Americans are consuming vitamins in ever-increasing amounts, and this book was written because its authors, both biomedical professionals, could get no sound general guidance on vitamins for themselves and their families from any existing volume. They were impressed with the confusion, conflicting information and claims, and indeed fraudulent hucksterism that exist in the field of vitamins. The authors' objective is simple: The readers of their book should be better equipped to question their need for vitamins and to understand what they do and do not do for them. In addition, the information provided here should help readers to evaluate critically the many claims of the manufacturers and distributors of vitamins, and others who hold vested (although not necessarily commercial) interest or positions on vitamin use. Among the topics discussed in the book, starting with the question of why one needs vitamins, are megavitamin therapy, vitamins and weight reduction, vitamin C and the common cold, vitamins for children, vitamin E, vitamins and aging, and vitamin therapy in mental illness. The book also contains a table of recommended dietary allowances of vitamins.