Encyclopedia of Mind Enhancing Foods, Drugs and Nutritional Substances, 2d Ed.

This revised edition contains over one thousand entries, covering everything from common everyday foods to the latest in genetic research--and beyond. Each entry's properties are objectively evaluated based on the latest scientific evidence. Included are substances that not only claim to improve thinking and other brain functions, but those that presumably help prevent brain damage and degeneration, prevent aging and extend the human lifespan, enhance social skills and moral behavior, induce altered states of consciousness, and improve mood, stamina, and energy Meat Eating Is Often A Contentious Subject, Whether Considering The Technical, Ethical, Environmental, Political, Or Health-related Aspects Of Production And Consumption. This Book Is A Wide-ranging And Interdisciplinary Examination And Critique Of Meat Consumption By Humans, Throughout Their Evolution And Around The World. Setting The Scene With A Chapter On Meat's Role In Human Evolution And Its Growing Influence During The Development Of Agricultural Practices, The Book Goes On To Examine Modern Production Systems, Their Efficiencies, Outputs, And Impacts. The Major Global Trends Of Meat Consumption Are Described In Order To Find Out What Part Its Consumption Plays In Changing Modern Diets In Countries Around The World. The Heart Of The Book Addresses The Consequences Of The Massive Carnivory Of Western Diets, Looking At The Inefficiencies Of Production And At The Huge Impacts On Land, Water, And The Atmosphere. Health Impacts Are Also Covered, Both Positive And Negative. In Conclusion, The Author Looks Forward At His Vision Of Rational Meat Eating, Where Environmental And Health Impacts Are Reduced, Animals Are Treated More Humanely, And Alternative Sources Of Protein Make A Higher Contribution. Should We Eat Meat? Is Not An Ideological Tract For Or Against Carnivorousness But Rather A Careful Evaluation Of Meat's Roles In Human Diets And The Environmental And Health Consequences Of Its Production And Consumption. It Will Be Of Interest To A Wide Readership Including Professionals And Academics In Food And Agricultural Production, Human Health And Nutrition, Environmental Science, And Regulatory And Policy Making Bodies Around The World. -- Publisher's Description. Meat In Nutrition -- Meat In Human Evolution -- Meat In Modern Societies -- What It Takes To Produce Meat -- Possible Futures. Vaclav Smil. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 217-250) And Index. This book is a wide-ranging and interdisciplinary examination and critique of meat consumption by humans, throughout history and around the world. Setting the scene with a chapter on meat's role in human evolution and its growing influence during the development of agricultural practices, the book goes on to examine modern production systems, their costs, efficiencies and outputs. The major global trends of meat consumption are described: what part does meat play in changing modern diets in countries around the world? The heart of the book addresses the consequences of the "massive carnivory" of western diets, looking at the energy costs of meat and the huge impacts of meat production on land, water and the atmosphere. Health impacts are also covered, both positive and negative. In conclusion, the author looks forward at his vision of "rational meat eating," where environmental and health impacts are curbed, animals are treated more humanely, and alternative sources of protein are promoted. Eating Meat is not an ideological tract against carnivorousness but rather a careful evaluation of meat's roles in human diets and the environmental and health consequences of its production and consumption. It will be of interest to a wide readership including professionals and academics in food and agricultural production, human health and nutrition, environmental science and regulatory and policy making bodies around the world. This greatly expanded and revised edition contains more than 1,000 entries, covering everything from common everyday foods to the latest in genetic research--and beyond. Each substance's properties are objectively described based on the latest scientific evidence. Included are substances that not only claim to improve thinking and other brain functions, but those that are thought to help prevent brain damage and degeneration, prevent aging and extend the human lifespan, enhance social skills and moral behavior, induce altered states of consciousness, and improve mood, stamina, and energy. Cover 1 Table of Contents 8 Acknowledgments 6 Preface 10 1. Foods 16 2. Herbs and Spices 54 3. Vitamins, Minerals, and Related Nutrients 94 4. Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins 131 5. Lipids 160 6. Nucleic Acids 172 7. Miscellaneous Nutrients 174 8. Hormones and Neurotransmitters 183 9. Essential Oils 201 10. Entheogens 211 11. Medical Drugs 278 12. Nootropics 302 13. Neurobiology and Neurochemistry 343 14. Other 359 Bibliography 376 Index 380 ""This source can help sort beneficial foods or supplements from those that may be not only ineffective but dangerous, even lethal, when misused"--Booklist; "fascinating"--ARBA; "recommended"--Public Library Quarterly; "recommended"--Reference Reviews. This encyclopedia of foods and drugs that are believed to improve mental performance contains information on nearly 400 nutrients, herbs, and drugs"-- Provided by publisher