Nutritional Supplements, often referred to as "nutraceuticals", are not magic pills. They are food substances that can provide medical or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. Considered a non-traditional, alternative medicine, they can also pose risks. In this episode of Second Opinion, you will learn about the importance of communicating with your doctor to determine whether traditional medicine, alternative medicine, or a combination of the two is the best approach for you.

"Nutraceutical" is a term that was coined in the late 1980's by Stephen DeFelice, M.D., founder and chairman of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine. He defined nutraceutical as "any substance that is a food or a part of a food and provides medical or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease."

While the term has since taken on a range of different meanings, DeFelice was very specific in outlining the types of products that fall under the nutraceutical umbrella. They include:

• Dietary supplements
• Isolated nutrients
• Specific diets
• Genetically engineered designer foods
• Herbal products
• Functional foods such as cereals, soups, and beverages

While nutritional supplements are highly controversial within the traditional medical community, they are in high demand by consumers in the U.S. and other parts of the world. One account puts 2003 sales of nutraceuticals in the U.S. at $31 billion. And that figure is expected to grow substantially over the next several years.

Nutritional supplements can hold great healing potential, as evidenced by products such as Benecol, which helps to reduce cholesterol. But they may also hold the potential for doing harm, which was the case with ephedrine, a widely used botanical ingredient in weight-loss products. The substance was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after it was linked to significant adverse health effects, including heart attack and stroke.

Even after highly publicized events like the ephedrine ban, vast numbers of consumers continue to buy nutritional supplements - often without having solid information about their safety and effectiveness, possible side effects, interactions with prescription medicines, or the impact they may have on existing medical conditions.

While there is growing acceptance of nutritional supplements by some mainstream physicians, many members of the medical and scientific communities remain concerned that many products entering the market lack adequate efficacy and safety data. Professionals on both sides of the fence agree that there is an urgent need for funding to support high-quality scientific research, testing, and clinical trials before nutritional supplement products are introduced to consumers.