Safety and performance benefits of arginine supplements for military personnel: a systematic review.

Context: Dietary supplements are widely used by military personnel and civilians for promotion of health.

Objective: The objective of this evidence-based review was to examine whether supplementation with l-arginine, in combination with caffeine and/or creatine, is safe and whether it enhances athletic performance or improves recovery from exhaustion for military personnel.

Data Sources: Information from clinical trials and adverse event reports were collected from 17 databases and 5 adverse event report portals.

An evaluation of the cognitive and mood effects of an energy shot over a 6h period in volunteers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over study.

Energy drinks are widely available mostly containing glucose, and several have been demonstrated to improve alertness and cognitive function; these effects generally being identified 30-60min after administration. The present study assessed whether an energy shot without carbohydrates would affect major aspects of cognitive function and also mood in volunteers over a 6h time period. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled,crossover study compared the acute effects of the energy shot with a matching placebo in 94 healthy volunteers.

United States pharmacopeia safety evaluation of spirulina.

The Dietary Supplements Information Expert Committee (DSI-EC) of the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) reviews the safety of dietary supplements and dietary supplement ingredients for the purpose of determining whether they should be admitted as quality monographs into the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary (USP-NF). The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has enforcement authority to pursue a misbranding action in those instances where a dietary supplement product indicates that it conforms to USP standards but fails to so conform. Recently DSI-EC undertook a safety evaluation of spirulina, a widely used dietary ingredient.

Effects of Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) berry preparation on metabolic parameters in a healthy overweight population: a pilot study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of açai fruit pulp on risk factors for metabolic disorders in overweight subjects. The açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), which is native to South America, produces a small, black-purple fruit which is edible.

A proprietary alpha-amylase inhibitor from white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): a review of clinical studies on weight loss and glycemic control.

Obesity, and resultant health hazards which include diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, are worldwide medical problems. Control of diet and exercise are cornerstones of the management of excess weight. Foods with a low glycemic index may reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease as well as their complications.

Proprietary arabinogalactan extract increases antibody response to the pneumonia vaccine: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study in healthy volunteers.

Background: Arabinogalactan from Larch tree (Larix spp.) bark has previously demonstrated immunostimulatory activity. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that ingestion of a proprietary arabinogalactan extract, ResistAid™, would selectively enhance the antibody response to the pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine in healthy adults.

Lowering the glycemic index of white bread using a white bean extract.

Background: Phase 2((R)) is a dietary supplement derived from the common white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Phase 2 has been shown to inhibit alpha-amylase, the complex carbohydrate digesting enzyme, in vitro. The inhibition of alpha-amylase may result in the lowering of the effective Glycemic Index (GI) of certain foods.

Evaluation of Mangosteen juice blend on biomarkers of inflammation in obese subjects: a pilot, dose finding study.

Background: The ability to reduce inflammation in overweight and obese individuals may be valuable in preventing the progression to metabolic syndrome with associated risks for heart disease and diabetes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of multiple dosages of a proprietary Mangosteen Juice blend on indicators of inflammation and antioxidant levels in obese patients with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

Methods: The study was an 8 week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with a pre-study 2 week washout period.

The state of dietary supplement adverse event reporting in the United States.

Purpose: The Dietary Supplements Information Expert Committee (DSI-EC; the Committee) of the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) reviews safety profiles of dietary supplements before development of USP-National Formulary (USP-NF) quality monographs. Because the veracity of dietary supplement adverse event reports (DS AERs) directly affects DSI-EC safety reviews, the Committee reviewed the current status of DS AER reporting in the US.

Methods: DSI-EC reviewed PubMed searches, information from the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch program, the Toxic Exposure Surveillance System (TESS) of the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), and reports from US and other agencies.

Safety of green tea extracts : a systematic review by the US Pharmacopeia.

Green tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] is the fourth most commonly used dietary supplement in the US. Recently, regulatory agencies in France and Spain suspended market authorization of a weight-loss product containing green tea extract because of hepatotoxicity concerns.

United States Pharmacopeia review of the black cohosh case reports of hepatotoxicity.

Objective: Black cohosh [Actaea racemosa L., formerly Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt.