[Food supplements in primary prevention--methodological aspects].
The terms "evidence" or "evidence-based medicine" (EBM) dominate the current biomedical debate. When asked about the usefulness of nutritional supplements, increasingly reliable studies and "evidence-based" recommendations are demanded. However, usually, it remains unclear what is meant by "evidence" and "evidence-based medicine". The aim of the current paper is to clarify and explain why continuous designed evaluation instruments, proofing the efficacy of pharmacological active compounds, cannot be applied without modifications to prove the benefits of nutrients. The focus bases on the following questions: (a) What does evidence-based medicine exactly means and how does it differ from non-evidence-based medicine? (b) What is the meaning of "evidence" and "evidence-based statements"? (c) What types of studies are suitable for securing evidence? (d) How can be drawn summarizing conclusions from various, sometimes divergent, results of single studies? (e) Which specific characteristics must be considered in the nutrition context?
Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institut für Lebensmittelwissenschaft und Humanernährung, Am Kleinen Felde 30, 30167 Hannover. stroehle@nutrition.uni-hannover.de
Alexander
A
Ströhle
Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institut für Lebensmittelwissenschaft und Humanernährung, Am Kleinen Felde 30, 30167 Hannover.
Andreas
A
Hahn
D019587:Dietary Supplements; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D018565:Food-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design