OBJECTIVE To determine the extent to which differences in sociodemographic, dietary and lifestyle characteristics exist between users of different types of dietary supplements and supplement non-users. DESIGN We analysed cross-sectional data obtained from self-administered questionnaires completed at baseline by participants in The Tomorrow Project; a prospective cohort study in Alberta, Cana...

This is a letter that aims to alert about local public health problem has become international where hidden and malicious laboratories create, without any regulation, supposed herbal supplements or supplements, however, investigating their formulation, it been shown they contain glucocorticoids other drugs generating very important risk, hoping get the message we try spread global medical commu...

BACKGROUND Many Americans are using alternative medical therapies as well as nutritional or dietary supplements that include vitamins, minerals, herbal products, tissue extracts, protein solutions, and other chemicals. Potential for both good and harm exists in taking many of these preparations. METHODS We surveyed 200 consecutive patients older than 18 years attending a family practice clini...

Herbal medicines are biochemically active compounds that have the potential to interact with drugs used in anesthesia. Lack of herbal standardization makes definitive diagnosis of herb-anesthesia interaction difficult. However, identified herbal use and an understanding of possible interactions can alert the anesthesia provider and raise suspicion of possible herb-related complications. In a re...

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common, reproductive endocrinopathy associated with serious short and long term health risks. Many women with PCOS use ingestible complementary medicines. This systematic review examined the effect on menstrual regulation and adverse effects from randomised controlled trials. METHODS Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared herbal or n...

OBJECTIVE To examine the use of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements in patients attending family practice clinics. DESIGN A prospective 1-year cohort study. SETTING Sixteen family practices in Calgary. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and eighteen patients (more than 18 years of age) were initially interviewed; 12 patients were lost to follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number and type of sup...

Introduction The continued use of herbal medicine in the United States and among members of Kaiser Permanente (KP) makes an updated review of this topic timely and important. Many pharmacies at KP facilities in Southern California now carry traditional herbal preparations. These “dietary supplements” are over-the-counter therapy that is not routinely screened for drug interaction by the pharmac...

Because the use of herbal therapies in the U.S. is escalating, it is essential to be aware of clinical and adverse effects, doses and potential drug-herb interactions. A consumer poll in 1998 indicated that one-third of respondents use botanical remedies, and nearly one in five taking prescription medications also used herbs, high-dose dietary supplements or both. An estimated 15 million adults...

INTRODUCTION Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder in which the interactions of genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences are thought to play a causal role. In humans, throughout embryonic and fetal life, brain development is exquisitely susceptible to injury caused by exposure to toxic chemicals present in the environment. Although the use of herbal supplements during pregnanc...