Dietary Supplements

The growing consumer interest in health and fitness has expanded the market for a wide range of products, from yoga mats to the multiple dietary supplements now on the market. Supplements are popular, but are they safe? Many dietary supplements are probably safe when used as recommended. However, since 1994 when Congress decided that they should be regulated as if they were foods, they are assumed to be safe unless the Food and Drug Administration can demonstrate that they pose a significant risk to the consumer. But there are many types of products that qualify as dietary supplements, and the distinctions can become muddled and vague. Manufacturers are not legally required to provide specific information about safety before marketing their products. And the sales of supplements have been steadily increasingâ€"all together, the various types now bring in almost $16 billion per year. Given these confounding factors, what kind of information can the Food and Drug Administration use to effectively regulate dietary supplements? This book provides a framework for evaluating dietary supplement safety and protecting the health of consumers.

Dietary supplements made from foods, herbs and their constituents are a rapidly growing market sector. Consumers often view food supplements as ‘natural’ and therefore safe; however, supplements are regulated as foods rather than as pharmaceuticals and so are not as closely monitored as may be necessary. With the commercial market in these products growing, this book provides essential research into their safety, efficacy and potential risk of interaction with pharmaceuticals. Following an introductory chapter, part one covers the chemical composition, manufacture and regulation of dietary supplements. Part two looks at the effectiveness of different types of dietary supplement and methods of evaluation. Finally, part three focuses on supplement safety. Reviews the design, production and regulation of dietary supplements. Analyses the potential for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics interactions between dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. Offers reviews of important clinical studies on the efficacy of dietary supplements for range of conditions.

Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements presents peer-reviewed, objective entries that rigorously examine the most significant scientific research on basic chemical, preclinical, and clinical data. Designed for healthcare professionals, researchers, and health-conscious consumers, it presents evidence-based information on the major vitamin and mineral micronutrients, herbs, botanicals, phytochemicals, and other bioactive preparations. Supplements covered include: Vitamins, beta-carotene, niacin, and folate Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, isoflavones, and quercetin Calcium, copper, iron, and phosphorus 5-hydroxytryptophan, glutamine, and L-arginine St. John's Wort, ginkgo biloba, green tea, kava, and noni Androstenedione, DHEA, and melatonin Coenzyme Q10 and S-adenosylmethionine Shiitake, maitake, reishi, and cordiceps With nearly 100 entries contributed by renowned subject-specific experts, the book serves as a scientific checkpoint for the many OTC supplements carried in today's nutritional products marketplace. Also Available Online This Taylor & Francis encyclopedia is also available through online subscription, offering a variety of extra benefits for researchers, students, and librarians, including:  Citation tracking and alerts  Active reference linking  Saved searches and marked lists  HTML and PDF format options Contact Taylor and Francis for more information or to inquire about subscription options and print/online combination packages. US: (Tel) 1.888.318.2367; (E-mail) [email protected] International: (Tel) +44 (0) 20 7017 6062; (E-mail) [email protected]

Nonvitamin and Nonmineral Nutritional Supplements compiles comprehensive information and recent findings on supplements found in today’s market. The book focuses on non-essential nutrients, animal extracts, yeast and fungi extracts, and plant and algae extracts used as supplements. Readers will find valuable insights on the impact of dietary supplementation on human health, along with an understanding of the positive and negative aspects of each supplement. Provides reliable information on available supplements to inform nutritional practices Presents each supplement’s sources, availability, health benefits, drawbacks, and possible interactions with other supplements, food or drugs Serves as a guide to non-essential nutrients, plant and algae extracts, animal extracts, including bee products and shark cartilage, and supplements from yeast and fungi

Written by one of the foremost experts on sports nutrition and performance, A Guide to Understanding Dietary Supplements takes a critical look at the dietary supplement industry. With an estimated 60 percent of adult Americans using dietary supplements every day, the need for a thorough examination of the hundreds of products on the market is long overdue. This comprehensive guide (Selected as an Outstanding Academic Title by Choice Magazine) presents straightforward analysis from a consumer's perspective, giving you the facts on more than 140 supplements and information on which supplements work (and which don't!) for a wide range of health conditions—from preventing cancer and heart disease to fighting diabetes and depression. United States Department of Agriculture surveys show that more than 70 percent of Americans fail to achieve daily recommended levels for many vitamins and minerals. With today's emphasis on fitness, millions are investing their money and health in quick-fix solutions-supplements promoted as cure-alls to right nutritional wrongs, lower the likelihood of disease, and work dietary miracles. A Guide to Understanding Dietary Supplements presents a more realistic view of supplements as neither miracle cure nor nutritional sham, but as consumer products to be accepted or rejected based on scientific fact, not fitness fantasy. A Guide to Understanding Dietary Supplements looks at the pros and cons of dietary supplements in the areas of: weight loss bones and joints energy, brain, and mood heart, eye, and gastrointestinal health male and female health cancer, diabetes, and the immune system sports and ergogenic aids In addition, the book presents an overview of the dietary supplement industry and the regulations that govern it and looks at the process for developing new products. Designed to cut through the confusion surrounding dietary supplements, A Guide to Understanding Dietary Supplemens is an invaluable resource for students, educators and professionals who deal with nutrition, exercise, physical education, nursing, and anyone else interested in health and fitness.

The use of dietary supplements has continued to increase steadily in recent years with, for example, 40 per cent of UK adults said to be taking such supplements on a regular basis. Although they are widely used, the use of dietary supplements is controversial in relation to their efficacy and safety and much recent research has been published considering these questions. This comprehensive new edition of Dietary Supplements has been completed revised and updated to include the latest findings on the most commonly used dietary supplements.

This quick-glance reference helps students and health professionals educate themselves and their patients/clients about the scientific evidence for and against more than 120 popular dietary supplements. Supplements are logically grouped into 12 chapters based on their primary desired effect, such as weight loss, joint support, and sports performance enhancement. The authors give each supplement a one-to-five-star rating based on the level of scientific substantiation for each of its major claimed effects. The book highlights crucial safety issues regarding each supplement and sets forth recommended dosages for particular effects. A quick-reference appendix lists all the supplements alphabetically with their star ratings.

Dietary supplements are widely available through a rapidly expanding market of products commonly advertised as beneficial for health, performance enhancement, and disease prevention. Given the importance and frequent evaluation of physical performance and health as a criteria to join and remain in the military, the use of these products by military personnel has raised concern regarding over-all and long-term efficacy and safety. This evaluation is especially difficult, as many of these supplements contain multiple ingredients, have a changing composition over time, or are used intermittently at doses difficult to measure. This book analyzes the patterns of dietary supplement use among military personnel, examines published reviews of the scientific evidence, and identifies those dietary supplements that are beneficial and/or warrant concern due to risks to health or performance. The book also recommends a system to monitor adverse health effects and a framework to identify the need for active management of dietary supplements by military personnel. Military policy makers, personnel, and recruits will find this book useful, as will nutritionists, athletes, and others working in strenuous environments.