NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements (Consumer Edition for the United States and Canada) [Paperback]

Lyle MacWilliam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2009

Abridged from the Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements, 4th (Professional) edition, the Consumer edition is an easier-to-read format of the original. A brief overview of the role of nutritional supplementation in preventing degenerative disease precedes the rating of more than 1500 nutritional supplements available in the US and Canada. Products rating 4 stars and above are illustrated in colour graphs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author, educator and biochemist, Lyle MacWilliam is president and CEO of NutriSearch Corporation, a Canadian company serving the needs of the natural health products industry. As a consultant and public advocate for the industry, Mr. MacWilliam s scientific, communication, and research skills have been solicited by several agencies. He is a contributory writer for Life Extension Foundation, a non- profit agency dedicated to the scientific exploration of optimal health and longevity. His creative works, including the popular Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements (now available in Spanish, French, and Chinese) and the Comparative Guide to Children s Nutritionals are used by leading nutritional manufacturers and healthcare professionals to provide consumers with reliable tools with which to sort through the maze of nutritional supplements on the market today. Mr. MacWilliam has also served as a consultant with Health Canada, Environment Canada, Human Resources Development Canada, and the British Columbia Science Council; he is currently engaged as a scientific consultant for nutritional manufacturers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Mr. MacWilliam is also a member of the Society of Industry leaders, an international organization dedicated to bringing together authorities from all fields in a global network connecting industry veterans and academia professionals with institutional investors. A former Canadian Member of Parliament and Member of the Legislative Assembly for British Columbia, Mr. MacWilliam served at the behest of Canada s federal Minister of Health to help develop a new regulatory framework for natural health products, ensuring Canadians access to safe, effective, and high quality nutritional supplements. An accomplished martial artist, Mr. MacWilliam is passionate about personal fitness and health. His written works hit hard at today s lifestyle and dietary patterns and their role in the development of degenerative disease. His scientifically rigorous, no-nonsense delivery, served with a touch of humor, has earned him praise internationally as a sought-after speaker on the importance of optimal nutrition and lifestyle.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Northern Dimensions Publishing; 4th edition (January 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0973253886
• ISBN-13: 978-0973253887
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #746,357 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Choose QUALITY Vitamins, May 10, 2009

By 

Sharon D. Montes "The Dancing Doc" (Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements (Professional Version) (Paperback)

As a family physician who regularly recommends nutritional supplements to promote health and wellness, I am really impressed with the quality and quantity of information presented in this book. I particularly appreciate the creation of a "Blended Standard" benchmark that incorporated the expertise of a panel of clinicians and researchers. Although the writing shows thorough research and understanding of science, both consumers and health care providers will find the book useful and easy to read. THANK-YOU Mr MacWilliams for a great book!

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review, December 17, 2008

By 

Gaishirei "GDP" (Houston Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements (Professional Version) (Paperback)

The information contained in this reference guide is one of the best I have seen based on the complexity of subject matter. The conclusions reached are explained in great detail and dose indeed reflect an opinion based on the research compiled by the broad list of professionals contained therein. Everyone can read the material and conduct his or her own independent research for accuracy of statements regarding the basis of conclusions reached, qualifications of listed personnel, as well as any other facet of the subject matter. A careful look at the conclusions will clearly reveal manufactures that produce some very good products. This book clearly presents the reasons why they have adopted what is known as "the blended standard" so obviously any company, (and there are more than a few) that meet and or exceed these standards and do well in this particular guide. Where a comparison is made and a standard is used there is always some bias and rightly so as this is a representation of specific views held at a particular time by a specific group of published professionals with the existing knowledge at the time of publishing. We are making many discoveries regarding these issues and as a result views and positions will no doubt change but at present this represents a very good effort at getting to the facts of the benefits of improving our views on health. For those familiar with the previous edition it is clear that the publisher has raised the bar considerably in determining a very reasonable method in separating one product from another regardless if one agrees with the premise. It is always up to the consumer to look past any perceived bias to make an informed decision. This book is educational, informative and is relatively easily understood by lay people as well as professionals. I applaud Mr. Lyle MacWilliams in this effort.

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get to the bottom of all the confusion..., June 29, 2010

By 

John Jordan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements (Professional Version) (Paperback)

This is sort of the 'Consumer Reports' approach to sorting out the various products that are available. A comprehensive and scientific method of evaluating hundreds (1500, actually!) of products, all of which claim to be 'the best'. I sell nutritional supplements and was delighted to find that my products are among the very few ranked as the best in this evaluation!!

I have read criticism of this book by some who are concerned that there was a connection between the author, MacWilliams, and the USANA company, which is the one of the very few "Top-Rated" products (MacWilliams himself acknowledges that he is a consultant for several manufacturers). After reviewing the evaluation methodology, and considering that products from 5 other manufacturers, with which MacWilliams has no relationship whatsoever (as far as I can determine) are also "Top-Ranked", I think it is clear that there is no indication whatsoever of any conflict of interest. Some have criticized that one of the researchers who developed the "blended laboratory standard" against which the products were compared is on USANA's Medical Advisory Board (this is clearly stated in his bio in 'The Comparative Guide' so there is no attempt to hide this information). But, every one of the researchers who participated in development of the "blended laboratory standard" are experts in their fields... OF COURSE their advice is sought by many companies in the industry. Those who seek to inpugn this publication are most likely venting 'sour grapes' that their product(s) didn't fare well in the comparison... perhaps their effort would be better directed at improving the quality their products, rather than trying to discredit what appears to be such a fair and balanced evaluation!