by James Zipadelli

Created on: June 23, 2009   Last Updated: July 01, 2009

Millions of Americans take health supplements, but the National Health Interview Survey, conducted in 2007 by the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine and the National Center for Health Statistics shows just how widespread health supplements are. Here are some of the ten most popular health supplements.

Fish Oil/Omega 3 was used the most. Almost 4 in 10 respondents to the NCCAM survey reported using it. The American Heart Association says this fish oil is good for your heart. Their recommendation for people without coronary heart disease is to eat fish twice a week, which is healthier and has less saturated fat than meat.

Ginseng is another popular herbal supplement. It was used by 1 in six respondents in the survey. It is generally used to help the immune system. It is similar to the herbal supplement echinacea. NCCAM says of Asian ginseng, "Some studies have shown that Asian ginseng may lower blood glucose. Other studies indicate possible beneficial effects on immune function. To date, research results on Asian ginseng are not conclusive enough to prove health claims associated with the herb. Only a handful of large clinical trials on Asian ginseng have been conducted. Most studies have been small or have had flaws in design and reporting. Some claims for health benefits have been based only on studies conducted in animals." Ginseng's side affects include "headaches and sleep and gastrointestinal problems." It can also lower blood sugar in diabetic patients, NCCAM says.

Another popular supplement is Gingko biloba, or just Gingko, used by roughly one in 10 respondents. It is a leafy plant used to treat a variety of conditions. It is thought to help improve memory, to treat Alzheimer's disease or dementia and other health illnesses. CAM cautions that, although limited studies show some promise, more studies are needed.

NCCAM says of Gingko, "An NCCAM-funded study of the well-characterized ginkgo product, EGb-761, found it ineffective in lowering the overall incidence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in the elderly. Some smaller studies for memory enhancement have had promising results, but a trial sponsored by the National Institute on Aging of more than 200 healthy adults over age 60 found that ginkgo taken for 6 weeks did not improve memory. "

On side effects, NCCAM says, "Headache, nausea, gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, dizziness, or allergic skin reactions [are some of the risks]. More severe allergic reactions have

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