In today’s market, countless supplements claim to improve health, but how do we know which ones truly work? That’s where evidence-based research comes in. We get reliable information about a supplement’s effectiveness and safety by relying on clinical trials and scientific studies.
It is understanding what works and why empowers you to make informed decisions about your health.
You can feel confident in your choices by choosing supplements backed by solid science instead of marketing hype. Want to learn more about the best evidence to look for when selecting supplements? Keep reading to discover the science behind supplement research!
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are essential for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of drugs and medical interventions.
Clinical trials for a new drug typically follow a standardized, multi-phase process overseen by regulatory bodies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) or EMA (The European Medicines Agency). These trials are conducted in multiple stages:
- Phase I: Focuses on safety and dosage, involving a small number of healthy volunteers.
- Phase II: Explores effectiveness and side effects in a slightly larger group of patients with the target condition.
- Phase III: Involves large-scale testing across diverse populations to confirm effectiveness, monitor side effects, and compare the new drug to existing treatments.
- Phase IV: Post-approval, these trials continue to monitor long-term effects and safety in a broader population.
Pharmaceutical companies often conduct these trials and involve anywhere from hundreds or thousands of participants. They are typically expensive, highly regulated, and occur at multiple clinical sites. The goal is to gather robust data to meet regulatory approval (1).
Small Lab Trials
In contrast, small lab trials (often referred to as preclinical or early-stage research) are usually smaller, less formal, and more exploratory.
These trials will probably focus on understanding the mechanism of action of a drug, testing preliminary effectiveness, or optimizing formulations. They often involve fewer participants and don't follow the strict protocols of larger trials. Small lab trials may evaluate a hypothesis or investigate a niche area of medicine, often without the extensive regulatory oversight that comes later in larger-scale trials.
Findings from small labs are often used as a stepping stone, highlighting preliminary evidence to pave the way for more extensive clinical trials. Smaller studies can still provide valuable insights, particularly when examining large effects that may be statistically and medically significant enough to influence current practices (2).
Clinical and small lab trials are essential in supplement research and development, but clinical trials take the spotlight when launching products. They deliver credible, evidence-based data that meet consumer demands and satisfy regulatory standards.
How Epidemiological Studies Shape Your Supplement Decisions
Epidemiological studies are research methods used to examine the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
These studies are crucial for identifying factors that influence the risk of developing diseases and evaluating preventive strategies, including supplementation.
There are several types of observational studies:
- Cohort studies follow groups of individuals over time to assess how specific exposures (like taking a supplement) relate to health outcomes.
- Case-control studies compare individuals with a health condition to those without, looking for differences in past exposures.
- Cross-sectional studies collect data at a single point to assess the relationship between variables, such as nutrient intake and health markers.
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are another type of experimental study that include interventions. In these trials, participants are randomly assigned to receive either the supplement (or another intervention) or a placebo, allowing researchers to see the direct effects of the intervention (3). These are especially important for supplement research and you will see describing many of them in our articles.
Epidemiological studies play a crucial role in guiding our choices about supplements. By examining health patterns and the effects of various dietary components, these studies provide evidence on the effectiveness and safety of supplements. This data helps consumers make informed decisions, ensuring they invest in products that genuinely support their health.
Conclusion
When it comes to supplements, clinical trials, particularly Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), are crucial for assessing the efficacy and safety of dietary supplements. Unlike observational studies, which can be influenced by a range of factors associated with users, clinical trials provide a controlled environment to identify adverse effects more accurately.
For example, high-dose vitamin and mineral supplements have been shown in clinical trials to carry certain risks. Understanding these risks is crucial for making informed decisions about your supplement choices (4).
When seeking information about supplements, it's essential to rely on credible sources to ensure safety and effectiveness. High-quality, evidence-based research helps you make informed decisions, protecting your health and enhancing your wellness journey.
And it is important to remember the power of a healthy diet! Prioritizing fruits and vegetables gives you essential vitamins and minerals along with unique nutrients that supplements cannot replicate (5). These whole foods not only nourish your body but also promote overall wellness.
Discover more about the power of natural foods and how they can complement your supplement routine in our other articles:
- Anti-inflammatory Foods: The Secret to Longevity and a Healthier Life
- How does our diet influence the bioavailability of supplements?
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids from Fish, or Plant Sources and their Efficacy
- Live longer by following any of four healthy eating patterns
Literature sources:
- Fogel DB. Factors associated with clinical trials that fail and opportunities for improving the likelihood of success: A review. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2018 Aug 7;11:156-164. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2018.08.001.
- Indrayan A, Mishra A. The importance of small samples in medical research. J Postgrad Med. 2021 Oct-Dec;67(4):219-223. doi: 10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_230_21.
- Munnangi S, Boktor SW. Epidemiology Of Study Design. [Updated 2023 Apr 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470342/
- Martínez ME, Jacobs ET, Baron JA, Marshall JR, Byers T. Dietary supplements and cancer prevention: balancing potential benefits against proven harms. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2012 May 16;104(10):732-9. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djs195.
- Wierzejska RE. Dietary Supplements-For Whom? The Current State of Knowledge about the Health Effects of Selected Supplement Use. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Aug 24;18(17):8897. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18178897.
