Boost Your Child’s Immune System by Lucy Burney - A Book Review
This book contains excellent advice. In fact, I’m giving it to my daughter because I know that it will help her and my son-in-law keep my grandson healthy. However, a few things in this book are over-stated. For example, we don’t know as much about the effects of saturated fat, salt and sugar on the immune system as the author implies. Reports on the suppressive effect of sugar on the immune system seem to pop up everywhere. But they all seem to cite the same two articles in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition from the 70s. In the realm of science, this is not exactly overwhelming evidence. Don’t get me wrong, sugar, salt and saturated fats all stand convicted of wrecking our health. I am just not sure if we can add the immune system to the list of casualties just yet.
Another portion of this book that may be a bit of a stretch is the mention of various herbs and their immune boosting and anti-microbial properties. In fact, the author’s recommendation of herbs as anti-bacterial seems to run counter to her valid admonition to avoid antibiotics because they can eliminate the good bacteria in us . If some of these herbs don’t have a significant anti-microbial effect in the body, they may be a waste of money. If they do have this effect and it is not highly specific, they could be harmful, in the same way that some antibiotics can hurt us.
I whole-heartedly agree with the majority of what is said in this book. I certainly agree with the author that antibiotics and medicines that make the patient feel better while interfering with the immune system are way over-prescribed. I also found her discussions of food allergies very useful and insightful. And there are some very useful tips on such practicalities as how to read between the lines on food labels, how to treat fever, how to look for signs of serious infections , how to avoid food poisoning etc. These are the kinds of things that every parent should know. And this book does a great service in presenting this information in a clear and entertaining fashion.
The major thesis of this book is that parents can improve their children’s immune systems by improving their diet. I believe this is true. I must admit that I didn’t read all the recipes. But the ones I did read, sound very healthy and appetizing. I know that my grandchildren (and I) would be better off if they ate the diet proposed within these pages.
Lucy Burney has done a great deal to promote the health of children. If you are a parent and haven’t read any of her books, now is the time to get started.