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Evidence-Based Review Program

Description
Completed Evidence Reports
Recently Completed Reports
Full List of Evidence Reports & Publications

Description

In FY 2001, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) received a Congressional mandate to review the current scientific evidence on the efficacy and safety of dietary supplements and identify research needs. ODS responded by developing an evidence-based review program using the Evidence-based Practice Centers Program established by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to conduct systematic reviews of the scientific literature and prepare reports of their findings.

Completed Evidence Reports

B Vitamins and Berries
Ephedra
Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Soy
Vitamin D

ODS, in collaboration with other NIH institutes and centers, has found these reports invaluable in presenting what is and is not known in a research area, thus laying a sound foundation for identifying gaps in knowledge and providing a strong scientific basis for the development of a research agenda.

ODS-sponsored evidence reports have resulted in the publication of a number of articles in the peer-reviewed literature, and have helped NIH make decisions on research priorities in these areas. The reports and associated publications are available through the links above by topic.

Recently Completed Reports

ODS sponsored an evidence report on the Effectiveness and Safety of Vitamin D that will be used by the Vitamin D Federal Working Group in establishing a research agenda to answer important public health questions about vitamin D. The report was published in August 2007. This report was the basis of a conference on the NIH campus, September 5-6, 2007, Vitamin D and Health in the 21st Century: An Update, with the goal of presenting a balanced overview of the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of vitamin D as an update to the 2003 ODS Conference on Vitamin D and Bone Health. Proceedings from the conference will be published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in the spring of 2008.

Full List of Evidence Reports & Publications

B Vitamins and Berries

Evidence Report
Balk E, Chung M, Raman G, Tatsioni A, Chew P, Ip S, DeVine D, Lau J. B Vitamins and Berries and Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disorders. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 134. (Prepared by Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0022). AHRQ Publication No. 06-E008. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. April 2006.

Associated Publication
Raman G, Tatsioni A, Chung M, Rosenberg IH, Lau J, Lichtenstein AH, Balk EM. Heterogeneity and Lack of Good Quality Studies Limit Association Between Folate, Vitamins B-6 and B-12, and Cognitive Function. J Nutri. 2007 July;137(7):1789-1794.

Ephedra

Evidence Report
Shekelle P, Morton S, Maglione M, et al. Ephedra and Ephedrine for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance Enhancement: Clinical Efficacy and Side Effects. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 76 (Prepared by Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, RAND, under Contract No 290-97-0001). AHRQ Publication No. 03-E022. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. March 2003.

Associated Publication
Shekelle P, Hardy ML, Morton SC, Maglione M, Mojica WA, Suttorp MJ, Rhodes SL, Jungvig L, Gagne,J. Efficacy and Safety of Ephedra and Ephedrine for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance: A Meta-analysis. JAMA, 2003 Mar 26; 289 (12) 1537 45. Epub 2003 Mar 10.

Related Information on Ephedra

Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements

Evidence Report
Huang HY, Cabellero B, Chang S, Alberg A, Semba R, Schneyer C, Wilson RF, Cheng TY, Prokopowicz G, Barnes GJ, Vassy J, Bass EB. Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements and Prevention of Chronic Disease. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 139. (Prepared by The Johns Hopkins University Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0018). AHRQ Publication No. 06-E012. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. May 2006.

Associated Publications
Huang HY, Cabellero B, Chang S, Alberg AJ, Semba RD, Schneyer CR, Wilson RF, Cheng TY, Vassy J, Prokopowicz G, Barnes J, Bass EB. Mulltivitamin/Mineral supplements and prevention of chronic disease: executive summary. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jan;85(1):265S-268S. No abstract available.

Huang HY, Cabellero B, Chang S, Alberg AJ, Semba RD, Schneyer CR, Wilson RF, Cheng TY, Vassy J, Prokopowicz G, Barnes J, Bass EB. The efficacy and safety of multivitamin and mineral supplement use to prevent cancer and chronic disease in adults: a systematic review for a National Institutes of Health state-of-the-science conference. Ann Intern Med, 2006 Sep 5; 145(5):372-85. Epub 2006 Jul 31.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Asthma

Evidence Report
Schachter H, Reisman J, Tran K, Dales B, Kourad K, Barnes D, Sampson M, Morrison A, Gaboury I, and Blackman J. Health Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Asthma. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 91 (Prepared by University of Ottawa Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0021). AHRQ Publication No. 04-E013-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. March 2004.

Associated Publication
Reisman J, Schachter HM, Dales RE, et al. Treating asthma with omega-3 fatty acids: where is the evidence? A systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006; 6:26.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Cancer

Evidence Report
MacLean CH, Newberry SJ, Mojica, WA, Issa A, Khanna P, Lim YW, Morton SC, Suttorp M, Tu W, Hilton LG, Garland RH, Traina SB, Shekelle PG. Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cancer. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 113. (Prepared by the Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, under Contract No. 290-02-0003.) AHRQ Publication No. 05-E010-2. Rockville, MD. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. February 2005.

Associated Publication
MacLean CH, Newberry SJ, Mojica WA, et al. Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cancer risk: a systematic review. JAMA. 2006; 295(4):403-15. Review. Erratum in: JAMA. 2006; 295(16):1900.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Cardiovascular Disease

Evidence Reports
Balk E, Chung M, Lichtenstein A, Chew P, Kupelnick B, Lawrence A, DeVine D, Lau J. Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Intermediate Markers of Cardiovascular Disease. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 93 (Prepared by Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0022). AHRQ Publication No. 04-E010-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. March 2004.

Jordan H, Matthan N, Chung M, Balk E, Chew P, Kupelnick B, DeVine D, Lawrence A, Lichtenstein A, Lau J. Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Arrhythmogenic Mechanisms in Animal and Isolated Organ/Cell Culture Studies. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 92 (Prepared by Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center, under Contract No. 290-02-0022). AHRQ Publication No 04-E011-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. March 2004.

Wang C, Chung M, Lichtenstein A, Balk E, Kupelnick B, DeVine D, Lawrence A, Lau J. Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Disease. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 94 (Prepared by Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center, under Contract No. 290-02-0022). AHRQ Publication No. 04-E009-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. March 2004.Research and Quality. March 2004.

Associated Publications
Balk EM, Lichtenstein AH, Chung M, et al. Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on serum markers of cardiovascular disease risk: A systematic review. Atherosclerosis. 2006;189:19-30. Epub 2006 Mar 9.

Balk EM, Lichtenstein AH, Chung M, et al. Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on coronary restenosis, intima-media thickness, and exercise tolerance: a systematic review. Atherosclerosis. 2006; 184(2):237-46. Epub 2005 Aug 9.

Wang C, Harris WS, Chung M, et al. n-3 Fatty acids from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not alpha-linoleic acid, benefit cardiovascular disease outcomes in primary- and secondary-prevention studies: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006; 84(1):5-17.

Matthan NR, Jordan H, Chung M, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on selected arrhythmia outcomes in animal models. Metabolism. 2005; 54(12):1557-65.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Child and Maternal Health

Evidence Report
Lewin GA, Schachter HM, Yuen D, Merchant P, Mamaladze V, Tsertsvadze A, et al. Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Child and Maternal Health. Summary, Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 118. (Prepared by the University of Ottawa Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0021.) AHRQ Publication No. 05-E025-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. August 2005.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Cognitive Function with Aging, Dementia, and Neurological Disease

Evidence Report
MacLean CH, Issa AM, Newberry SJ, Mojica WA, Morton SC, Garland RH, Hilton LG, Traina SB, Shekelle PG. Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cognitive Function with Aging, Dementia, and Neurological Diseases. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 114 (Prepared by the Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, under Contract No. 290-02-0003.) AHRQ Publication No. 05-E011-2. Rockville, MD. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. February 2005.

Associated Publication
Issa AM, Mojica WA, Morton SC, et al. The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids on cognitive function in aging and dementia: a systematic review. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2006;21(2):88-96.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Eye Health

Evidence Report
Hodge W, Barnes D, Schachter H, Pan Y, Lowcock E, Zhang L, Sampson M, Morrison A, Tran K, Miguelez M, Lewin G. Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Eye Health. EvidenceReport/Technology Assessment No. 117 (Prepared by University of Ottawa Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0021.) AHRQ Publication No. 05-E008-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. July 2005.

Associated Publications
Hodge WG, Barnes D, Schachter HM, et al. The evidence for efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in preventing or slowing the progression of retinitis pigmentosa: a systematic review. Can J Ophthalmol. 2006; 41(4):481-490.

Hodge WG, Schachter HM, Barnes D, et al. Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in preventing age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review. Ophthalmology. 2006; 113(7):1165-72.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Lipids and Glycemic Control in Type II Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome and on Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Renal Disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and Osteoporosis

Evidence Report
MacLean CH, Mojica, WA, Morton SC, Pencharz J, Hasenfeld Garland R, Tu W, Newberry SJ, Jungvig LK, Grossman J, Khanna P, Rhodes S, Shekelle P. Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Lipids and Glycemic Control in Type II Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome and on Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Renal Disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and Osteoporosis. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment. No. 89 (Prepared by Southern California/RAND Evidence-based Practice Center, under Contract No. 290-02-0003). AHRQ Publication No. 04-E012-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. March 2004.

Associated Publication
MacLean CH, Mojica WA, Newberry SJ, et al. Systematic review of the effects of n-3 fatty acids in inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005; 82(3):611-9.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Mental Health

Evidence Report
Schachter H, Kourad K, Merali Z, Lumb A, Tran K, Miguelez M, et al. Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Mental Health. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 116. (Prepared by the University of Ottawa Evidence-based Practice Center, Under Contract No. 290-02-0021.) AHRQ Publication No. 05-E022-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. July 2005.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Organ Transplantation

Evidence Report
Bonis PA, Chung M, Tatsioni A, Sun Y, Kupelnick B, Lichtenstein A, Perrone R, Chew P, DeVine D, Lau J. Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Organ Transplantation. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 115 (Prepared by Tufts- New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0022). AHRQ Publication No. 05-E012-2. Rockville, MD. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. February 2005.

Associated Publication
Tatsioni A, Chung M, Sun Y, et al. Effects of fish oil supplementation on kidney transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005 Aug;16(8):2462-70.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Evidence Reports Summary

Balk EM, Armour TA, Newberry SJ, et al. A collaborative effort to apply the evidence-based review process to the field of nutrition: Challenges, benefits, and lessons learned. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007; 85:1448-56.

Soy

Evidence Report
Balk E, Chung M, Chew P, Ip S, Raman G, Kupelnick B, Tatsioni A, Sun Y, Wolk B, DeVine D, Lau J. Effects of Soy on Health Outcomes. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 126. (Prepared by Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0022.) AHRQ Publication No. 05-E024-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. August 2005.

Vitamin D

Evidence Report
Cranney A, Horsely T, O’Donnell S, Weiler H, Puil L, Ooi D, Atkinson S, Ward L, Moher D, Hanley D, Fang M, Yazdi F, Garrity C, Sampson M, Barrowman N, Tsertsvadze A, Mamaladze V. Effectiveness and Safety of Vitamin D in Relation to Bone Health. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 158. (Prepared by Ottawa Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0021). AHRQ Publication No. 07-E013, Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. August 2007.