Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements: The Essential Guide for Improving Your Health Naturally [Paperback]

Michael T. Murray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 24, 1996

People of the nineties want empowerment over illness. And they've got it—if they know the facts!
In his new book, Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, naturopathic physician Michael T. Murray guides readers through the often complex, conflicting information regarding nutritional supplements. Each chapter profiles major vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, nutrients, and glandular extracts, including information on the following:
·deficiency signs / symptoms
·recommended dietary allowance
·beneficial effects
·available forms
·principal uses
·dosage ranges
·safety issues
·interactions
Based on extensive scientific research, Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements empowers readers to make educated decisions about which supplements to take for health conditions including cancer, arthritis, depression, high cholesterol, allergies, heart disease and more.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The companion volume to the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (see above) offers detailed profiles of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and other nutritional supplements. What sets this guide apart from similar works is the impressive list of references for each entry (55 pages in total). An excellent buy.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

People of the nineties want empowerment over illness. And they've got it—if they know the facts!
In his new book, Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, naturopathic physician Michael T. Murray guides readers through the often complex, conflicting information regarding nutritional supplements. Each chapter profiles major vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, nutrients, and glandular extracts, including information on the following:
·deficiency signs / symptoms
·recommended dietary allowance
·beneficial effects
·available forms
·principal uses
·dosage ranges
·safety issues
·interactions
Based on extensive scientific research, Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements empowers readers to make educated decisions about which supplements to take for health conditions including cancer, arthritis, depression, high cholesterol, allergies, heart disease and more.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (July 24, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761504109
• ISBN-13: 978-0761504108
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.3 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,824 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael T. Murray, N.D., is widely regarded as one of the world's leading authorities on natural medicine. He has been featured on numerous television programs, including 20/20 and Dateline. He lives in Washington.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Literally saved my life..., October 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements: The Essential Guide for Improving Your Health Naturally (Paperback)

I found this book online after purchasing the author's excellent book on Hypoglycemia. After having low blood pressure all my life, I was suddenly diagnosed with severe hypertension (165/105) and before I knew it I was leaving the doctor's office with a prescription in hand and dire warnings about strokes and heart attacks (at 29 years old). The pharmacist was very worried about someone so young taking the medicine and kept telling me that it would cause a potassium deficiency and suggested a supplement. The next day I took the prescribed medicine (Hydrochlorothiazide) at breakfast. Within an hour I had the most blinding headache of my life (I have migraines, and this was worst than a migraine, which I had not thought possible), my eyes would not focus, I was dizzy, light headed and nauseated. I spent the next several hours being violently ill until my stomach was quite empty. Finally, at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, I went to bed completely exhausted. The next day, I pulled out this book and read about hypertension/high blood pressure. I had most (though not all) of the recommended supplements on hand. I called the doctor's office to let them know I was unable to take the medication, and scheduled the next earliest appointment - 6 days in the future. I then began the recommended supplement program (what I had of it already), with the rest on order. I also began walking 20 minutes a day. I altered and supplemented my diet as suggested as well. Upon my return to the doctor 6 days later my blood pressure was 138/90. She took it 5 times over the next hour (both arms, and with several different pressure cuffs) to make sure it was not a fluke of some sort. I explained to her what I had been doing, and she could find no fault in the advice, given the results. Instead of another medication, she told me to keep doing what I am doing and come back in a month for another reading. Though my initial reading had been severe hypertension, the improvement was so great that it is mild and I have high hopes that it will be even better in a month. Now I have several more of Dr. Murray's (and his colleague Dr. Pizzorno's) books and every one is worth it at 10 times the price. The advice is clear and well written, neither assuming you have a medical degree (as some books seem to) or that you are an idiot (which sums up most of the rest). When I acquired "Dr. Murray's Natural Alternatives to Over the Counter and Prescription Drugs", I looked up Hydrochlorothiazide. Even though the fact sheet with the prescription had not mentioned nausea, vomiting, headache, or blurred vision as potential side effects, this book did. Every symptom was there - as well as an explanation of why Hydrochlorothiazide actually increased the possibility of stroke and heart attack. I will never take another prescription medication again without consulting these two books first. Highly recommended for all readers.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great resource, January 20, 2003

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements: The Essential Guide for Improving Your Health Naturally (Paperback)

My uncle, who has been taking vitamins for years, recommended this book to me when I asked him for a single reference that would tell me about vitamins, minerals,EFAs, as well as some of the non vitamin/mineral supplements. This book has it all and I love how it's layed out - for each item it gives a brief overview of what the vitamin etc is, lists the natural food sources which I was particularly interested in, gives the RDA, benefitial effects, and uses. It goes into detail but not so much that you feel bogged down with info. Just enough for me.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Frank Cooper - Australia, October 3, 2006

By 

Frank Cooper - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements: The Essential Guide for Improving Your Health Naturally (Paperback)

This is a valuable book for the layperson and professional, for the understanding of the complexities and properties of vitamins and minerals. However this book is now 10 years old and showing signs of age, and would benefit from a significant update, as some of the information is no longer applicable.

The section called "Understanding Fats and Oils" is probably the weakest link in the chain for this book, and the reader would be well guided to ignore this section. This is a shame because the effect of lipids on the human body is profound in terms of health benefits. To replace this section, the reader would be wise to read the publications written by Dr Mary Enig and Canadian Udo Erasmus, who are two of the leading research experts on the subject of fats and oils.

Also in this encyclopedia the section on cholesterol is also inaccurate. Better to read the books written on cholesterol by Swedish Dr Uffe Ravnskov, as well the recent book by Fitness Expert Anthony Colpo on cholesterol.

However as I mentioned before, this is an excellent encyclopedia, and I greatly look forward to a future update from the author to replace my well worn copy. Also a hard cover would be nice and I dont mind paying the extra cost. Whilst paperback is fine for books you read just once, hard cover is better suited to a reference book like this encyclopedia.