Dietary Supplements and Functional Foods

the regulation of herbal and dietary supplements by the FDA is restricted because supplements are classified as…

food

when certifying foods the USP does not determine if…

a food is good or bad for you

recommendations for taking herbs

start with a low dose, avoid taking herbs for too long

antagonistic actions:

a competing factor

that counteracts the action of another

factor; when a drug displaces a vitamin

from its site of action, the drug renders the

vitamin ineffective and thus acts as a

vitamin antagonist.

bioavailability:

the rate at and extent to

which a nutrient is absorbed and used.

FDA definition of a dietary supplement

“a product taken by mouth that

contains a ‘dietary ingredient’

intended to supplement the diet”

ginger herbal claim

may alleviate nausea

what is ginger associated with

pregnancy, motion sickness,

chemotherapy.

garlic herbal claim

may lower LDL cholesterol, may

lower your risk of certain types of cancer.

ginseng herbal claim

may improve mental performance

you should avoid taking ginseng if you have…

hypertension

you should avoid ginger, garlic, and saw palmetto if you are taking an…

anti-coagulant(blood thinning) drug

saw palmetto drug claim

may improve the symptoms

associated with enlarged prostate

St. Johns Wart health claim

may be effective in

treating mild to moderate depression.

When to avoid taking St.Johns Wart

It should not be taken with antidepressants, birth

control pills, anticoagulants, and certain asthma

medicines and steroids.

valerian health claim

beneficial for insomnia and

anxiety

kava health claim

initially a treatment for stress and anxiety

kava warning

May cause excessive sedation, due to serious liver problems even with short-

term use, many European countries have removed it

from the market.

Ephedra (ma-huang) health claims:

Used for Weight Loss. Frequently

combined with caffeine to enhance athletic performance

ephedra warning:

Life-threatening or disabling side effects have removed

its sale in the US due to heart attacks, seizures, and

strokes deaths.

functional foods definition:

Generally taken to mean foods,

fortified foods, and enhanced

food products that may benefit

health beyond the effects of

essential nutrients they contain

examples of functional foods

calcium and vitamin C fortified orange juice

-using “friendly” bacteria in fermented milk and soy products

-removing “harmful” ingredients like cholesterol from foods

what are the official standards of the dietary supplements verification program

Ingredients

 Product

 Manufacturing process

 Voluntary

The Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act of 1994 classified supplements as _____

foods

Once a supplement is in the market; it must be proven ______ by FDA before the product is

removed from the market

unsafe

FDA testing of supplements are…

optional

The safety of food additives and drugs must meet FDA satisfaction before they enter the market

a. True

b. False

true

the herbal claim of this may slow the loss of cognitive function associated with age

gingko Balboa

herbs that contain some form of ephedra

 Bitter Orange

 Country mallow

 Ephedra

Guidelines for Incorporating Herbal

Products into a Health Care Regimen

Prior to taking, discuss with M.D. or other

health professional with expertise in

subject (R.D., PharmD, R.N.).

more guidelines for taking herbal supplements

-do not take if pregnant or lactating

-do not assume herbs are safe

-start with a low dose

-do not use for long periods

examples of what can makes food functional…

adding beneficial ingredients, taking out harmful ingredients