Leah A Cewinske, B.S., M.S.(Rush University Medical Center)
**Description** This is one of 12 books in a series on nutraceuticals. While all books in the series focus on the current nutraceuticals market and research, this is the only book to critically analyze the use of nutraceuticals in pregnant women and their infants. The book can be broken into three major categories, focusing on the use and role of nutraceuticals before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after pregnancy and their effects on maternal and infant health.
**Purpose** The purpose is to examine various nutraceuticals used for prenatal health and the health of mothers and their children. Specifically, the book aims to report trends and research on the use of various nutraceutical products. While relatively vague, the objectives of the book appear worthy. According to the authors, this book is the first of its kind and, given the populations discussed, may have public health implications. As nutraceutical products are relatively inexpensive and increasingly being used for health and disease prevention, it is important to examine claims made about such products. The book meets its objectives, presenting recent research on various nutraceuticals and appropriate references for further investigation.
**Audience** The book is intended as a tool for practicing health care clinicians, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and dietitians. While a basic science background may be necessary to understand the book, it may also be of use to students pursuing advanced degrees in health care. Clinicians and students with an interest in prenatal and neonatal care will especially find the book interesting. The book meets the needs of the intended audience by providing current evidence for and against various nutraceuticals as they relate to common disease states. The book's authors and over 30 contributors appear to be credible authorities on the topics discussed based on their credentials and publications.
**Features** This is an original book examining what nutraceuticals are, their use prior to and during pregnancy, and their impact on offspring health. A foreword and preface open the book, proceeded by a list of contributors, 19 chapters, and an index. In addition to defining nutraceutical products, the book investigates how the use of such products may be confounded by diet, genetics, race, age, and many other factors. Furthermore, it discusses how the duration of exposure to nutraceuticals must be considered as these products become more popular and commonplace. The first section of the book examines nutraceuticals generally, as well as their use in pregnancy. The early chapters identify other common names for nutraceuticals and discuss how they are defined differently in various parts of the world. Given the potential impact of these products on metabolic syndrome and other non-communicable diseases, the book consistently offers and encourages further research on the effects of nutraceuticals. With regard to pre-pregnancy use of these products, the authors specifically mention the use and benefits of probiotics, long-chain fatty acids, folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, and ginger for both mother and fetus. Once again, the book provides appropriate references and encourages further research and regulation of nutraceuticals. The next section discusses the use of nutraceuticals during pregnancy. In addition to thoroughly examining the impact of excessive and inadequate gestational weight gain during pregnancy, the chapters also provide information on the use of nutraceuticals on specific diseases including anemia, infection, hormone balance, preeclampsia and eclampsia, and gestational diabetes. In its final section, the book examines nutraceuticals used for offspring health, with a major focus on products for bone and dental health. Here, the book discusses functional foods and supplements that may impact osteoporosis and fractures in mothers, as well as fetal bone development. A unique feature of this book is the contents section at the beginning of each chapter that gives an overview of the topics to be discussed. This feature allows readers to find information of interest quickly. Additionally, the figures and tables throughout the book are useful and informative.
**Assessment** This book is unique from any other that I have read. It does not simply describe the impact of various nutrients on maternal and infant health, but rather examines the impact of nutraceuticals, functional foods, and supplements on health. While I consistently read articles to keep current on pediatric nutrition, it can be difficult to compile information on nutraceuticals as they relate to specific maternal and infant disease states given the sparsity and need for further research studies. A book with relevant resources in one volume is therefore useful. As a dietitian working in the clinical realm, I make diet recommendations and evaluate those recommendations using intake data, anthropometrics, and labs. This book provides information that can be used to provide women and their children with diet recommendations.
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Weighted Numerical Score: 96 - 4 Stars!
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