In this episode of Aging Less, host Sarah Stancombe sits down with UCSF Clinical Professor and supplement expert Cathi Dennehy to decode the confusing language found on dietary labels. Cathi demystifies complex terms such as “proprietary blends,” “standardization,” and “tolerable upper limits,” providing listeners with the essential tools to look past marketing claims and understand the actual contents of their supplements.

The conversation also explores the regulatory landscape of the industry and the potential dangers of medication interactions. Sarah and Cathi discuss how certain supplements can cause adverse effects when combined with prescriptions, emphasizing that “natural” does not always mean safe. This episode serves as a vital guide for navigating the supplement aisle and underscores the importance of consulting a healthcare provider before starting any new regimen.

View Cathi Dennehy’s work on the UCSF website: https://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/cathi-dennehy  

Resources recommended by Cathi Dennehy mentioned in the episode: 

The National Center for Complementary, and Integrative Health: NCCIH.NIH.GOV Nat 

FDA website: FDA.GOV.FOOD (If seeking information on dietary supplements, type “dietary supplements” into the search field in the upper right hand corner of the webpage)

Weblink to dietary supplement product recalls (due to mislabeling or health hazard): https://www.fda.gov/food/recalls-outbreaks-emergencies/recalls-foods-dietary-supplements

Consumerlab: Independent Tests and Reviews of Vitamin, Mineral, and Herbal Supplements – ConsumerLab.com   

NatMed Advisor: NatMed Advisor – TRC Healthcare  

Zhu H, Manson JE, Cook NR et al.  Vitamin D3 and marine omega-3 fatty acids supplantation and leukocyte telomere length: 4-year findings from the VITaminD and OmegA-3 Trial (VITAL) randomized controlled trial.   Am J Clin Nutr. 2025 May21:S00002-9165(25)00255-2. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.05.003.

Bassuk SS, Manson JE, VITAL Research group.  Marine omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and prevention of cardiovascular disease: update on the randomized trial evidence.  Cadiovasc Res. 2023 Jun 13;119(6):1297-1309. doi:10.1093/cvr/cvac172.

Rabade A, Viswanatha GL, Nandakumar K et al. Evaluation of efficacy and safety of glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and their combination regimen in the management of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  Inflammopharmacology. 2024 Jun;32(3):1759-1775. Doi:10.1007/s10787-024-01460-9.

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