Adrianne Bendich - Böcker

Describing the biochemical function and physiological effects of most of the clinically important vitamins, Vitamin Intake and Health contains provocative insights regarding nutritional requirements beyond the levels currently recommended by the National Academy of Science's RDA (recommended daily allowance). It considers the special nutritional needs of population subgroups such as cigarette smokers ... dieters ... medication users ... alcohol users ... diabetics ... premature infants ... adolescents ... pregnant and lactating women ... and the elderly. Complete with almost 900 references, Vitamin Intake and Health serves as a source of practical information for nutritionists and dieticians; primary care physicians. internists, geriatricians, paediatricians, obstetricians, and nutritional oncologists: pharmacists; epidemiologists, toxicologists, and physiologists; organic and analytic1I chemists and biochemists; and advanced undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines.

Cutting-edge review articles by leading international physicians and researchers illuminate the role of diet, dietary factors, and nutrients in optimizing health and reducing the risk of specific disease conditions in both healthy individuals and those with pre-existing conditions. These experts present balanced reviews of the latest research on the role of nutrition in preventing and slowing the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease, obesity, osteoporosis, osteoarthtitis, and autoimmune disease. They also provide new insights of great value to the consumer on the effects of soy, fiber, and retinoids, as well as on the contrasting effects of trans- vs long chain fatty acids. Each chapter concludes with the authors' reader-friendly assessment of the current state of the science, as well as clear recommendations based on the totality of clinical evidence. Up-to-date and authoritative, Primary and Secondary Preventive Nutrition constitutes the single most comprehensive resource for health professionals seeking to improve individual health outcomes through nutrition.It provides balanced, well documented answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning preventive nutrition and a sound basis for discussing the public health implications of preventive nutrition strategies and their effects on health care costs.

The detenmnation of optimal nutritional status has traditionally been based upon generalized parameters such as weight gain and body fat levels. Vitamin and mineral requirements were often related to the intakes needed to prevent overt signs of deficiency diseases such as beriberi or scurvy. However, in the past decade or so, there have been intensive investigations to determine the subtle changes in physiological functions associated with marginal micronutrient intakes. There is a growing consensus that immune system activities are very sensitive indicators of micronutrient status. During this decade, there has also been a rapid expansion of research in the role of free radicals and antioxidants in the major chronic diseases which afflict mankind( i.e. cancer, cardiovascular disease,and autoimmune disease). The main function of antioxidant nutrients in an appropriate diet is the prevention of oxidative damage to cells and their physiological functions. Antioxidant nutrients counteract free radicals and damaging oxidative actions on cell membranes. Since the cells of the immune system are rapidly differentiating and proliferating, such dividing and transforming cells are particularly susceptible to damage by oxidation. The interactions of antioxidant nutrition and immune system activities and disease resistance are therefore logical areas for research. Thus, the objective of this symposium was to bring together the leading investigators who have examined the immunological effects of dietary essential nutrients which share the capacity to act as antioxidants.

Leading international researchers and clinicians comprehensively review in detail what is known about the ability of diet to enhance human immune function in health, disease, and under various condition of stress. The authors offer state-of-the-art critical appraisals of the influences on the human immune system of several important vitamins and minerals both singly and in combination. The authors also examine how nutrition modulates immune function in various disease states and under three forms of stress - vigorous exercise, military conditions, and air pollution. A much-needed overview of the nutritional consequences of drug disease interactions provides recommendations for potential nutritional interventions that could increase drug efficacy and/or reduce adverse side effects. Conclusions and Take Home Messages at the end of each chapter give physicians clinical instructions about special diets and dietary components for many immune-related disease states.

Cutting-edge review articles by leading international physicians and researchers illuminate the role of diet, dietary factors, and nutrients in optimizing health and reducing the risk of specific disease conditions in both healthy individuals and those with pre-existing conditions. These experts present balanced reviews of the latest research on the role of nutrition in preventing and slowing the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease, obesity, osteoporosis, osteoarthtitis, and autoimmune disease. They also provide new insights of great value to the consumer on the effects of soy, fiber, and retinoids, as well as on the contrasting effects of trans- vs long chain fatty acids. Each chapter concludes with the authors' reader-friendly assessment of the current state of the science, as well as clear recommendations based on the totality of clinical evidence. Up-to-date and authoritative, Primary and Secondary Preventive Nutrition constitutes the single most comprehensive resource for health professionals seeking to improve individual health outcomes through nutrition.It provides balanced, well documented answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning preventive nutrition and a sound basis for discussing the public health implications of preventive nutrition strategies and their effects on health care costs.

Leading international researchers and clinicians comprehensively review in detail what is known about the ability of diet to enhance human immune function in health, disease, and under various condition of stress. The authors offer state-of-the-art critical appraisals of the influences on the human immune system of several important vitamins and minerals both singly and in combination. The authors also examine how nutrition modulates immune function in various disease states and under three forms of stress-vigorous exercise, military conditions, and air pollution. A much-needed overview of the nutritional consequences of drug-disease interactions provides recommendations for potential nutritional interventions that could increase drug efficacy and/or reduce adverse side effects. "Conclusions" and "Take Home Messages" at the end of each chapter give physicians clinical instructions about special diets and dietary components for many immune-related disease states.

With sections on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and pregnancy among many others, this volume will be of great value to practicing health professionals, including physicians, nutritionists, dentists, pharmacists, dieticians, health educators, policy makers, health economists, regulatory agencies and research investigators.