Volume 72 Number 3 May 2005	back to contents

Director, Metabolic Support, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY.

Address all correspondence to Jeffrey I. Mechanick, M.D., 1192 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10128; email: jmechanick@aol.com

Adapted from a Grand Rounds presentation to the Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, on May 18, 2004, and updated as of October 2004.

ABSTRACT

The rational use of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals (DS/N) is based on objective evaluation of the clinical evidence as well as subjective evaluation of the risks, benefits, economic costs, and potential drug interactions. Since the use of DS/N has skyrocketed, physicians must learn about them in order to better communicate with and care for their patients. There are many evidence-based and rational uses for DS/N, but profiteering and quackery must be avoided at all costs.

KEYWORDS

Dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, alternative care.

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