Dietary Supplement Type is Associated with Either Positive or Negative Self‐Reported Mental Health Status in Armed Forces Personnel

Abstract

Most (~70%) Armed Forces personnel consume dietary supplements (DS). We investigated associations between multiple classes of DS and mental health status using the 2011 DoD Survey of Health Related Behaviors (N = 39,887). The survey assessed self‐reported depression, anxiety, anger, stress, post‐traumatic stress, risk taking, resilience and overall affect. Associations between DS type and mental health measures were examined with logistic regression (P < 0.01). Weight loss DS use was associated with higher depression (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.15,1.54), anxiety (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.30,1.63), anger (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.34,1.86), stress (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.21,1.45), post‐traumatic stress (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.34,1.95), risk taking (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.30,1.74) and lower overall affect (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.59,0.82). Herbal DS use was associated with higher anxiety (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.09,1.37), stress (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.12,1.33), post‐traumatic stress (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.11,1.65) and risk taking (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.23,1.65). Bodybuilding DS use was associated with greater risk taking (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.18,1.52) and resilience (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.10,1.68). Users of individual vitamins/minerals reported lower anxiety (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.79,0.95) and stress (OR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82,0.94). DS use may be associated with either positive or negative mental health status, depending on the class of DS used. Views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect official policy of the Department of Army, Defense, or US Government. Support: US MRMC/DoD Center Alliance for DS Research.