The Cure

Dr. Timothy Brantley, a doctor of naturopathy, writes about his belief that the root of disease and illness is the American diet of refined, packaged foods. The author, a former junk food addict, grew up on a diet consisting mostly of refined sugar and flour. He also explains that his father was an exterminator, and that he and his brother were routinely subjected to insecticide around their home. Brantley shares the personal experiences that compelled him to study natural medicine (as opposed to modern medicine), and goes on to present his theories on the cause of illness and disease and dietary approaches and cleansing methods that can halt the disease process.

While many of the suggested cleanses are relatively simple, some nutrition and cleansing suggestions are not realistic. Readers who are not yet experiencing severe health problems are not likely to give up caffeine or cooked foods. Brantley also encourages the use of the 'colema board,' a method of colon cleansing done within the privacy and comfort of one's own home, as the panacea for most health problems. A mere glance at a colema board is enough to make the average reader's stomach churn.

Brantley's personal experiences and statements about the American diet make a relatively convincing case for the causes of illness and the value of natural cures. His opinions echo those of Kevin Trudeau's, author of Natural Cures: What They Don't Want You to Know. The difference is Brantley's personality and cognitive style; he is optimistic as opposed to Trudeau's pessimism and paranoia, and seems able to offer reasonable natural alternatives without villanizing the entire medical industry. He even seems to have a fairly loyal following of celebrities, all of whom claim that Brantley has turned their lives around by overhauling their diets. Readers will likely enjoy the read and learn some health tips along the way.