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Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements Paperback – May 1, 2003

3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 89 ratings

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NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements
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This guide seeks to educate consumers about the science and value of nutritional supplementation, and to provide them with a simple, reliable tool with which to compare nutritional products. Section I: Aging, Oxidative Stress and Degenerative Disease

Section I of this guide discusses the theories of aging and the intricate links between aging, oxidative stress and degenerative disease. The remarkable protective powers of the endogenous and dietary antioxidants and their role in mitigating the aging process are examined. Five degenerative disease processes are highlighted, including recent scientific evidence supporting the use of nutritional supplementation as a preventive measure.

Section II: Criteria for Advanced Supplementation

Section II reviews the substantial scientific evidence employed in developing the fourteen analytical criteria imbedded in the product-rating methodology used in this comparative guide.

Creation of the Final Product Score, based on these fourteen criteria, has been an evolutionary process. With each edition of this comparative guide, we have built on previous research as newly published scientific findings have become available. The result has been the creation of a robust analytical model, based on the scientific literature and the independent recommendations of our seven cited authorities.

In each of the chapters of Section II, the reader is introduced to one of the fourteen criteria and the scientific evidence supporting its use. For those who find the reading a little technical, we refer you to the highlighted text. For those who wish to explore the science of advanced nutrition, we invite you to "dive in."

Section III: How the Comparisons were Made

Section III provides further explanation of the Final Product Score and introduces the Blended Standard, a nutritional benchmark we have created based on the independent recommendations of seven scientific authorities. A brief biographical background of each of the seven authorities and their specific recommendations for optimal daily nutritional intake is also provided.

The use of the Blended Standard, as a benchmark for optimal nutrition and the foundation for the Final Product Score, is featured. The Final Product Score is described in detail in Chapter 17. This fourteen-point score is the heart of our comparative analysis; it provides a rigorous quantitative evaluation and relative ranking of all products, based on the Blended Standard benchmark.

Section III also provides a summary of the 25 top-rated products, listed according to Final Product Score. From this list, the top six products are profiled. These are products of exceptional standing and merit your serious attention as a consumer. Included is a brief profile of each company, with contact information, company history and general information. Points of interest on product formulations, including a breakout of the individual product criteria ratings and information on manufacturing processes (if available), is also provided.

Section IV: Graphical Comparisons

In Section IV, selected products from companies throughout the United States and Canada are graphically compared to the Blended Standard benchmark. With each graph, we have provided the Final Product Score for that product, illustrated as both a percentage ranking and a five-star rating. This allows easy comparison of relative product ratings.

In writing this comparative guide, over 1,000 American and Canadian nutritional products were initially examined. Over five hundred qualifying products, representing the best in the line-up of more than 210 companies, were further evaluated, and their respective nutrient contents were compared to the selected nutritional standards. Two hundred and thirty-two (232) finalists, representing the top-rated product(s) from each manufacturer, were then selected and compared graphically. (Some companies have more than one product represented, if they market in

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Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . addresses the very real dangers of ignoring the key nutritional choices we face every day a great educational resource!" -- Dr. Christine Wood, MD, author of How to Get Kids to Eat Great and Love It!

"Lyle MacWilliam has scored another home run with the latest edition of his
Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements." -- Dr. Denis Waitley, PhD, Bestselling author of The Psychology of Winning

About the Author

Author, educator, speaker and biochemist, Lyle MacWilliam's scientific training took him to the frontiers of research into the biological properties of antioxidants. His scientific investigations focused on the damage caused by radiation to heart cell membranes and the effects of exercise and dietary supplementation with Vitamin E.

MacWilliam is a former Canadian Member of Parliament(MP) and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for British Columbia. He recently served, at the behest of Canada’s federal Minister of Health, on an expert advisory team for natural health products, and helped develop a new regulatory framework to ensure Canadians have access to safe, effective and high quality nutritional products.

His wide-ranging consulting experience includes work in the fields of management and public policy consulting for the British Columbia Science Council, Environment Canada, Human Resources Development Canada and Health Canada.

An accomplished martial artist, MacWilliam is passionate about personal fitness and optimal health. He has authored several previous publications comparing the nutritional profiles of Canadian and American dietary supplements. His writing hits hard at today’s lifestyle and dietary patterns and their role in the development of degenerative disease.

With a scientifically rigorous, no-nonsense delivery, lightened with a gentle touch of humor, MacWilliam has earned praise across Canada, the U.S.A., Australia and New Zealand as a sought-after speaker on the importance of nutrition and lifestyle.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Northern Dimensions Pub; Third Edition (May 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0973253800
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0973253801
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.35 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.75 x 0.75 x 11.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 89 ratings

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3.7 out of 5 stars
89 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides valuable information about supplements and their benefits for the body. They describe it as a great reference and opportunity to educate themselves in nutrition. The book offers good value for money and fast delivery.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

17 customers mention "Information quality"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative about supplements and their benefits for the body. They appreciate the thorough review of nutritional components and their importance. The book provides valuable information on vitamins, oxidative stress, and anti-oxidants in supplements. It's a great reference for health enthusiasts and an opportunity to educate themselves in nutrition.

"...It will also teach you alot about anti-oxidants in supplements and how they prevent degenerative disease as well as how supplements are absobed in..." Read more

"...of over-the-counter supplements and analyze them for purity, vitamin form, bio-avaialability and cellular absorption...." Read more

"...Other interesting information includes which vitamins can be taken to excess and which ones can't (fat soluble versus water soluble vitamins)...." Read more

"Excellent explanations of body processes and vitamin involvement...." Read more

5 customers mention "Value for money"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a valuable resource for anyone wanting to find a comprehensive, good-priced vitamin with real nutritional value and quality. They say it's a great resource for someone trying to decide which supplement to take.

"...Yes, Centrum is much cheaper but again...you get what you pay for...." Read more

"Good price and fast delivery" Read more

"...This a valuble resource for anyone wanting to have a comprehensive understanding of what are in the supplements on the market and how they compare..." Read more

"...It helped me to find a vitamin that has real nutritional value and quality!" Read more

This is the book I got!
1 out of 5 stars
This is the book I got!
NO!!! It arrived and it was in Spanish!! Nothing mentioned about that no reciept or phone number. Clearly in English in the add.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2005
    Over all, I thought the book was excellent. I took the time to read several of the previous reviews and have to comment on one in particular. The one by Mr. Marcel Raffoul "Honest Citizen". First and foremost the review section is supposed to be a reviews of books and not of the company that is rated #1 in the book.

    I did some research on some of his accusations against USANA by Mr. Raffoul. Here's is what I found.

    1. Dr. Lyle is NOT on the board of directors. You can look at the board of directors on the USANA web site.

    2. The "Independent Assessment" of USANA says nothing more than USANA is an MLM company. He acts like this is a bad thing. They say on their web site they are a direct/MLM company and talk about the benefits of cutting out middle men to help keep costs down on their pharmaceutical grade products. Their products are pricey but I guess you get what you pay for and would be outrageous if you had to pay for distribution, waehousing and transportion, etc.... but I digress.

    3. I also looked at Mr. Marcel Raffoul's other reviews and noticed that some of the books he reviewed were on Direct Selling and MLM stategies which indicates that he is probably in networm marketing, probably in a competitive company.

    4. I also read that Maleuca accusations as well as the rebuttal. The rebuttal stated that the original accusations were derived from a previous edition (Edition 2) and since then they went to other independent labratories to ask what other criteria the vitamins could be tested on. These reponses were incorporated into the testing procedures and from what I could determine in the comparison would take the possibility of Dr. McWilliams to skew the results out of the equation and therefore indicates that Maleuca is simply irritated that McWilliams revealed that their products are lacking in quality.

    Another note on Centrum. Centrum is the biggest selling vitamin in the U.S. and apparently in Australia as well. It is well documented that as far as absorbability, it is severely lacking. I have talked to several nurses that call Centrum "bed pan bullets" because in patients that use them and use a bed pan, you can still read "Centrum" on the pill when it comes out. Yes, Centrum is much cheaper but again...you get what you pay for. If you want cheap vitamins, that don't work DON'T READ THIS BOOK, go down to WalGreens and buy the cheapest vitamin on the shelf.....you'll save a lot of money that way.

    After doing a lot or research on the accuracy and claims by other reviewers, I believe the book and it's rating system are excellent. In addition, the book will teach you a lot on how vitamins work, oxidative stress in the body and how it promotes degenerative diseases. It will also teach you alot about anti-oxidants in supplements and how they prevent degenerative disease as well as how supplements are absobed in the body. I would consider this is a MUST READ book for anyone that is interested in their health.
    75 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2010
    I used to be a vitamin freak for years and years, that is why I bought this book. All the hypes about how good vitamin supplement is for your body does not hold any more for me. I develop chronic pain suddenly a few years ago after over 30 years of taking high end vitamin supplement, and was laid off for a year from my usual exercise regime of spinning, pilates, yoga and running. I went to all sorts of medical specialist and they never found out what caused my chronic pain. Then my daughter told me to experiment with my food intake, like stopping my vitamins one by one. I did that and my pain went away. Now I only take a general vitamin pill a day, minerals, calcium and fish oil. I get my vitamins now mainly from my food. So do not believe all the things this book tells you. Listen to your body and do not overdose it with too much vitamins, get them from your food - plenty of green vegetables, and fruits.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2006
    A fantastic reference. It's important to understand as a vitamin consumer that the vitamin industry is not regulated which allows the absolute lowest quality of products to assert pure healthy goodness in their ads. Anyone can legally (within limits I'm sure) buy and box of white chalk, grind it into powder and sell it as a Calcium supplement for $15/bottle. This book is the end point of a long, independent, research indeavor to take the majority of over-the-counter supplements and analyze them for purity, vitamin form, bio-avaialability and cellular absorption. The results are laid out in an easy to understand format that allows you to take any well know supplement, Centrum let's say, and find its analytical grade compared to the others in the study. You'll be surprised by what you find. If you've been taking the regular Target or Walgreens supplied supplements (like my parents were and are no longer), you may be flushing that money down the toilet . . . literally. Not only does this book direct you to the "real" vitamins on the market it also explains to you why each constituent is necessary for healthy cells and why antioxidents do what they do. It goes over everything. I love this book and I seem to have a hard time holding on to it. My wife keeps lending it to friends.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2008
    Lyle McWilliam does the world (certainly North America) a service with this book by discussing multi-vitamins and multi-minerals in detail, creating a clear and easy to understand grading system and then grading every product he can get his hands on.

    His explanations of vitamins and how they work and the various studies and understanding of the aging process are excellent and well worth reading for anyone concerned about their health.

    I do find that his discussion of Olivol, an extract from olives with a process patented by Usana Incorporated AND including it in his grading criteria does bias him towards the Usana line of products. I still think it is a quibble over the top two or three, which are all excellent products.

    What would surprise most people is that the common ones found in grocery stores and drug stores are just not worth taking. It is also the case that most doctors don't have a clue about what constitutes good nutrition and they could benefit immensely from reading this book.

    Other interesting information includes which vitamins can be taken to excess and which ones can't (fat soluble versus water soluble vitamins).

    All in all an excellent book.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2012
    Excellent explanations of body processes and vitamin involvement. However, the rating system for companies that produce vitamins and their products wasn't very helpful. I was unable to find these products in supplement stores and am reluctant to purchase online because returns are more complicated.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2024
    Love 3rd party information & Lyle is top notch
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2019
    This book was use as reference

Top reviews from other countries

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  • HIRO307
    5.0 out of 5 stars この本を入手出来て最高!
    Reviewed in Japan on March 22, 2018
    下記のとおり、サプリメントの公平なランキングガイドの初版を手に入れる事が出来て最高です。15年前の本ですが、経過年数に応じてますので問題ありません。オススメの本です。

    『カナダ政府』は、国民がより良いサプリメントを見つけられるようにと、全米各地の専門家、研究機関にサプリメントの品質調査を依頼しました。
    生化学者『ライル・マクウィリアム博士』やビタミンバイブルの『アール・ミンデル博士』をはじめとする12名の専門家が18項目でサプリメントの品質を厳しく評価しました。