A Consumer's Guide to Medicines in Food: Nutraceuticals that Help Prevent and Treat Physical and Emotional Illnesses [Paperback]

Ruth Winter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 1995

One of the hottest and most controversial areas of research today concerns nutraceuticals. Many researchers believe that certain foods, vitamins, and other nutrients can prevent and treat a variety of common illnesses, ranging from heart disease and cancer to depression and anxiety. For example, major government, university, and industry scientific investigations are now underway to show:
-- Substances from soybeans may help prevent breast and prostate cancer
-- Virus-fighting vaccines can be administered in genetically engineered bananas
-- Metals and vitamins may succeed in preventing or counteracting heart attacks
-- A newly developed milk can ease the pain of arthritis
-- A fatty acid can improve or maintain mental function
-- Ancient Chinese herbs can ease hangovers and fight alcohol addiction

The term nutraceutical -- any food substance that provides health benefits -- is just now making a place in the medical field. In many research projects, nutrients are given in pharmaceutical doses, not in the usual recommended daily allowances. In other investigations, folk medicine recommendations are being evaluated scientifically, and many have already been found to have a sound therapeutic basis.

A Consumer's Guide to Medicines in Food lists the nutraceuticals currently being considered by researchers. Garlic is being studied for its anticancer, antibiotic properties. Milk thistle is being examined for its liver-protecting qualities. Quercetin is being investigated for its inflammation-suppressing abilities. Even green tea is the object of several major international scientific studies to determine its cancer-fighting potential. Encyclopedic in scope, this book is based on the scientific research.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

One of the hottest and most controversial areas of research today concerns nutraceuticals. Many researchers believe that certain foods, vitamins, and other nutrients can prevent and treat a variety of common illnesses, ranging from heart disease and cancer to depression and anxiety. For example, major government, university, and industry scientific investigations are now underway to show:
-- Substances from soybeans may help prevent breast and prostate cancer
-- Virus-fighting vaccines can be administered in genetically engineered bananas
-- Metals and vitamins may succeed in preventing or counteracting heart attacks
-- A newly developed milk can ease the pain of arthritis
-- A fatty acid can improve or maintain mental function
-- Ancient Chinese herbs can ease hangovers and fight alcohol addiction

The term nutraceutical -- any food substance that provides health benefits -- is just now making a place in the medical field. In many research projects, nutrients are given in pharmaceutical doses, not in the usual recommended daily allowances. In other investigations, folk medicine recommendations are being evaluated scientifically, and many have already been found to have a sound therapeutic basis.

A Consumer's Guide to Medicines in Food lists the nutraceuticals currently being considered by researchers. Garlic is being studied for its anticancer, antibiotic properties. Milk thistle is being examined for its liver-protecting qualities. Quercetin is being investigated for its inflammation-suppressing abilities. Even green tea is the object of several major international scientific studies to determine its cancer-fighting potential. Encyclopedic in scope, this book is based on the scientific research.

About the Author

Ruth Winter, M.S., is also the author of A Dictionary of Medicines, A Consumner's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, and many others. She lives in Short Hills, New Jersey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 428 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (May 23, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 051788349X
• ISBN-13: 978-0517883495
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,301,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ruth Winter, MS, The author of 37 popular health books, was past president of The American Society of Journalists and Authors and winner of many awards including: The American Medical Writers Award for Magazine Writing; The National Association of Science Writers Service Award and The American Society of Authors and Journalists Career Achievement Award for Non-Fiction. Ruth Winter is the former science editor of The Newark Star-Ledger, and syndicated for columnist the Los Angeles Time. She contributes often to the Internet. Her A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetics and A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives have just been published in their Seventh Editions by Crown/Three Rivers. She has also written three books with her neurosurgeon husband including the bestselling Brain Workout (St.Martins) They have three children, Robin Winter-Sperry CEO of Scientific Advantage; Craig, Director of Anti-Piracy for The Motion Picture Association of American and Grant, president of Manhattan Bureau Corp, a video film production company. Ruth and her husband Arthur have three grandchildren, Samathana, Hunter and Katlynd.