Every Person's Guide to Antioxidants [Paperback]

John R. Smythies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

"Smythies takes an extremely detailed and comprehensive look at the current scientific knowledge of the role of antioxidants in human health. A book for the educated layperson that's well balanced and free of the hype that often accompanies the topic of antioxidants!" --Balz Frei, editor of Natural Antioxidants in Human Health and Disease "Smythies clearly explains the basic science of antioxidants and then describes the actual studies supporting the importance of these nutrients to health promotion and disease prevention, providing a strong foundation for his practical advice about diet and supplements. It's a rare treat to see full citations provided for follow-up by the interested reader." --Jeffrey B. Blumberg, Chief, Antioxidants Research Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutritional Research Center on Aging, Tufts University What are antioxidants? What do they do? Should you be taking them? How much is enough, or too much? Dr. John Smythies explores these and other questions you need to have answered about antioxidants in Every Person's Guide to Antioxidants. Oxidants are naturally occuring chemicals in our bodies that derive from oxygen to facilitate essential biochemical processes. However, most oxidants are potentially toxic molecules and the body contains a number of antioxidants for protection against these toxic effects. Overproduction of oxidants, or underproduction of antioxidants, leads to oxidative stress, which has been linked to a wide range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Smythies thoroughly evaluates current scientific work on this subject and suggests that a high proportion of many of these diseases can be prevented, or their onset delayed, by proper intake of antioxidants. He examines the pros and cons of the debate over how this necessary intake should be achieved, by eating more fruits and vegetables or by taking supplements in pill form. Smythies surveys the toxicity of antioxidants and recommends under what circumstances they should be given with caution or not at all. He also discusses whether taking supplements requires medical supervision and lists good sources of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables. John R. Smythies, M.D., heads the Neurochemistry Division of the Brain and Perception Laboratory, University of California, San Diego. He is also a senior research fellow at the Institute of Neurology in London and emeritus professor at the University of Alabama Medical Center, Birmingham. A former president of the International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology and consultant to the World Health Organization, Smythies is the author of 13 books and more than 200 scientific papers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Smythies clear explains the basic science of antioxidants and then describes the actual studies supporting the importance of these nutrients to health promotion and disease prevention, providing a strong foundation for his practical advice about diet and supplements. It's a rare treat to see full citations provided for follow-up by the interested reader. -- Jeffery B. Blumberg, Chief, Antioxidants Research Laboratory; Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tuffs University

Smythies takes an extremely detailed and comprehensive look at the current scientific knowledge of the role of antioxidants in human health. A book for the educated lay person that's well balanced and free of the hype that often accompines the topic of antioxidants! -- Balz Frei, editor of Natural Antioxidants in Human Health and Disease

About the Author

John R. Smythies heads the Neurochemistry Division of the Brain and Perception Laboratory, University of California, San Diego. He is also a senior research fellow at the Institute of Neurology in London and Emeritus Professor at the University fo Alabama Medical Center, Birmingham. A former president of the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology and consultant to the World Health Organization, Smythies is the author of 13 books and more than 200 scientific papers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813525756
• ISBN-13: 978-0813525754
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and documentated, August 25, 2000

By 

Jamin Condou - See all my reviews

This review is from: Every Person's Guide to Antioxidants (Paperback)

My ony complaint about this book is that Professor Smythies is a little bit too professorial. There were parts where I really had to concentrate and re-read in order to understand his explanation. However, he is very thorough in his explanaiton of the varieties of anti-oxidants and how they help maintain good health. Unfortunately, we don't get enough of the in our foods these days and must turn to supplements. His cautionary advice is good too.