I had the privilege of being one of Dr. Saltman's students in 1998 and 1999 at the University of California, San Diego. After taking his courses in metabolic biochemistry and nutrition, and after reading this EXCELLENT book from cover to cover at least five times, I can tell you that Dr. Saltman's methods are rock-solid. Rather than focusing on any type of "fad diet", Dr. Saltman lays out the scientific basis - the what, when, and why of nutrition- in an easy-to-follow regimen. He helps deconstruct the myths of unsound diets and dietary techniques, and instead guides the reader to the understanding of WHAT we need and WHY we need it. I took his course in nutrition at UCSD (a 10 week course) and lost 45 pounds in the process. And never once did I feel hungry, tired or "cheated" out of favorite foods.

Dr. Saltman was not only one of the most motivational instructors I've ever had in my life, but also one of the best mentors I have ever had. He was the biggest student advocate I have ever known, and I am honored to have been one of his students. He is sorely missed and loved here in the scientific community at UCSD (and everywhere else, for that matter), but his sound beliefs and wisdom live on in this book. Do yourself a favor and go buy a copy. It will forever change the way you look at food, exercise, nutrition and weight management.

In this book, Paul Saltman approachs nutrition from the point of view of "What does the human body need to be healthy?". That makes this book a refreshing change from the typical approach, which is to dream up an unusual, usually misguided, diet regimen, then concentrate on selling as many books about it as possible.

He starts with the idea of TPN, total parenteral nutrition, which is how people who have had their gastro-intestinal tract removed are kept alive and healthy. TPN is administered intravenously, and so delivers nutrients directly into the blood. Over the years, physicians have identified 44 nutrients (water, sugars, minerals, vitamins, etc) that must be in the bag in order for people on TPN to stay alive and healthy. Guess how much Vitamin C goes into the bag? Answer: the recommended daily allowance. Duh!

Saltman returns to the idea of TPN often, as a starting point for his very readable discussions of all of the nutrients, starting with water. Along the way, he debunks a lot of ridiculous diets, and what a relief that is (yes! I can eat some fat! I can eat some sugar!). He has no axe to grind, no magic protein drink to sell, no line of sportswear, just this excellent book.

I keep the book handy, as a reference. I plan to buy copies for all the people that I care for.

Unfortunately, Dr. Saltman died on August 27, 1999.

This is an excellent book. It is the very first book I have ever found that actually describes the scientific research on weight loss and gain. Other books about dieting simply promote the author's diet and carefully avoid discussing the biology of dieting. This book tells you what you really need to know.

Only 2 chapters in this book were given to me as a class assignment but I found it so informative and interesting I found myself reading the entire book and purchasing it for future reference.