PREFACE

Manfred Urs Koch first published this book, entitled Laugh with Health in Australia in 1981.

Initially, four years of intense research into nutrition was required to understand the subject and to develop the basic outline of the book.

During the winter months, Manfred travelled north to the warmer parts of Australia and spent many days at a time in remote areas, with his fully restored Holden car as a mobile office.

The first edition was hand-folded by volunteers from Metung, a yachting village in Victoria. Local people came to the ‘wood cottage’ for two weeks and finally the 234,000 folded sheets were taken to Melbourne for binding and cover placement.

From the first edition of 1000 books, 500 were given away to friends, shops and the numerous helpers. One year later, bookshops asked for more copies and the 2nd printing took place.

In 1983 the book was published in the USA and also in the UK. In 1993 the book format changed and was totally revised. The book has been self-published for fourteen printings by the author and six printings by other publishers in Australia.

Manfred has also self-published two other books, one entitled The Health Index, in 1983, and the other book entitled Natural to Juice, in 2000.

The total revision of this version of the book commenced in 2000 and included the colour photos and new charts, plus a complete rewrite of the entire contents. The colour edition was released in 2002 and sales have continued to increase.

This book is a bestseller throughout health shops in Australia and it is used as a reference book for school students and also for naturopaths. It is also endorsed by the medical profession and naturopaths.

In Australia, 76,000 copies have been sold through word of mouth. A total of 140,000 copies of this book have been sold worldwide. The book has progressed from the original idea of a small handbook into the complete guide to health, diet, nutrition and natural foods.