As a medical doctor focusing on metabolism and nutrition, colleagues ask me where they
can find reliable information on vitamins and minerals and their application in medicine.
Although an abundance of materials is available, most is of two types: on the one side, skeptical and stubbornly conservative; on the other, biased and unsubstantiated. This book
aims for the middle. In writing it, I have tried to be objective and evidence-based, but also
open-minded. I have drawn from the scientific literature, as well as my own clinical ex-
perience. No longer “alternative” therapy, micronutrients are taking their rightful place in main-
stream medicine. We now have convincing evidence of their efficacy in preventive medi-
cine and therapeutics. This book is generously referenced to direct the reader towards in-
depth reviews and original articles in this rapidly expanding field. It is intended as a re-
source for doctors and other health professions allied to medicine. Although micro-
nutrients are generally available over the counter, interested members of the public
should consult with their doctor or pharmacist. Nutrition and metabolism are complex and individual. Prudent use of micronutrients as therapy should always be medically super vised.