Physicians can use this fact-filled second edition to advise patients in their quest to learn about proper use of supplements and functional foods. Now updated and including new information on functional foods.

"Physicians Desk Reference(" presents this essential guide to the exciting new world of designer foods and nutraceuticals that offers information on supplements for everything from baldness to kidney disease. This guide presents information on the biochemical makeup and healing properties of each supplement, side effects, other dangers, and much more.

This greatly expanded and revised edition contains more than 1,000 entries, covering everything from common everyday foods to the latest in genetic research--and beyond. Each substance's properties are objectively described based on the latest scientific evidence. Included are substances that not only claim to improve thinking and other brain functions, but those that are thought to help prevent brain damage and degeneration, prevent aging and extend the human lifespan, enhance social skills and moral behavior, induce altered states of consciousness, and improve mood, stamina, and energy.

Integration of complementary and alternative medicine therapies (CAM) with conventional medicine is occurring in hospitals and physicians offices, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are covering CAM therapies, insurance coverage for CAM is increasing, and integrative medicine centers and clinics are being established, many with close ties to medical schools and teaching hospitals. In determining what care to provide, the goal should be comprehensive care that uses the best scientific evidence available regarding benefits and harm, encourages a focus on healing, recognizes the importance of compassion and caring, emphasizes the centrality of relationship-based care, encourages patients to share in decision making about therapeutic options, and promotes choices in care that can include complementary therapies where appropriate. Numerous approaches to delivering integrative medicine have evolved. Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States identifies an urgent need for health systems research that focuses on identifying the elements of these models, the outcomes of care delivered in these models, and whether these models are cost-effective when compared to conventional practice settings. It outlines areas of research in convention and CAM therapies, ways of integrating these therapies, development of curriculum that provides further education to health professionals, and an amendment of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act to improve quality, accurate labeling, research into use of supplements, incentives for privately funded research into their efficacy, and consumer protection against all potential hazards.

"Recent scientific research has shown that nutraceuticals - which include everything from supplements and herbs to vitamins and healing foods - offer an effective, safe alternative to traditional prescription drugs and are a great way to maintain or improve your health. In this comprehensive, authoritative guide, Dr. Arthur J. Roberts, Dr. Mary E. O'Brien, and Genell Subak-Sharpe combine the wisdom of conventional and alternative medicine to help you choose the nutraceuticals best suited to your individual needs. Based on solid scientific evidence, the wealth of information contained in this book is organized by nutraceutical as well as by medical condition."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Mainstream medicine's first guide to safe and effective modes of alternative healing The world of natural and alternative medicine offers an amazing array of effective, inexpensive, but still controversial health-care choices. Now in this milestone book, America's most trusted provider of medical information, the Physicians' Desk Reference®, cuts through the controversy and tells you what you need to know about your healing options. - Which widely available herbs, vitamins, and minerals act like potent prescription medication - Fifty alternative therapy options--how they work, what they strive for, and potential side effects - Self-help techniques to stave off--and even reverse--chronic problems and disease - The latest findings on acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic adjustment, homeopathy, and much more - How certain natural remedies interact with conventional drugs - Easy-to-use indexes that will enable you to find treatment options for hundreds of ailments, identify the most effective herbal remedies, and research natural medicines by both common and Latin names - A sixteen-page herb identification portfolio featuring more than one hundred medicinal herbs, photographed in full color

This comprehensive reference contains the information families need to use vitamins, minerals and herbs wisely, whether they are interested in maintaining good health, coping with everyday complaints, or dealing with serious diseases. 300 color photos, illustrations & charts.

AARP Digital Editions offer you practical tips, proven solutions, and expert guidance. James Balch and Mark Stengler, coauthors of the hugely successful Prescription for Natural Cures, and Robin Young Balch have teamed up to create the most comprehensive and up-to-date book available on natural alternatives to prescription medications. The book provides natural, safe, and effective ways to treat a wide range of common ailments, including ADHD, allergies, diabetes, depression, erectile dysfunction, eczema, heart disease, headaches, and PMS. You'll read in-depth information, not found in any other popular book, about the pros and cons of prescription and over-the-counter drugs compared with natural treatment alternatives ranging from diet and lifestyle changes to supplements and herbal medicines. "This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to take charge of his or her health. Read it to live long and well." —Hyla Cass, M.D., author of Supplement Your Prescription: What Your Doctor Doesn't Know about Nutrition "An outstanding resource for comparing common pharmaceutical and holistic treatments." —Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., coauthor of Preventing Arthritis and The Miracle of MSM "A must-read for every person who wants to achieve better health and avoid the dangers of synthetic medications. The authors do an exceptional job by telling you everything you need to know about getting well and how to use supplements correctly and safely." —Suzy Cohen, R.Ph., author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist

The rapidly expanding world of nutrition, functional foods and nutraceuticals, is increasingly complex. This Guide to Nutritional Supplements provides a concise and complete reference to the most common nutritionally significant elements. Including dietary guidelines, intake measurements and other contextual information, this Guide is the ideal reference for nutritionsts and dieticians facing an increasing public awareness of supplements and who many be augmenting their diets with OTC supplements. - Focused on the nutritional values, impacts and interactions of supplements - Provides a science-based approach to determining the appropriate selection and application of supplements for improved diet and nutrition

Presenting detailed, evidence-based coverage of the most commonly encountered therapeutic agents in modern clinical practice, this resource is designed to help you safely and effectively integrate herbal, nutrient, and drug therapy for your patients or clients. Combining pharmaceuticals with herbs or supplements may complement or interfere with a drug's therapeutic action or may increase adverse effects. Additionally, drug-induced depletion of nutrients can occur. Comprehensive clinical data, quick-reference features, and the insight and expertise of trusted authorities help you gain a confident understanding of how herbal remedies and nutritional supplements interact with pharmaceuticals and develop safe, individualized treatment strategies for your patients. More than 60 comprehensive monographs of herb-drug and nutrient-drug interactions cover the most commonly used herbs and nutrients in health-related practice and help you coordinate safe, reliable therapy. Each herb and nutrient monograph features summary tables and concise, practical suggestions that provide quick and easy reference and complement the systematic review and in-depth analysis. References included on the bound-in CD provide high-quality, evidence-based support. Unique icons throughout the text differentiate interactions, evidence, and clinical significance. Up-to-date information keeps you current with the latest developments in pharmacology, nutrition, phytotherapy, biochemistry, genomics, oncology, hematology, naturopathic medicine, Chinese medicine, and other fields. A diverse team of authoritative experts lends valuable, trans-disciplinary insight.