JULY-AUGUST 2013 NEWS

July - The Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences had a special issue on resveratrol, a compound found in red wine that has been promoted as a dietary supplement. One paper, by authors associated with a supplier of resveratrol (Raederstorff, Kunz, and Schwager, 1290, 136-141 (2013) Abstract), concluded that resveratrol is a “promising new health ingredient. Thus, supplementation with resveratrol may be included in nutritional and lifestyle programs aiming to reduce the risk of vascular and obesity-related problems.” Another paper (Poulsen et al., 1290, 74-82 (2013) Abstract) was more critical: “Despite the substantial preclinical evidence, human clinical data are very scarce, and even though the compound is widely distributed as an over-the-counter human nutritional supplement, its therapeutic rationale has not been well characterized.”

July - Hendren (Child Adolesc. Psychiatric Clin. N. Am. 22, 443-456 (2013) Abstract) discussed alternative and complementary treatments for autism. In general, “there is little evidence from well-conducted randomized controlled trials (RCT) to support claims of efficacy or safety...Three agents with a rationale for use with ASD [autistic spectrum disorders], at least one RCT showing efficacy, and safety data include melatonin, omega-3 [fatty acids], and micronutrients. Additional agents with promise include N-acetylcysteine and methylcobalamin (methyl B12), digestive enzymes, and memantine.”

July 5 - Reid (Nutrients 5, 2522-2529 (2013) Paper) reviewed “Cardiovascular Effects of Calcium Supplements.” Trials of calcium supplements were found to increase the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. “Thus, the non-skeletal risks of calcium supplements appear to outweigh any skeletal benefits.”

July 23 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Warning, “Beware of Illegally Sold Diabetes Treatments,” dealing with “products promising to prevent, treat, and even cure diabetes.” Products include dietary supplements, ayurvedic drugs, and homeopathic drugs. Some products claiming to be “all natural” contain conventional prescription drugs. Illegal products can be directly harmful or can cause users to avoid getting needed effective treatments.

August – The Journal of Family Practice has published one of its PURLs (Priority Updates from the Research Literature) on the subject “Should You Still Recommend Omega-3 Supplements?” (62, 422-424 (2013)), based on a 2012 meta-analysis by Rizos et al. (JAMA 308, 1024-1033). The authors conclude: “Probably not. A new meta-analysis adds to a growing body of evidence that omega-3 fatty acids do little to protect against heart disease.”

August – In a Tools for Practice article, Singal, Banh, and Allan (Can. Fam. Physician 59, 847 (2013)) concluded that “Current evidence does not support the routine use of multivitamins to reduce mortality, CVD [cardiovascular disease], or cancer for people in developed countries.”

August – The FDA has issued a Consumer Update entitled “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Don’t Be Misled.” While there are some FDA-approved medical uses for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, many other uses are promoted for which there is no evidence of effectiveness. Moreover, these present several risks.

August – A review of tai chi for osteoarthritis of the knee found “moderate evidence for short-term improvement of pain, physical function and stiffness” (Lauche et al., Complement. Ther. Med. 21, 396-406 (2013) Abstract).

August 15 – A Cochrane Collaboration Review concluded that “There is insufficient evidence describing the efficacy of acupuncture to induce labour.”

August 20 – Another Cochrane Review concluded that “There is limited evidence suggesting probiotics may be effective in treating persistent diarrhoea in children,” but that “this review is limited by few trials with small number of participants, and therefore may not represent a reliable estimate of probiotics’ effect.”

August 21 – Green tea extract is used in many dietary supplements. Patel and others reported a case of acute liver failure, likely from the use of a weight-loss product containing the extract (World J. Gastroenterol. 19, 5174-5177 (2013) Paper). The authors note that “there have been several recent reports that demonstrate hepatotoxicity following the consumption of green tea extract.”