A recent paper entitled ‘use of dietary supplements by (USA based) cardiologists, dermatologists and orthopaedists’: produced a report of a survey that found that 57% of cardiologists said they use dietary supplements at least occasionally, as did 75% of dermatologists and 73% of orthopaedists.[1]
Regular dietary supplement use was reported by 37% of cardiologists, 59% of dermatologists, and 50% of orthopaedists. In addition, 72% of cardiologists, 66% of dermatologists, and 91% of orthopaedists reported recommending dietary supplements to their patients. Should we be surprised, and is it the same in the UK and Europe?
According to the summary, the:
“primary reason given for recommending dietary supplements to patients was for heart health or lowering cholesterol for the cardiologists; benefits for skin, hair and nails for the dermatologists; and bone and joint health for the orthopaedists”.
The product most commonly reported to be used was a multivitamin, but over 25% in each specialty said they used omega-3 fatty acids and over 20% said they used some botanical supplements
Use and recommendation of dietary supplements by cardiologists, dermatologists, and orthopedists in the HCP Impact Study
| Cardiologists (n = 300) |
Dermatologists (n = 300) |
Orthopedists (n = 300) |
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| Percentage using dietary supplements (regularly, occasionally, seasonally) | 57% | 75% | 73% |
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| Percentage of regular users | 37% | 59% | 50% |
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| Percentage recommending dietary supplements to patients | 72% | 66% | 91% |
When questioned about their reasons for taking and recommending food supplements, the responses were summarised as:
Primary reasons for taking and recommending dietary supplements by cardiologists, dermatologists, and orthopedists in the HCP Impact Study*
| SPECIALTY | REASONS FOR TAKING | REASONS FOR RECOMMENDING |
| CARDIOLOGISTS: | (n = 172 who take supplements) | (n = 217 who recommend supplements) |
| Overall health/wellness | 32% | 30% |
| Heart health | 29% | 55% |
| Lower cholesterol | 20% | 58% |
| Bone health | 16% | 22% |
| Joint health | 16% | 19% |
| Maintain healthy cholesterol | 15% | 36% |
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| DERMATOLOGISTS: | (n = 225 who take supplements) | (n = 198 who recommend supplements) |
| Overall health/wellness | 42% | 30% |
| Bone health | 24% | 25% |
| Skin, hair, nails | 16% | 81% |
| Heart health | 15% | 12% |
| Anti-aging | 14% | 20% |
| Immune health | 13% | 12% |
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| ORTHOPAEDISTS: | (n = 218 who take supplements) | (n = 272 who recommend supplements) |
| Overall health/wellness | 43% | 25% |
| Joint health | 29% | 73% |
| Heart health | 26% | 10% |
| Bone health | 25% | 75% |
| Flu/colds | 22% | 7% |
| Musculoskeletal pain | 17% | 53% |
| Lower cholesterol | 16% | 13% |
* Figures in bold show each specialty’s top 5 reasons for taking dietary supplements and top 5 reasons for recommending dietary supplements to patients.
So when next asked why do you take food supplements when a balanced diet should supply all that you need, to avoid the lengthy answer, simply say because Dr’s recommend it!
Reference
[1] Dickinson A, Shao A, Boyon N, Franco JC. Use of dietary supplements by cardiologists, dermatologists and orthopedists: report of a survey. Nutr J. 2011 Mar 3;10:20. View Full Paper
