New 2007 4th Edition
by Lyle MacWilliam

The definitive reference on the science of supplementation.

Find out which top 1% of products earned the NutriSearch five-star quality rating. Hint: Rejuvenation Science Maximum Vitality was one of them.

For those interested in optimizing their health and warding off the aging process, this guide is a must!

Packed with the latest findings on inflammation, oxidative stress, and degenerative disease, the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements is the definitive resource for anyone serious about optimal nutrition and anti-aging defense. Inside, you will find:

over 1,500 US and Canadian supplements scientifically rated and compared
18 critical Health Support Criteria required to evaluate supplements
300 full-color graphs so you can easily compare top-rated products

The NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements is your roadmap to understanding the remarkable protective powers of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Discover recent scientific evidence that shows supplements can optimize health and retard the aging process.

Determine which supplement is best for you and your family, using a scientifically-based approach.

Now in it's 4th edition and representing thousands of hours of research, the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements is the way for you to find a quality nutritional supplement that best suits your needs.

Make certain you are providing your body with the very best nutritional supplements that science can offer — your health is too precious to compromise.

Evaluation Criteria

The following 18 criteria were used to evaluate multivitamins in the Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements by Lyle MacWilliam.

Completeness

Looks to see if the product contains all the Blended Standard nutrients.

Potency

Looks to see how much of each nutrient the product contains compared to the Blended Standard amounts.

Mineral Forms

Examines the molecules that minerals are bound with to help them cross into the bloodstream. Amino acid chelates and organic acid complexes (such as citrates and gluconates) mimic the natural mineral chelates that form during the digestive process. Chelated minerals also appear not to block other minerals from being absorbed, unlike many of the less expensive mineral salts (carbonates, sulphates, and chlorides).

Bioactivity of Vitamin E

Looks to see if the vitamin E is the natural or synthetic form. Natural forms include d-alpha tocopherol, while synthetic vitamin E, only half as effective, is usually in the form of dl-alpha tocopherol.

Gamma Tocopherol

Checks to see if the product includes the gamma form of vitamin E. Studies show that gamma-tocopherol reduces chronic inflammation and protects against cancers of the colon and prostate. High-dose supplementation with alpha tocopherol alone can reduce the level of gamma tocopherol in body tissues.

Antioxidant Support

Examines the nutrients that help to prevent or repair cellular damage caused by oxidation, including vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, beta-carotene, alpha-lipoic acid, lycopene, coenzyme Q10, and selenium.

Bone Health

Examines the nutrients that assist in bone remodeling, vital to ward off osteoporosis and other diseases that weaken the skeletal framework. These nutrients include vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, boron, calcium, magnesium, silicon, and zinc.

Heart Health

Examines nutrients that help protect the heart and cardiovascular system including vitamin E, beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10, calcium, magnesium, l-carnitine or acetyl-l-carnitine, procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs), phenolic compounds, and lycopene.

Liver Health

Examines those nutrients (including vitamin C, cysteine and n-acetyl-cysteine, selenium, vitamin B2, and vitamin B3) that enhance liver function and optimize levels of glutathione, which help cells fight off toxic challenges.

Metabolic Health

Examines those nutrients that help the body handle its daily sugar load, keeping systems responsive to insulin and restoring lost insulin sensitivity. These nutrients include vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, biotin, coenzyme Q10, chromium, magnesium, manganese and zinc.

Ocular Health

Good eyesight and prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration require adequate levels of several nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A (including beta-carotene), and the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin.

Methylation Support

Looks at those nutrients, including vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, and trimethylglycine, required for the body to produce methyl donor molecules. Methyl donors help reduce homocysteine levels in the blood, protecting the arteries and nerve fibers.

Lipotropic Factors

Examines those nutrients, including choline, lecithin, and inositol, that help remove toxins, including heavy metals like lead. The liver and the brain are two primary targets for the accumulation of fat-soluble toxins.

Inflammation Control

Examines the nutrients responsible for reducing inflammation at the cellular level, such as omega-3 oils -- including those found in fish oil (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids or EPA and DHA) -- linoleic acid, gamma-tocopherol, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin C, flavanoids, procyanidolic oligomers, and the phenolic compounds. Chronic inflammation can lead to serious degenerative disease, including heart disease, cancers and arthritis.

Glycation Control

Examines those nutrients (l-carnosine, alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, vitamin C, and alpha-lipoic acid) that help slow the progress of many degenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer.

Bioflavonoid Profile

Examines the bioflavonoid family of nutrients, which works throughout the body to attack free radicals and support many bodily functions. These important nutrients include citrus flavonoids, soy isoflavones, quercetin, hesperidin, rutin, bilberry, assorted berry extracts, and PCOs (including resveratrol, grape seed, and pine bark extracts.)

Phenolic Compounds Profile

Examines a specific group of phenolic compounds (polyphenolic acids and their derivatives), known to be exceptionally potent defenders against free radicals. Phenols derived from olives, green tea, and curcumin are also known to improve major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including lowering the impact of inflammation.

Potential Toxicities

Examines those nutrients that can build up in the body, possibly leading to toxic levels with long-term intake. This includes vitamin A and iron. Accidental overdose of iron-containing supplements is, in fact, a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children. Vitamin A is available, safely, as beta-carotene, while adequate iron is easily obtainable for most people from foods.

Nutritional Experts

"The authors that we cite are acknowledged within their respective scientific, medical, and naturopathic fields. Each has published one or more works, and each has provided specific recommendations for daily nutritional intakes."

Phyllis Balch, CNC
Michael Colgan, PhD, CCN
Earl Mindell, RPh, MH
Michael Murray, ND
Richard Passwater, PhD
Ray Strand, MD
Julian Whitaker, MD
Robert Atkins, MD
Terry Grossman, MD and Ray Kuzweil
Jane Higdon, PhD
Philip Lee Miller, MD and Life Extension Foundation
Nicholas Perricone, MD

Section I: Supplementation and Degenerative Disease
Chapter one: The Case for Supplementation		2
	Eat Your Fruits and Veggies	2
	Nutrient-deficient Foods	5
	It Pays to Take Your Vitamins	5
Chapter Two: Degenerative Disease		6
	Living Longer, but Not Healthier	6
	Preventing Degenerative Disease	7
	The Mechanisms of Onset	8
Chapter Three: Oxidative Stress		9
	Oxygen – Friend and Enemy	9
	Nature’s Fire Wardens	10
	Synergy – the Power of Teamwork	11
	Antioxidant Enzyme Systems	11
	Implications	12
Chapter Four: Inflammation		13
	Cardiovascular Disease	13
	Other Degenerative Processes	13
	What is Inflammation?	14
	The Inflammatory Cascade	15
	Preventing Chronic Inflammation	15
	The Link to Oxidative Stress	17
	Implications	18
Section II: The Safety of Supplements
Chapter Five: The Safety of Nutritional Supplements		20
	Relative Risks	21
	The Real Issue of Safety	22
	New Research Discloses Problems	25
	Summary	26
Chapter Six: Optimal Nutrition		27
	Misreading the RDAs	27
	RDAs Fail to Address Deficiencies	28
	New DRIs Also Fall Short	29
	Fueling the Biological Spark Plugs	29
	Genes, Enzymes, and Mutations	31
	Generic Polymorphisms Common	31
	Implications	32
Chapter Seven: Nutritional Supplements Under Attack		33
	Teasing Fact from Fiction	33
	Scientific Sensationalism	37
	The Wrong Yardstick	39
	Tools for a New Paradigm	40
Section III: Rating the Products
Chapter Eight: How the Comparisons Are Made		42
	Creation of the Blended Standard	44
	Limitations of the study	45
	Interpreting the Graphs	47
	Qualifying the Products	48
	The Nutrient Profile Score	48
Chapter Nine: Products Rating Criteria		49
	Changes to the Criteria	49
	Show Me the Science	49
	1. Completeness	49
	2. Potency	50
	3. Mineral Forms	50
	4. Bioactivity of Vitamin E	51
	5. Gamma Tocopherol	51
	6. Antioxidant Support	52
	7. Bone Health	53
	8. Heart Health	53
	9. Liver Health (detoxification)	54
	10. Metabolic Health	55
	11. Ocular Health	55
	12. Methylation Support	57
	13. Lipotropic Factors	57
	14. Inflammation Control	58
	15. Glycation Control	59
	16. Bioflavonoid Profile	61
	17. Phenolic Compounds Profile	62
	18. Potential Toxicities	62
	Summary	64
Chapter Ten: Medals of Achievement		65
	How the Program Works	65
	Beyond the Stars: Proof of Quality	66
	Certification Programs Overview	66
	Summary	69
Section IV: Top-rated Products
Chapter Eleven: Top-rated products		72
	Top-rated Stand-alone Products	72
	Top-rated Combination Products	72
	Going for the Gold	72
	Gold Medal Recipients	74
Section V: Graphical Comparisons
Stand-alone Product Comparisons		82
Combination Product Comparisons		116
Section VI: Product Ratings
Appendix A: Stand-alone Products Alphabetically		131
Appendix B: Stand-alone Products Alphabetically by Star Rating		149
Appendix C: Combination Products Alphabetically		167
Appendix D: Combination Products Alphabetically by Star Rating		171
Appendix E: Products Exceeding Upper Limits		175
Bibliography: References by Chapter		177
Index of Terms		187
Illustrations
Figure 1-1: Depleted Soil: Fertilizer Use Skyrockets Post-World War II		5
Figure 2-1: Number of US Residents Surviving to Selected Ages		6
Figure 2-2: Change in Cause of Death between 1987 and 2004		7
Figure 3-1: Free Radical Molecule		9
Figure 3-2: Important Cellular Antioxidants		11
Figure 4-1: Activated Phagocytes (White Blood Cells)		14
Figure 4-2: Prostaglandin Metabolism		16
Figure 5.1: The Risk Management Continuum		21
Figure 6-1: Brin’s Schema of Vitamin B1 Deficiency (1964)		28
Figure 6-2: Methylation Reactions		30
Figure 9-1: d-Alpha Tocopherol Form of Vitamin E		51
Figure 9-2: Human Heart with Associated Blood Vessels		53
Figure 9-3: Methylation		56
Figure 9-4: Flavone Ring Skeleton		60
Figure 9-5: Quercetin		61
Figure 9-6: p-Hydroxycinnamic Acid		61
Figure 9-7: p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid		62
Figure 9-8: Oleuropein		62
Figure 11-1: Eighteen Important Health Support Criteria		80
Tables
Table 5-1: Deaths from Unintended Caused and Adverse Reactions to Dietary Supplements		20
Table 5-2: lead Content in Calcium Supplements		22
Table 5-3: Products Failing Both Disintegration Tests		26
Table 5-4: Products Failing Stage I Disintegration Tests		26
Table 5-5: Products Passing Both Disintegration Tests		26
Table 6-1: Common Vitamins, Coenzymes, and their Functions		29
Table 11-1: Top Products Stand-alone		73
Table 11-2: Top Products Combination		73
Table 11-3: Table of Recommended Daily Intakes (Blended Standard)		78

Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements