HW 499

Vitamins, Herbs and Nutritional Supplements

What is a dietary or herbal supplement?

O The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) defines dietary supplement as a product that is intended to supplement the diet and includes vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and other botanicals.

O They are found in tablet, capsule, powder, soft gel, gel cap or liquid form and is intended to be taken orally.

O The product should be labeled as a dietary supplement.

Precautions

O If you are considering taking any vitamins, herbs and dietary supplements it is important to consult with your primary care physician first.

O Let your healthcare provider know of any prescription or over the counter medications you are currently taking as some dietary supplements have been known to interact with medications, making them less effective.

O Be aware that although dietary supplements may come from natural ingredients, they may not be safe.

Precautions cont.…O Although the product may be listed as

“certified” the quality of the dietary supplement maybe compromised.

O Herbal supplements may contain many compounds which may not be listed or the amounts listed may not be accurate.

O Dietary supplements may be contaminated or adulterated.

O Do not take more than the recommended dose.

Credible ResourcesO Always make sure you have read

information from credible sources such as:

O The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine ( NCCAM)

O https://nccih.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm

O U.S.Food and Drug AdministrationO http://www.fda.gov/food/dietarysuppl

ements/default.htm

Resources contd..O National Institute of Health, Office of

Dietary Supplements.O http://dietarysupplementdatabase.us

da.nih.gov/O Medline PlusO http://

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

O Health Finder.govO http://

healthfinder.gov/findservices/searchcontext.aspx?topic=1063

Resources contd..O Be an informed consumer.O Make sure the website’s main

objective is educating the public.O Non profit and government websites

have no advertisements and should cite their sources.

O Determine if the website is reputable and the information is current.

RecommendationsO According to the National Institute of

Health (NIH), more than fifty percent of Americans take one or more dietary supplements to make sure they get enough nutrients or to stay healthy.

O Not everyone needs supplementsO It is possible to get all the essential

nutrients by eating a variety of healthy foods.

Common Medicinal

Herbs

Adhatoda- for treatment of

coughs, bronchitis, asthma, and

the symptoms of common cold.

Asafoetida-used as an antispasmodic and expectorant,

for digestive health, heaviness,

fullness, bloating, or gas after eating and prevents the

formation of excess phlegm.

Asparagus Root-used to stimulate lactation, alleviate

menopausal symptoms, enhance fertility and immunity,

treat gastric ulcers, dyspepsia,

nervous disorders, inflammation, liver diseases, and certain infections and diarrhea.

Medicinal Herbs contd..

O Bacopa – used as a brain tonic, to improve memory, sharpen mental focus, calm nerves, alleviate headaches and prevents premature graying.

O Emblica – commonly known as amla. This is the main ingredient in a popular herbal honey formula. It is considered an antioxidant and astringent because of the high content of polyphenols. It is also used for digestive system disorders of all types, bleeding disorders, lung disorders, and alleviation of fatigue and for symptoms of premature aging.

Medicinal Herbs

Garlic-used for lowering blood

pressure and cholesterol. Also known

for its antibacterial effects.

Ginger – used to treat motion

sickness and nausea in pregnancy

and chemotherapy. Also used to

treat the common cold, flu-like

symptoms, headaches, painful menstrual periods

And in reducing inflammation.

Momordica- also known as bitter

melon. it is very bitter as the name

suggests, but very commonly

consumed in southeast Asia because of

its therapeutic properties such as

antiviral and anti cancer potential and

blood sugar regulating effects similar to taking insulin.

ReferencesO A Brief Review of Ayurvedic Concepts. (n.d.). Retrieved

from http://www.itmonline.org/ayurreview/

O Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide. (2013). Retrieved from http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed

O Computer Access to Research on Dietary Supplements (CARDS) Database. (2015). Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/Research/CARDS_Database.aspx

O Drugs, Herbs and Supplements: MedlinePlus. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

ReferencesO Health Benefits of Indian Gooseberry or Amla | Organic Facts. (2008). Retrieved from https://

www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/indian-gooseberry-amla.html

O Herbal Medicine. (2015). Retrieved from http://healthfinder.gov/findservices/searchcontext.aspx?topic=1063

O Kamangar, F., & Emadi, A. (2012). Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Do We Really Need Them? Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3309636/

O Strengthening Knowledge and Understanding of Dietary Supplements. (2011). Retrieved , from https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DS_WhatYouNeedToKnow.aspx

O U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/food/dietarysupplements/default.htm

ReferencesO University of Rochester Medical Center. (2015).

Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=1169

O Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. (2014). Retrieved from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm