Many Utahns using supplements
The Utah Natural Products Alliance director says a nationwide survey on people's use of complementary and alternative medicines affirms the effectiveness of dietary supplements, an industry that makes up a large portion of Utah's economic machine.
"It confirms what we've known for a long time," said Loren Israelsen, executive director of the natural product alliance. "That millions of people have continued to use numerous forms of alternative medicine. … It's cost effective and it works."
However, vocal critics of the herbal supplement industry lambasted the survey, saying there is no correlation between customer satisfaction and a product's effectiveness.
"I would say the industry is a scam," said Stephen Barrett, a retired psychiatrist who operates quackwatch.org. "Lots of people are extremely easy to fool."
Released last month by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2007 survey of more than 23,000 adults who were speaking for themselves and 9,000 adults who were speaking on behalf of a child in their house found that more than 1 in 9 children and teens use herbal supplements or some other form of alternative medicine. The study also found one in three adults uses complementary and alternative medicine.
Herbal supplements were the alternative medicine of choice among adults, children and teens, the study reports. Children were most likely to use echinacea for colds, as well as fish oils.
The survey polled people's use of numerous complementary and alternative medicines including dietary supplements, acupuncture, meditation and chiropractic care. Vitamin and mineral supplements were not counted, and the survey didn't gather information on folk medicine practices or religious healing.
The study also found children were five times more likely to use some form of alternative medicine if a parent or relative did so.
The percentage of adults who use complementary and alternative medicine increased slightly, from 36 percent in 2002 to 38 percent in 2007.
Israelsen said the survey shows dietary supplement effectiveness because people choose to continue using the products even during a slumping economy.
"If I use supplements and they don't work, why would I keep doing them?" he asked rhetorically. "Most consumers are practical about this thing, they wouldn't keep using supplements if they didn't work."
Despite current economic turmoil, dietary supplement sales remain strong for companies in Utah — the veritable global capital for the industry. More than 150 companies operate in Utah, Israelsen said, and contribute a revenue base of about $6 billion.
"As an industry in Utah, we're doing well," he said. "We're doing very well even in this tough economy."
Barrett, however, counters that consumer use and sales numbers are more indicative of sales strategies rather than product effectiveness.
"Many of the companies make outrageous claims," he said.
Most people use dietary supplements for short-term illnesses, Barrett also said, so people will eventually get better regardless of the products they used.
Israelsen said there has been an ongoing controversy regarding herbal supplements and alternative medicine for hundreds of years. But he said he doesn't expect to see a decline in supplement use any time soon.
"Many of these people who use supplements … feel very passionate about them."
Contributing: The Associated Press
Recent comments
"I would say the industry is a scam." What a priceless comment about...
Getting scammed | Jan. 20, 2009 at 12:45 p.m.
Good nutrition and health come from consuming these healthy grains,...
Anonymous | Jan. 20, 2009 at 9:03 a.m.
Herbs and vitamins come from whole foods and have wonderful benifits....
re:troutman | Jan. 20, 2009 at 8:45 a.m.
- Both candidates claim victory 1:44 p.m.
- BYU professor killed in crash 1:42 p.m.
- Vonn second to Goergl 1:28 p.m.
- Gas prices down 1.24 cents 1:17 p.m.
- Texas leads TCU in coaches' poll 1:09 p.m.
- USA Today Top 25 Poll 1:09 p.m.
- Another BCS mess 12:57 p.m.
- Several musicals break records 12:45 p.m.
- Iraq: deal reached on election 12:39 p.m.
- Merging therapy & financial planning 12:29 p.m.
- Y., U. to learn bowl destinations
- The forgotten ship: USS Utah
- Snowy roads cause accidents, delays
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
- Utahns want health care reform bills
- BYU basketball: Cougars crush Dons
- Tiger's SUV, personal life are a wreck
- Kurt Bestor: Joy for the world
- George lost in rivalry hatefest
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
312 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
252 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
209 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
189 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
129 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
112 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
105 - Harpring's NBA career is over
94 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
94
Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House will feature visits with...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
Again, Mike, whose God? The Mormon one? If you're so insistent that we live...
Sorry to burst your bubble, the wife and I just cut up and mailed back our...
Even if the writer knew exactly what is in Obama's mind (and that's highly...
Good luck James. We hope for the best for you and your family! Be strong...
Illegal aliens who work in Utah are committing multiple felonies thus they...
That is true statement. I'd like to add: Utah and TCU are BYU's road...
Everything on Earth belongs to GOD. If you take more than you need and let a...
The world has survived the extinction of the T-Rex and Sabertooth Tiger. We...
You said, "Mormonism has similarities to both conservatism and liberalism,...
Why not give the teams that make the BCS games lets say 25% share each and...


