Herbs and Dietary Supplements
Many people take herbs and dietary supplements in an effort to stay healthy. A 2007 study found that 52% of adults took at least one supplement as part of their daily regimen. In addition to vitamins like vitamin E, C and B, common supplements include fish oil, glucosamine, and flaxseed oil. Research has shown that some dietary supplements may be effective in preventing or treating disease. For example, folic acid helps prevent certain birth defects, and vitamin D and calcium can help prevent and treat bone loss and osteoporosis (Source: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm).
Dr. Gardiner researches herbs and dietary supplements, with particular focus on adverse event reporting of dietary supplements and dietary supplements and pregnancy. Through her work on the United States Pharmacopeia Dr. Gardiner contributed to the following safety reviews:
Gardiner P, Sarma DN, Low Dog T, et al. The state of dietary supplement adverse event reporting in the United States. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. Oct 2008;17(10):962-970.
Sarma DN, Barrett ML, Chavez ML, Gardiner P, Et.al. Safety of Green Tea Extracts : A Systematic Review by the US Pharmacopeia. Drug Saf. 2008;31(6):469-484.
Mahady GB, Low Dog T, Barrett ML, Chavez ML, Gardiner P, et.al. United States Pharmacopeia review of the black cohosh case reports of hepatotoxicity. Menopause. Jul-Aug 2008;15(4 Pt 1):628-638.
Buettner C, Mukamal KJ, Gardiner P, Davis RB, Phillips RS, Mittleman MA. Herbal supplement use and blood lead levels of United States adults. J Gen Intern Med. Nov 2009;24(11):1175-1182.
As a junior faculty member, Dr. Gardiner consulted to the CDC Select Panel on Preconception Care, which led to a first-authored publication on dietary supplements in preconception and several co-authored papers in American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Gardiner PM, Nelson L, Shellhaas CS, et al. The clinical content of preconception care: nutrition and dietary supplements. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dec 2008;199(6 Suppl 2):S345-356.
Dunlop AL, Gardiner PM, Shellhaas CS, Menard MK, McDiarmid MA. The clinical content of preconception care: the use of medications and supplements among women of reproductive age. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dec 2008;199(6 Suppl 2):S367-372.
McDiarmid MA, Gardiner PM, Jack BW. The clinical content of preconception care: environmental exposures. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dec 2008;199(6 Suppl 2):S357-361.
Moos M-K, Dunlop AL, Jack BW, et al. Healthier women, healthier reproductive outcomes: recommendations for the routine care of all women of reproductive age. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dec 2008;199(6 Suppl 2):S280-289
Louik C, Gardiner P, Kelley K, Mitchell AA. Use of Herbal Treatments in Pregnancy. The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. May 2010;202(5):439e1-439e10
In addition to these papers, Dr. Gardiner has published numerous other articles on dietary supplements for many different groups of people and health conditions. To access additional articles, click here.
