Recent claims for vitamins, minerals, and a variety of other non-nutrient supplements are evaluated in this text that explores the role of nutrition in delaying aging and preventing degenerative disease. The first part of the text reviews some popular theories on the aging process and provides dietary guidelines for enhancing health and preventing disease. The second section analyzes numerous micronutrients and non-nutrients for which anti-aging claims have been made, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, nucleic acid, fats and lipids, drugs and chemicals, and popular food supplements. Part three provides specific recommendations for people in different life situations, including healthy men and women, smokers, alcohol drinkers, women taking oral contraceptives, pregnant women, postmenopausal women, surgical patients, dieters, and athletes. Controversial nutrition issues, such as "synthetic" versus "natural" supplements, the value of "one-a-day," "Insurance," "stress," and special formulas, product labeling, and the best forms of nutrients to buy, are discussed