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Natural Product Information/Dietary Supplements
UMKC Drug Information Center

The UMKC Drug Information Center’s definition of “natural products” includes not only herbs or other botanical medicines, but also mega-dose vitamins, minerals, amino acids, hormones, fatty acids and other chemical supplements taken for therapeutic or preventative purposes.

The UMKC Drug Information Center recognizes the importance of providing accurate and reliable information on natural products to the requestors who rely on our services.   Because there are differences in the knowledge, skills and resources needed to appropriately address inquiries in this area, a program in Natural Product Information was established within the UMKC Drug Information Center. 

UMKC Natural Product Information/Dietary Supplements Program

Mission Statement

To provide evidence-based drug information services and to maximize the quality of dietary supplement information available to industry, healthcare professionals, and consumers.  Provision of these services will allow manufacturers to produce safe and effective products, consumers to make informed self-care decisions and healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive and evidence-based pharmaceutical care.

Natural Product/Dietary Supplement Information Services:

• Provision of specific dietary supplement information upon request from faculty, students, healthcare providers, and consumers.

• Development of recommendations for use of dietary supplements based on a complete analysis of available evidence.

• Development of print and electronic information resources.

• Education of Pharm.D. students and candidates in their last year of experiential learning.

• Development of educational materials for healthcare professionals, students, and consumers.

• Collaborations in research.

• Development of independent research projects.

• Maintenance and development of a comprehensive library of natural product/dietary supplement information sources.

• Editorial and review services for publications on natural product/dietary supplement topics.

• A two-year, post-Pharm.D. fellowship program in natural product information and research

The UMKC Drug Information Center provides this listing of resources as a service.  These are books and websites sites that we have reviewed and can recommend in general.  However, it must be remembered that NO information source is perfect; specific information should be verified by additional sources.  Always discuss use of any natural products with your primary healthcare provider and your pharmacist. 

Books

Natural Health Bible, 2nd edition

Steven Bratman

Prima Publishing, 2000 

This is a high quality reference for consumers.  The primary flaw in this resource is associated with its references, which are stated to be listed on a website that is no longer available. 

The Pocket Herbal

Rita Elkins  

Woodland Publishing, 2002

This is a very small book that contains a surprising amount of high quality information, although not as much discussion as some other references.  Very easy to use.

The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines

Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D., and Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D., editors
Springhouse Corporation, 2000

This is a consumer-friendly version of a book designed for healthcare professionals.  It contains quick and easy-to-use information based on the available science.   It also includes fairly good information on interactions with pharmaceutical medications.  

Websites and Electronic Media

ConsumerLab.com

Consumer Lab is an independent laboratory that purchases dietary supplement products off the shelf and tests them to see if the supplements actually contain the labeled contents.  Results are published on the website.  These tests do not ensure that a supplement works for an intended purpose, only that the bottle contains what the label says it does.  Some information is available without charge, but a subscription, currently $30 per year, is required for full information.  The site also offers an Encyclopedia of Natural Product Information that, while not comprehensive, is considered fairly reliable.   

Office of Dietary Supplements

http://ods.od.nih.gov/

This is a collection of scientific information about common supplements.  There is also information about safety related supplement recalls.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine 

http://nccam.nih.gov

This is the government funded center for research into the safety and effectiveness of natural  products.

Questions to Keep in Mind When Deciding to Take a Dietary Supplement

• Is it necessary?
• Is it safe?

• Is it safe for me?

• Does it interact with anything else I am taking?

• Does it work?

• What do I expect this supplement to do for me?

• Is this a realistic expectation?

Questions in Keep in Mind When Purchasing a Particular Dietary Supplement

• Do I know which is the best formulation?

• Do I know if it needs to be standardized?

• Do I know about the recommended dose?

• Do I know if particular brands have been used in studies with positive results?

• Do I know if this particular supplement carry any special quality concerns?