Dietary Supplements – Science and Critical Perspective

Data

Official data in SubjectManager for the following academic year: 2026-2027

Topic

The dietary supplement market is growing dynamically, while patients increasingly seek professional advice from their doctor, pharmacist or dentist on their use. The course aims to put clinical decision-making related to supplements on a scientific basis and help you navigate the world of marketing and evidence.

We will review the European and American regulatory frameworks, with particular attention to the role of the European Food Safety Authority and the Food and Drug Administration. We will examine how a dietary supplement differs from a drug and what a “health claim” actually means. We will analyze in detail the mechanism of action and clinical evidence of vitamins, minerals, plant extracts and probiotics.

Special attention will be paid to drug-supplement interactions, pharmacokinetic characteristics and potential side effects. We will also address the special issues of polypharmacy, pregnancy, old age and chronic diseases. We will discuss the clinical significance of hepatotoxicity and other often underreported complications. The course provides a critical perspective on the evaluation of scientific publications and the interpretation of meta-analyses. We will also discuss supplements relevant to oral health, bone metabolism and the immune system in an interdisciplinary approach.

The placebo effect and the psychology of patient communication will be analyzed. Students will practice evidence-based decision-making through real clinical cases. By the end of the course, participants will be confident in providing professionally sound advice on the most common dietary supplements.

Lectures

• 1. Definitions and regulatory frameworks - Zand Afshin
• 2. Evidence and clinical decision-making - Zand Afshin
• 3. Vitamins: deficiency vs. “optimization” - Zand Afshin
• 4. Minerals and trace elements - Zand Afshin
• 5. Plant-based preparations - Zand Afshin
• 6. Probiotics and the microbiome - Zand Afshin
• 7. Sports performance enhancers - Zand Afshin
• 8. Pregnancy and special populations - Zand Afshin
• 9. Oncology and chronic patients - Zand Afshin
• 10. Potential side effects - Zand Afshin
• 11. Marketing, placebo and ethical issues - Varjas Tímea
• 12. Situations - Varjas Tímea

Practices

Seminars

Reading material

Obligatory literature

Literature developed by the Department

Slides from presentations (ppt)

Notes

Recommended literature

Conditions for acceptance of the semester

Minimum attendance and writing of the final course test

Mid-term exams

final exam

Making up for missed classes

Based on individual consideration

Exam topics/questions

Neptun, Teams

Examiners

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars