The Nutrition and Health series has been very fortunate to have each of the volumes recognized by rating services, such as Doody's, as valuable contributions for health professionals and individuals interested in the most up-to-date and balanced information from the experts in nutrition. These independent accolades may have occurred because the Nutrition and Health series has as its overriding mission to provide health profession als with texts that are considered essential because each book includes: (1) a synthesis of the state of the science, (2) timely, in-depth reviews by the leading researchers in their respective fields, (3) extensive, up-to-date fully annotated reference lists, (4) a detailed index, (5) relevant tables and figures, (6) identification of paradigm shifts and the con sequences, (7) virtually no overlap of information between chapters, but targeted, inter chapterreferrals, (8) suggestions of areas for future research, and (9) balanced, data-driven answers to patient questions, which are based upon the totality of evidence rather than the findings of any single study. The series volumes are not the outcome of a symposium. Rather, each editor has the potential to examine a chosen area with a broad perspective, both in subject matter as well as in the choice of chapter authors. The international perspective, especially with regard to public health initiatives, is emphasized where appropriate. Review "This new text synthesizes a wealth of information on what is and what is not known about the benefits of nutritional strategies for the primary and secondary prevention of disease and the promotion of health. It could not be more timely. . .[it] helps establish the present state of knowledge, and thereby advances the art and science of preventive nutrition."-Foreword by Alfred Sommer, MD, MHS, Dean of the School of Hygiene and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD "The research reviews are rigorous, balanced and critical. . .many of the chapters in this book are well worth reading. Reading the chapters as a whole is an interesting experience, taken together, they make a strong case for the importance of plant-based diets to health...the book is a useful reference."-American Journal of Clinical Nutrition From the Back Cover At a time when health professionals regularly interact with patients who are unclear about what constitutes appropriate nutrition or who exhibit little personal dietary control, the need to establish effective nutritional strategies for the prevention of disease and the promotion of health has become critical. In Primary and Secondary Preventive Nutrition, leading international physicians and researchers illuminate the role of diet, dietary factors, and nutrients in optimizing health and reducing the risk of specific disease conditions in both healthy individuals and those with pre-existing conditions. These experts present balanced reviews of the latest research on the role of nutrition in preventing and slowing the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease, obesity, osteoporosis, osteoarthtitis, and autoimmune disease. They also provide new insights of great value to the consumer on the effects of soy, fiber, and retinoids, as well as on the contrasting effects of trans- vs long chain fatty acids. Each chapter concludes with the authors' reader-friendly assessment of the current state of the science, as well as clear recommendations based on the totality of clinical evidence. Up-to-date and authoritative, Primary and Secondary Preventive Nutrition constitutes the single most comprehensive resource for health professionals seeking to improve individual health outcomes through nutrition. It provides balanced, well documented answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning preventive nutrition, as well as a sound basis for discussing the public health implications of preventive nutri