Current "scientific" evidence of potential positive effects of a number of nutritional supplements

[Zephyr]

...and food products.
Some days ago I found this webpage: http://informationisbeautiful.net/play/snake-oil-supplements
I have detected some mistakes and they haven't disclosed the method applied to rank the level of evidence. In my opinion the classification given in MedlinePlus is more reliable and provides further details on possible effects, but their list of supplements is more limited: http://nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/herb_All.html
This website is linked to a data sheet that seems a bit more reliable and more accurate. For intance, the real values used to rate the level of evidence, more than one paper of reference in many cases, some extra supplements.
I have replaced some links that were broken and a few links to the journal paper by their entry in Medline/PubMed. On PubMed links are regularly updated, and they always provide references to related articles.

informationisbeautiful.net - Snake Oil? Scientific evidence for popular health supplements showing tangible health benefits when taken orally by an adult with healthy diet
By Davd McCandless and Andy Perkins (code). Research: Miriam Quick.May 2011

Others: Pearl Doughty-White, Alexia Wdowski

Source: PubMed, cochrane.org
Large human blind placebo-controlled trials only.
Click bubble to see key study
Popularity (Google hits) [bubble size]
One To Watch (OTW) (few studies but promising results) [orange bubbles]

"All content Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial David McCandless 2009 (unless otherwise stated)"
informationisbeautiful.net/play/snake-oil-supplements
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Comment:

All these are (or aren't), but here you aren't all those that they are.
Also notice:
- "Large human blind placebo-controlled trials only" and also
- "when taken orally by an adult with healthy diet"

I've detected several flaws. They have assigned that there's null evidence
of reveratrol's anti-carcinogenic capacity, whereas both linked papers consider resveratrol can prevent cancer and be used in anti-cancer treatment:

<<numerous preclinical findings suggest resveratrol as a promising nature's arsenal for cancer prevention and treatment.>>
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18550275
<<Our analysis of published data strengthen support that resveratrol displays novel roles in various cellular processes, and help to establish an expanded molecular framework for cancer prevention by resveratrol in vivo.>>
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20623546

Also, the evidence scale in the diagram doesn't totally match the data sheet. In the sheet, 4 is considered as "good" evidence, whereas in the diagram, the products with 4 has been considered only as "promising."
For some reason, even though the scale goes from 0 to 6, no product has been given 6 (strong evidence), whereas for instance, in the linked papers the evidence that folic acid can prevent certain birth defects i considered as strong:

<<Only one study assessed the incidence of NTDs and the effect was not statistically significant (RR 0.08, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.33) although no events were found in the group that received folic acid. Folic acid had a significant protective effect for reoccurrence (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.60).>>
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20927767
<<Any level of use in the first 3 months after conception resulted in a lowered risk as well (OR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.46-0.79).>>
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7619926

I personally find more reliable the compendium of the results of the more relevant studies on different herbs and supplements provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH) in their MedlinePlus health information service (although the number of products reviewed is more limited). Besides, the scale of possible effectiveness makes more sense:

nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/herb_All.html
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List of products included in the SnakeOil's data sheet arranged according to their evidence on health effectiveness:

(6) Strong Evidence (none?!)
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(5)

062. garlic - blood pressure ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18554422 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20594781
059. folic acid - certain birth defects ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20927767 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7619926
092. melatonin - insomnia in the elderly ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18036082 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21845053
053. fish oil / omega 3 - heart disease ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19609891 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19106137
156. vitamin D - general health, all-cause mortalityncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18375700  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21415774
165. zinc - colds ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21328251
100. niacin (vitamin B3) - heart disease ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20208032 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9915658
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(4) Good evidence

071. green tea - cholesterol ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11897173 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12824094
041. dark chocolate - blood pressure ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20584271 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19910929
023. calcium + vitamin D - breast cancer in premenopausal women, cancerncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17533208  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17556697
052. fish oil /omega 3 - cancer symptomsncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17408522  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12506181
007. antioxidants - infertility in men ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20378409
158. vitamin D - bone health ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18689393 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18088161
051. fish oil / omega 3 - colorectal cancerncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17493949  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17823383
106. omega 6 - heart health ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19171857
102. olive leaf extract - blood pressure, cholesterolncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21036583  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18729245
034. coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) - blood pressurencbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17287847
161. vitamin K2 - heart disease OTW ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20850029 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15514282
140. tyrosine - alertness, wakefulness, memoryncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7794222
072. hawthorn [ Crataegus curvisepala, C. oxycantha, C. monogyna ] - blood pressure ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16149711
098. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) - mental health OTWncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18534556  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18436195
039. creatine - cognition ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14561278 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19773644
125. Rhodiola rosea - fatigue ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19016404 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11081987
112. peppermint oil - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19008265
042. devil's claw [ Harpagophytum procumbens ] - arthritisncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14669250  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17212570
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WORTH IT LINE
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(3.5)

055. fish oil / omega 3 - depression, mental illnessncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15535884  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20925595
022. calcium - osteoporosis in postmenopausal womenncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21289325  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18412990
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(3)

073. honey - cough in children ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20091616 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20618098
121. probiotics - diarrhea, gastrointestinal and respiratory infectionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20107143  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16148529
045. Echinacea - colds ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16437427 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17597571
123. red yeast rice [ Monascus purpureus ] - cholesterol, heart disease OTW ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18549841 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20975018
151. vitamin B8 (inositol) - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), panic disorder, depression OTW ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8780431
063. ginger - nausea and vomiting ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10793599 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17957907
162. vitamin K2 - osteoporosis ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10227010 springerlink.com/content/v4288732927n2072
021. calcium - colorectal cancer ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9887161 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11073017
004. Aloe vera - diabetes ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10885091 Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L juice. II. clinical trial in diabetes mellitus patients in combination with glibenclamide
143. valerian [ Valeriana officinalis ] - insomniancbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17145239  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17517355
099. nettle [ Urtica dioica ] - prostate-related urinary problems OTWncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16635963  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18038253
120. probiotics - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) [ Bifidobacterium infantis35624 and B. coagulans GBI-30, 6086] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19277023
079. krill oil - Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12777162  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19332970
090. magnesium - blood pressure ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18390781
133. St. John's wort [ Hypericum perforatum ] - depression, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/sjw-and-depression.htm ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18843608
030. cinnamon - type 2 diabetes ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17381386 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14633804
091. magnesium + vitamin B6 - child Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16846100 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16579066
70. green tea - cancer ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19588362
031. coconut oil - obesity, cholesterol ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19437058 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14608053
085. licorice root [ Glycyrrhiza glabra ] - dyspepsiancbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11505331
134. sunlight - kidney cancer in men OTWncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20213683
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(2)

077. iron - chid development (when not anaemic)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20410098
095. milk thistle [ Silybum ] - hepatitis ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18458640
152. vitamin C - colds ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17636648
103. omega 3 - child Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17435458  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18448859
050. feverfew ( Tanacetum parthenium ) - migrainencbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14973986  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16232154
038. cranberry juice [ Vaccinium subgen. Oxycoccus ] - urinary tract infections, kidney stones ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18253990 efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/943.htm
132. spirulina [ Spirulina maxima ] - blood pressure, cholesterolncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18039384
096. methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) - arthritisncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16309928
074. horse chestnut seed extract [ Aesculus hippocastanum ] - chronic venous insufficiency OTW ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16437450 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19247403
082. L-lysine - herpes simplex [HSV] OTWncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6435961  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3115841
037. coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) - migrane ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15728298
005. Andrographis paniculata - respiratory tract infections OTWncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14748896
054. fish oil / omega 3 - child intelligencencbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20171055  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12509593
083. lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) - depressionncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12551734
020. bromelain (an extract pineapple plant) - arthritisncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15841258
060. GABA - stress, anxiety ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16971751
065. ginseng ( Panax ginseng ) - cognitive performancencbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15982990
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(1.5)

017. black tea - heart disease, stressnlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/997.html
135. taurine - weight loss, cholesterol ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15221507
081. L-carnitine - diabetes, impotence ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10067662 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12568837
129. selenium - cancer ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20568891 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12433704
018. borage seed oil - rheumatism ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8214997
080. L-arginine - exercise performance_ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20724562  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21399536
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(1) Low Evidence

046. elderberry [ Sambucus ] - cholesterol OTWncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14749743
153. vitamin D - cancer OTW ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20164683 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17556697
137. tryptophan and 5-HTP - depression in womenncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16767422  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11869656
118. probiotics - athletic performance ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17618005
061. garlic - cancer ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16484572
056. fish oil / omega 3 - Alzheimer's disease, dementiancbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17030655  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18573585
067. goji berry (wolfberry) [ Lycium ] (lutein and zeaxanthin) - eye healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15604618  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15705234
088. lutein - eye health ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11431456
035. coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) - heart diseasencbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16190504
009. astaxanthin - oxidative stress OTW ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19656058
164. xylitol - teeth ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15153702
149. vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - migraine ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15257686
141. ubiquinol - heart disease OTW ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19096107
114. polyphenols - heart disease ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15640497
015. black cohosh [ Cimicifuga racemosa ] - menopausencbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15969244
138. turmeric [ Curcuma longa ] (curcumin) - cancer OTWncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20214562
160. vitamin K2 - prostate cancer OTW ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18400723 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20335553
058. flaxseed oil - breast cancer ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15897583
064. Gingko biloba - dementia ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20040554
087. lingzhi [ Ganoderma lucidum ] + San Miao San (Sān miào wán): 50% Cangzhu (cāng zhú) [ Rhizoma atractylodis, the root of Atractylodes lancea or Atractylodes chinensis ] + 33% Huangbai (huáng bǎi) [ Cotex phellodendri, the bark of Phellodendron chinense or Phellodendron amurense ] + 17% Niuxi (huái niú xī) [ Radix achyranthes Bidentatae, the root of Achyranthes Bidentata ] - arthritisncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17907228  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16873089
028. chromium - diabetes ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12081828  (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17519436 ?)
047. elderberry [ Sambucus ] - flu OTW ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19548290 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15080016
075. hyaluronic acid - arthritis (only when injected)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14679274
139. turmeric [ Curcuma longa ] (curcumin) - peptic ulcer OTWncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20438867  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11485087
157. vitamin D - depression, mood disordersncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16554952  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19187703
122. quercetin - athletic performance ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19927026
104. omega 3: ALA - heart disease ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15890766 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19664246
044. dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - memory in young men OTWncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16231168
016. black tea - cancer nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/997.html ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21538852
094. milk thistle [ Silybum ] - diabetes ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9126802
019. boron - menopause ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3678698
144. valerian [ Valeriana officinalis ] - anxiety OTWncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17054208
066. glucosamine - arthritis, joint pain ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20847017 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19903416
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(0.5)

011. B vitamins - Alzheimer's disease ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18854539 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21216507
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(0) No Evidence

159. vitamin E - mortality ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17327526
154. vitamin D - heart disease ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20816120 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21147944
105. omega 6 - cancer (no studies in humans)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16264182  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16705127
155. vitamin D - diabetes ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20194237 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20150805
089. lycopene - prostate cancer ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16434593
068. grape seed extract - wound healing, swellingncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16546280
147. vitamin A: retinol - birth defects ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9431575 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16243460
048. evening primrose oil [ Oenothera ] - Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8721802  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2201888
130. silicic acid - Alzheimer's disease OTWncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16988476
006. antioxidants - mortality ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17327526 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15153272
146. vitamin A: beta-carotene - cancer ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18689373 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18429004
012. beta-glucans - cancer OTW ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19515245
128. saw palmetto [ Serenoa repens or Sabal serrulatum ] - prostate-related urinary problems ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19370565 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16467543
057. fish oil / omega 3 - Crohn's disease, asthma, diabetesncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19160277  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20564531 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17443620
043. dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17050889
001. açaí palm [ Euterpe oleracea ] - weight loss, diabetesquackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/acai.html abcnews.go.com/Health/Diet/story?id=6434350
008. aspartic acid
010. astragalus [ Astragalus onobrychis ] OTW
013. bitter melon [ Momordica charantia ] - diabetes
014. bitter orange [ Citrus × aurantium ]
024. capsaicin - cancer (no human trials)
025. cat's claw [ Uncaria rhynchophylla ] - cancer, viruses, immune system (no human supplementation trials)
026. chamomile [ Chamaemelum nobile and Matricaria chamomilla ] - bowel disorders (no evidence)nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/752.html nccam.nih.gov/health/chamomile/ataglance.htm ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/19593179 nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/040310.htm
027. chasteberry [ Vitex agnus-castus ] - (no evidence)
029. chondroitin - arthritis (no evidence)
032. collagen
033. copper
040. dandelion [ Taraxacum officinale ]
049. fenugreek [ Trigonella foenum-graecum ] - cancer prevention, diabetes
069. grapefruit seed extract - antibiotic, antifungal (no human trials)
078. isoflavones
084. lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) - sleep, relaxation (no studies)
086. lignans
093. methionine
101. noni [ Morinda citrifolia ]
107. omega 9
108. palm oil [ Elaeis guineensis ]
109. pancreatin
110. papain
111. pau d'arco [ Tabebuia ]
113. phenylalanine
115 potassium - blood pressure
116. prebiotics - no studies yet
117. prickly pear [ Opuntia ficus-indica ] - diabetes
119. probiotics - cholesterol, blood pressure
126. rose hip [ Rosa ]
127. royal jelly
131. slippery elm [ Ulmus rubra ] - sore throat
136. trypsin
142. uva ursi (Kinnikinnick or Pinemat manzanita) [ Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ]
145. vanadium
148. vitamin B1
150. vitamin B5 - cholesterol, arthritis (no human studies)
163. wheatgrass [ Triticum aestivum ]

124. resveratrol - cancer, diabetes, heart health OTW ?????ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18550275  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20623546

See Data:
docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Altk3Tn01ZsWdDRVN19EeENwd1pQY1ZyV1AwTnJCMnc&hl=en#gid=0
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