Mineral Miracle: Stopping Cartilage Loss & Inflammation Naturally

The ancient practice of eating clay to promote good health lies at the heart of Lieberman and Xenakis's look at the new "mineral miracle" supplement SierraSil. The product's name comes from the Sierra Nevadas, where it is found, and silicates, the primary minerals that form it. The authors (Lieberman is a clinical nutritionist; Xenakis founded a company that sells nonprescription pharmaceuticals) explain how, in the 1970s, a gold prospector discovered that the soil in the Sierras contained a significant amount of natural clay. This clay healed a dog's injured paw and went on to work wonders on arthritic human hands. Lieberman and Xenakis are passionate about SierraSil's ability to help those suffering from arthritis and many other inflammatory conditions, as well as digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. They review the science behind SierraSil and its health benefits, then proceed to school readers on living a healthy lifestyle, covering the basics of a healthy diet and exercise. However, despite their enthusiasm—or maybe because of it—much of the book feels like the print equivalent of a television infomercial. (Mar.)