Complementary and Alternative Therapies and the Aging Population

Book excerpt: The major objective of this book is to review in detail health problems occurring with significant frequency in aging adults which are proposed to be treated or ameliorated using nutriceuticals as foods and dietary supplements as well as other complementary and alternative therapies. Chapters primarily focusing on nutrients have been excluded to maintain a focus on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The book is divided into three general sections: 1. Nutriceuticals and Botanicals in Health Promotion - including Specific Nutriceuticals Used in Treating Aged; and General Nutraceutical Approaches to Therapy with emphasis on cancer. 2. Non-nutritional CAM Therapies – including Mind-mediated Therapies; and Physically Applied CAM Therapies3. Non-dietary Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use and Benefits to the Elderly in Health - Identifies the important nutritional requirements of the aging population, and how nutraceuticals and other CAM options affect those - Addresses the many disease entities and cancers are found with higher frequency in the aged, including cancer, trauma, or infectious disease that can alter intakes of nutraceutical containing foods and/or requirements for various nutrients. - Explores the nutritional materials botanical extracts and components that can have important health promotion benefits and risks, to ensure safe consumption - Reviews the frequently used non-traditional and often unproven CAM therapies, beyond nutritional and nutraceutical supplements, including a variety of physical and psychosocial treatments.