Pattern of multivitamin intake and awareness about overdose toxicity among young adults
Abstract
Background: Despite having ample evidence of no beneficial role rather than possibly harmful impact, the use of multivitamin supplements increased among healthy U.S. adults[1]. In the Annals of Internal Medicine editorial, Guallar et.al. mentioned that there is no convincing evidence that multivitamins provide any substantial health benefit in well-nourished adults[2]. It has been observed by studies that there is a decline in use of beta-carotene and vitamin-E supplements followed by reports of its adverse effects in lung cancer and all-cause mortality[3].
Hypothesis: Limited data available on multivitamin use by sub-populations such as young adults who basically do not require supplementation unless they are suffering from certain chronic diseases[4]. We hypothesized that the lack of knowledge may lead to the development of toxic effects due to the overconsumption of certain components in the multivitamin supplements.
Methodology: We focused on young adults aged 16-30 years. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted through a questionnaire-based poll. 547 responded to the poll and 413 met our inclusion criteria.
Results: We were astonished that 44.79% of participants (185) take multivitamins regularly while 14.04% (58) take them occasionally, and 86.93% (359) were aware that they can buy multivitamins without any prescriptions. As per academic levels, 280 (67.8%) participants were high school graduates and enrolled in undergraduate programs while 133 (32.2%) either enrolled in Graduate programs or completed them, which means all of them are academically competent to make informed decisions. The most concerning fact was that 42.85% (177) reported that they take 7 or above (9.2% take 14 and above) tablets/per week. 29.8% of participants (123) answered “did not know/no” about the toxicity of fat-soluble vitamins and surprisingly 46.5% did not know what was in their multivitamin bottle.
Conclusion: It is essential to spread awareness about fat-soluble vitamin toxicities to ensure that multivitamin buyers are mindful of the adverse outcomes.
Keywords
Vitamins, Toxicity, Young adults, Dietary supplements
Pattern of multivitamin intake and awareness about overdose toxicity among young adults
Background: Despite having ample evidence of no beneficial role rather than possibly harmful impact, the use of multivitamin supplements increased among healthy U.S. adults[1]. In the Annals of Internal Medicine editorial, Guallar et.al. mentioned that there is no convincing evidence that multivitamins provide any substantial health benefit in well-nourished adults[2]. It has been observed by studies that there is a decline in use of beta-carotene and vitamin-E supplements followed by reports of its adverse effects in lung cancer and all-cause mortality[3].
Hypothesis: Limited data available on multivitamin use by sub-populations such as young adults who basically do not require supplementation unless they are suffering from certain chronic diseases[4]. We hypothesized that the lack of knowledge may lead to the development of toxic effects due to the overconsumption of certain components in the multivitamin supplements.
Methodology: We focused on young adults aged 16-30 years. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted through a questionnaire-based poll. 547 responded to the poll and 413 met our inclusion criteria.
Results: We were astonished that 44.79% of participants (185) take multivitamins regularly while 14.04% (58) take them occasionally, and 86.93% (359) were aware that they can buy multivitamins without any prescriptions. As per academic levels, 280 (67.8%) participants were high school graduates and enrolled in undergraduate programs while 133 (32.2%) either enrolled in Graduate programs or completed them, which means all of them are academically competent to make informed decisions. The most concerning fact was that 42.85% (177) reported that they take 7 or above (9.2% take 14 and above) tablets/per week. 29.8% of participants (123) answered “did not know/no” about the toxicity of fat-soluble vitamins and surprisingly 46.5% did not know what was in their multivitamin bottle.
Conclusion: It is essential to spread awareness about fat-soluble vitamin toxicities to ensure that multivitamin buyers are mindful of the adverse outcomes.
