Better supplement oversight needed

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 72-year-old retired operating room nurse. I grow tired of seeing endless television advertisements for “holistic” remedies. None of these is approved by the Food and Drug Administration nor has been proven to be effective in the treatment of any illness. Yet thousands, if not millions, of Americans continue to use them to treat themselves for real or imagined illnesses. — N.E.O.

Well, that’s certainly one end of the spectrum of opinion about these treatments, and there is indeed some truth to what you say: For many chronic illnesses, a cure is beyond the reach of medicine at this time.

Now let me disagree, at least a little. Many people get relief from symptoms using overthe-counter medications, herbal preparations or supplements.

I am cautious to use the word “holistic,” since to me that term means being concerned with all aspects of a person’s condition: mental, physical, spiritual, and their relationships with others and within their community. It’s the kind of care we all want and that should be attempted to be provided by all medical providers, regardless of background and orientation. “Holistic” is not at all the same as herbal or complimentary. I often evaluate the medical claims of herbal preparations or supplements when people write me, and some of them have good evidence that they are effective. The possible benefit must be weighed against possible harm, and sometimes the decision to take a supplement is rational, as long as people are aware of their limitations. Personally, I would like to see greater oversight on supplements. I feel they should be required to show that they are safe and effective for what they are marketed for, and tested to prove they contain what they say and not ingredients that they shouldn’t contain.