Dietary supplement use: Consumer characteristics and interests

Four major issues should be considered in a discussion of what consumers ne ed to know about supplements and herbal treatments. 1) Usage of supplements is changing as consumers are taking charge of their health and seeking alt ernative forms of medicine (Eisenberg et al. 1998, Gilbert 1999). 2) The ch aracteristics of supplement users have been profiled in numerous academic a nd industrial surveys. However, even the best models based on consumers' ch aracteristics can predict < 30% of diet-related behavior (Baranowski et al, 1999). 3) Experts in traditional medicine and nutrition lack information o n supplements and herbals. The Practice and Policy Guidelines Panel of the National Institute of Health Office of Alternative Medicine (1997) stated t hat practices used in complementary and alternative medicine were "unsuitab le for the development of evidence-based practice guidelines." Well-designe d basic and clinical research is needed on the efficacy, bioavailability an d safety of supplements and herbal medications. 4) It is debatable which ag encies and professionals are the best gatekeepers of information on supplem ents and herbals. Significant numbers of consumers do not seem to rely on t heir physicians for information on alternative forms of medicine (Eisenberg 1997). Despite the obstacles, the traditional medical community (including nutritionists) should focus more research efforts on diet supplements and herbal treatments and increase training on these topics for students majori ng in health care fields. Then health care professionals can mount high qua lity, targeted education programs for consumers.