The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7252 p799
7 June 2003

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Based on sound evidence and fills a gap in the health foods field

'The Oxford book of health foods', by J. G. Vaughan and P. A. Judd. Pp xxxiii+188. Price £19.99. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2003. ISBN 0 19 850459 4

Think of your local health food shop with its shelves stacked with dietary supplements, herbal remedies, grains, soy products, nuts and seeds, and you have a picture of what this book is about. There have been many books written about supplements and herbal remedies, and many more about foods that are seen to have some sort of health benefit beyond the consumption of a healthy, balanced diet. To the best of my knowledge, however, this is the only recent one that covers a significant proportion of the products — both foods and supplements — you would likely find in a health food shop.

In case you are wondering why we need another book on health foods, what is particularly good about this one is that the information in it is based on sound evidence and it makes no extravagant claims. Pharmacists wanting to know more about the therapeutic benefits and potential problems of pulses, soy, nuts and seeds, margarines and spreads, wild yam, herbal teas and mineral waters as well as a range of dietary supplements and herbal remedies will find this is a useful resource.

With an alphabetical layout, clear headings and attractive illustrations, it is accessible and interesting to read. Its 121 entries consider, where appropriate, origins and culinary use, nutritional benefits, claims for use and evidence. There is a bibliography, a glossary and a comprehensive index, but the book is not referenced because it is not intended to be an in-depth treatise on the subject. Pharmacists expecting a Martindale-type volume on health foods will be disappointed. The target readership of this book is not only health professionals but also anyone with an interest in health foods.

Pharmacists are often asked questions about health foods and this book would be a useful resource to have in the pharmacy to answer basic questions and to have on hand for customers to dip into. For pharmacists who sell books, I would certainly recommend it. Community pharmacies should be sources of credible information and this much-needed book, written by two well-respected United Kingdom nutrition professors, fills a gap in this field.

Pamela Mason

Dr Mason is a a freelance pharmaceutical writer with a special interest in nutrition