Table 3

Reasons for recommending and using dietary supplements, selected by 10% or more of dietitians surveyed, from a provided list of reasons

List of reasons (Provided to survey respondents)

Reason for recommending (n = 300)

Reason for using(n = 287)

Bone health

70%

58%*

Fill nutrition gaps

67%

42%*

Overall health/wellness benefits

49%

53%

Lower cholesterol

46%

16%*

Heart health

46%

25%*

Dietary pattern (vegetarian/vegan)

43%

5%*

Digestive/gastrointestinal health

39%

26%*

Maintain healthy cholesterol

33%

17%*

Women's health (prenatal, pregnancy)

29%

12%*

Immune health

25%

25%

Joint health

22%

15%*

Weight management

17%

6%*

Women's health (menopause)

15%

10%

Skin, hair and nails

15%

13%

Flu/colds

15%

21%

Women's health (other)

14%

14%

Sports nutrition and performance

14%

5%*

Eye health

13%

9%

Energy

12%

15%

Energy balance

10%

6%

Other

10%

5%*

* Indicates a statistically significant difference (p < .05, x²) in the percent that selected this option as a reason for using vs a reason for recommending dietary supplements

Dickinson et al. Nutrition Journal 2012 11:14   doi:10.1186/1475-2891-11-14