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Supplements serve ‘an important function’ and are appropriately regulated
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Researchers and drugmakers are investigating probiotics for the treatment of several diseases. Companies are permitted to sell probiotics directly to consumers, provided no specific disease claims are marketed. However, a recent analysis found no discernible effect of probiotics on the fecal microbiota composition in healthy adults.
Infectious Disease News spoke with Daniel J. Merenstein, MD, director of research programs and associate professor in the department of family medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center, about the role of supplements such as probiotics and whether they are adequately regulated.
It is clear to me from seeing patients, conducting research and being a father that supplements play an important function in our current health care system. The manner in which supplements such as probiotics are sold makes sense, and in most instances works well for all involved. However, there are exceptions to this, and that is generally when companies do not follow the regulatory rules for supplements and promote unproven or dangerous products. Additional regulation will not prevent the few problems that have arisen, as we have witnessed similar problems with drugs that are heavily regulated.
For the general healthy public, there is a role for supplements, be it probiotics, St. John’s wort, melatonin or multivitamins. Supplements come in many forms, such as vitamins, minerals and herbals, among others. Many of these have been used for hundreds of years and have a long safety and efficacy record. For symptoms like mildly disturbed sleep, occasional constipation, or bloating, a consumer does not need to see a physician, and using a well-studied supplement plays an important role in our health care system.
For example, when I see a generally healthy patient for cough, I recommend honey. The next time this patient gets a mild cough it makes sense for them to try a honey supplement, and this does not need additional government regulation. When I see people who have irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms such as occasional diarrhea, constipation or bloating, probiotic supplements often greatly help them. As any patient will tell you, there are many supplement products that they use for things like constipation that have greatly helped them, and they do not need to see a physician before trying these products.
There is clearly an important role for government regulation, but we do not need to overregulate products that are safe, well-studied and have a history of valuable use. Supplements have done wonders in our country to allow patients, and even people before they are patients, to self-treat and to see what works and what does not work. This does not mean advertising should be misleading, and companies still need to clearly advertise based on science. The United States’ supplement approach has worked for many years and additional regulation is not necessary at this time.
- Reference:
- Kristensen NB, et al. Genome Medicine. 2016;doi:10.1186/s13073-016-0300-5.
Disclosure: Merenstein reports relationships with Bayer, General Mills, Nestle and Procter & Gamble.