The New York Times Book of Health

To Your Health!

Recognizing that consumers sometimes feel overwhelmed by the relentless and often conflicting stream of medical reports, New York Times health reporter Jane E. Brody and her colleagues distill the information you really need from current findings, present balanced assessments of often contradictory medical advice, and offer sensible guidelines that won't go out of date overnight. Some of the pressing--and puzzling--questions they cover include:

GOOD HEALTH VERSUS BAD HABITS

* What are the "seven deadly sins" that sabotage good health?

WHY WEIGHT GAIN IS HEALTH'S LOSS

* Which newly identified hormone helps set our weight?

THE MANY BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Which is better--running or swimming?

Is moderate exercise really good enough?

THE SCIENCE OF EATING RIGHT

What do we really know about fat and health?

Can drinking alcohol help your health?

VITAMINS AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTS

* Is beta-carotene a washout?

PROTECTING THE HEART

How does heart disease differ for men and women?

Does testosterone protect our hearts?

AVERTING CANCER RISKS

* How do we interpret the new genetics of breast cancer?

STAGES OF LIFE

Does fetal monitoring make any difference?

Do children really need low-fat diets?

* What do we really know about hormone replacement?