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Use of dietary supplements by cardiologists, dermatologists and orthopedists: results of a survey
Author(s) -
Dickinson Annette,
Boyon Nicolas,
Shao Andrew
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.942.3
Subject(s) - medicine , dietary supplement , multivitamin , specialty , alternative medicine , family medicine , food science , vitamin , chemistry , pathology
The “Life…supplemented” Healthcare Professionals 2008 Impact Study surveyed physician usage of dietary supplements. The survey was conducted online by Ipsos Public Affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a trade association representing the dietary supplement industry. Respondents were 900 physicians, including 300 each from three specialties – cardiology, dermatology, and orthopedics. Over half of cardiologists (57%) said they use dietary supplements at least occasionally, as did 75% of dermatologists and 73% of orthopedists. The product most commonly used was a multivitamin, but over 25% in each specialty used omega‐3 fatty acids and over 20% used some herbal/botanical supplement. Regular dietary supplement use was reported by 37% of cardiologists, 59% of dermatologists, and 50% of orthopedists. Fully 72% of cardiologists, 66% of dermatologists, and 91% of orthopedists reported recommending supplements to their patients. The primary reason given for recommending dietary supplements to patients was to lower cholesterol or for heart health (cardiologists); benefits for skin, hair and nails (dermatologists); and bone and joint health (orthopedists). Dietary supplement use was relatively common in this sample of physicians, and when they recommended dietary supplements to patients, they tended to do so for reasons related to their specialty. Funded by CRN.