooked meat, cooked eggs, cooked oils, cooked nuts. If one chooses to cook some foods, prefer brief cooking times and low temperatures (steaming). The author admits, however, that people may find raw wild game or raw organ foods difficult to eat, so admits them on an exceptional basis. Eggs should be eaten raw (white may be discarded), but those who don't want to may soft-boil them lightly. -Allowed: raw meat, raw pork products ("charcuterie"), raw eggs, raw fish and shellfish, smoked fish (in moderation), green vegetables (steamed), legumes (steamed), soy (soymilk, soy yoghurt), raw vegetables, fresh fruits, dry fruits, raw nuts, honey, pollen, rice, buckwheat, sesame, sprouts from "ancestral" grains and legumes, extra-virgin cold-pressed oils, unrefined salt (in moderation), unrefined sugar, tap and mineral water, infusions, chicory, coffee (in moderation), tea (in moderation), alcoholic beverages (in moderation) except beer. -Other recommendations: frozen foods are allowed; eat preferably organic; eat animal proteins once a day only; take lactic ferments [?]; supplement with vitamins, magnesium and oligo-elements. -------- He comments on Burger's theory of instincto-nutrition in detail, and says in particular that -Burger's theory is sound -Instincto-nutrition is difficult because one needs to have an abundant supply of "original" foods. -It is relatively expensive. -It is very restrictive, since its adepts, who eat totally raw, avoid condiments, coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages completely. -It is asocial, since one cannot go to restaurants or accept invitations from friends who don't eat in the same way. The fact that one needs to smell all foods in succession excludes all contact with non-initiated people. Those of Burger's disciples who don't want to stay alone sometimes tend to get together at mealtimes, each one bringing a few "original" products (...). Such meetings look a little bit like sect gatherings. -The main criticism to Burger that one can make, is to claim that his method is efficient for everyone, for every illness. This is wrong because: * Some ailments are only remotely related to nutrition, if at all; * Even in ailments related to nutrition, there is always a more or less important percentage of patients who don't respond well to the nutritional changes. In short, Dr Seignalet finds that the regimen he proposes is "certainly less perfect than Burger's. But it is much easier in practice, and is still compatible with a normal social life". ---------- Seignalet's book talks extensively about: evolution and nutrition, genetics, environment, immunology, many illnesses (of which he presents known mechanisms, hypotheses, conventional treatments and their results, effects of diet), theory of toxemia and detoxification. He relates the remarkable results he obtained with his patients, and honestly admits that food is not panacea (not everyone heals on his diet). His approach is globally realistic, scientific, and his book is educative for those interested in biology. Overall, an excellent book, a lot to read! --Jean-Louis Tu <[log in to unmask]>