Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Use among Korean Adults: Baseline Data from the Trace Element Study of Korean Adults in Yeungnam Area

Abstract

Although dietary supplement use is believed to improve health status, the efficacy and safety of its use remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements (VMS) to the total micronutrient intake. Study participants (n = 586) were selected from the ongoing prospective cohort study of the Korean population, and baseline information on current use of dietary supplements, types of supplements, frequency of use, dosage, duration, and brand name was collected. Dietary information was assessed using a 146-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Approximately one-fourth of the participants were categorized as VMS users. The proportion of VMS use was significantly higher in women (p = 0.02), older participants (p = 0.002), and those with a higher income level (p = 0.03) than in non-users. All vitamin and mineral intakes of both groups met the recommended nutrient intake levels by food consumption alone, except for riboflavin, calcium, and magnesium. Approximately 0.7–3.4% of the VMS users had nutrient intake levels that exceeded the tolerable upper intake levels for vitamin A, E, C, iron, and iodine. Excessive use of VMS can lead to an increased risk for adverse health effects. The results of this study provide useful baseline data for establishing guidelines for the appropriate consumption and adequate intake levels of VMS.

The Association Between Health Conditions, Consciousness, Involvement, and Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Intake among University Students in South Korea

“…Recommendations from others accounted for the second most influential factor for DS consumption for the same reasons discussed in regard to family and peer influence. The most commonly consumed DSs were multivitamins, consistent with the findings of another study [6]. Meanwhile DS users and non-users significantly differed in terms of DS intake, but no such difference was found in connection with other health-related behaviors.…”

“…These individuals were highly confident about their health and physical strength. Given that DSs are dispensed without the need for a prescription and are available to all individuals who may have different health conditions, the benefits of such products may be minimal, and their efficacy remains controversial [6]. Therefore, although the DS users may have been aware of the potentially weak efficacy of DSs, they also held positive perceptions of the benefits of consuming these supplements.…”

“…The market for DSs has rapidly increased since 2009, reaching a size of US$1792 million in 2013 [5]. Vitamin or mineral products are the most frequently consumed supplements in the country [6]. In 2015, the total healthy eating index (HEI) score for Koreans was 57 points [7].…”

Determining content of mercury in vitamin and mineral dietary supplements

“…Moreover, the mercury--selenium complex limits the activity of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme, which participates in the conversion of hydrogen peroxide into water, where selenium acts as a cofactor [16,17]. The number of published works on the content of mercury in herbal dietary supplements is not very large [18,19,20]. The aim of the manuscript was to determine the content of mercury in vitamin and mineral dietary supplements.…”

Determination of the Content of Mercury in Vitamin and Mineral Dietary Supplements

“…The number of published work on the content of mercury in herbal dietary supplements is not too big [18][19][20] The aim of the manuscript was to determine the content of mercury in vitamin and mineral dietary supplements. An analysis of the results obtained depending on the main component and an indication for the use of specific groups of dietary supplements and on the pharmaceutical form in which it is available on the market was made.…”