Approximately 29,000 dietary supplements are currently available to health conscious Americans. About 1,000 new dietary supplement products enter the U.S. consumer market each year equating to sales in excess of $15 billion. Dietary supplements are increasingly becoming an integral part of the daily health regimen.
Researchers studied the popularity of dietary supplements over a six-year period. The report identified the following five supplements as dominating consumer choice:
1. Garlic
2. Ginkgo
3. Echinacea
4. Soy
5. Saw Palmetto
The following lists each of the five most popular supplements, their supposed health benefit, and possible debunked claims:
Garlic
Allium sativum - garlic is thought to be a diuretic, antifungal and antibacterial. Garlic has been used in treating colds, fevers, coughs, earaches, bronchitis, signus congestion, headaches, stomachaches, diarrhea, arteriosclerosis, dysentery, and high blood pressure.
Warning: The essential oils of garlic are highly concentrated and can cause irritation and chemical burns on the skin.
Recently, research has laid claims to garlic's ability to lower cholesterol yet the results are mixed. In a recent Stanford study researchers concluded that the addition of garlic to one's diet provides no significant effects on lowering cholesterol. Still, scientists with the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade group in Washington, DC., argue that other studies indicate that garlic is very complex and does lower cholesterol.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba is used in treating health disorders such as memory problems, confusion, depression, anxiety, dizziness, tinnitus, and headaches. Some believe ginkgo works by increasing the body's blood supply, dilating blood vessels, and reducing free radicals.
Warning: Ingesting large quantities of the ginkgo seed may lead to skin disorders or mucous membrane irritation.
Ginkgo is used to treat mild cases of Alzheimer's dementia. One study found that ginkgo performed just as well as the recently developed pharmaceutical drug, Donepezil, used to treat Alzheimer's dementia. Yet, the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study provided evidence that ginkgo does not prevent dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Currently, no modern medication or alternative remedy has shown to actually diminish the effects of dementia.
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea is used by one third of the U.S. population to treat the common cold. Echinacea is also known to contain a natural antibiotic known as echinacoside, which can kill bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.
Warning: Use of echinacea is discouraged during pregnancy.
To date, clinical trials testing the efficacy of echinacea indicate a glimmer of supporting science. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics provided the findings of a clinical trial using echinacea to treat the common cold. The trial's findings showed that both the severity and duration of the cold decreased after taking echinacea upon the first indications of cold symptoms.
Soy
Glycine max soy beans are a source of many nutrients including thiamin, fiber, riboflavin, vitamin E, selenium, potassium, magnesium, and iron. Soy is a source of complete protein. Additionally, soy is a source of phytochemicals (plant chemicals), most notably isoflavins (a type of plant hormone). Soy is best known for its ability to lower the risk of heart disease. In the area of women's health soy is thought to lessen hot flashes resulting from menopause.
Warning: Consuming large amounts of a soy supplement is inadvisable especially for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Despite strong claims as to soy's effects on lowering cholesterol and reducing risk of heart disease a stream of conflicting scientific has emerged. The American Heart Association (AHA) does not stand by any evidence that supports soy protein or isoflavins as contributing to significantly lowering blood pressure. The review of 22 clinical trials convened by the AHA found that soy does not lower the risk of heart disease. Additionally, the AHA soy studies concluded that menopausal hot flashes were not decreased through soy protein or isoflavins.
Saw Palmetto
Serenoa repens or Sabal serrulatum - Saw palmetto supplement is an extract derived from olive-size berries of a small palm plant native to the southeastern part of the United States. Saw palmetto extract is commonly known for its effect on prostate cancer but has also been associated with improved digestion, relief of painful menstruation and reducing mucus due to cough, laryngitis, and asthma.
Warning: Use of saw palmetto is discouraged during pregnancy.
Researchers have studied saw palmetto in hopes of finding evidence of beneficial effects on prostate cancer. More than 20 trials have shown a mild to moderate improvement in symptoms related to prostate cancer due to the saw palmetto extract but the National Institutes of Health (NIH) disagrees. The New England Journal of Medicine published a federally funded study finding no difference in the effects produced on the men's prostate condition due to saw palmetto extract.
Given the above, scientific evidence supporting the many claims of the top five most used supplements is inconsistent. Consumers would be ill-advised to invest in a supplement regimen without first consulting a physician and educating themselves on dietary supplement product claims, contradictions, and possible side effects.