BEAUTIFUL BONES WITHOUT HORMONES

Hippocrates said, "Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food." Root, an orthopedic surgeon, agrees with this advice and presents compelling evidence as to why it's true. Osteoporosis, often called "the silent killer," affects both men and women. And it's common: "more than twice as many Americans die from complications resulting from hip fractures [due to osteoporosis] than from car accident fatalities." Root describes the disease and offers illustrations to emphasize its impact on the body. He explains who is at risk and why and includes ways to reduce risk factors. Although osteoporosis is commonly considered "a little old lady's disease," the author points out that the average American woman now lives at least one-third of her life after menopause. Thus, she'd be wise to prepare for that stage of life. This is a practical, how-to book that lists the new bone-building medications available and provides readers with a 14-day, healthy, high-calcium diet; a seven-day, healthy, high-calcium diet for vegetarians; and one for the lactose-intolerant as well. Part three reminds readers that "bones need exercise like babies need love," and affords an illustrated exercise regime as well as a chapter on the safest aerobic and alternative therapies. The coup de grace is the cookbook at book's end. With recipes for The Famous French Croque-Monsieur Sandwich and Macaroni and Cheese, calcium never looked so good. Agent, Fredrica Friedman. (May)

Forecast: May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month, which could help this handbook get media coverage.