Detoxification and Healing: The Key to Optimal Health

Book Review by Janet Bridgers

by Sidney McDonald Baker, M.D.
Keats Publishing, 1997

If you ever had a teacher or professor who, without being harsh, really challenged your understanding of a subject to the point it became a subject you loved? If you have, you'll have an idea of what Dr. Baker's wonderful book, Detoxification and Healing, can do for your understanding of the processes by which the body detoxifies.

In his own words, Dr. Baker says

"When I speak of detoxification,... I mean the processes by which the body rids itself of unwanted materials. I do not mean what happens in the bathroom, whether that is bathing or emptying the bowels or bladder. I refer to the biochemistry of handling potentially harmful chemicals that appear within the system and which must be neutralized before they pass from the body."

But before the word biochemistry causes your eyes to glaze over, allow me to assure you that, as with any difficult subject, the right teacher can bring the subject to life for anyone willing to pay attention. With his use of anecdotes from decades of clinical practice, and imaginative visual models, Dr. Baker gives us a ringside seat and understanding to the newest developments in nutritionally related biochemical science. With this understanding, he predicts we will be able to watch several great changes in perspective that will occur over the next 20 years in the field of health and medicine.

"The case histsories I've recounted are intended to prepare you for a discussion of the 'whys and wherefores' of illness. If you understand some basic immunology and biochemistry, you will be better prepared to evaluate the kinds of tests and treatments that your medical doctor, nutritionist, psychiatrist, acupuncturist, personal trainer, coach, homeopath, naturopath, chiropractor, dentist, psychologist or sister-in-law may recommend in the name of good health. It is not likely that you will be bitten the ear canal by a tick [one of his stories], but it is certainly possible that some critter, allergen, toxin, bacterium, fungus or virus will cross your path and lead you to ponder your options for preventing or alleviating the consequences. You may need special lessons to make wise choices among your options when you are told to avoid fat, take antioxidants or minerals, avoid pesticides, hair dye, sugar, coffee, air pollution, medications, sunlight, indoor air, outdoor air, meat, wheat or long walks in the rain. If you develop chronic or recurring symptoms and wish to be an intelligent participant in your own detective work to sort it out, you definitely need special lessons. The lessons I have to offer will provide a point of view as well as some general principles of immunology and biochemistry that every adult should understand."