Learn the benefits—and hazards—of certain dietary supplementsThe term "dietary supplement" can include vitamins, minerals, herbal, and botanical products. Consumers freely use supplements for the promoted claims of benefits, but often without consideration of the potential risks. The Consumer's Guide to Dietary Supplements and Alternative Medicines is a critical, balanced look at the different classes of supplement products and whether many claims of benefits are true or simply product hype. Respected supplement authority Dr. W. Marvin Davis exposes what is truth, what is fiction, and what is not known for many supplements you may be taking. If you take dietary supplements—or even think about taking them—this book clears the mystery behind the product claims. The term "dietary supplement" can include vitamins, minerals, herbal, and botanical products. Consumers freely use supplements for the promoted claims of benefits, but often without consideration of the potential risks. The Consumer's Guide to Dietary Supplements and Alternative Medicines is a critical, balanced look at the different classes of supplement products and whether many claims of benefits are true or simply product hype. This book, by respected supplement authority Dr. W. Marvin Davis, exposes what is truth, what is fiction, and what is not known for many supplements you may be taking. If you take dietary supplements—or even think about taking them—this book clears the mystery behind the product claims.The Consumer's Guide to Dietary Supplements and Alternative Medicines brings you the benefit of Dr. Davis's extensive knowledge about physicians, the pharmaceutical industry, and research in pharmacology and toxicology in order to shatter misconceptions about supplements and the supplement industry. The book's no-nonsense discussion about this much-hyped industry is even-handed and straightforward, and provides clear-headed advice every consumer of supplements needs. The guide explores various supplements' interactions with prescription drugs, the placebo effect as a factor for beneficial claims, historical instances of supplements that have proved hazardous to consumers, and receiving directions for supplement use from an unconventional medical/healthcare practitioner. It clearly explains the potentials of supplements through the use of illustrative clinical case studies from medical literature in simplified, easy to understand language. This extensive source is comprehensively referenced and includes tables of supplements with their possible benefits and hazards. The Consumer's Guide to Dietary Supplements and Alternative Medicines exposes the truth about: therapeutic fundamentals of supplements why there is strong resistance to supplements as unconventional remedies by physicians the pharmaceutical industry’s perspective on supplements six major myths about dietary supplements liver "support" remedies soy formulations cancer "cures" the "fountain of youth" actions of hormonal and antioxidant products vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes new biochemicals—such as alpha-lipoic acid and choline derivatives carotenoids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids aloe vera the unappreciated pharmacology of ascorbate historical instances in which consumers have avoided catastrophe the future of the supplement field much, much more!The Consumer's Guide to Dietary Supplements and Alternative Medicines may be the best available resource of important information for every concerned, health-conscious consumer considering dietary supplements of any kind.
Amazon Sales Rank: #3970388 in Books Published on: 2006-10-04 Original language: English Number of items: 1 Dimensions: 1.66" h x 6.18" w x 8.72" l, 2.24 pounds Binding: Hardcover 150 pages
Review "It gives an enormous amount of information on the background of dietary supplements that is often difficult to find." -- Norman R. Farnsworth, PhD, UIC Distinguished Professor and Research Professor of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago"This book PROVIDES CLEAR AND UNDERSTANDABLE EXPLANATIONS for non-medically trained lay readers." -- W. Steven Pray, PhD, DPh, Bernhardt Professor, Nonprescription Products and Devices, College of Pharmacy, Southwestern Oklahoma State University; Author of A History of Nonprescription Product Regulation
Most helpful customer reviews 3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A glossary, bibliography, and index round out this solid reference highly recommended By Midwest Book Review Written by Doctor W. Marvin Davis, Consumer's Guide to Dietary Supplements and Alternative Medicines: Servings of Hope is a thoroughly accessible reference for consumers of all backgrounds concerning dietary supplements from vitamins and minerals to herbal and botanical products. Chapters discuss at length modern conflicts on the current health care scene concerning supplements, as well as debunking commonly held myths like "If a little is good for you a lot will be better" or that "herbal" remedies are necessarily purely vegetarian - for example, any product that lists "orchis" as an ingredient refers not to the flower, but rather to male testes! Specific types of supplements such as vitamins, minerals, ascorbic acid, bioflavonoids, soy products, good vs. bad fats and more are scrutinized at length. A glossary, bibliography, and index round out this solid reference highly recommended for the personal bookshelves of health-conscious consumers everywhere. See all 1 customer reviews...