NIH Cites Significant Supplement Research in Annual Bibliography

WASHINGTON—The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released its 2006 Annual Bibliography of Significant Advances in Dietary Supplement Research, produced in conjunction with the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), which highlights 25 of the most significant dietary supplement research advances of the past year. The papers were selected from approximately 300 articles that appeared in more than 45 peer-reviewed scientific journals. Among the cited studies were the potential of black cohosh on bone remodeling, ginkgo and omega-3 fatty acids in cognitive health, resveratrol as an anti-inflammatory, and vitamin D in reducing prostate cancer risk.

Several studies that were included were supported by industry suppliers and/or featured specialty ingredients. Among those:

• The Omega-3 Alzheimer’s Disease (OMEGAD) study showing memory decline could be halted in patients with early Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) when given a marine-based, omega-3 formula, used the EPAX 1050 TG (triglyceride) ingredient from EPAX AS (EPAX.com). In the double blind, placebo-controlled trial, 204 patients with early stage AD received EPAX 1050 TG or placebo for six months; all patients received the omega-3 formula for a subsequent six months. “The results from the OMEGAD study are very promising and have initiated an additional study funded by [NIH], which investigates the effects of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Morten Bryhn, M.D., Ph.D., the clinical supervisor of the OMEGAD study.

• A meta-analysis on the use of Echinacea for prevention of rhinovirus-induced colds, funded by A. Vogel Bioforce AG and conducted by Roland Schoop and Andy Suter from Bioforce AG, was also included on the NIH list. The meta-analysis identified 234 articles, but excluded 231 as they related to spontaneous colds, rather than induced colds. However, those studies suggest standardized extracts of Echinacea can prevent symptoms of the common cold. “Bioforce has always been a leader in the field of herbal research and we are delighted to have this recognized in the United States, where herbal products have been under such intense scrutiny,” said Pierce Siousatt, president of Bioforce USA. “We are proud to be part of the company that is leading the way in giving herbal medicine the scientific substantiation to support its traditional usage.”

• Vanderbilt University researchers reported selenium in the form of selenomethionine (as Selenium SeLECT, from Sabinsa Corp.) was better absorbed than as selenite or high-selenium yeast. Selenomethionine and yeast raised plasma selenium concentrations in a dose dependent manner; selenite did not. Urinary selenium excretion was greatest after selenomethionine. “This study further substantiates the fact that selenium in the form of selenomethionine, specifically our Selenium SeLECT compound, is more available to be absorbed and used by the body,” noted Vladimir Badmaev, M.D., Ph.D., vice president of scientific and medical affairs, Sabinsa.

• Two studies using specialty extracts from Schwabe Pharmaceuticals were included in the new NIH bibliography. The first examined the specialized Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® and found suggested the extract could suppress amyloid-beta-induced pathological behaviors, protect against amyloid-beta toxicity, and have therapeutic potential for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The second study reviewed the efficacy of St. John’s wort extract WS® 5570 compared with placebo in patients with depression; the researchers found 600 and 1,200 mg/d was more effective than placebo for management of mild to moderate major depression.

For more information, e-mail ods@nih.gov or visit http://ods.od.nih.gov/Annual_Bibliographies.aspx.

Share this article: Email, Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Yahoo!MyWeb, Windows Live Favorites, Furl
Add this article feed to: RSS, My Yahoo, Newsgator, Bloglines