- Robert R. Barefoot/Carl J. Reich, MD, The Calcium Factor

This book is high in controversy, in that the authors suggest a basic premise: that many or most of our diseases, including cancer and Parkinson's, could be avoided and EVEN CURED, if the pH level in our blood was slightly alkaline, rather than acidic. Because of our poor nutrition, and many other factors, our blood is mostly acidic. So how do we fix this?

The book includes many quotes by people (including heads of national companies, lawyers, and so on) who have benefitted by increasing their intake of calcium. The book does touch on using coral calcium (that is, calcium that has been released by coral reefs and collected while it still has live cultures init) because of the research that suggests coral calcium has a very high rate of absorption, as opposed to calcium from other sources, such as milk, which have below than 20% absorption rate. The premise of the book, however, is to get people to ingest more calcium. Why calcium?

The book offers analysis on how and why calcium provides the body the tools to repair itself. It goes into great detail, so this is not for the casual reader.

The book is rife with controversy and I've done a fair amount of looking into the detractors. I was able to correspond with one doctor, who has a page denouncing The Calcium Factor's claims. He cited Barefoot and Reich were spewing lies. I asked him why he thought this. The only answers he would give me were vague assertions. I told him, "But you are doing the same thing you accuse Barefoot of doing, only worse; at least Barefoot demonstrates, scientifically, how calcium works." I asked him for evidence to prove Barefoot and Reich were incorrect, but he never provided any. My thoughts on that matter were: If you know so much about this matter and are so passionate about proving Barefoot & Reich wrong, why are you unable to provide evidence to support your claim? As it turns out, the doctor, who uses the initials, M.D. after his name, is a retired psychiatrist with no medical license. This is not to libel the individual; rather, it is to underscore the need for an open mind towards all opinions in matters such as these.

While this book is full of interesting documentation, the format may put the reader in a state of unease due to its liberal use of bolding, italicizing, and punctuation as well as occasional typos. The format does not take away from the facts, to be sure, but having an editor does wonders, I find. As well, his web page was definitely not designed by even semi-professionals. This is not a mark against Barefoot at all. It is simply being stated to prepare the reader for the unorthodox implementations. As was said, the book has its controversy, but it does have a great many supporters. Many people who have taken coral calcium have written in to praise its effects. By clicking on the book cover to the right and scrolling down, you will see. The situation is reminiscent of Dr. Robert Atkins and his books on low-carb diets; his detractors were only people (including doctors) who would use vague assertions and modern scientific dogma to "prove" he was wrong. Anyone who reads Atkins' book knows very well how right he is. Long-term use of increased calcium, or coral calcium if one chooses, will have the final word.

You can read the latest, from Barefoot's perspective, on his site, at Cure America (Really, he means the whole world, but I assume 'America' is used for marketing, given its marketing potential). As well, you can click here to see the transcript of an interview with Robert Barefoot. Very interesting.

"All food is medicine, and the best food is the best medicine."
Hippocrates, 460-377 BC