Dietary Supplement Ingredients
Author: Montana Food & Consumer Safety
Montana Food & Consumer Safety Program
Almost every month, I will be highlighting ingredients that are not conventional food, generally recognized as safe, or an approved food additive. Certain substances are known to have physical effects on the body beyond ordinary growth and maintenance of healthy bodily functions, therefore inclusion into regular food groups would diminish certainty that their use would not be harmful under intended, common or usual conditions. These ingredients would be regulated as a dietary supplements.
July’s dietary ingredient is Willow bark (Salix spp). Currently, this product is only allowed in commerce as a dietary supplement. It can be manufactured as a single dietary ingredient or within a dietary supplement containing multiple ingredients. Willow bark is promoted to ease pain and reduce inflammation, it is believed that salicin, a chemical similar to aspirin, is responsible for these effects. Some studies show that other components of willow bark, polyphenols and flavonoids, have antioxidant, fever-reducing, antiseptic, and immune-boosting properties (Chrubasik et. al, 2007). Although the use of willow bark dates back to the time of Hippocrates (400 BC), more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness.
Side effects may be mild, but it is cautioned that those who have allergies to aspirin should not use willow bark. Research suggests that people with asthma, diabetes, gout, gastritis, hemophilia, stomach ulcers, kidney/liver issues should also avoid willow bark. The supplement may also interact with blood-thinning medications, beta blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methotrexate and phenytoin (Heck et. al, 2000). As with any supplement, please consult with your physician before using willow bark.
Remember, it is important that manufacturers follow all FDA dietary supplement regulations, including but not limited to, testing for strength, purity and composition of the active ingredient and creating written procedures for packaging, labeling and distribution.
Reference:
Chrubasik JE, Roufogalis BD, Chrubasik S. Evidence of effectiveness of herbal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of painful osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. Phytother Res. 2007 Jul;21(7):675-83. Review.
Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2000;57(13):1221-1227.
