Nutraceuticals: Separating the wheat from the chaff

Borchers, A; Keen, C; Stern, J; Gershwin, M

Nutraceuticals: Separating the wheat from the chaff

Authors

Andrea T. Borchers
Carl L. Keen
Judy S. Stern
M. Eric Gershwin

Authors Affiliations

A.T. Borchers is Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Nutrition, UC Davis; C.L. Keen is Chair and Professor, Department of Nutrition, UC Davis; J.S. Stern is Professor, Department of Nutrition, UC Davis; M.E. Gershwin is Chief and Professor, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, UC Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 54(5):26-32. DOI:10.3733/ca.v054n05p26. September 2000.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

Foods provide nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrate and fat and a host of other nonessential nutrients that may confer health benefits. Some “nutraceuticals” have been found to boost the immune system, enhance memory function and possibly slow the aging process. For example, flavonoids — which are found in red wine, purple grape juice, green tea and cocoa products — exhibit potent antioxidant activity in laboratory experiments and have been postulated to protect against coronary artery disease and reduce the risk of cancer. Recognizing potential health benefits from flavonoids and other plant extracts, some manufacturers are creating “functional” foods by fortifying, bioengineering and otherwise modifying foods so that they contain higher than normal concentrations of these components. With the exception of echinacea, St. John's wort and Ginkgo biloba, there is a paucity of scientific data for the majority of botanicals sold in health food stores and supermarkets. At the same time, adverse reactions to some botanicals have been documented in humans. Many would argue that government regulation of botanicals is inadequate. Further studies and comprehensive databases are needed to establish the safety and efficacy of popular and widely consumed dietary supplements.

References

Borchers AT, Keen CL, Hannum S, Gershwin ME. Cocoa and chocolate: Composition, bioavailability and health implications. J Med Food. 2000.

Consumer Reports. Herbal roulette. 1995. 60(11):698-705.

Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, et al. Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990–1997: Results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA. 1998. 280:1569-75. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.280.18.1569 PubMed PMID: 9820257

Eisenberg DM, Kessler RC, Foster C, et al. Unconventional medicine in the United States: Prevalence, costs and patterns of use. N Engl J Med. 1993. 328:246-52. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199301283280406 PubMed PMID: 8418405

[FDA] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 1994. Accessed October 2000 http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/-dms/dietsupp.html

Hertog MGL, Feskens EJM, Hollman PCH, et al. Dietary antioxidant flavonoids and risk of coronary heart disease: The Zutphen elderly study. Lancet. 1993. 342:1007-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-6736(93)92876-U PubMed PMID: 8105262

Hertog MGL, Kromhout D, Aravanis C, et al. Flavonoid intake and long-term risk of coronary disease and cancer in the seven countries study. Arch Intern Med. 1995. 155:381-6. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.155.4.381 PubMed PMID: 7848021

Institute of Medicine, Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium and Carotenoids. 2000. Washington DC: National Academy Press.

Kanowski S, Herrmann WM, Stephan K, et al. Proof of efficacy of the Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in outpatients suffering from mild to moderate primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type or multi-infarct dementia. Pharmacopsychiatry. 1996. 29:47-56. PubMed PMID: 8741021

Kleijnen J, Knipschild P. Ginkgo biloba for cerebral insufficiency. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1992. 34:352-8. PubMed PMID: 1457269

Knekt P, Jarvinen R, Reunanen A, Maatela J. Flavonoid intake and coronary mortality in Finland: A cohort study. Brit Med J. 1996. 312:478-81. PubMed PMID: 8597679

Kondo K, Hirano R, Matsumoto A, et al. Inhibition of LDL oxidation by cocoa. Lancet. 1996. 348:1514-https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(05)65927-2 PubMed PMID: 8942794

Kruger RM. The herb garden grows. Discount Merchandiser. 1998. 1998:45-7.

Laakmann G, Schule C, Baghai T, Kieser M. St Johna's wort in mild to moderate depression: The relevance of hyperforin for the clinical efficacy. Pharmacopsychiatry. 1998. 31(Suppl 1):54-9. PubMed PMID: 9684948

Le Bars PL, Katz MM, Berman N, et al. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of an extract of Ginkgo biloba for dementia. JAMA. 1997. 278:1327-32. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.278.16.1327 PubMed PMID: 9343463

Lenoir S, Degenring FH, Sailer R. A double-blind randomised trial to investigate three different concentrations of a standardised fresh plant extract obtained from the shoot tips of Hypericum perforatum. L Phytomedicine. 1999. 6:141-6.

Lotito SB, Fraga CG. (+)-Catechin prevents human plasma oxidation. Free Rad Biol Med. 1998. 24:435-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-5849(97)00276-1 PubMed PMID: 9438556

Melchart D, Walther E, Linde K, et al. Echinacea root extracts for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections. Arch Fam Med. 1998. 7:541-5. https://doi.org/10.1001/archfami.7.6.541 PubMed PMID: 9821828

Mizuno M, Yamada J, Terai H, et al. Differences in the immunomodulating effects between wild and cultured Panax ginseng.. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1994. 200:1672-8. https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1994.1644 PubMed PMID: 8185624

Piscitelli SC, Burstein AH, Chaitt D, et al. Indinavir concentrations and St. John's wort. Lancet. 2000. 355:547-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(99)05712-8 PubMed PMID: 18331987

Potter JD, Steinmetz K., Stewart BW, McGregor D, Kleihues P. Vegetables, fruit and phytoestrogens as preventive agents. Principles of Chemo-prevention. 1996. Lyon, France: IARC Scientific Publications. p. p61-90.

Radice C. Herbal poll. Progressive Grocer 1998. (May)p.141.

Rein D, Paglieroni TG, Wun T, et al. Cocoa inhibits platelet activation and function. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000. 72:30-5. PubMed PMID: 10871557

Ruschitzka R, Meier PJ, Turina M, et al. Acute heart transplant rejection due to St. John's wort. Lancet. 2000. 355:548-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(99)05467-7 PubMed PMID: 18331987

Scimone A, Scimone A. U.S. sees the green in herbal supplements. Chemical Market Reporter 1998. Jul13pp.FR3-4.

Stanley LL, Mazier MJP. Potential explanations for the French paradox. Nutr Res. 1999. 19:3-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0271-5317(98)00167-5

Terao J, Piskula M, Yao Q. Protective effect of epicatechin, epicatechin gallate and quercetin on lipid peroxidation in phospholipid bilayers. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1994. 308:278-84. https://doi.org/10.1006/abbi.1994.1039 PubMed PMID: 8311465

Wheatley D. LI 160, an extract of St. John's wort, versus amitriptyline in mildly to moderately depressed outpatients: A controlled 6-week clinical trial. Pharmacopsychiatry. 1997. 30(Suppl 2):77-80. PubMed PMID: 18331987

Wilhelm C. Growing pains in botanicals and herbal supplements. Chemical Market Reporter 1999. Nov8pp.FR12-3.

Williamson JS, Wyandt CM. The herbal generation: Legal and regulatory considerations. Drug Topics 1999. Apr19pp.101-10.

Also in this issue:

The impact of cotton plant resistance on spider mites and their natural enemies

We are what we eat: Ensuring safe and healthy food in the 21st century

Supplements may contain high doses

UC hosts food security symposium

UC center focuses on weight and health

School gardens produce food and lessons

What are the best strategies for achieving optimal nutrition?

Nutrition may influence toxicant susceptibility of children and elderly

Dietary flavonoids may promote health, prevent heart disease

School-based gardens can teach kids healthier eating habits

Comprehensive studies are needed: Food security, biodiversity threatened by population growth

Global surveillance needed to prevent foodborne disease

Salmonella in sewage effluent raises ecological and food-safety concerns

Providing reliable supply of safe drinking water poses challenges

Emerging pathogens on the rise: How can waterborne illness be prevented?