Basic Book of Vitamin Health

Ian W. Toal is a nurse in Barrie, Ontario.

This book begins by explaining, in basic terms, what vitamins and
minerals are, and why they are necessary in our diet. It then looks a
little more closely at each vitamin and mineral, outlines some of the
signs of deficiency, and gives dietary or natural supplemental sources
of each substance.

The role of vitamins in nutrition can be a controversial topic, but
this book makes no outrageous claims, and the daily amounts it
recommends are standard textbook amounts—except for vitamin C, where
the range is huge (60 to 5000 mg), with no explanation as to why.

As well as basic information, the book includes two patented “Easy
Check” self-tests. By checking off a list of symptoms, the reader can
determine whether he or she has a nutritional deficiency. However, these
tests are too vague to be of real value. For example, the list of
symptoms for minerals includes the categories “burns” and
“prostate.” What exactly is being asked here?: Have I ever had a
burn? Do I burn easily? Do I have a prostate? Is it enlarged? Infected?
Luckily, the proffered advice is just as vague. Basically, we are told
to watch our diet and consider supplements; those of us with an extreme
score are advised to see a physician.

Readers who already have a basic understanding of nutrition will
probably not find their knowledge expanded by this book.