(From
a letter written by Dr. Stephen G Chaney)
Many
of the people that I talk to seem to think that all doctors are
against supplementation.
In fact, the opposite is true, as illustrated by a recent study of 900 specialists - 300 cardiologists,
300 dermatologists and 300 orthopedists (A. Dickinson et al, Nutrition Journal, 2011, 10:20, doi:
10.1186/1475-2891-10-20)
When asked if they used dietary supplements occasionally, 75% of dermatologists, 73% of
orthopedists and 57% of cardiologists said yes.
When asked whether they used supplements regularly the percentages were 59% for dermatologists, 50% for orthopedists and 37% for cardiologists – percentages that are not significantly different from the general population.
Multivitamins were the most frequently used supplements with between 44% and 61% of physicians using a multivitamin, depending on their specialty.
Omega-3 fatty acids were the next most used supplements, with over 25% of the physicians in each
specialty using it.
Over 20% of the physicians in each specialty used herbal supplements, with green tea extract being the most frequently used.
Finally, vitamin C, calcium and glucosamine/chondroitin supplements rounded out the top 6.
And the physicians surveyed were not just using the products themselves - they were recommending them to their patients.
91% of orthopedists, 72% of cardiologists and 66% of dermatologists recommended supplements to their patients.
If you did the math you may have noticed that more physicians recommend supplements to their patients than use them on a regular basis themselves - which is interesting!
The article did not report which supplements physicians in each of the specialties were recommending to their patients, but it did say that:
- 75% of orthopedists, 69% of dermatologists and 55% of cardiologists agreed with the statement "It is a good idea for patients to take multivitamins."
- 69% of cardiologists agreed with the statement "Adults with a family history of heart disease should
consider taking dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids/fish oil."
- And 93% of orthopedists agreed with the statement "Adults with a family history of osteoporosis or poor bone health should consider taking a calcium dietary supplement."
And for those of us who teach physicians, it appears that we are not doing a very good job. Most of the
physicians in the study indicated that their nutrition training was inadequate, and they had not received any training on the subject of dietary supplements.
The bottom line for you is pretty simple.
If you are using, or considering using, dietary supplements, you are in good company.
To Your Health!
In fact, the opposite is true, as illustrated by a recent study of 900 specialists - 300 cardiologists,
300 dermatologists and 300 orthopedists (A. Dickinson et al, Nutrition Journal, 2011, 10:20, doi:
10.1186/1475-2891-10-20)
When asked if they used dietary supplements occasionally, 75% of dermatologists, 73% of
orthopedists and 57% of cardiologists said yes.
When asked whether they used supplements regularly the percentages were 59% for dermatologists, 50% for orthopedists and 37% for cardiologists – percentages that are not significantly different from the general population.
Multivitamins were the most frequently used supplements with between 44% and 61% of physicians using a multivitamin, depending on their specialty.
Omega-3 fatty acids were the next most used supplements, with over 25% of the physicians in each
specialty using it.
Over 20% of the physicians in each specialty used herbal supplements, with green tea extract being the most frequently used.
Finally, vitamin C, calcium and glucosamine/chondroitin supplements rounded out the top 6.
And the physicians surveyed were not just using the products themselves - they were recommending them to their patients.
91% of orthopedists, 72% of cardiologists and 66% of dermatologists recommended supplements to their patients.
If you did the math you may have noticed that more physicians recommend supplements to their patients than use them on a regular basis themselves - which is interesting!
The article did not report which supplements physicians in each of the specialties were recommending to their patients, but it did say that:
- 75% of orthopedists, 69% of dermatologists and 55% of cardiologists agreed with the statement "It is a good idea for patients to take multivitamins."
- 69% of cardiologists agreed with the statement "Adults with a family history of heart disease should
consider taking dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids/fish oil."
- And 93% of orthopedists agreed with the statement "Adults with a family history of osteoporosis or poor bone health should consider taking a calcium dietary supplement."
And for those of us who teach physicians, it appears that we are not doing a very good job. Most of the
physicians in the study indicated that their nutrition training was inadequate, and they had not received any training on the subject of dietary supplements.
The bottom line for you is pretty simple.
If you are using, or considering using, dietary supplements, you are in good company.
To Your Health!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
