|
Information
about specific supplements
When
you want to know about vitamin C or ginkgo biloba or zinc or other
dietary supplements . . . where can you turn for accurate, reliable
information?
SupplementQuality.com
has found several excellent websites that give details about health
benefits, dosages, toxicity and interactions with other substances.
American
Society for Nutritional Sciences
www.nutrition.org/nutinfo
These statements on 43 nutrients (primarily vitamins and minerals)
were prepared by nutrition research experts. They describe the
nutrient and symptoms of deficiency (often toxicity as well).
Both dietary recommendations (how much is enough) and food sources
are given, as well as descriptions of recent research. A short
bibliography of further information is included, as well as author
name(s) and contact information.
HerbMed
www.herbmed.org
For
those seeking further information and leads to research reports,
this searchable database contains hotlinks to information
on approximately 100 herbs. The large type and simple language
make the summaries easy to read. Hotlinks to pictures of
the herbs are another useful feature.
Some
(but not all) of the original source information is highly technical.
In addition to reports of clinical research, case studies, descriptions
of traditional use, listings also have links to further information
on contraindications, toxicity, adverse effects, and drug
interactions -- as well as the herb's chemical constituents
and biochemical mechanisms of action.
Life
Extension Foundation
www.lef.org/
Dedicated to discovering how to "slow and reverse aging," the
Life Extension Foundation has pulled together cutting-edge research
information about many life-shortening diseases and the ways that
dietary supplements of many kinds can strengthen the body and
prolong life. To find information about specific supplements,
search for that supplement under any of several categories: medical
abstracts, Life Extension Magazine (articles), disease therapies/protocols,
and health conditions.
SupplementWatch.com
www.supplementwatch.com
These descriptions include excellent summaries of current scientific
research on more than 300 vitamins, minerals and herbs.
They also explain the theory behind the structure/function health-benefit
claims associated with each supplement. Specific subsections of
information include "what is it", claims (health benefits), theory,
scientific support, safety, and dosage (including discussion
of optimal dosages).
Vitamin
and Dietary Supplement Center of HealthWorld Online
www.healthy.net/nutrit/nutinfo/dietsup/
Written
by medical doctors, these descriptions are scientific in tone.
Sections in each entry include description, sources, functions,
uses, requirements, deficiency and toxicity. Entries
also give information on research studies. The wide range
of supplements includes vitamins, minerals, amino acids, supplemental
oils, bioflavonoids, antioxidants, and others.
The Supplement Center also contains a chart developed by the Council
for Responsible Nutrition of the lowest observed adverse effect
levels of specific supplements (see Vitamin and Mineral Functions
and Safety). Another valuable section is Guidelines for Taking
Dietary Supplements, which includes an explanation of both
RDAs (recommended daily allowances) and DVs (daily values) found
on supplement labels.
VitaCost.com
www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Index/Drug.htm
Information
on drug-supplement
interactions is available via HealthNotes at this online
supplement store.
USDA
Food and Nutrition Information Center
www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/etext/000105.html
This
section of the US Department of Agriculture's website has information
about Recommended
Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and Dietary Reference Intakes
(DRIs).
|
