Introduction

WE REWROTE. THIS book, updating the scientific literature on vitamins,

minerals, and herbs, to help the over-~8-year-old, healthy, nonpreg-

nant woman. We have also included the expertise of practitioners who

have shared some of their medical knowledge. Hopefully this review

will arm women with enough information to make intelligent decisions

on nutritional choices, vitamin and mineral supplements, and medical

options for "optional health."

Section I is an overview of vitamins and minerals and how to pur-

chase them. Section II contains information on many of the most com-

mon vitamins, minerals, and herbs, and how they affect most women.

Section III provides information on bones, cancer, estrogen and hor-

mone replacement therapies, exercise, fish oil, food, heart, herbs,

menopause, ~,Ms, skin, laser resurfacing, and weight. Section IV explores

Chinese acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathic, and traditional med-

ical doctors. Section V lists the most recent recommended dietary, or

dail:~ allou~ances (RDAs) of vitamins and minerals, their best chemical

form(s) and toxicity levels, and summarizes the recommended ranges of

the vitamins and minerals from the reviewed literature. Also included is

a summary of nutritional recommendations from the research.