<p>Prevalence and Use of Dietary Supplements Among Pharmacy Students in Saudi Arabia</p>

Abstract

Purpose Dietary supplements (DSs) are popular in many countries, and their use among individuals is increasing worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and use of DSs among pharmacy students in King Saud University College of Pharmacy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods This study used a cross-sectional design targeting male senior pharmacy students in their fourth and fifth years of Bachelor and Doctor of Pharmacy courses. The data were collected between August and October 2019 using paper-based questionnaires. Results A total of 46.8% of the students used DSs. Of all students surveyed, 19% used branded supplements whereas 9.7% used generic or local supplements and 12.3% used both generic and branded supplements. Furthermore, 8.2% students suffered from side effects, including 5.6% who suffered from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and 2.6% who suffered from headache, confusion, and disorientation. Approximately 24.6% of students used fiber DSs whereas 19% and 16.4% used DSs for protein and glucosamine/omega 3 fatty acids, respectively. Conclusion The study findings indicated that the prevalence of DS use is increasing. However, approximately half of the respondents encourage the use of DSs only with a doctor’s recommendation. Educating about the safe use of DSs is warranted.

Dietary Supplement Use among Primary Health Care Attendants in Abha City, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

“…Multivitamins/minerals (56.8%) were the most frequently used among Mediterranean people [ 12 ]. Similar findings were also reported in Gulf countries, including Kuwait [ 1 ], the United Arab Emirates [ 3 ], and Saudi Arabia [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Advice from health care workers was the most frequently cited reason for using dietary supplements.…”

“…Furthermore, a survey in the USA including participants from Hawaii and Los Angeles, California, showed that dietary supplement use amounted to 44% among Hawaiian males and 75% among Japanese American and White females [ 6 ]. Likewise, in Saudi Arabia, high figures were reported, amounting to 76.6% among female college students in Riyadh [ 7 ], 46.8% among pharmacy students [ 8 ], 30% among Dammam university students [ 9 ], and 26.2% among adolescent school children [ 10 ].…”

“…Multivitamins are the most frequently consumed product [ 7 ]. For those who do not consume a balanced diet, the United States National Institutes of Health declared that some supplements “may have value” [ 8 ].…”

“…The most frequently used supplements are multivitamins/multiminerals, vitamin D, and vitamin C [ 8 ]. The most consumed non-multivitamin/multimineral products are fish oil, omega-3/DHA, glucosamine, echinacea, flaxseed oil, chondroitin, and ginseng [ 9 ].…”

Dietary Intake and Supplement Use Among Saudi Residents during COVID-19 Lockdown

“…Recent studies from Saudi Arabia have shown the increased prevalence of DS use among its population. However, these studies recommend the consumers to use it with a doctor’s prescription and advocates for increased awareness about its health effects [ 17 , 18 ]. Studies have demonstrated the positive health effects of functional foods on respiratory, viral and parasitic, infectious, and inflammatory diseases [ 19 ].…”