Consumer insights into the benefits of dietary supplements – …€¦ · EPA+DHA. The respondents...
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Consumer insights into the benefits of dietary supplements – report of a survey 1 Francis C. Lau, Ph.D., FACN, 1,2 Amalia Blanco, Pharm.D., 1 Randi Neiner, Ph.D., and 1 Bruce P. Daggy, Ph.D., FACN. 1 Shaklee Innovation Center, Pleasanton, CA; 2 University of Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Findings from a previous cross-sectional study in a cohort of consumers with documented long-term (>20 years) use of multiple supplements indicated that the health status of this cohort was significantly better than non-supplement or multivitamin- only users surveyed by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) [Block et al., Nutr. J. 6:30, 2007]. Specifically, this cohort had improved levels of disease-risk biomarkers and reduced prevalence of diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. The objective of the current study was to survey this cohort of long-term supplement users regarding their opinions on the role of supplements in promoting health. METHODS Online survey link was sent to a pool of 3,426 long-term supplement users residing in four general geographic regions within the continental USA via email. There were 907 recipients who responded to the invitation and among them, more than 700 subsequently completed the 13-item survey regarding their opinions and knowledge of five supplements. The supplements surveyed were: multivitamin; resveratrol/polyphenol-rich formulation (RPS); vitamin B complex; herbal extract of alfalfa leaves and omega-3 EPA+DHA. The respondents were asked about their personal experience on the benefits of these five supplements. The responses were grouped into keywords and the top 10 keywords for each supplements were used to illustrate consumers perception of the health benefits associated with these supplements. ABSTRACT Nutrition should be a major tool for disease prevention. Unfortunately, poor diet choices greatly increase the risks for many diseases, and the current healthcare system pays scant attention to nutrition. Findings from NHANES suggest that inadequate intakes of many nutrients exist among U.S. adults. In this regard, dietary supplements may be used to promote health and fill nutrient gaps. In fact, according a recent survey, more than two-thirds of American adults take dietary supplements and that users of supplements are more likely than non-users to make healthy dietary choices and adopt other healthy lifestyle habits. Effects of supplement use have been studied in a cohort of consumers with documented long-term (>20 years) use of multiple supplements. Previous reports found that this cohort had improved levels of disease-risk biomarkers and reduced prevalence of diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease as compared to non-supplement users or multivitamin- only users from the NHANES database. Here we report the results of a survey of this cohort examining their opinions on the role of supplements in promoting health. The online survey collected supplement usage pattern and measured consumer experience with five dietary supplements: multivitamin; resveratrol/polyphenol-rich supplement (RPS); vitamin B complex; herbal supplement containing alfalfa leaf powder; and omega-3 supplement. The online survey was sent to 3,426 U.S. consumers and of whom 907 responded (87% females). Regional distribution of the responders was as follows: 36% Midwest, 25% South, 21% Northeast and 19% West. Of all the responders, 55% were between 60 – 79 years old. More than two-thirds (69%) of responders indicated that they have been using supplements for more than 20 years. The primary reasons for using supplements were health from within or overall health (49%) and filling nutrient gaps (12%). The responses related to supplement usage experience were grouped by keywords as related to health benefits. The main benefits for multivitamins: energy (48.1%), overall health (19.5%), immunity (19.0%), well-being (14.4%); RPS: energy (26.1%), skin health (7.8%), anti-inflammation (7.5%), vision health (7.4%); B-Complex: energy (42.3%), stress relief (23.9%), calm (21.2%); Alfalfa: allergy relief (56.6%), arthritis relief (17.1%), anti-inflammation (12.7%); and Omega-3: anti-inflammation (20.6%), heart health (17.3%), joint health (14.5%). These results indicated that long-term supplement use was driven by perceived benefits. Some perceived benefits suggest areas for future research. RESULTS CONCLUSIONS • The predominant age of the participants was between 60-69 years (Fig. 1). • More than 99% of the respondents were regular supplement users (Fig. 3) and about 70% of them were long-term users (>20 years, Fig. 4). • The mains reason of taking supplements were for general health and filling nutrient gaps (Fig. 5). • The main reported benefits for multivitamin, resveratrol/polyphenol supplement, and B-complex were energy (Fig. 6A, 6B, and 6D). • The reported benefits for omega-3 supplement were anti-inflammation, heart health, and joint health (Fig. 6C). • The benefits associated with alfalfa leaf extract supplement were allergy and arthritis relief, anti-inflammation, and joint health (Fig. 6E). • The findings suggest that long-term supplement use may be driven by perceived benefits. • Some perceived benefits suggest areas of future research. 57% 13% 17% 11% 12% 2% 12% 4% 5% 2% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% % responses 6E. Alfalfa herbal supplement (n=788) 4% 21% 4% 3% 41% 3% 6% 13% 3% 24% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% % responses 6D. B-complex (n=770) 21% 5% 4% 10% 17% 15% 8% 5% 11% 4% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% % responses 6C. Omega-3 EPA + DHA (n=710) 8% 26% 4% 5% 5% 5% 8% 4% 7% 6% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% % responses 6B. Resveratrol/polyphenol supplement (n=732) 48% 8% 4% 2% 19% 19% 3% 3% 2% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% % responses 6A. Multivitamin (n=730) Figure 6. Top 10 reported benefits Supplement facts Word cloud illustration of benefits 1.4% 7.7% 9.1% 17.9% 29.4% 26.1% 8.3% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 18 - 29 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 59 60 - 69 70 - 79 Over 80 % responses Age (year) Figure 1. Age Distribution (n=900, females = 87%) 18.5% 35.6% 24.7% 21.1% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% West Midwest South Northeast % responses Figure 2. Geographic Distribution (n=890) 0.7% 0.8% 98.5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Non-user Seasonal/Occasional user Regular user % responses Figure 3. Supplement usage habit (n=888) 9.5% 8.0% 13.4% 69.1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% < 5 years 5-9 years 10-19 years ≥ 20 years % responses Figure 4. Duration of supplement use (n=898) 2.1% 12.5% 7.3% 2.2% 49.6% 26.3% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% Energy Fill nutrient gaps Immune heatlh Appearance General health Other % responses Figure 5. Reasons for taking supplements (n=898)
Transcript of Consumer insights into the benefits of dietary supplements – …€¦ · EPA+DHA. The respondents...
Consumer insights into the benefits of dietary supplements – report of a survey1Francis C. Lau, Ph.D., FACN, 1,2Amalia Blanco, Pharm.D., 1Randi Neiner, Ph.D., and 1Bruce P. Daggy, Ph.D., FACN. 1Shaklee Innovation Center, Pleasanton, CA; 2University of Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESFindings from a previous cross-sectional
study in a cohort of consumers withdocumented long-term (>20 years) use ofmultiple supplements indicated that thehealth status of this cohort was significantlybetter than non-supplement or multivitamin-only users surveyed by the National Healthand Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES) [Block et al., Nutr. J. 6:30,2007]. Specifically, this cohort hadimproved levels of disease-risk biomarkersand reduced prevalence of diseases such asdiabetes and coronary heart disease.
The objective of the current study was tosurvey this cohort of long-term supplementusers regarding their opinions on the role ofsupplements in promoting health.
METHODSOnline survey link was sent to a pool of
3,426 long-term supplement users residingin four general geographic regions withinthe continental USA via email. There were907 recipients who responded to theinvitation and among them, more than 700subsequently completed the 13-item surveyregarding their opinions and knowledge offive supplements.
The supplements surveyed were:multivitamin; resveratrol/polyphenol-richformulation (RPS); vitamin B complex;herbal extract of alfalfa leaves and omega-3EPA+DHA.The respondents were asked about their
personal experience on the benefits of thesefive supplements. The responses weregrouped into keywords and the top 10keywords for each supplements were usedto illustrate consumers perception of thehealth benefits associated with thesesupplements.
ABSTRACTNutrition should be a major tool for disease prevention.
Unfortunately, poor diet choices greatly increase the risks formany diseases, and the current healthcare system pays scantattention to nutrition. Findings from NHANES suggest thatinadequate intakes of many nutrients exist among U.S. adults. Inthis regard, dietary supplements may be used to promote healthand fill nutrient gaps. In fact, according a recent survey, morethan two-thirds of American adults take dietary supplements andthat users of supplements are more likely than non-users tomake healthy dietary choices and adopt other healthy lifestylehabits.
Effects of supplement use have been studied in a cohort ofconsumers with documented long-term (>20 years) use ofmultiple supplements. Previous reports found that this cohorthad improved levels of disease-risk biomarkers and reducedprevalence of diseases such as diabetes and coronary heartdisease as compared to non-supplement users or multivitamin-only users from the NHANES database. Here we report theresults of a survey of this cohort examining their opinions on therole of supplements in promoting health.
The online survey collected supplement usage pattern andmeasured consumer experience with five dietary supplements:multivitamin; resveratrol/polyphenol-rich supplement (RPS);vitamin B complex; herbal supplement containing alfalfa leafpowder; and omega-3 supplement. The online survey was sentto 3,426 U.S. consumers and of whom 907 responded (87%females). Regional distribution of the responders was asfollows: 36% Midwest, 25% South, 21% Northeast and 19%West. Of all the responders, 55% were between 60 – 79 yearsold. More than two-thirds (69%) of responders indicated thatthey have been using supplements for more than 20 years. Theprimary reasons for using supplements were health from withinor overall health (49%) and filling nutrient gaps (12%). Theresponses related to supplement usage experience were groupedby keywords as related to health benefits. The main benefits formultivitamins: energy (48.1%), overall health (19.5%),immunity (19.0%), well-being (14.4%); RPS: energy (26.1%),skin health (7.8%), anti-inflammation (7.5%), vision health(7.4%); B-Complex: energy (42.3%), stress relief (23.9%), calm(21.2%); Alfalfa: allergy relief (56.6%), arthritis relief (17.1%),anti-inflammation (12.7%); and Omega-3: anti-inflammation(20.6%), heart health (17.3%), joint health (14.5%).
These results indicated that long-term supplement use wasdriven by perceived benefits. Some perceived benefits suggestareas for future research.
RESULTS
CONCLUSIONS• The predominant age of the participants was between 60-69 years (Fig. 1). • More than 99% of the respondents were regular supplement users (Fig. 3) and about 70% of them were long-term users (>20 years, Fig. 4).• The mains reason of taking supplements were for general health and filling nutrient gaps (Fig. 5).• The main reported benefits for multivitamin, resveratrol/polyphenol supplement, and B-complex were energy (Fig. 6A, 6B, and 6D).• The reported benefits for omega-3 supplement were anti-inflammation, heart health, and joint health (Fig. 6C).• The benefits associated with alfalfa leaf extract supplement were allergy and arthritis relief, anti-inflammation, and joint health (Fig. 6E).• The findings suggest that long-term supplement use may be driven by perceived benefits. • Some perceived benefits suggest areas of future research.
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Figure 6. Top 10 reported benefits Supplement factsWord cloud illustration of benefits
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Figure 5. Reasons for taking supplements (n=898)
