Burgerstein's Handbook of Nutrition: Micronutrients in the Prevention and Therapy of Disease » (1st Edition)

Zimmermann, Michael, MD

This handbook gives professionals and consumers an understanding of the prevention and treatment of illness through balanced nutrition. Material is in color-coded sections on basic principles of micronutrition, a balanced diet and vegetarian nutrition, micronutrients, micronutrition throughout the life cycle, and micronutrients in prevention and therapy. Entries on specific micronutrients discuss their functions in the body, their therapeutic benefits, and the effects and manifestations of deficiencies. Entries on specific conditions and diseases give detailed information on the use of micronutrients in prevention and therapy. This is the first English translation of a Swiss book, Burgerstein's Handbuch Nahrstoffe, Karl F. Haug Verlag, Heidelberg. Zimmermann is director of postgraduate studies at the Laboratory for Human Nutrition, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Heather Y. Lovelace, MSC, BHec(University of British Columbia)
Description:This book reviews micronutrients and their major food sources. Unlike other books covering micronutrients, this one includes a unique section that organizes the use of micronutrients by anatomical structure, lifestyle issues (i.e., sports), and medical condition.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide reliable information on vitamins and minerals and their application in nutrition and disease. The author uses an evidence-based perspective, avoiding both conservatism and biased, unsubstantiated claims.
Audience:The author intends the book as a resource for physicians and other allied health professionals. It may also be a useful reference for students in various health disciplines. The author is well published and has written other books in related areas.
Features:This book combines traditional presentation of micronutrient use and sources with disease-oriented use of nutrients in prevention. Color printed tables and charts are appealing and easy to understand. One limitation of the book is that currency of references varies considerably by section, and materials are under-referenced at times.
Assessment:This handbook is not a comprehensive guide to micronutrients in nutrition and disease, but rather is a useful resource to help determine the potential for nutrient supplementation to influence disease outcomes. It is a good overview of nutrients in disease prevention and therapy.