Exploratory survey about dietary supplement use: a hazardous and erratic way to improve one's health?

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Ressource 1Download: BIB_F14154D120E4.P001.pdf (425.57 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: author
Serval ID
serval:BIB_F14154D120E4
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Exploratory survey about dietary supplement use: a hazardous and erratic way to improve one's health?
Journal
Swiss Medical Weekly
Author(s)
Troxler D.S., Michaud P.A., Graz B., Rodondi P.Y.
ISSN
1424-3997 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0036-7672
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Volume
143
Number
w13807
Pages
1-6
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal ArticlePublication Status: epublish. PDF type: Original article
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Dietary supplement (DS) use increased rapidly in recent years. However, evidence of benefits of many DSs for healthy users is scarce and may not equate with known risks of overdose, drug interaction and recently discovered negative long-term effects. This exploratory study aimed to investigate the perceptions and motivations of DS users in Lausanne, Switzerland.
METHOD: A convenience sample (n = 147) was recruited at the entrances of local sales points. Data were collected in on-site semistructured interviews that assessed dietary supplementation habits.
RESULTS: The majority of DSs were all-in-one products, containing a mixture of minerals and vitamins, or products containing only minerals. Among the 147 users, 72 (49%) used one all-in-one product and 3 (2%) used two all-in-one products. Thirty-one (21%) consumers did not know for at least one product what the purpose of their DS use was. Seventy-five percent of participants thought that DS use presents no risk or nearly no risk. Only 49% of participants stated that their physicians were informed about their consumption. Although men searched more often for potential risks (p <0.001), they turned less frequently to health professionals to get this information (p = 0.007).
DISCUSSION: As in other surveys performed elsewhere, our study shows that, in Lausanne (Switzerland), DSs are commonly used as mixed products. Risk perception seems generally low among DS users. Physicians should be trained to evaluate patients' perceived needs and DS consumption in order to provide good evidence-based information or to propose alternatives to DS use.
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
03/10/2013 17:00
Last modification date
20/08/2019 16:18
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