Natural health product use in Canada.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To quantify patterns of Natural Health Product (NHP) use in Canada.

METHODS:
The Food Habits of Canadians surveyed 1,543 Canadian adults using a 24-hour recall to record dietary supplements. Prevalence of use by user profile was examined.

RESULTS:
Forty-six percent of women and 33% of men reported taking at least one Natural Health Product with a mean of 2.3 among users. The highest prevalence of supplement use, 57%, occurred among women aged 50-65. Supplement users were older, less likely to smoke and perceived their health as better than non-users. Among supplement users, men had higher rates of use of garlic and vitamin C while women used iron, calcium, B complex, evening primrose oil and glucosamine sulfate.

DISCUSSION:
Supplement use by Canadians, at 38% for nutrients and 15% for herbal products, was similar to the rate of uses in the U.S., although differences in the reporting of types of supplements underline aspects of consumer behaviour as well as methodological issues specific to NHPs. Investigation of the use of NHPs in the healthcare setting is important given the widespread use and the potential health care consequences associated with supplement use.

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Author information

Author/s: Troppmann, Leticia (L); Johns, Timothy (T); Gray-Donald, Katherine (K);

Affiliation: School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, 21 111 Lakeshore Road, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Canadian journal of public health. Revue canadienne de santé publique (Can J Public Health), published in Canada. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2002 Nov-Dec; vol 93 (issue 6) : pp 426-30

Dates: Created 2002/11/25; Completed 2002/12/20; Revised 2008/02/13;

PMID: 12448864, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Dietary Supplements - utilization
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Recall
Middle Aged

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