Dr. Bucci, Ph.D, C.C.N., C (A.S.C.P.) received is BS from St. Edward's
University of Austin, his Ph.D from the University of Texas in 1983. He is a
Certified Clinical Nutritionist and is certified as a Technologiest in
Chemistry by the American Society of Clinical Pathology--a career laden with
many other credentials and awards. This is no quack, nor a half-informed
know-it-all like me. This guy knows his stuff and I have found none other as
well-informed or as deeply documented as he is in the field of athletic
nutrition. His two books reference more than 2400 other works. They are
purely scientific presentations. Still, his writing is clear and uncluttered,
if dense with information. The knowledge imparted is overwhelming, with no
hocus-pocus.
If I were you, I'd get the "Injury Rehabilitation" book first--it's the
latest (1995). Once you've read this book, you'll know a hell of a lot more
about applied nutrition than anyone you're ever going to encounter in your
horsey pursuits.
Here is a sample of Bucci from his Introduction to the Rehabilitation book:
"The idea of using nutrients as therapeutic agents in medical practice has
met with much resistance in recent times. With the current Food, Drug &
Cosmetic Act, nutrients are legall considered foodstuffs, and not drugs.
Foodstuffs are not legally drugs, which means that any claims for mitigation,
cure, prevention, or treatment of illnesses or disorders involving the human
body cannot be mae in the U.S., regardless of their veracity. Only drugs can
have therapeutic claims attached in their marketing and advertisement. This
leaves many nutrients in a modern-day limbo. Since nutrients are classified
as foodstuffs, and, therefore, not amenable to patent protection as
therapeutic agents (like drugs), there is little economic incentive to pursue
research into clinical applications of nutrients as therapeutic agents."
"A sizeable body of literature has accumulated which has demonstrated the
ability of certain nutrients or foodstuffs to benefit human health in many
ways that were unsuspected when the FDC Act was passed. Almost every one of
these nutrients is commercially available and a modest number of companies
has marketed nutrients to fill the gap between drugs and foodstuffs."
"For example, a recent study found that zinc lozenges could decrease the
duration of colds. Zinc supplements have been available for many years as a
dietary supplement. However, if someone put the claim that zinc can reduce
duration of colds (a drug claim) on a bottle of zinc without having that
particular product approved as safe and effective for reducing cold duration
by the FDA, then that product is misbranded and subject to confiscation and
punitive measures in the same manner as a bogus cure for cancer. Meanwhile,
the zinc product on the shelf next to the misbranded product may be enjoying
brisk sales. The legal status of a nutrient does not alter its clinical
effectiveness."
"Legal, political, and economic factors are often more effective at
preventing the clinical application of nutrients as therapeutic agents than
their clinical performance. This book will endeavor to present what is known
and what is known to be likely about the clinical performance of nutrients
applied to healing of musculoskeletal tissues."
As you can see, there's nothing fuzzy about Bucci's prose, and once you read
this book, you'll see that there's nothing fuzzy in his thinking, either.
This man has done his homework.
While you're talking to CRC, you may as well take the plunge and get the
Wolinsky/Hickson book, Nutrition in Exercise and Sport. None of these books
are cheap. But then, a deficit in knowledge can be far more expensive--and
embarrassing.
Once several of you have these books, and understand their importance, then
perhaps we can go together and purchase a set for those who would regulate
our capabilities to properly care for our horses without having to resort to
the needle or the knife.
ti