PDR for Nutritional Supplements - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1563633647 ISBN 13: 9781563633645

Publisher: Physicians Desk Reference Inc, 2001

Synopsis

A guide to vitamins and minerals outlines the specific health benefits of individual supplements, identifies their role in the prevention and control of various diseases, and reveals potential associated dangers.

About this title

About the Author

Sheldon Saul Hendler Ph.D., M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California- San Diego, is a leading authority on the role that vitamins, minerals and other nutrients play in health, wellness, disease and aging. Dr. Hendler is the author of several award-winning health related books including The Doctor's Vitamin and MineralEncyclopedia, The Complete Guide to Anti-Aging Nutrients, plus others. He received his Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Columbia University, his post doctoral training at the Salk Institute and his M.D. at the University of California, San Diego. He is an attending physician at Scripps Mercy Hospital and Medical Center and he conducts research on degenerative disorders associated with aging.

Dr. Hendler is the editor-in-chief of Journal of Medicinal Food and had written more than fifty peer-reviewed papers.

David Rorvik has been a science and medicine reporter for Time Magazine and has contributed articles related to science and medicine to major magazines including Harper's, The New York Times Magazine, Reader's Digest and many other. Mr. Rorvik was awarded the Pulitzer Traveling Fellowship and an Alicia Patterson Fellowship to investigate cancer research worldwide. He received his M.S. degree, graduating summa cum laude from the Columbia University School of Journalism. He has also authored, co-authored and ghost written numerous books related to science, medicine, diet and nutrition.

From the Inside Flap

"In a part of the health field not known for its devotion to rigorous science, Dr. Hendler brings to the practitioner and the curious patient a wealth of hard facts. Easy reading, well referenced. A welcome addition to the classic PDR."

Roger Guillemin, M.D., Ph.D.
Nobel Laureate in Physiology and Medicine

"An important compendium of information, well referenced and properly conservative in its recommendations."
Richard S. Rivlin, M.D.
Vice President of Medical Affairs, Naylor-Dana Chair in Nutrition, American Health Foundation
Professor of Medicine, Weill Medical College, Cornell University

"Dr. Hendler has created an indispensable guide to the possible health benefits and risks of nutritional supplements. He sounds sorely needed warnings on potential side effects, interactions, and toxicity. Unprecedented in depth and authority, this book offers an unparalleled resource on a subject of crucial importance."
Brian S. Frid, R.Ph.
President and CEO, Retired Persons Services, Inc.

"The athletes of today need more information than ever about the supplements they're taking as they go for victory. As a physician in the forefront of those who truly understand the benefits of nutritional supplementation, Dr. Hendler provides us with the vital facts we need to make choices on a scientific basis, rather than an emotional one. America has been starving for this kind of reference…. Long overdue."
Bill Toomey
1968 Olympic Decathlon Champion and Member of the Olympic Hall of Fame
Vice-President, World Olympian Association

"Assaulted from every angle by strident nutritional claims, today's wary consumer is in greater need of reliable information than ever before. This important new volume supplies the unbiased facts quickly, concisely, with authority…. A beacon in the shadowy world of nutritional quackery and hype and an invaluable guide to the supplements that really work."
Susan Calvert Finn, Ph.D., R.D., F.A.D.A.
Clinical Professor, Ohio State University
Past President, American Dietetic Association

"This book is a timely and superbly written exploration of the dynamic field of supplements…. A brilliant presentation of complex information in a logical and appropriately critical manner."
Walter H. Glinsmann, M.D.
Fellow & Adjunct Professor, Center for Food and Nutrition Policy, Georgetown University
Past Associate Director for Clinical Nutrition, FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Reviews

A growing number of people use nutritional supplements on a regular basis. Most common nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium have well-known, documented benefits, but others base their claims on highly speculative data. Those seeking objective, scientific information about nutritional supplements will find it in the newest addition to the PDR family. It offers a "concise yet, comprehensive overview of the entire spectrum of current nutritional products." Sheldon H. Handler, a physician with a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology, and David Rornik, a science and medicine reporter for Time magazine, have written 200 monographs covering approximately 1,000 products.

Like the other PDR volumes, this one begins with a series of indexes: supplement name (common/generic name); brand name; category (e.g., probiotics, vitamins); indications (therapeutic or preventive purpose); side effects (potential adverse reactions); interactions (problems when used with other drugs, herbs, foods, or supplements); companion drugs (supplements that may be used in conjunction with prescription drugs to reverse adverse effects, relieve symptoms of the illness, or treat complications); and manufacturers. The "Companion Drug Index" is a unique and very useful feature. There is also a product identification guide with color pictures. This is quite limited. Many popular brands (such as Centrum and NatureMade) do not appear.

The descriptive monographs are arranged alphabetically by supplement name. These entries include trade or brand names and a description of the product with emphasis on its chemical and biochemical importance for humans. They also cover the actions and pharmacology of the supplements, explaining what they do, how they do it, and why they may be used. A summary of the research about the product with the most significant findings, both pro and con, as well as information about contraindications, adverse effects, interactions, information about dosage and administration, and overdosage, is included also. Available product information about forms and dosages and relevan and citations from the literature complete the entries. Although the authors assume that readers have a basic knowledge of biochemistry, the monographs are accessible to lay readers, who will encounter less medical jargon here than they do in the other PDR volumes.

The PDR for Nutritional Supplements has several helpful tables that compare various calcium, iron, multivitamin, multivitamin-mineral, and vitamin B complex products. It also has a brief list of common laboratory test values and directories of poison control centers, drug information centers, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration telephone services. This new source fills a gap in reference collections even though it does not cover all of the popular products that are currently available. It is useful for public, academic, and health sciences libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

The large numbers of Americans currently supplementing their regimen with various vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients need a reliable, research-based source of information on these supplements. The authors of this latest entry in the "Physician Desk Reference" series are well qualified to provide such a source: Hendler, a biochemist and physician, is author of The Doctor's Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia, while science and medicine journalist Rorvik has written several books on diet and nutrition. Augmented by various useful indexes, the text consists primarily of excellent, lengthy monographs giving information on trade names, supplement description and pharmacology, indications and usage, contraindications and precautions, possible adverse reactions, overdosage, dosage and administration, and how supplied (liquid, caplet, etc.). Claims proven, not proven, and disproven are summarized, with literature citations appended. Unlike other PDRR volumes, the descriptions are not based primarily on information supplied by the manufacturers but on analysis by the authors themselves. In addition, tables list the ingredients of multivitamins or vitamin/mineral tablets, as well as U.S. Food and Drug Administration phone numbers, a list of state Poison Control Centers, and common laboratory values. Recommended for drug reference and consumer health collections. Anne C. Tomlin, Auburn Memorial Hosp., New York
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Physicians Desk Reference Inc
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1563633647
• ISBN 13: 9781563633645
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 700
• Editor: Rorvik David, Hendler Sheldon Saul, Medical Economics