Comments on: Snake Oil? The scientific evidence for health supplements

By: natbot

natbot — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:10:08 +0000

Agreed this is great- any possibility of adding “weight loss” to the uses? Studies on that are really tough to make heads or tails of.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 04:17:49 +0000

Dianoguy points out that the link for licorice root is to dyspepsia, not to coughs. I would also point out that the link is to a herbal preparation, not to licorice.
I think there’s something wrong with this one.
Otherwise- amazing resource (and the rest of your work as well)

By: Al Fin

Al Fin — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 21:34:16 +0000

Nice work.

To fellow commenters: Don’t blame the messenger.

For a sense of perspective: Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Most studies of herbs and supplements lack the power to provide answers to the questions. The money for powerful studies just isn’t in it.

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 10:29:18 +0000

Exactly what went through my mind…
I’d love to see the information out there on recommended treatments for example for each of bipolar, depression, anxiety etc

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 05:35:41 +0000

Also, this information is presented as though it is heavily sourced from Cochrane reviews, quite a different thing from an article on Pub med. Only 3 from 162 have Cochrane review references, one of those is 5 years old and one is 9 years old.
This webpage is a great idea and an excellent resource, I believe it would benefit from tougher editing and more disclosure.

Thanks.

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 05:25:25 +0000

Sorry, I don’t really like this chart, I think it would be clearer if the bubbles size related to the size, or number of studies, or number of people who have been exposed to the substance. I would rather see the bottom axis represent “how many people search for this on google” which kind of seems trivial. At the moment the large bubbles have a big impact but not for any really good reason. And the left to right on the bottom axis means nothing, so technically you don’t even need the bubbles to display the current information and could have used a simple bar graph.
I also think that you have missed a really important opportunity to let people know that these substances can have very serious interactions with peoples other medications and that it is somewhat irresponsible not to let people know they need to tell their Dr or pharmacist before they begin or stop taking any of these products.
I think its great however that you have colored the one to watch products differently.

Thanks for reading this!

By: ng

ng — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 20:59:38 +0000

A very important “supplement” that is widely used is olive oil. There are dozens of studies on the efficacy of olive oil concerning many different ailments, still it is not amongst the substances you have included…

By: Lorin

Lorin — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:05:06 +0000

This is awesome! I would like to see a tab for “skin” on the side as to that is one of the most popular reasons people buy supps, including myself. Also is the report for Vitamin A for natural Vitamin A or Beta Carotene?

By: Grendel

Grendel — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 07:20:14 +0000

Colloidal Silver?

By: Luiz Henrique

Luiz Henrique — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:24:04 +0000

Just to point out, there are two, separate bubbles for Omega 3 on arrythmias and cardio, one at the bottom and one towards “Slight”. Error?
I’ve been sending this link to pretty much everyone I know. Awesome job! Evidence rules!