A half a century ago, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, Chinese herbs, Christian exorcisms, dietary supplements, chiropractic manipulations, and traditional Indian remedies were once considered on the fringe of medicine. Now, these practices-known as alternative, complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine-have become mainstream, used by half of all Americans today seeking to burn fat, detoxify livers, shrink prostates, alleviate colds, stimulate brains, boost energy, reduce stress, enhance immunity, eliminate pain, prevent cancer, and enliven sex.

But as Dr. Paul A. Offit, the Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, reveals, alternative medicine-an unregulated industry under no legal obligation to prove its claims or admit its risks-can actually be harmful to our health. In Do You Believe in Magic? he exposes how:

• Homeopathic asthma preparations and bogus cancer cures have replaced life-saving medicines
• Indian remedies have contained dangerous quantities of heavy metals
• Chinese herbs have caused kidney failure and bone marrow suppression
• Acupuncture needles have pierced hearts, lungs, and livers and transmitted viruses, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV
• Chiropractic manipulations have torn arteries
• Dietary supplements have caused uncontrolled bleeding, heart failure, hallucinations, arrhythmias, seizures, coma, and death
• Megavitamins increase the risk of cancer and heart disease-a fact well known to scientists but virtually unknown to the public

Dr. Offit debunks the treatments that don't work and explains why. He also takes on the media celebrities who promote alternative medicine, including Mehmet Oz, Suzanne Somers, and Jenny McCarthy. Using dramatic real-life stories, he separates the sense from the nonsense, showing why any therapy-alternative or traditional-should be scrutinized. He also shows how some nontraditional methods can do a great deal of good, in some cases exceeding therapies offered by conventional practitioners. As he advises us, "There's no such thing as alternative medicine. There's only medicine that works and medicine that doesn't."

Excellent read, in the straightforward no-nonsense style that has made books such as Bad Science and Bad Pharma so popular. Well written, well researched and full of eye-openers, without relying on heavy-handed scare tactics.