TitleImpact of Frequency of Multi-Vitamin/Multi-Mineral Supplement Intake on Nutritional Adequacy and Nutrient Deficiencies in U.S. Adults.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsBlumberg JB, Frei BB, Fulgoni VL, Weaver CM, Zeisel SH
JournalNutrients
Volume9
Issue8
Date Published2017 Aug 09
ISSN2072-6643
KeywordsAdult, Avitaminosis, Dietary Supplements, Female, Humans, Male, Micronutrients, Minerals, Nutrition Surveys, Nutritional Status, United States, Vitamins, Young Adult
Abstract

Although >50% of U.S. adults use dietary supplements, little information is available on the impact of supplement use frequency on nutrient intakes and deficiencies. Based on nationally representative data in 10,698 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2009 to 2012, assessments were made of intakes from food alone versus food plus multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplements (MVMS) of 17 nutrients with an Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), and of the status of five nutrients with recognized biomarkers of deficiency. Compared to food alone, MVMS use at any frequency was associated with a lower prevalence of inadequacy ( < 0.01) for 15/17 nutrients examined and an increased prevalence of intakes >UL for 7 nutrients, but the latter was ≤4% for any nutrient. Except for calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, most frequent MVMS use (≥21 days/30 days) virtually eliminated inadequacies of the nutrients examined, and was associated with significantly lower odds ratios of deficiency for the examined nutrient biomarkers except for iron. In conclusion, among U.S. adults, MVMS use is associated with decreased micronutrient inadequacies, intakes slightly exceeding the UL for a few nutrients, and a lower risk of nutrient deficiencies.

DOI10.3390/nu9080849
Alternate JournalNutrients
PubMed ID28792457
PubMed Central IDPMC5579642