Nutrition Review is a free online resource devoted to the science of nutritional supplementation, with a special emphasis on applications for preventing disease, enhancing health and extending lifespan. Nutrition Review is produced by Jim English, a widely published nutritional-science author. Over the last 25 years Jim has written and edited thousands of articles covering health science, human physiology, nutrition, alternative medicine and life extension.
In 1990 Jim co-founded Smart Products, the San Francisco-based company credited with pioneering the nascent field of “functional beverages” with the introduction of a unique line of “Smart Drinks” (Orbit Juice, Ginkgo A-Go-Go, Quantum Punch) that combined traditional beverages with non-traditional ingredients (i.e., herbs, vitamins, minerals and amino acids) to enhance mental focus, boost energy and support overall health. Today’s current $9.7 billion energy drink market is a direct result of the early work pioneered by Jim and his partners at Smart Products.
On January 17, 1992, Jim sat down for a live, televised 60-minute interview on Nightline with guest host Barbara Walters, (full transcript here) to discuss the safety and efficacy of a wide range of vitamins, herbs, and cognitive-enhancing nutraceuticals. This was followed by appearances on CNN, NBC’s A Closer Look, Nightly News With Tom Brokaw, and numerous print interviews in Discover Magazine, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, The Morning Call, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and Time Magazine and more.
In 1993 the company name was changed from Smart Products to Smart Basics to reflect its growing role as a leading distributor of advanced nutraceuticals, supplements and herbs. Over the next several years Smart Basics continued to forge new ground as one of the first companies in the U.S. to introduce and distribute a number of advanced supplements — many previously only available in Europe – including Acetyl-L-carnitine, DHEA, melatonin and pregnenolone, to name just a few.
In addition to changing the name of the company Jim also launched his first monthly newsletter, IntelliScope, to cover breaking developments in nutritional science. Dedicated to consumer education, IntelliScope was unique in its commitment to forgoing hype while publishing fully-referenced articles, product reviews, and interviews with leading antiaging researchers, such as Durk Pearson, Sandy Shaw, Leo Galland, Garry Gordon and Ward Dean, MD.
In 1995 Jim launched smartbasics.com one of the first Internet-based nutritional web sites and recipient of numerous awards as a trusted destination for reliable information on nutritional supplements and alternative health issues.
In 1995 Jim launched one of the first internet-based nutritional web sites, smartbasics.com (click here for archived copy of this early web design). Over the next 2 years Jim wrote and edited the site by hand as it grew to encompass over 1,700 pages of product information, review articles and interviews. One of the outstanding features of the site was its extensive collection of nutritional glossaries that garnered numerous awards, including top honors from MSNBC in 1997 as the most trusted destination for reliable information on nutritional supplements and alternative health issues.
In 1997 Jim sold Smart Basics to devote his time to writing for leading alternative health publications, including Life Extension Magazine and Allergy Research Group/NutriCology. Shortly thereafter Jim accepted the position of Senior Editor of Vitamin Research News. Working closely with renowned antiaging pioneer, Ward Dean, MD, over the next six years Jim researched, wrote and edited hundreds of articles and columns on nutrition, anti-aging science and alternative medicine.
During this period Jim also collaborated with Hyla Cass, MD, co-authoring “A Users Guide to Ginkgo Biloba” and “A Users Guide to Vitamin C” (Basic Health Publications, 2002). Jim also edited Dr. Cass’s recent international bestseller, “Natural Highs: Supplements, Nutrition, and Mind-Body Techniques to Help You Feel Good All the Time” (Penguin Putnam, 2002).
In 2004 Jim formed a new research and development company, Tango Advanced Nutrition, with renowned herbalist and nutritional expert, John Steinke. John began his medical career as an acupuncturist and herbalist specializing in sports medicine, trauma care and performance enhancement for top athletes, working with players from the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers. Tango Advanced Nutrition, was created specifically to research and evaluate a number of advanced “essence herb” formulas designed to strengthen the body and restore balance to offset physical declines commonly associated with aging.
Today, after ten years of intensive research and product evaluation, Tango is distributing an exclusive line of outstanding herbal formulas designed by leading anti-aging scientists and herbal researchers. Tango’s unique formulas are modern, updated versions of traditional “essence tonics,” long revered for their abilities to enhance energy, promote vitality and restore health. The surprising power and efficacy of these formulas lies in the innovative approach of combing time-proven herbal formulations with modern, state-of-the-art manufacturing, testing and quality control standards to unleash the restorative powers of these legendary tonics.
Jim continues to publish Nutrition Review as a free online resource covering issues related to the therapeutic benefits of nutritional supplements and their potential role in preventing illness, enhancing health, improving quality of life and extending lifespan. In addition to its growing library of published articles, Nutrition Review also provides access to an interactive glossary of nutritional supplements, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and herbal formulas.
Hello,
I’m interested in your OsteoPhase, but do not understand how it works for Osteoporosis?
Also, maybe you would know this question!
When I take Vitamin K2, or 3, I get leg Cramps, and when I take Calcium I
get Heel Spurs?
My circulation is excellent.
Thank you..
Dear Annie,
The fact that you appear to get heel spurs when you take calcium seems to indicate the your system does not properly regulate use of calcium. In other words, part of your calcium intake goes to making spurs and not just to the healthy structure and function benefits that calcium provides. Taking additional calcium in supplemental form would only likely worsen spurring for you. And Vitamin K2 or K3 as a supplement is also not so necessary as adequate amounts are easy to get in leafy green vegetables plus its use for bone building as a supplement is not so clear. OsteoPhase appears to work by helping regulate how your body uses calcium, so that adequate dietary intake of calcium is enough to support healthy bone tissue and growth. There are many articles at http://www.nutritionreview.org explaining how this works.
Dear Sirs,
Please add me to your mailing address. I would also like to hear details of other health
prdducts from you.
Many thanks
Joseph
Dear Jim
I saw a patient today who has been on lithium orotate 17 mg for approximately 3 years. She has moderate hypercalcemia and an inappropriately normal PTH at 55. Have you observed hyperparathyroidism with lithium orotate similar to that observed with lithium carbonate. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Meg Crook, M.D.
Charlottesville, VA
Dear Meg,
I’m not an M.D., just a lowly writer, so I cannot address your question from a medical standpoint. However I can say that I know several people who have been taking Lithium Orotate at doses of 125 to 500 mg per day for 8+ years without any problems, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a connection with your patient.
Are you sure that your patient is taking lithium orotate and not lithium carbonate or lithium citrate? I ask because the 17 mg dosage you mentioned seems very low for lithium orotate, and more in line with the prescription versions.
Also, have you ruled out Primary Hyperparathyroidism? In any case, I’ll pass your question on to some M.D.’s familiar with LO and see if they can be more helpful.
Regards,
Jim English