Book Review: "Medical Myths that Can Kill You: And the 101 Truths that Will Save, Extend, and Improve Your Life" by Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D

New York, NY: Crown Publishers, 2008. Hardback, 272 pages.

I found this interesting book in the new book section of the library. The subject alone had me hooked, but I did what I usually do, I checked the first few sentences. Let me share them with you "I don't know about you, but I like it here. Sure, life can get complicated, hard to get through, and it's not always fun, but I don't want to be shown the door anytime soon." Let's check the mental list: 1. Interesting subject 2. The first words are philosophical and humorous at the same time. Okay, I'm taking this one home.

There are seven myths listed with the 101 truths. From the first chapter, Dr. Snyderman had me hooked. The first myth applied to me, it is "Annual Checkups are Obsolete." It made me stop and think, somehow, somewhere down the line I had stopped having annual checkups. It wasn't a conscious decision, but apparently I had decided it wasn't necessary. In fact, if I didn't have several chronic illnesses I wouldn't visit the doctor at all.

Some of the 101 truths in "Medical Myths That Can Kill You" confirm what I already knew, but others surprised me. For instance Dr. Snyder claims that neither chocolate nor fried foods do not cause ache. I don't know where I got the idea it did, but it was a firm fact in my personal database. She writes that ache is heredity and/or how one keeps their skin clean. The good news is that you can eat chocolate that bad news is if you are prone to having pimples you can keep your face clean, but you will still have zits.

There was another truth that shocked me and I know CP Producer Baconater will just hate to know about this truth. Dr. Snyderman states that eating a lot of bacon increases your risk of stomach cancer. I'm sorry sweetie to be the one that told you about bacon's bad side.

Another truth: There are seven counties in Colorado that have the highest average life expectancy in the United States. In case you are curiosity about which counties they "are Clear Creek, Eagle, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Park and Summit."

Okay, I can't resist telling you one more of her truths "Boring jobs can kill you." I suspected that this was true, but I assumed it was all in my head. Dr. Snyderman writes that it isn't the high stress jobs that will kill you it is that mind numbing boring one that will take you to an early grave. There is good news though for those of you that have a boring job, if you have a life away from work that is wonderful then you are okay.

Bottom line: "Medical Myths That Can Kill You" is well-written and fascinating. Do find a copy and read it for yourself, you may find something in the book that will save your life or one of your loved ones' life.

Other Book Reviews by Genie Walker:
Nonfiction:
"How to Retire Happy" by Stan Hinden
"Living Gluten Free for Dummies" by Danna Korn
"More Than Enough: The 10 Keys to Changing Your Financial Destiny" by Dave Ramsey
"The Real Meaning of Life" edited by David Seaman
"Three Weeks With My Brother" by Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks

Fiction:
"At First Sight" by Nicholas Sparks
"Blow Out" by Catherine Coulter
"Darkfever" by Karen Marie Moning
"The Husband" by Dean Koontz
" Metro Girl" by Janet Evanovich
"The Mulberry Tree" by Jude Deveraux
"Murder on a Bad Hair Day" by Anne George
"Odd Thomas" by Dean Koontz
"One" by Richard Bach
"The Remains of the Dead" by Wendy Roberts
"Sam's Letters to Jennifer" by James Patterson