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Many Americans Use CAM for Insomnia or Trouble Sleeping
More than 1.6 million U.S. adults are estimated to use complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) to treat insomnia or trouble sleeping, according to the results of a national survey published in the Sept. 18 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, a theme issue on sleep.
Researchers at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Bethesda, MD, analyzed data from a national survey of 31,044 adults conducted in 2002. Respondents answered one question about whether they had difficulty sleeping in the past 12 months and completed a 10-minute supplemental survey on the use of 27 types of CAM therapies. The interview also included questions about five other health conditions: depression and anxiety, congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Four items assessed behavior and motivation for using CAM therapies.
Of the adults interviewed, 17.4% reported that they had insomnia or trouble sleeping in the past year. Difficulty sleeping was more common in women than men, was most prevalent between ages 45 and 64, and was associated with obesity, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and anxiety or depression, but not diabetes. Of those with insomnia or trouble sleeping, 4.5% reported that they had used CAM to treat the condition, which is equal to about 1.62 million adults in the general population. Survey respondents who were younger and who had a higher level of education were more likely to use CAM to help them sleep; use of CAM was not related to having any of the five medical conditions studied.
Among those who use CAM therapies, 60.7% told their conventional physician. Sixty-five percent used biological methods, which include herbal medicines, diet interventions, and vitamin therapy, and 39% used mind-body therapies such as meditation. Fifty-six percent reported that the therapy was very important to their health and well-being.
Forty-nine percent of those who used herbal medicine and 48% of those who used relaxation therapy reported that CAM helped alleviate their condition. "Although the question asking whether the CAM therapy helped provide useful information on the public's perception of effectiveness of CAM therapies for insomnia or trouble sleeping, it does not directly address the efficacy of the CAM therapy," the authors write. "A positive answer to this question could be due to a placebo effect, the natural history of the condition, or other unidentified influences rather than efficacy of the CAM treatment." The survey results provide valuable information about the use of CAM that can guide future studies of whether these therapies are effective, they conclude.
2005 Bibliography Shows Significant Advances in Dietary Supplement Research
The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced the release of the 2005 issue of the Annual Bibliography of Significant Advances in Dietary Supplement Research. This seventh issue of the bibliography includes abstracts of 25 noteworthy dietary supplement research papers published in 2005, as judged by an international team of reviewers.
Compared with previous issues of the bibliography, this issue has more papers testing the efficacy of commercially available products against their marketed claims. The 2005 bibliography also includes papers on the efficacy of botanicals; effects of B vitamins, calcium, and vitamin D on fractures; interaction of mineral supplementation on mineral status; and effects of vitamin E on cardiovascular disease. Each of the 25 papers reports a study result that is of importance to the field of supplement research, as it describes mechanisms by which supplements act to create a health effect or provides a better understanding of the health effects in individuals.
Of more than 1,000 papers that were considered from 58 peer-reviewed journals, 261 were sent for evaluation to an international team of 50 scientific reviewers. The selection of the 25 papers to be included in the bibliography was based on the rankings of these scientists, who are recognized experts in the fields of nutrition, botanical sciences, and public health.
This year's issue was released Sept. 17 at the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo of the American Dietetic Association. Copies of the Annual Bibliography of Significant Advances in Dietary Supplement Research 2005 may be downloaded from the ODS web site at http://ods.od.nih.gov/Research/Annual_Bibliographies.aspx. Copies also may be requested by e-mail ([email protected]), or by writing to the Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, 6100 Executive Blvd., Room 3B01, MSC 7517, Bethesda, MD 20892-7517.
U.S. Marshals Seize Dietary Supplements Promoted with Drug Claims
At the request of the FDA, U.S. marshals have seized quantities of Ellagimax capsules, Coral Max capsules, Coral Max without Iron capsules, and Advanced Arthritis Support capsules distributed by Advantage Nutraceuticals LLC of Fort Walton Beach, FL. The products are valued at approximately $55,000 and are alleged to be in violation of the new drug and misbranding provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Although these products are labeled as "dietary supplements," they are being promoted with claims typically associated with drug products. These claims are evident in the products' labeling, including various promotional literature, an audio cassette tape, and two web sites owned and used by the firm (such as www.welcometoadvantage.com and www.welcome2advantage.com.)
Consumers are advised to consult with their physicians if they are taking these products. Advantage Nutraceuticals' labeling promotes and markets these products for serious disease conditions, including but not limited to cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and seizures.
Following an investigation of the firm's marketing practices, FDA advised Advantage Nutraceuticals that the claims related to prevention or treatment of diseases in many of its products' labeling make these products subject to regulation as drugs. Despite FDA's warnings, the firm failed to take sufficient steps to come into compliance with the Act. During subsequent inspections, FDA inspectors found that the offending claims were still being made.
More than 1.6 million U.S. adults are estimated to use complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) to treat insomnia or trouble sleeping.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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