Alternative Medicine Books about dietary supplements
What about dietary supplements?
The FDA regulates dietary supplements as foods, and not as drugs. The FDA does not pre-approve dietary supplements on their safety and efficacy, unlike drugs. In contrast, the FDA can only go after dietary supplement manufacturers after they have put unsafe products on the market. However, certain foods (such as infant formula and medical foods) are deemed special nutritionals because they are consumed by highly vulnerable populations and are thus regulated more strictly than the majority of dietary supplements.
The claims that a dietary supplement makes are essential to its classification. If a dietary supplement claims in any way to cure, mitigate, or treat a disease, it would be considered to be a unauthorized new drug and in violation of the applicable regulations and statutes. As the FDA states it: No, a product sold as a dietary supplement and promoted on its label or in labeling as a treatment, prevention or cure for a specific disease or condition would be considered an unapproved--and thus illegal--drug. To maintain the product's status as a dietary supplement, the label and labeling must be consistent with the provisions in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. The only claims that a dietary supplement is allowed to make are structure/function claims. These are broad claims that the product can support the structure or function of the body (e.g., "glucosamine helps support healthy joints"). The FDA must be notified of these claims within 30 days of their first use, and there is a requirement that these claims be substantiated. Nevertheless, many critics claim that dietary supplements overstate their importance and their impact on overall health. Evidence of their benefits has yet to meet standard scientific criteria of credibility, based on large scale, double blind testing with statistically significant outcomes. |
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© 2006 by Dave Taylor: Content from Amazon and Wikipedia
an Intuitive Systems site
Section One deals with the theories of aging and ends by delving into the various body systems that are affected by the aging process.
Section Two goes into the endocrine system. Entire chapters are devoted to growth hormone, melatonin, oestrogen, testosterone and thyroid hormone. The authors give us the facts on how these hormones affect or are affected by the aging process. Supplementation is mentioned, but the authors made no attempt to "sell" anything.
Section Three deals with nutritional supplements. The list is quite exhaustive and make a very good reference for anyone considering supplementation. Here again, the reviews are quite balanced. No "miracle" nutrients and contraindications are mentioned as well.
Section Four deals with lifestyle factors in anti-aging. Topics include diet, detox, exercises, anti-stress tips, skin care and protection from pollutants. A lot of unsurprising, unsensational yet sound advice here.
Section Five gives us insight into what some health gurus do to stay fit and healthy. It won't be easy for any of us holding a fulltime job in the city to follow. There is also mention of stem cell research and other cool stuff that will be coming our way soon.
Section Six provides a glossary and some references as well as a directory of anti-aging resources.
The greatest thing about this book, is that it is "scientifically" written by 2 doctors who live up to their professional training. Aimed only at informing and educating the reader, it provides nothing sensationally pro this or anti that. If you can only afford one book on this topic, buy this one.