Grant: Catalyst Grant: Analysis of CLSA Data - IA Early Career Researchers

Natural health products (NHPs) encompass a variety of substances that are widely used, including in Canada, especially in people with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. According to Health Canada, NHP include probiotics, vitamins, herbal and homeopathic remedies, traditional medicines such as Chinese ones, and other products like amino acids and essential fatty acids. Potential benefits of NHP use have been reported, most notably reduced cholesterol absorption, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, and an increased insulin sensitivity. However, concerns have also been raised, notably due to contradictory findings, high heterogeneity across studies, failure to include relevant patient characteristics, and the fact that most studies were conducted in animal models. The lack of an official NHP classification system, unlike medication, also impedes the reproducibility of results, contributing to the confusion around the alleged benefits. While diverse tools on NHP are available, they are non-exhaustive, structured around an internal classification, and in free-text format. Yet despite being unformatted, free text provides rich information, and its inclusion could enable to specify the impact of NHP on health outcomes, among other things. Thus, this study aims at classifying NHP using machine learning, describing their use in the CLSA population, including the associated expenses, and evaluating the use of NHP, concurrently to prescribed medications, in diabetic patients. This project will provide an extension of the Health Canada NHP dataset by providing a classification of NPH using the ATC classification. This dataset will allow other research teams to investigate NHP in a uniform and reproducible manner. Furthermore, our results will inform researchers and clinicians about the impact of NHP on cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in the context of healthy aging.