CRN Study: Physicians Support Dietary Supplement Use

A new study conducted by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (Washington, DC) and Ipsos Public Affairs (New York City) has found that a majority of physicians recommend dietary supplements to their patients and even take dietary supplements themselves. The results have been published in Nutrition Journal.

The 2008 “Life…supplemented” Healthcare Professionals and Impact Study surveyed 900 physicians, including cardiologists, dermatologists, and orthopedists.

Of dermatologists surveyed, 75% claimed to use dietary supplements and 66% claimed to recommend dietary supplements to patients-mainly for reasons of skin, hair, and nail health.

Of cardiologists surveyed, 57% claimed to use dietary supplements and 72% claimed to recommend them-mainly for reasons of lowering cholesterol, maintaining healthy cholesterol, and general heart health.

Of orthopedists surveyed, 73% claimed to use dietary supplements and 91% claimed to recommend them-mainly for reasons of bone health, joint health, and musculoskeletal pain.

The most popular dietary supplement for physicians’ personal use was a multivitamin. At least 25% of physicians in each specialty consumed an omega-3 or fish oil supplement.