The 2014 Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements by Lyle MacWilliam 5th edition

• New 2014 5th 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 vitamin D, iodine, inflammation, oxidative stress, and degenerative disease, the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplementsis the definitive resource for anyone serious about optimal nutrition and anti-aging defense. Inside, you will find:

• over 1,300 North American supplements scientifically rated and compared

• 18 critical Health Support Criteria required to evaluate supplements

• 30 full-color graphs showing the most popular 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 5th 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).

Vitamin E Forms

While d-alpha tocopherol is the most common form of vitamin E, gamma tocopherol and other forms offer additional protection from inflammation, cancer, and other processes that can damage cells. High-dose supplementation with alpha tocopherol alone can reduce the level of gamma tocopherol in body tissues.

Immune Support

Recent scientific research confirms the vital roles that vitamin D and iodine play in maintaining our long-term health. This new criterion examines the many nutrients, including vitamin D and iodine, which help to ward off many of the most common degenerative diseases that shorten our lives.

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, iodine, 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 D, vitamin E, beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10, calcium, iodine, 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, iodine, 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 D, vitamin E, biotin, coenzyme Q10, chromium, iodine, 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, vitamin D, iodine, flavanoids, procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs), 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

Table of Contents

Introduction: What's New in the Guide		3
Chapter One: Nutrient Depletion of Foods		7
	Modern Agriculture Impoverishes our Soils	8
	Nutrient Depletion forces Pesticide Abuse	10
	Organic Agriculture Improves Nutrient Content	11
	Conclusions	12
Chapter Two: Why We Need to Supplement		13
	The Case for Supplementation	14
	The Other Side of the Coin	16
	Through the Looking Glass	17
Chapter Three: The Vitamin D Story		19
	A Short History	19
	How Vitamin D is Manufactured	22
	New Findings on Vitamin D	23
	How Much is Enough?	27
	Summary	28
Chapter Four: The Iodine Story		29
	Iodine's Discovery	30
	The History of Iodine Use	31
	Iodine's Role in the Thyroid	32
	Beyone the Thyroid	33
	Iodine as an Antioxidant	35
	Iodine Deficiency and Disease	36
	Iodine and Cancer	36
	Iodine and Heart Health	38
	Iodine and Metabolic Health	39
	Iodine and Breast Health	40
	How Much is Enough?	41
	Conclusions	43
Chapter Five: Comparing Supplements		45
	Constructing the Blended Standard	47
	Limitations of the Study	51
	Manufacturing Quality	52
	Qualifying the Products	52
	The Final Product Rating (Star Rating)	52
Chapter Six: Product Rating Criteria		53
	The NutriSearch Health Support Profile	53
	1. Completeness	53
	2. Potency	54
	3. Mineral Forms	54
	4. Vitamin E Forms	55
	5. Immune Support	57
	6. Antioxidant Support	57
	7. Bone Health	58
	8. Heart Health	59
	9. Liver Health (detoxification)	60
	10. Metabolic Health (glucose control)	61
	11. Ocular Health	62
	12. Methylation Support	63
	13. Lipotropic Factors	64
	14. Inflammation Control	64
	15. Glycation Control	67
	16. Bioflavonoid Profile	68
	17. Phenolic Compounds Profile	70
	18. Potential Toxicities	70
	Summary	72
Chapter Seven: Medals of Achievement		75
	Assessing Product Quality	75
	Overview of the Available Certification Programs	76
	Summary	78
Chapter Eight: Health Support Profile Graphs		81
Chapter Nine: Product Ratings		89
Bibliography		105
Tables
Table 1: Recommendations for Daily Intake of Vitamin D		27
Table 2: Table of Recommended Daily Intakes (Blended Standard)		48-50
Table 3: Leading Brands by Market Share		82