Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Dietary Supplement Use in Older Adults

  • Nutrition and Aging (MC Serra, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Nutrition Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Dietary supplement (DS) use among older adults in the USA is prevalent, and thus, healthcare professionals need to be aware of how to best advise this population. The purpose of this review is to highlight key considerations for assessing the potential benefits and risks of supplementation and for evaluating the quality, safety, and efficacy of supplement use specific to older adults.

Recent Findings

Nutrient deficiencies and risk of malnutrition among older adults can result from decreased appetite with aging, poor dietary intake, and nutrient depletions from medications (among many other factors). Nutrient deficiencies are common in this population and could have a negative impact on neurological and cardiovascular health, mood, immune function, vision, blood sugar control, and bone strength. In certain circumstances, older adults may benefit from supplementation. However, risk of choking and concomitant use of DS and prescription medications (which can increase risk of drug-nutrient interactions) are concerns with supplementation.

Summary

Decision-making around appropriateness of supplementation for older adults should be determined by nutrition screening and based on individual need. Healthcare providers, especially registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), should work with patients to identify quality products and benefits/risks of supplement use.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. National Institute of Health. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. Published 1994. https://ods.od.nih.gov/About/DSHEA_Wording.aspx#sec3;2016.

  2. Gahche J, Bailey R, Burt V, Hughes J, Yetley E, Dwyer J, et al. Dietary supplement use among U.S. adults has increased since NHANES III (1988–1994). NCHS Data Brief 2011;(61):1–8.

  3. Bailey RL, Gahche JJ, Miller PE, Thomas PR, Dwyer JT. Why US adults use dietary supplements. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(5):355–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kantor ED, Rehm CD, Du M, White E, Giovannucci EL. Trends in dietary supplement use among US adults from 1999-2012. JAMA. 2016;316(14):1464–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. •• Dickinson A, MacKay D. Health habits and other characteristics of dietary supplement users: a review. Nutr J. 2014:13–4. This review summarizes key findings from several years of NHANES data regarding the health habits of people who use dietary supplements

  6. •• Dickinson A, Blatman J, El-Dash N, Franco JC. Consumer usage and reasons for using dietary supplements: report of a series of surveys. J Am Coll Nutr. 2014;33(2):176–82. This report combines NHANES and CRN data from the past 5 years to explain the prevalence of dietary supplement use and reasons for use

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Bernstein M, Munoz N. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: food and nutrition for older adults: promoting health and wellness. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012;112(8):1255–77.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Wells JL, Dumbrell AC. Nutrition and aging: assessment and treatment of compromised nutritional status in frail elderly patients. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(1):67–79.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Harris D, Haboubi N. Malnutrition screening in the elderly population. J R Soc Med. 2005;98(9):411–4.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Payette H, Boutier V, Coulombe C, Gray-Donald K. Benefits of nutritional supplementation in free-living, frail, undernourished elderly people: a prospective randomized community trial. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002;102(8):1088–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. •• Geller AI, Shehab N, Weidle NJ, Lovegrove MC, Wolpert BJ, Timbo BB, et al. Emergency department visits for adverse events related to dietary supplements. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(16):1531–40. This study examined how many emergency department visits each year are due to adverse effects of dietary supplements, and found that many are due to difficulty swallowing and choking in older adults

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Qato DM, Alexander GC, Conti RM, Johnson M, Schumm P, Lindau ST. Use of prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements among older adults in the United States. JAMA. 2008;300(24):2867–78.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. •• Qato D, Wilder J, Schumm L, Gillet V, Alexander G. Changes in prescription and over-the-counter medication and dietary supplement use among older adults in the United States, 2005 vs 2011. AMA Intern Med. 2016;176(4):473–82. This study shows the prevalence of dietary supplement and pharmaceutical drug use in older adults and how high concomitant use and polypharmacy might lead to adverse drug-nutrient interactions

    Google Scholar 

  14. •• Kiefer DS, Chase JC, Love GD, Barrett BP. The overlap of dietary supplement and pharmaceutical use in the MIDUS National Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:823853. This study used findings from the MIDUS 2 study to show a large portion of the population is at risk for drug-supplement interactions

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplement products & ingredients. Published 2016. http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/ProductsIngredients/default.htm. Accessed 9 Oct 2016.

  16. Federal Trade Commission. Dietary supplements: an advertising guide for industry. Published 2001. https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/dietary-supplements-advertising-guide-industry. Accessed 10 Oct 2016.

  17. National Institute of Health. Dietary supplements: background information. Published 2011. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/DietarySupplements-HealthProfessional/. Accessed 10 Oct 2016.

  18. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. New dietary ingredients in dietary supplements—background for industry. Published 2016. http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/ucm109764.htm #what_info. Accessed 27 Dec 2016.

  19. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Facts about the current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs). Published 2015. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/Manufacturing/ucm169105.htm. Accessed 10 Oct 2016.

  20. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for industry: questions and answers regarding adverse event reporting and recordkeeping for dietary supplements as required by the dietary supplement and nonprescription drug consumer protection act . Published 2013. http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/DietarySupplements/ucm171383.htm. Accessed 16 Nov 2016.

  21. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Label claims for conventional foods and dietary supplements. Published 2016. http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/LabelingNutrition/ucm111447.htm. Accessed 10 Oct 2016.

  22. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA 101: dietary supplements. Published 2015. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm050803.htm #HowAreSupplementsRegulated. Accessed 10 Oct 2016.

  23. Clinical Management Series: Natural Medicines Database. Drug-supplement interactions. Published 2015. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/ce/CECourse.aspx?cs=naturalstandard&s=ND&pm=5&pc=15-102. Accessed 16 Nov 2016.

  24. Bailey RL, Gahche JJ, Lentino CV, Dwyer JT, Engel JS, Thomas PR, et al. Dietary supplement use in the United States, 2003-2006. J Nutr. 2011;141(2):261–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Block G, Jensen CD, Norkus EP, Dalvi TB, Wong LG, McManus JF, et al. Usage patterns, health, and nutritional status of long-term multiple dietary supplement users: a cross-sectional study. Nutr J. 2007;6:30.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Sebastian RS, Cleveland LE, Goldman JD, Moshfegh AJ. Older adults who use vitamin/mineral supplements differ from nonusers in nutrient intake adequacy and dietary attitudes. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007;107(8):1322–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Council for Responsible Nutrition. The dietary supplement consumer. Published 2016. http://www.crnusa.org/CRNconsumersurvey/2015/. Accessed 10 Oct 2016.

  28. Harrison RA, Holt D, Pattison DJ, Elton PJ. Are those in need taking dietary supplements? A survey of 21 923 adults. Br J Nutr. 2004;91(4):617–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Radimer K, Bindewald B, Hughes J, Ervin B, Swanson C, Picciano MF. Dietary supplement use by US adults: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2000. Am J Epidemiol. 2004;160(4):339–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Blendon RJ, Benson JM, Botta MD, Weldon KJ. Users’ views of dietary supplements. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(1):74–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Chandra RK. Nutrition and the immune system from birth to old age. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002;56(Suppl 3):S73–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Burnett-Hartman AN, Fitzpatrick AL, Gao K, Jackson SA, Schreiner PJ. Supplement use contributes to meeting recommended dietary intakes for calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C in four ethnicities of middle-aged and older Americans: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109(3):422–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. High KP. Nutritional strategies to boost immunity and prevent infection in elderly individuals. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;33(11):1892–900.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Gariballa SE. Nutritional support in elderly patients. J Nutr Health Aging. 2000;4(1):25–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Heidelbaugh JJ. Proton pump inhibitors and risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency: evidence and clinical implications. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2013;4(3):125–33.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. de Jager J, Kooy A, Lehert P, Wulffele MG, van der Kolk J, Bets D, et al. Long term treatment with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes and risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency: randomised placebo controlled trial. BMJ. 2010;340:c2181.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. • Niafar M, Hai F, Porhomayon J, Nader ND. The role of metformin on vitamin B12 deficiency: a meta-analysis review. Intern Emerg Med. 2015;10(1):93–102. This review shows that metformin use is significantly associated with vitamin B12 deficiency and low serum B12 levels

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Gurley BJ, Fifer EK, Gardner Z. Pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions (part 2): drug interactions involving popular botanical dietary supplements and their clinical relevance. Planta Med. 2012;78(13):1490–514.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Gurley BJ. Pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions (part 1): origins, mechanisms, and the impact of botanical dietary supplements. Planta Med. 2012;78(13):1478–89.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Ge B, Zhang Z, Zuo Z. Updates on the clinical evidenced herb-warfarin interactions. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014;2014:doi:10.1155/2014/957362.

  41. Natural Medicines Database. Fish oil monograph. Published October 20, 2016. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed 20 Dec 2016.

  42. Therapeutic Research Center. Natural Medicines Database. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/. Accessed 28 Nov 2016.

  43. Guyonnet S, Rolland Y. Screening for malnutrition in older people. Clin Geriatr Med. 2015;31(3):429–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Neuhouser ML, Wassertheil-Smoller S, Thomson C, Aragaki A, Anderson GL, Manson JE, et al. Multivitamin use and risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease in the Women’s Health Initiative cohorts. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(3):294–304.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Pocobelli G, Peters U, Kristal AR, White E. Use of supplements of multivitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E in relation to mortality. Am J Epidemiol. 2009;170(4):472–83.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. • Rautiainen S, Lee IM, Rist PM, Gaziano JM, Manson JE, Buring JE, et al. Multivitamin use and cardiovascular disease in a prospective study of women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015;101(1):144–52. This prospective study showed that multivitamin use in women >45yrs. was not associated with cardiovascular disease and death

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Fortmann SP, Burda BU, Senger CA, Lin JS, Beil TL, O’Connor E, et al. Vitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplements for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer 2013;14–05199-EF-1.

  48. Gaziano JM, Sesso HD, Christen WG, Bubes V, Smith JP, MacFadyen J, et al. Multivitamins in the prevention of cancer in men: the Physicians’ Health Study II randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2012;308(18):1871–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  49. Chew EY, Clemons TE, Agron E, Sperduto RD, Sangiovanni JP, Kurinij N, et al. Long-term effects of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc on age-related macular degeneration: AREDS report no. 35. Ophthalmology. 2013;120(8):1604–11.e4.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  50. • Kennedy DO. B vitamins and the brain: mechanisms, dose and efficacy—a review. Nutrients. 2016;8(2):68. This review describes the synergistic interaction of B vitamins and the importance of adequate intake to promote optimal physiological and neurological health

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  51. Straub DA. Calcium supplementation in clinical practice: a review of forms, doses, and indications. Nutr Clin Pract. 2007;22(3):286–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. • Glaser TS, Doss LE, Shih G, Nigam D, Sperduto RD, Ferris 3rd FL, et al. The association of dietary lutein plus zeaxanthin and B vitamins with cataracts in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study: AREDS Report No. 37. Ophthalmology. 2015;122(7):1471–9. This study found that B vitamin supplementation is inversely associated with eye lens opacities in those 55-80 years old

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  53. Comerford KB. Recent developments in multivitamin/mineral research. Adv Nutr. 2013;4(6):644–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  54. Bailey RL, Carmel R, Green R, Pfeiffer CM, Cogswell ME, Osterloh JD, et al. Monitoring of vitamin B-12 nutritional status in the United States by using plasma methylmalonic acid and serum vitamin B-12. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;94(2):552–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  55. Langan R, Zawistoski K. Update on vitamin B12 deficiency. Am Fam Physician. 2011;83(12):1425–30.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. National Institute of Health, National Eye Institute. For the public: what AREDS means to you. Published May 2013. https://nei.nih.gov/areds2/PatientFAQ. Accessed 19 Dec 2016.

  57. • Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group, Chew EY, Clemons TE, Sangiovanni JP, Danis RP, Ferris 3rd FL, et al. Secondary analyses of the effects of lutein/zeaxanthin on age-related macular degeneration progression: AREDS2 report no. 3. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014;132(2):142–9. Findings from this analysis of the AREDS2 study found that lutein and zeaxanthin may be more effective supplements for preventing macular degeneration than beta-carotene, which can increase risk of lung cancer in smokers

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Goralczyk R. Beta-carotene and lung cancer in smokers: review of hypotheses and status of research. Nutr Cancer. 2009;61(6):767–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Lippman SM, Klein EA, Goodman PJ, Lucia MS, Thompson IM, Ford LG, et al. Effect of selenium and vitamin E on risk of prostate cancer and other cancers: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). JAMA. 2009;301(1):39–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, Simonetti RG, Gluud C. Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012;(3):CD007176.

  61. • Sahni S, Mangano KM, McLean RR, Hannan MT, Kiel DP. Dietary approaches for bone health: lessons from the Framingham osteoporosis study. Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2015;13(4):245–55. This review uses data from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study to evaluate which nutrients are important for supporting bone health and preventing osteoporosis.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  62. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D 2010.

  63. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin D fact sheet for health professionals. Published Feb 11, 2016. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional. Accessed 20 Dec 2016.

  64. Lehmann U, Hirche F, Stangl GI, Hinz K, Westphal S, Dierkes J. Bioavailability of vitamin D(2) and D(3) in healthy volunteers, a randomized placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98(11):4339–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Anderson JJ, Kruszka B, Delaney JA, He K, Burke GL, Alonso A, et al. Calcium intake from diet and supplements and the risk of coronary artery calcification and its progression among older adults: 10-year follow-up of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). J Am Heart Assoc. 2016;5(10):e003815.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  66. Michaelsson K, Melhus H, Warensjo Lemming E, Wolk A, Byberg L. Long term calcium intake and rates of all cause and cardiovascular mortality: community based prospective longitudinal cohort study. BMJ. 2013;346:f228.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  67. Theuwissen E, Smit E, Vermeer C. The role of vitamin K in soft-tissue calcification. Adv Nutr. 2012;3(2):166–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  68. • Singh JA, Noorbaloochi S, MacDonald R, Maxwell LJ. Chondroitin for osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;1:CD005614. This large review showed that chondroitin can improve pain scores in participants with osteoarthritis

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  69. Sawitzke AD, Shi H, Finco MF, Dunlop DD, Harris CL, Singer NG, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT. Ann Rheum Dis. 2010;69(8):1459–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  70. • Kuptniratsaikul V, Dajpratham P, Taechaarpornkul W, Buntragulpoontawee M, Lukkanapichonchut P, Chootip C, et al. Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts compared with ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter study. Clin Interv Aging. 2014;9:451–8. This study found that Curcuma domestica , a form of turmeric, may be as effective or more effective than ibuprofen for knee osteoarthritis pain

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  71. Kizhakkedath R. Clinical evaluation of a formulation containing Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata extracts in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Mol Med Rep. 2013;8(5):1542–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. • Belcaro G, Dugall M, Luzzi R, Ledda A, Pellegrini L, Cesarone MR, et al. Meriva(R)+glucosamine versus condroitin+glucosamine in patients with knee osteoarthritis: an observational study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2014;18(24):3959–63. This small study found that, when taken together, Meriva ® and glucosamine sulfate can act faster and have better outcomes than chondrotin for osteoarthritis pain

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. • Boden WE, Sidhu MS, Toth PP. The therapeutic role of niacin in dyslipidemia management. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. 2014;19(2):141–58. This review explains how niacin can reduce LDL and increase HDL levels, and lower incidence of MI and stroke

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Natural Medicines Database. Niacin monograph. Published September 22, 2016. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed 19 Dec 2016.

  75. Natural Medicines Database. Coenzyme Q-10. Published February 2015. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed 19 Dec 2016.

  76. • Skarlovnik A, Janic M, Lunder M, Turk M, Sabovic M. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation decreases statin-related mild-to-moderate muscle symptoms: a randomized clinical study. Med Sci Monit. 2014;20:2183–8. This study found that Coenzyme Q10 supplementation is beneficial in reducing statin-related muscular symptoms

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  77. Littarru GP, Tiano L. Clinical aspects of coenzyme Q10: an update. Nutrition. 2010;26(3):250–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Fotino AD, Thompson-Paul AM, Bazzano LA. Effect of coenzyme Q(10) supplementation on heart failure: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;97(2):268–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Delgado-Lista J, Perez-Martinez P, Lopez-Miranda J, Perez-Jimenez F. Long chain omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. Br J Nutr. 2012;107(Suppl 2):S201–13.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. • Sala-Vila A, Guasch-Ferre M, Hu FB, Sanchez-Tainta A, Bullo M, Serra-Mir M, et al. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid, marine omega-3 fatty acids, and mortality in a population with high fish consumption: findings from the PREvencion con DIeta MEDiterranea (PREDIMED) Study. J Am Heart Assoc 2016;5(1): doi:10.1161/JAHA.115.002543. This longitudinal study found that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with decreased risk for fatal CVD and CHD.

  81. Whitsitt V, Beehner C, Welch C. The role of good manufacturing practices for preventing dietary supplement adulteration. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2013;405(13):4353–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Maughan RJ. Quality assurance issues in the use of dietary supplements, with special reference to protein supplements. J Nutr. 2013;143(11):1843S–7S.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. ConsumerLab.com. About ConsumerLab.com. Published 2016. https://www.consumerlab.com. Accessed 17 Nov 2016.

  84. Natural Products Insider. FDA GMP inspectors cite 70% of dietary supplement firms. Published 2013. https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/news/2013/05/fda-gmp-inspectors-cite-70-of-dietary-supplement.aspx. Accessed 30 Jan 2017.

  85. •• Akabas SR, Vannice G, Atwater JB, Cooperman T, Cotter R, Thomas L. Quality certification programs for dietary supplements. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116(9):1370–9. This paper from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics outlines some of the quality certification programs available for supplement manufacturers and current regulations surrounding dietary supplement production, advertising, and sales

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Informed Choice. Wada banned substance testing services. Published 2016. http://www.informed-choice.org/ #view_services. Accessed 16 Nov 2016.

  87. NSF International. Dietary supplements. Published 2016. http://www.nsf.org/services/by-industry/dietary-supplements. Accessed 16 Nov 2016.

  88. The United States Pharmacopeial Convention. Dietary supplements. Published 2016. http://www.usp.org/dietary-supplements/overview. Accessed 16 Nov 2016.

  89. Allen L, Bond JT, Kingston R, Mahady G, McDermott JH, McQueen CE, et al. A healthcare professional’s guide to evaluating dietary supplements 2000.

  90. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Beware of fraudulent dietary supplements. Published 2011. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm246744.htm. Accessed 30 Jan 2017.

  91. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements—adverse event reporting. Published 2016. http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/ReportAdverseEvent/. Accessed 17 Nov 2016.

  92. Ventola CL. Current issues regarding complementary and alternative Medicine (CAM) in the United States: part 2: regulatory and safety concerns and proposed governmental policy changes with respect to dietary supplements. P T. 2010;35(9):514–22.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  93. Marra MV, Boyar AP. Position of the American dietetic association: nutrient supplementation. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109(12):2073–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. • Cohen PA, Maller G, DeSouza R, Neal-Kababick J. Presence of banned drugs in dietary supplements following FDA recalls. JAMA. 2014;312(16):1691–3. This study found that many supplements that the FDA has recalled were still available for purchase for months to years after the recall

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Taylor CL. Regulatory frameworks for functional foods and dietary supplements. Nutr Rev. 2004;62(2):55–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Rakel D. Integrative medicine: Elsevier Health Science; 2012.

  97. • Levy I, Attias S, Ben Arye E, Goldstein L, Schiff E. Interactions between dietary supplements in hospitalized patients. Intern Emerg Med. 2016;11(7):917–27. This study found that supplement interactions are common in hospitalized patients, and use is often not documented in the medical chart

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106-4954, USA

    Stephanie R. Harris & Dana Goldberg

  2. Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science, Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA, USA

    Kelly Morrow

  3. The Center for Functional Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Brigid Titgemeier

Authors
  1. Stephanie R. Harris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kelly Morrow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Brigid Titgemeier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Dana Goldberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephanie R. Harris.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

Stephanie R. Harris, Kelly Morrow, Brigid Titgemeier, and Dana Goldberg declare they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Nutrition and Aging

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Harris, S.R., Morrow, K., Titgemeier, B. et al. Dietary Supplement Use in Older Adults. Curr Nutr Rep 6, 122–133 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-017-0198-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-017-0198-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation