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Review by Danica Jefferson
If "Dr. Andrew Weil" is becoming a household name, it's not because he's making housecalls. This is one busy doctor. So what has millions of Americans swearing by what he prescribes?
Judging from his new book, "8 Weeks to Optimum Health," it might just be common sense. Weil's recommendations aren't so outlandish: they add up to eating less fat, reducing stress and exercising more. Of course he does include some less conventional protocols -- acupuncture, herbalism, meditation, naturopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy, hypnotism -- giving most of them can't-hurt-might-help status. Weil's credentials (he's Harvard-educated) and his charisma ("USA Today" called him "Rob Reiner with a Santa Claus beard") haven't hurt him either.
The medical community has responded rather mildly to the Weil sensation, perhaps because there is nothing especially new in his idea that the mind has healing power. Many doctors do find some of his recommendations unscientific, but many will also acknowledge the basic good sense of his teachings.
After all, Weil doesn't stray too far from conventional medicine. Throughout his book he offers the reminder that sometimes the best medicine is the high-tech medicine with which we Westerners are most familiar. In other words, Weil says: "If I'm in a car accident, don't take me to an herbalist."
There's just no disputing such words of wisdom.
Danica Jefferson is online editor of BookPage.
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