Dietary supplement use: Consumer characteristics and interests

Four major issues should be considered in a discussion of what consumers need to know about supplements and herbal treatments. 1) Usage of supplements is changing as consumers are taking charge of their health and seeking alternative forms of medicine (Eisenberg et al. 1998, Gilbert 1999). 2) The characteristics of supplement users have been profiled in numerous academic and industrial surveys. However, even the best models based on consumers' characteristics can predict < 30% of diet-related behavior (Baranowski et al, 1999). 3) Experts in traditional medicine and nutrition lack information on supplements and herbals. The Practice and Policy Guidelines Panel of the National Institute of Health Office of Alternative Medicine (1997) stated that practices used in complementary and alternative medicine were "unsuitable for the development of evidence-based practice guidelines." Well-designed basic and clinical research is needed on the efficacy, bioavailability and safety of supplements and herbal medications. 4) It is debatable which agencies and professionals are the best gatekeepers of information on supplements and herbals. Significant numbers of consumers do not seem to rely on their physicians for information on alternative forms of medicine (Eisenberg 1997). Despite the obstacles, the traditional medical community (including nutritionists) should focus more research efforts on diet supplements and herbal treatments and increase training on these topics for students majoring in health care fields. Then health care professionals can mount high quality, targeted education programs for consumers.