The public health impact of herbs and nutritional supplements Journal Article
| Authors: | Cassileth, B. R.; Heitzer, M.; Wesa, K. |
| Article Title: | The public health impact of herbs and nutritional supplements |
| Abstract: | Dietary supplement use has increased exponentially in recent years despite the lack of regulatory oversight and in the face of growing safety concerns. This article provides an overview of the public health implications and safety concerns associated with dietary supplement use, especially by cancer patients. Botanical research is actively pursued at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) Integrative Medicine department. Work of the MSKCC Center for the Study of Botanical Immunomodulators is described, and guidelines for cancer patients' use of dietary supplements outlined. Herbs and other botanicals are complex, physiologically active agents, but little is known about most of the popular, widely available dietary supplements. Herbdrug interactions, a major concern, are exacerbated in the cancer setting. Biologically active agents may interfere with chemotherapy and other prescription medications. They may exert anticoagulant activity at rather inconvenient times such as during surgery, and create other serious problems. Research on the bioavailability, effective dosage, safety, and benefits of these complex agents is sorely needed. Oncology professionals and other health care providers should educate themselves and their patients about these issues. Probably the largest, continuously updated free information resource is MSKCC's AboutHerbs website (www.mskcc.org/ AboutHerbs). © 2009 Informa UK Ltd. |
| Keywords: | cancer chemotherapy; drug safety; nonhuman; conference paper; paclitaxel; neoplasm; cancer prevention; bortezomib; estrogen; patient education; calcium; vincristine; practice guideline; food and drug administration; diet supplementation; vinblastine; prescription; phytoestrogen; drug research; intraoperative period; vitamin d; warfarin; tamoxifen; health care personnel; safety; omega 3 fatty acid; plant medicinal product; dietary supplements; botanicals; herbal medicines; legislation/jurisprudence; product labeling; astragalus extract; epigallocatechin gallate; fish oil; immunomodulating agent; letrozole; multivitamin; vinca alkaloid; anticoagulation; consumer; continuing education; drug bioavailability; drug dose; drug labeling; drug purity; drug quality; echinacea; ginkgo biloba; health; herb; herb drug interaction; optimal drug dose; taxus baccata |
| Journal Title: | Pharmaceutical Biology |
| Volume: | 47 |
| Issue: | 8 |
| ISSN: | 1388-0209 |
| Publisher: | Taylor & Francis Group |
| Date Published: | 2009-08-01 |
| Start Page: | 761 |
| End Page: | 767 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1080/13880200902991581 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC2771878 |
| PUBMED: | 19890479 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 2" - "Export Date: 30 November 2010" - "CODEN: PHBIF" - "Source: Scopus" |
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