Dietary SupplementsGuidance for Consumers

Information Provided To You By:

JFHQ Occupational Health Office

Nutrition For Everyday Series- Lesson 9

Savvy Supplement Users… Making Informed Decisions and Evaluating Information

Issues:•Abundance of sources and types readily available

•Information can be conflicting

•When used properly, supplements can enhance individual health and wellness, but can be detrimental if not taken properly

What is in your medicine cabinet?

HerbalsVitaminMinerals

Other Substances

www.fda.gov

A global concern for people wanting to improve their health

Basics To Know?Example- Coumadin, ginkgo biloba, aspirin and Vitamin E-all can

thin the blood and cause increased bleeding risks.Medication interactions with supplements:•Trouble in combinations

•Over the counter medicine can interact just as severely as prescribed medications can.

•Read the labels, specifically for information on side effects, for timing of doses and combinations to avoid.

Check with your Doctor before taking a supplement

Think about your

Total Diet

Some supplements may interfere with your surgery experience.

Tips on searching the web

Common questionable phrases:

This is not a hoax!

Send this to everyone you know!!!!

RESEARCH HAS PROVEN THIS

PRODUCT IS THE BEST IN THE ENTIRE

UNIVERSE!!!!

Questions to think about-

Who operates the site?

What is the purpose of the site?

What is the source of the information and does it have any references?

Is the information current?

How reliable is the Internet or e-mail solicitation?

More tips and to dos

Think twice about chasing the latest headline* Actors endorse things for money and

they may not even know exactly what they are selling.

 

Does it sound too good to be true?

Check your Assumptions

“Even if a product may not help me, it at least won’t hurt

me.”

“A product is safe when there is no cautionary

information on the product label.”

“A recall of a harmful product guarantees that all such harmful products will be immediately and

completely removed from the marketplace.”

“When I see the term ‘natural’, it

means that a product is healthful

and safe.”

Contact the Manufacturer-Ask fact seeking questions

•Does the firm have a quality control system in place to determine if the product actually contains what is stated on the label and is free of contaminants?

Has the firm received any adverse events reports from consumers using their products?

Asking questions can save you from adverse events…

Does the firm have information to share about tests it has conducted on the safety or efficacy of the ingredients in the product?

What information does the firm have to substantiate the claims made for the product?

Use References to Understand better-

 Evaluating Research 10 Things to Know About Evaluating Medical Re

sources on the Web5

A short guide developed by the National Cancer Institute, NIH, to help you evaluate medical Web sites. (July, 1999)

How to Understand and Interpret Food and Health-Related Scientific Studies6

This article provides an overview for understanding and interpreting food and health-related scientific studies (from the International Food Information Council, May 2000).

Making Sense of Health and Nutrition News7

Provides tips for evaluating science.(IFIC, Food Insight. Jan/Feb 2001

Navigating the InternetMedical products and the Internet. A guide to finding reliable information8.

Navigating for Health: Finding Accurate Information on the Internet"9.(IFIC Food Insight article, November-December, 2000)

Quality of Health Information10.

Product Claims and Labeling

"Claims That Can Be Made for Conventional Foods and Dietary Supplements"11

FDA Dietary Supplement Overview12.

"Improving Public Understanding: Guidelines for Communicating Emerging Science on Nutrition, Food Safety and Health."13

"Miracle" Health Claims: Add a Dose of Skepticism14

"Dietary Supplements: An Advertising Guide for Industry"15.

MedWatch16.

The Food and Nutrition Board17

NUTRITION.GOV18

MEDLINE Plus Health Information: Vitamin and Mineral Supplements19

International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements (IBIDS)20

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine21, NIH .

Product Claims and Labeling continued

MEDLINE Plus Health Information: Vitamin and Mineral Supplements19

International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements (IBIDS)20

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine21, NIH .

Watch Out!! ALERT!! Aristolochic Acid Colloidal Silver Comfrey Ephedrine Alkaloids Kava LipoKinetix: FDA Warns About Weight Loss Product

Liqiang 4 PC SPES and SPES Red Yeast Rice St. John's Wort and Indinavir Tiractricol Triax Metabolic Accelerator Other FDA Alerts Botanical Dietary Supplements

Label Requirementsinformation that appears on the product

container, including a descriptive name of the product stating that it is a "supplement“

the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; a complete list of ingredients; and each dietary ingredient contained in the product.

Supplements must also include directions for use, nutrition labeling in the form of a Supplement Facts panel that identifies each dietary ingredient contained in the product and the serving size, amount, and active ingredients.

Quiz Time

1. A supplement labeled “natural” means that it also is: a. mild b. without any risk of side effects c. safe to use with other medications d.none of the above

2.Since dietary supplements are so easily available — and don’t require a doctor’s prescription — they are much safer than drug products and can be used to self-treat illnesses without a health professional’s advice or supervision. True or False

3.Testimonials in dietary supplement promotions give a good idea of the supplement’s benefits and safety because they’re based on firsthand accounts. True or False

Savvy About Supplements

AnswersRationale:1.“Natural” doesn’t always mean “safe”.

2.Some Herbal and Prescribed medications have shown to interact poorly together.

3.Testimonials are not reliable.

1. D

2. False

3. False

Quiz Time

4. Many supplements have proven health benefits. True or False

5. Before you start taking a dietary supplement, talk it over with a knowledgeable person like:

a. your doctor or health professional b. your pharmacist c. a supplement salesperson d. a friend who takes them

Savvy About Supplements

Answers Continued

Rationale:

#4 Don’t forget the reliable source for information.

#5 Only take guidance from qualified individuals.

4. True

5. A or B

Questions?

Please use caution when taking supplements…

If you are unsure, ask a professional…

Also, make sure the product is legal to use in the Military. It could cost you a career.