National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Perspectives on Clinical Research Involving Natural Products.

The sales of dietary supplements continue to increase year after year. Despite their use by a large percentage of Americans, there is little evidence for the vast majority of products regarding their safety or efficacy. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health supports a broad range of research on dietary supplements, including clinical trials. Our experience with these trials has shaped our current policies and priorities for clinical research. This perspective outlines those policies and priorities that are shaping our investments going forward. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The sales of dietary supplements continue to increase year after year. Despite their use by a large percentage of Americans, there is little evidence for the vast majority of products regarding their safety or efficacy. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health supports a broad range of research on dietary supplements, including clinical trials. Our experience with these trials has shaped our current policies and priorities for clinical research. This perspective outlines those policies and priorities that are shaping our investments going forward.