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Annual Review of Pharmacology and... Jan 2018Over 70% of Americans take some form of dietary supplement every day, and the supplement industry is currently big business, with a gross of over $28 billion. However,... (Review)
Review
Over 70% of Americans take some form of dietary supplement every day, and the supplement industry is currently big business, with a gross of over $28 billion. However, unlike either foods or drugs, supplements do not need to be registered or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to production or sales. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, the FDA is restricted to adverse report monitoring postmarketing. Despite widespread consumption, there is limited evidence of health benefits related to nutraceutical or supplement use in well-nourished adults. In contrast, a small number of these products have the potential to produce significant toxicity. In addition, patients often do not disclose supplement use to their physicians. Therefore, the risk of adverse drug-supplement interactions is significant. An overview of the major supplement and nutraceutical classes is presented here, together with known toxic effects and the potential for drug interactions.
Topics: Animals; Dietary Supplements; Drug Interactions; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration
PubMed: 28992429
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010617-052844 -
AAPS PharmSci 2003Dr Stephen DeFelice coined the term "Nutraceutical" from "Nutrition" and "Pharmaceutical" in 1989. The term nutraceutical is being commonly used in marketing but has no...
Dr Stephen DeFelice coined the term "Nutraceutical" from "Nutrition" and "Pharmaceutical" in 1989. The term nutraceutical is being commonly used in marketing but has no regulatory definition. An attempt to redefine nutraceuticals and functional foods is made in this article. The proposed definitions can help distinguish between functional foods, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements. The advantages and disadvantages of nutraceuticals are also briefly discussed.
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Food, Formulated; Foods, Specialized; Humans; Legislation, Drug; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Preventive Medicine; Vitamins
PubMed: 14621960
DOI: 10.1208/ps050325 -
Nutrients Jan 2018Many of the scientific and regulatory challenges that exist in research on the safety, quality and efficacy of dietary supplements are common to all countries as the... (Review)
Review
Many of the scientific and regulatory challenges that exist in research on the safety, quality and efficacy of dietary supplements are common to all countries as the marketplace for them becomes increasingly global. This article summarizes some of the challenges in supplement science and provides a case study of research at the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health, USA, along with some resources it has developed that are available to all scientists. It includes examples of some of the regulatory challenges faced and some resources for those who wish to learn more about them.
Topics: Animals; Biomedical Research; Consumer Product Safety; Dietary Supplements; Government Regulation; Health Policy; Humans; Policy Making; Quality Control; Risk Assessment; Terminology as Topic
PubMed: 29300341
DOI: 10.3390/nu10010041 -
Nutrients Sep 2020The use of food supplements for weight loss purposes has rapidly gained popularity as the prevalence of obesity increases. Navigating through the vast, often low... (Review)
Review
The use of food supplements for weight loss purposes has rapidly gained popularity as the prevalence of obesity increases. Navigating through the vast, often low quality, literature available is challenging, as is providing informed advice to those asking for it. Herein, we provide a comprehensive literature revision focusing on most currently marketed dietary supplements claimed to favor weight loss, classifying them by their purported mechanism of action. We conclude by proposing a combination of supplements most supported by current evidence, that leverages all mechanisms of action possibly leading to a synergistic effect and greater weight loss in the foreseen absence of adverse events. Further studies will be needed to confirm the weight loss and metabolic improvement that may be obtained through the use of the proposed combination.
Topics: Chitosan; Dietary Supplements; Fabaceae; Humans; Panax; Tea; Weight Loss
PubMed: 32962190
DOI: 10.3390/nu12092873 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2021Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative inflammatory condition of the joint cartilage that currently affects approximately 58 million adults in the world. It is... (Review)
Review
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative inflammatory condition of the joint cartilage that currently affects approximately 58 million adults in the world. It is characterized by pain, stiffness, and a reduced range of motion with regard to the arthritic joints. These symptoms can cause in the long term a greater risk of overweight/obesity, diabetes mellitus, and falls and fractures. Although the current guidelines for the treatment of OA suggest, as the gold standard for this condition, pharmacological treatment characterized by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), opioids, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-specific drugs, a great interest has been applied to nutraceutical supplements, which include a heterogeneous class of molecules with great potential to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, pain, and joint stiffness and improve cartilage formation. The purpose of this review is to describe the potential application of nutraceuticals in OA, highlighting its molecular mechanisms of actions and data of efficacy and safety (when available).
Topics: Chronic Disease; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Osteoarthritis; Secondary Prevention
PubMed: 34884724
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312920 -
Skin Therapy Letter Sep 2019Dermatology supplements, often marketed as “skin, hair, and nail” supplements, are becoming increasingly popular. However, many consumers lack an understanding of... (Review)
Review
Dermatology supplements, often marketed as “skin, hair, and nail” supplements, are becoming increasingly popular. However, many consumers lack an understanding of the science of dietary supplements or the specifics of the supplement industry. While certain supplements at the right dose in the right population may prove beneficial, the evidence is sparse for many supplements. In addition, the use of some supplements has resulted in serious adverse effects. From a regulatory standpoint, the US FDA recognizes dietary supplements as foods. This distinction has multiple ramifications, including the fact that manufacturers do not need to prove efficacy, safety, or quality prior to sale. Therefore, physicians and consumers must evaluate each supplement ingredient and formulation individually. This article outlines an evidence-based approach to assess dermatology supplements. As a starting point, all supplements should be evaluated for PPIES: purity, potency, interactions, efficacy, and safety.
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Drug Contamination; Drug Interactions; Drug and Narcotic Control; Evidence-Based Medicine; Hair; Humans; Nails; Skin
PubMed: 31584785
DOI: No ID Found -
Nutrients Sep 2021Common nuts (tree nuts and peanuts) are energy-dense foods that nature has gifted with a complex matrix of beneficial nutrients and bioactives, including monounsaturated... (Review)
Review
Common nuts (tree nuts and peanuts) are energy-dense foods that nature has gifted with a complex matrix of beneficial nutrients and bioactives, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, high-quality protein, fiber, non-sodium minerals, tocopherols, phytosterols, and antioxidant phenolics. These nut components synergize to favorably influence metabolic and vascular physiology pathways, ameliorate cardiovascular risk factors and improve cardiovascular prognosis. There is increasing evidence that nuts positively impact myriad other health outcomes as well. Nut consumption is correlated with lower cancer incidence and cancer mortality, and decreased all-cause mortality. Favorable effects on cognitive function and depression have also been reported. Randomized controlled trials consistently show nuts have a cholesterol-lowering effect. Nut consumption also confers modest improvements on glycemic control, blood pressure (BP), endothelial function, and inflammation. Although nuts are energy-dense foods, they do not predispose to obesity, and in fact may even help in weight loss. Tree nuts and peanuts, but not peanut butter, generally produce similar positive effects on outcomes. First level evidence from the PREDIMED trial shows that, in the context of a Mediterranean diet, consumption of 30 g/d of nuts (walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts) significantly lowered the risk of a composite endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease) by ≈30% after intervention for 5 y. Impressively, the nut-supplemented diet reduced stroke risk by 45%. As they are rich in salutary bioactive compounds and beneficially impact various health outcomes, nuts can be considered natural pleiotropic nutraceuticals.
Topics: Arachis; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Nuts
PubMed: 34579146
DOI: 10.3390/nu13093269 -
Nutrients Sep 2020Oral and periodontal diseases can determine severe functional, phonatory and aesthetic impairments and are the main cause of adult tooth loss. They are caused by some...
Oral and periodontal diseases can determine severe functional, phonatory and aesthetic impairments and are the main cause of adult tooth loss. They are caused by some specific bacteria that provoke an intense local inflammatory response and affect-with particular gravity-susceptible subjects, because of reasons related to genetics and lifestyles (e.g., smoking and home oral hygiene habits). They are more frequent in the disadvantaged segments of society and, in particular, in subjects who have difficulty accessing preventive services and dental care. Some systemic diseases, such as uncontrolled diabetes, can increase their risk of development and progression. Recently, in addition to the obvious considerations of severe alterations and impairments for oral health and well-being, it has been noted that periodontitis can cause changes in the whole organism. Numerous clinical and experimental studies have highlighted the presence of a strong association between periodontitis and some systemic diseases, in particular, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, lung diseases and complications of pregnancy. The purpose of this editorial is to provide a current and thoughtful perspective on the relationship of diet and natural agents on oral, periodontal diseases, and chewing disorder preventions which may reflect good systemic conditions and related quality of life or to analyze indirect effects through the contribution of diet and nutrition to systemic health in order to obtain a modern diagnostic-therapeutic approach.
Topics: Diet; Diet, Healthy; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Mouth Diseases; Nutritional Status; Oral Health; Periodontal Diseases
PubMed: 32899964
DOI: 10.3390/nu12092724 -
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Jan 2017There are widespread inconsistencies and contradictions in the many published definitions of 'nutraceuticals' and 'functional foods', demonstrating wholesale uncertainty... (Review)
Review
There are widespread inconsistencies and contradictions in the many published definitions of 'nutraceuticals' and 'functional foods', demonstrating wholesale uncertainty about what they actually are. Furthermore, in a 2014 lecture, the inventor of the term 'nutraceutical', confessing that nutraceuticals do not work, said that 'the quest to demonstrate whether … long-term supplementation [with nutraceuticals] can prevent serious diseases … has come to an end'. Definitions of 'nutraceuticals' and related terms, still widely used, should therefore be explored systematically. There are no internationally agreed definitions of 'nutraceuticals' and 'functional foods', or of similar terms, such as 'health foods', or of terms related to herbal products, which are sometimes referred to as 'nutraceuticals', compounding the confusion. 'Nutraceuticals' and 'functional foods' are vague, nondiscriminatory, unhelpful terms; the evidence suggests that they should be abandoned in favour of more precise terms. The term 'dietary supplement' is widely used to designate formulations that are also called 'nutraceuticals' but it would be better restricted to individual compounds used to treat or prevent deficiencies. 'Fortified foods', sometimes called 'designer foods', are foods to which compounds of proven therapeutic or preventive efficacy (e.g. folic acid) have been added. Other terms, such as 'food', 'foodstuffs', 'eat', 'drink', and 'nutrition', are well defined, as are 'medicinal products' and 'pharmaceutical formulations'. Dietary regimens, such as Mediterranean or nitrate-rich diets or vegetarianism, can affect health. A dietary regimen of this kind can be defined as a programme of food, of a defined kind and/or quantity, prescribed or adopted for the restoration or preservation of health.
Topics: Diet; Dietary Supplements; Food, Organic; Functional Food; Humans; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Preventive Medicine
PubMed: 26991455
DOI: 10.1111/bcp.12935 -
Kardiologia Polska Aug 2020Dietary modification is one of the cornerstones in the treatment of arterial hypertension (AH). Current American and European guidelines recommend people to ingest... (Review)
Review
Dietary modification is one of the cornerstones in the treatment of arterial hypertension (AH). Current American and European guidelines recommend people to ingest fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and low‑fat dairy products as well as to decrease the consumption of red meat, sugar, and trans fats. This review aimed to summarize available evidence on dietary patterns associated with lower blood pressure (BP). Research has shown that the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet can lower BP equally effectively or even more significantly than some antihypertensive drugs. The Mediterranean diet also leads to a considerable reduction in BP. Vegans and vegetarians have been shown to have a lower prevalence of AH than omnivores. Caloric restriction may decrease BP in normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive populations. Blood pressure can also be lowered by certain nutraceuticals (such as beetroot juice, magnesium, vitamin C, catechin‑rich beverages, or soy isoflavones). Diet effects on BP are mediated by body weight loss, amelioration of inflammation, increased insulin sensitivity, and antihypertensive properties of some individual nutrients. There is robust evidence that vegetarian and vegan diets have the ability to reduce BP. The presence of the so-called floor effect makes these diets usable in normo- and prehypertensive people at high risk of developing AH. However, the dietary and nutraceutical approach to BP lowering cannot substitute drug treatment when the latter is needed.
Topics: Antihypertensive Agents; Blood Pressure; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Hypertension
PubMed: 32631027
DOI: 10.33963/KP.15468