What do you think?
Rate this book
Keep Away From GRAS: Generally Recognized As Safe
Keep Away from GRAS is a compilation of empirical and anecdotal evidence that leads to one inevitable many of the substances we encounter and consume on a daily basis, substances considered “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), may actually have serious consequences for our health and well-being.
As an internal medicine physician, author Marcela Magda Popa, MD, has seen the effect that repeated, low-dose exposure to certain common chemicals and environmental factors has had on her health and on some of her patients, who reported similar complaints. As a patient with autoimmune arthritis—that forced her into early retirement, breast abnormalities, and migraine headaches—she sought to find the environmental contributors to her disorders, and she did.
Investigating the existing information from the specialty literature, Dr. Popa found that GRAS substances may be linked to multiple other disorders, not just the ones she directly experienced. The modern medicine does not routinely take these substances into account, physicians do not usually inquire or point out these possible connections. Therefore, it is quite likely that similar complaints are more widespread but not often reported.
Through research and experimentation, she discovered that supposedly “safe” substances which she encountered daily caused or worsened her symptoms and eliminated them from her routine, much to her benefit. Now, she is sharing this valuable information with other patients so that they too can make the changes they need to live happier, healthier lives.
As an internal medicine physician, author Marcela Magda Popa, MD, has seen the effect that repeated, low-dose exposure to certain common chemicals and environmental factors has had on her health and on some of her patients, who reported similar complaints. As a patient with autoimmune arthritis—that forced her into early retirement, breast abnormalities, and migraine headaches—she sought to find the environmental contributors to her disorders, and she did.
Investigating the existing information from the specialty literature, Dr. Popa found that GRAS substances may be linked to multiple other disorders, not just the ones she directly experienced. The modern medicine does not routinely take these substances into account, physicians do not usually inquire or point out these possible connections. Therefore, it is quite likely that similar complaints are more widespread but not often reported.
Through research and experimentation, she discovered that supposedly “safe” substances which she encountered daily caused or worsened her symptoms and eliminated them from her routine, much to her benefit. Now, she is sharing this valuable information with other patients so that they too can make the changes they need to live happier, healthier lives.
- GenresNonfiction
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2017
About the author
Marcela Magda Popa
1 book8 followersI graduated the medical school in Bucharest, Romania and completed my Internal Medicine residency training, becoming Board Certified in the United States. I worked in private practice for sixteen years afterwards, but the last seven of them were more and more plagued by symptoms of my autoimmune disease, that forced me to retire prematurely. The breast abnormalities added new worries along the way and my migraines' pattern also became much worse over the years.
I never worked in research, but I was myself the subject of a long lasting experiment. Being a doctor and a patient at the same time allowed me to notice unusual facts, and even if I dismissed them initially, I realized they were repetitive and real.
I could have titled this book "Of Mice and Me," not because it shares any similarities with John Steinbeck's famous novel, but because so many things from the mice studies apply to me!
Currently, many concepts that I describe, are not usually taken into account in medical practice (even if backed up by some research), but maybe some day they will. Until that happens, I'm sharing my improvements hoping that other affected people may benefit from them.
Since most of my literature research was made after I no longer practiced, I couldn't verify if other patients noticed the same unusual facts I did.
This book is my only way to inquire if other people experience the same correlations and improvements I did.
By keeping up with the new information and continuing to read and research relevant literature, I acquired more knowledge after the book was published. I made other observations as well.
You can find out more about them by reading the blog on my website at www.marcelamagdapopamd.com
As you'll notice, on my site I'm not selling any products, not even my book (it sells through Amazon only). I do not have any links to vendors or advertising and this makes perfect sense, since nobody knows me or has any special interest in me. I am anonymous. I wrote this book trying to spread the word, not to make a profit. That's why I did and will continue to have freebies and giveaways.
I never worked in research, but I was myself the subject of a long lasting experiment. Being a doctor and a patient at the same time allowed me to notice unusual facts, and even if I dismissed them initially, I realized they were repetitive and real.
I could have titled this book "Of Mice and Me," not because it shares any similarities with John Steinbeck's famous novel, but because so many things from the mice studies apply to me!
Currently, many concepts that I describe, are not usually taken into account in medical practice (even if backed up by some research), but maybe some day they will. Until that happens, I'm sharing my improvements hoping that other affected people may benefit from them.
Since most of my literature research was made after I no longer practiced, I couldn't verify if other patients noticed the same unusual facts I did.
This book is my only way to inquire if other people experience the same correlations and improvements I did.
By keeping up with the new information and continuing to read and research relevant literature, I acquired more knowledge after the book was published. I made other observations as well.
You can find out more about them by reading the blog on my website at www.marcelamagdapopamd.com
As you'll notice, on my site I'm not selling any products, not even my book (it sells through Amazon only). I do not have any links to vendors or advertising and this makes perfect sense, since nobody knows me or has any special interest in me. I am anonymous. I wrote this book trying to spread the word, not to make a profit. That's why I did and will continue to have freebies and giveaways.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 8, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A doctor writes that foods described as Generally Recognize As Safe...Aren't. Food for thought.
A doctor writes that foods described as Generally Recognize As Safe...Aren't. Food for thought.
March 28, 2018
Wow. I found this book very informative. I have been studying these ingredients labeled as GRAS on my own for a while now, and reading this has reinforced my own findings. I went into this book thinking it would be a weighty, technical approach, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover the authors very personal story. I enjoyed it very much, and I highly recommend this to anyone struggling with any form of auto-immune issues, and anyone interested in living a healthier lifestyle.
March 24, 2018
This is an important book for ALL, not just those with autoimmune diseases. Dr. Popa presents anecdotal and scientific laboratory evidence regarding the problematic issue "miracle of chemistry". DR. Popa, who also has an autoimmune disease focuses on the chemicals we are surrounded by : synthetic, some carcinogenic, some that are harmful to those predisposed to chemical sensitivity and autoimmune disorders. HOWEVER, it is an issue that we all need to be aware of in that every 'little' dose of petroleum derivatives, synthetic fillers, defoamers, etc. that are chemical additives to our food, soaps, cleaners, clothes, cosmetics, have a cumulative or a summative effect. The 'small amount generally recognized as safe ' (GRAS), over the course of a number of products may trigger sensitivities or autoimmune disease. AT the very least, it's a warning to look at what we buy, become aware of the fact that we don't actually need these chemicals and perhaps these products. I For the maximum effect of this book, it's a guide as to how to become your own advocate, a guide to detecting and eliminating these chemicals for those who have autoimmune diseases and/or sensitivities to these additives. I would have changed the book, presenting the second half first because it is more 'understandable' and also has the footnoting that is necessary but mostly absent in the first half. Thank you Goodreads for this book in exchange for an open and honest review.
May 22, 2018
Disclaimer: I received this book from GoodReads as part of the First Reads program.
This book documents one person's journey to find out and eliminate from her life, all the chemicals that are making her auto immune diseases worse. The author is a doctor, and states up front that she has done no clinical trials and has nothing but her own experiences to back up her conclusions. She goes into great detail explaining her research and experiments on herself while looking for what was making her condition worse. The details are important information for everyone to examine, as we should all be questioning what chemicals we're putting in our bodies. However, you shouldn't take her anecdotes as the last word on the subject, since a test with subject, and which isn't a blind test in any way, cannot be used to treat everyone. By all means, read this to see how she researched everything she used, from medicines, foods, cosmetics, soaps of all kinds, etc., and do the same use it as a starting point in researching your own situation, if you need to. But don't take what she says as the final word on anything. Maybe if enough people read this book, and start asking questions of their own medical providers, the needed testing of all these items will be done. I hope so.
This book documents one person's journey to find out and eliminate from her life, all the chemicals that are making her auto immune diseases worse. The author is a doctor, and states up front that she has done no clinical trials and has nothing but her own experiences to back up her conclusions. She goes into great detail explaining her research and experiments on herself while looking for what was making her condition worse. The details are important information for everyone to examine, as we should all be questioning what chemicals we're putting in our bodies. However, you shouldn't take her anecdotes as the last word on the subject, since a test with subject, and which isn't a blind test in any way, cannot be used to treat everyone. By all means, read this to see how she researched everything she used, from medicines, foods, cosmetics, soaps of all kinds, etc., and do the same use it as a starting point in researching your own situation, if you need to. But don't take what she says as the final word on anything. Maybe if enough people read this book, and start asking questions of their own medical providers, the needed testing of all these items will be done. I hope so.
May 18, 2018
This was a great eye opener book. I started suffering from allergies two years ago and I’ve been trying to read any book that I can get my hands on to try and figure out why I suddenly started suffering from them and what I can do to get rid of them. I didn’t realize there were so many things that I use everyday that are toxic. I am going to definitely start changing a lot of the products I use to healthier non toxic options. I recommend reading this book just to be aware of all these toxic ingredients that we may be ingesting each day which may be affecting our bodies in different ways.
October 21, 2018
I found the book very informative. It is well researched and yet very approachable. I would highly recommend it to anybody, not only to people suffering from an autoimmune disease. We should be aware of what we're putting into and onto our bodies. I think more research into GRAS is needed. The book definitely confirms my opinion that these substances might not be quite as safe as the FDA would currently have us believe.
I won a Kindle version of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for which I am very thankful.
I won a Kindle version of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for which I am very thankful.
April 28, 2020
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for a review. I tried a couple of times to read this book but each time gave up after reading 10 pages or so. I was interested in reading this book to learn about GRAS but found it to be more of an autobiographical journey of a doctor testing products and finding which ones helped her or made her symptoms worse. Granted there could be more to it but I gave up at 15% in.
March 28, 2018
Very informative. A must-read in a world ruled by pharmaceutical companies. Think twice before taking that Tylenol. I received a Kindle edition from a Goodreads giveaway.
January 6, 2020
Understanding the title of this book alone should make you want to read it. GRAS? I'd heard the term before but it wasn't until I dove into this book that it clicked..."Generally recognized as safe?" Who are they kidding? Well, this book is no joke. From the science and explanations of the synthetic ingredients to the great resources for natural products, I am interested in taking a peek in my own cupboards and know it will be good for my entire family. This book is a wake up call I hope everyone heeds.
Laura Di Franco, MPT, Owner of Brave Healer Productions
Laura Di Franco, MPT, Owner of Brave Healer Productions
August 20, 2019
Much information about all of the chemicals that have 'improved' and pervade our modern life, but came across as rather whiny at times - just a vibe, perhaps because it was all about her situation - I dunno.
Likely to be helpful for those experiencing inexplicable health woes that may be rooted in chemical sensitivities.
Received as a Goodreads giveaway.
Likely to be helpful for those experiencing inexplicable health woes that may be rooted in chemical sensitivities.
Received as a Goodreads giveaway.
July 28, 2019
About a woman who faced some health issues so she examined the contents of products she was encountering and determined that they contained contents that were a negative impact upon her health.
Received as a promotion, had no impact upon review.
Received as a promotion, had no impact upon review.
December 29, 2019
This book is packed with information, both from the author’s personal experience, as well as researched from outside sources. I will definitely be making some changes based on what I’ve read here!
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews