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Yumrukaya L, Sözen-Şahne B, Saraçoğlu İ, Yeğenoğlu S. Exploring the Dietary Supplement Use During COVID-19: Insights from Community Pharmacists, Pharmacy Staff, Academics, and Industry Experts. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE 2024. [PMID: 39046925 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2023.0632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Introduction: The increased use of dietary supplements is a consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although their efficacy has not been consistently proven, they have been perceived as a preventive tool against COVID-19. Less strict regulations and debates on their definitions in a regulatory framework raise concerns about safety issues. Apart from dietary supplement use, information demand has increased, and pharmacists have played a key role as accessible health professionals. This study aimed to reveal the opinions of community pharmacists, pharmacy staff, sector representatives, and academicians regarding the sale and use of dietary supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative study approach was followed, using grounded theory. Data were collected between September 2021 and July 2022, analyzed using MAXQDA 2020 software, and reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results: After refining the open codes, two themes emerged: dietary supplements and the effects of the pandemic. It was found that increased dietary supplement use was rooted in COVID-19 fear, promotional activities, and social media influence. The interaction between consumers and the dietary supplement industry is bidirectional. Conclusions: Pharmacies, as access points for these products, played a crucial role in struggling with the effects of the pandemic. Although dietary supplements are considered safe, their potential for adverse reactions poses a public health risk. Flexible regulations, unregulated alternative advertising channels, and a lack of awareness of the safety of these products pose a challenge to public health. In this regard, all stakeholders should work to minimize the risks from undergraduate education to professional life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Yumrukaya
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Management, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bilge Sözen-Şahne
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Management, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İclal Saraçoğlu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Selen Yeğenoğlu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Management, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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Coates E, Pentieva K, Verhagen H. The Prevalence and Compliance of Health Claims Used in the Labelling and Information for Prepacked Foods within Great Britain. Foods 2024; 13:539. [PMID: 38397515 PMCID: PMC10887619 DOI: 10.3390/foods13040539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In the EU and Great Britain (GB), all health claims (HCs) on food must be authorised before use and should comply with Regulation 1924/2006. In GB, all HCs, authorised or not, are listed in the Great Britain Nutrition and Health Claims Register. This study reviews the prevalence and compliance of HCs on prepacked foods sold within three GB supermarkets and via their grocery shopping websites. In June 2023, food labels and online product information of 440 products were evaluated across three food categories-dairy and dairy alternatives; fruit juices, fruit juice drinks and fruit smoothies; and teas and infusions. In store, 26.3% of products carried an HC and 28.3% online. The prevalence of HCs was higher when compared with data from 2016. Overall compliance was high, in store (94.3%) and online (90.0%), with no statistically significant difference in overall HC compliance between in store and online products (p = 0.724). The HC violations observed in the present study were due to non-compliant wording of HCs or use of non-authorised HCs. This study demonstrates changes in the HC landscape and the need for continued monitoring of the prevalence and compliance of HCs as consumer trends alter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Coates
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK; (E.C.); (K.P.)
| | - Kristina Pentieva
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK; (E.C.); (K.P.)
| | - Hans Verhagen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK; (E.C.); (K.P.)
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 201, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Food Safety & Nutrition Consultancy, 3703 EE Zeist, The Netherlands
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Wang-Chen Y, Kellow NJ, Choi TST. Exploring the determinants of food choice in Chinese immigrants living in Australia and Chinese people living in mainland China: A qualitative study. J Hum Nutr Diet 2023; 36:1576-1588. [PMID: 36727422 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study aimed to qualitatively explore the food choice determinants of both Chinese immigrants living in Australia and Chinese people living in mainland China. METHODS Eight Chinese Australian participants (female, n = 5; male, n = 3) and ten mainland Chinese participants (female, n = 5; male, n = 5) were recruited from Australia (primarily in Melbourne, Victoria) and China (predominantly in Zhengzhou, Henan province) between June 2021 and March 2022. Participants were diverse in age, socio-economic background, occupation and health status. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted in Mandarin either face-to-face or using online video/voice calls. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Investigator triangulation was used to enhance scientific rigour. RESULTS Four themes were identified: (1) food choice determinants were shaped by traditional and modern nutrition perceptions and personal food philosophy; (2) physiological responses to food provide direct feedback that impacts future food choices; (3) consideration of convenience was a predominant influencer of food choice; and (4) the differences in food environments between China and Australia promoted distinctive food choice determinants for Chinese people. CONCLUSIONS Chinese Australian and mainland Chinese participants' food choices are shaped by traditional Chinese nutrition philosophy, modern Western nutrition science and the contemporary food environment. There are clear cultural characteristics in their food choice determinants that should be considered by health educators, nutrition professionals and nutrition policymakers when developing culturally appropriate health interventions for Chinese people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixi Wang-Chen
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics & Food, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicole J Kellow
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics & Food, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tammie S T Choi
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics & Food, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Chiba T, Tanemura N. Differences in the Perception of Dietary Supplements between Dietary Supplement/Medicine Users and Non-Users. Nutrients 2022; 14:4114. [PMID: 36235766 PMCID: PMC9572052 DOI: 10.3390/nu14194114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Some patients use dietary supplements and medicines concomitantly, with an inappropriate perception of their safety and efficacy. To clarify the perception between dietary supplement and medicine users and non-users, we conducted an internet survey. In this survey, 38.9% of participants used dietary supplements, 32.6% used prescription medicines, and 14.7% used dietary supplements and prescription medicines concomitantly. Then, we conducted a further survey on four groups, dietary supplement and prescription medicine users, dietary supplement only users, prescription medicine only users, and non-users (500 each). Dietary supplement users had favorable outcomes in terms of both the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements compared to dietary supplement non-users. This perception of dietary supplements was independent from medicine use. The awareness of the Health Food Network consumer navigation site, which provides information about dietary supplements for consumers, was the highest among dietary supplement and prescription medicine users, but it was still low (2.2%). In conclusion, consumers who use dietary supplement and prescription medicine concomitantly have favorable outcomes for their safety and efficacy and a low awareness of their interaction. There is a need to provide information, especially regarding the risk of interaction, that takes into account the consumer's situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Chiba
- Department of Food Function and Labeling, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Tokyo 162-8363, Japan
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Durazzo A, Sorkin BC, Lucarini M, Gusev PA, Kuszak AJ, Crawford C, Boyd C, Deuster PA, Saldanha LG, Gurley BJ, Pehrsson PR, Harnly JM, Turrini A, Andrews KW, Lindsey AT, Heinrich M, Dwyer JT. Analytical Challenges and Metrological Approaches to Ensuring Dietary Supplement Quality: International Perspectives. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:714434. [PMID: 35087401 PMCID: PMC8787362 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.714434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The increased utilization of metrology resources and expanded application of its' approaches in the development of internationally agreed upon measurements can lay the basis for regulatory harmonization, support reproducible research, and advance scientific understanding, especially of dietary supplements and herbal medicines. Yet, metrology is often underappreciated and underutilized in dealing with the many challenges presented by these chemically complex preparations. This article discusses the utility of applying rigorous analytical techniques and adopting metrological principles more widely in studying dietary supplement products and ingredients, particularly medicinal plants and other botanicals. An assessment of current and emerging dietary supplement characterization methods is provided, including targeted and non-targeted techniques, as well as data analysis and evaluation approaches, with a focus on chemometrics, toxicity, dosage form performance, and data management. Quality assessment, statistical methods, and optimized methods for data management are also discussed. Case studies provide examples of applying metrological principles in thorough analytical characterization of supplement composition to clarify their health effects. A new frontier for metrology in dietary supplement science is described, including opportunities to improve methods for analysis and data management, development of relevant standards and good practices, and communication of these developments to researchers and analysts, as well as to regulatory and policy decision makers in the public and private sectors. The promotion of closer interactions between analytical, clinical, and pharmaceutical scientists who are involved in research and product development with metrologists who develop standards and methodological guidelines is critical to advance research on dietary supplement characterization and health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara C Sorkin
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Pavel A Gusev
- Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Adam J Kuszak
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Cindy Crawford
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military & Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Courtney Boyd
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military & Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Patricia A Deuster
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military & Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Leila G Saldanha
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Bill J Gurley
- National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Pamela R Pehrsson
- Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - James M Harnly
- Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Aida Turrini
- CREA - Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Rome, Italy
| | - Karen W Andrews
- Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Andrea T Lindsey
- Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military & Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Michael Heinrich
- UCL School of Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, London, United Kingdom
| | - Johanna T Dwyer
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
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