Consumption Of Dietary Supplements Research Articles

The consumption of dietary supplements in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Background and ObjectivesPeople frequently utilize dietary supplements (DS), notably during the COVID-19 epidemic, despite the lack of data supporting their usefulness and safety in enhancing general health. This study aimed to measure the consumption of DS in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19. Previous studies focused on using dietary supplements for preventing or reducing mental health. Materials and MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 1572 participants aged 18–65, from all-over Saudi Arabia who were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire to measure the consumption of supplements during the pandemic lockdown period. Also, it investigates the factor that effect supplements consumption. ResultsAround 63% of the participants did not change their consumption patterns during the pandemic, while 16% consumed more and 21.4% consumed fewer supplements during the pandemic. The most commonly used supplements were iron; calcium, especially among pregnant women; omega-3, especially in people older than 65 years; and vitamin D. Females (81%; P < 0.002); age (94.7%; P < 0.002); married people (84%; P < 0.001); those with a higher educational level (83.9%; P = 0.02); those with a higher monthly income (86.1%; P = 0.006); and pregnant women (100%; P < 0.007) reported the highest rates of consumption. ConclusionDietary supplements have recently become popular in Saudi Arabia, but large differences remain between Saudis in their consumption of supplements. Additional research should be conducted to examine the level of knowledge of dietary supplements among Saudi population.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Dietary Supplements among Allied Health Sciences Undergraduates of Sri Lanka

According to research conducted in foreign coun-tries among undergraduates, there is a huge con-sumption of dietary supplements without proper consultation, and many have encountered adverse effects. However, there have been no satisfactory research studies done on dietary supplement usage among Allied Health Sciences undergraduates in Sri Lanka. The objective of the study was to de-scribe knowledge, attitudes, and practices of die-tary supplement usage among Allied Health Sci-ences undergraduates in Sri Lanka. In this descrip-tive cross-sectional study, a sample taken from a population of 2000 undergraduates of five Allied Health Sciences faculties in Sri Lanka were as-sessed using a structured, self-administered ques-tionnaire during the period from March 2021 to June 2022. Stratified random sampling was used to select participants from each department using population proportion and finalized by using sim-ple random sampling with 354 respondents as the sample size. According to the results obtained, the overall prevalence of dietary supplement usage was 63.8%. Of the individuals who used dietary supplements, 97.3% were female and 2.7% were male. The most common reason for using dietary supplements (91.2%) was to compensate for the lack of nutrients in the diet. Multivitamins and min-erals were the most frequently reported supple-ments (86.7%), followed by fish oil (84.5%), beauty ingredients added supplements (77.4%), weight loss supplements (75.2%), and pro-tein/amino acids (70.4%). Among undergraduates, there was widespread use of internet-driven, self-prescribed dietary supplements intake (95.1%). A significant number of undergraduates took dietary advice from their family members (79.2%). Only 67.3% asked for medical advice from physicians, pharmacists, and dietitians. In conclusion, preva-lence of dietary supplement consumption among participants is high (63.8%) but most of were not confident enough to recommend supplements to others (75.7%). Furthermore, side effects among consumers were minimum (4.9%) and most of them obtained the desired benefit. This study can be used to provide background knowledge for fu-ture researchers.

Motivational Drivers behind the Consumption of Dietary Supplements by Leisure-Time Athletes.

The prevalence of dietary supplement use has been growing continuously worldwide. Nevertheless, limited research evidence is available on dietary supplement usage related to the segment of leisure-time athletes with the determinants of motivational drivers, sport types, and demographic characteristics. This research, which was conducted in Hungary among leisure-time athletes, aims to learn about the demographic and sports characteristics of consumers who identified themselves as active dietary supplement consumers in the survey. The motivational drivers for consuming dietary supplements and their differences, as well as the frequency of dietary supplement consumption in each sports category, are examined. The findings of the study provide valuable insights into the key motivational drivers, among which health preservation, improvement in physical well-being, and cartilage protection are predominant. The results show that there are significant differences between segments taking part in different leisure-time sport activities and age groups when it comes to dietary supplement usage. Three different segments were identified based on the motivational drivers examined. As a limitation, to note is that due to the sample size, the study can be considered as prospective. In practical terms, the results of the study can be used to support marketing projects that aim to reach leisure-time sport athletes.

Effects of misleading online advertisements on the purchase intention of mature Chinese consumers for dietary supplements

PurposeAdvertisements for dietary supplements (DS) often include misleading claims regarding their health benefits. In this study, the authors designed an online advertisement for plant-based DS featuring misleading claims and investigated its effects on mature Chinese consumers before and after revealing the false claims. A consumer involvement framework was developed to evaluate the mediating effect of advertising involvement (AI) on the correlation between product involvement (PI), situational involvement (SI) and purchase intention (PI).Design/methodology/approachA total of 467 mature adults aged over 40 years who resided in China's Yangtze River Delta region and had experience in purchasing DS online were recruited. Relevant data were collected through an online survey and analysed through structural equation modelling.FindingsCognitive PI was positively correlated with both SI and PI and SI was positively correlated with PI. AI negatively moderated the correlation between affective PI and SI. Both cognitive PI and AI were positively correlated with PI and the correlation was mediated through SI.Originality/valueDS consumption is a rational decision-making process driven by utilitarian motives. Consumers who are aware of the misleading claims adopt a cautious evaluation approach and place themselves in specific purchase situations before making a purchase decision. This study advances the literature by incorporating the consideration of misleading advertisements into the consumer involvement model within the context of online DS consumption. The study's findings provide insights to intensify monitoring of false advertisements in the DS industry and design effective consumer education programmes.

Mass spectrometry-based approaches to assess the botanical authenticity of dietary supplements.

Dietary supplements are legally considered foods despite frequently including medicinal plants as ingredients. Currently, the consumption of herbal dietary supplements, also known as plant food supplements (PFS), is increasing worldwide and some raw botanicals, highly demanded due to their popularity, extensive use, and/or well-established pharmacological effects, have been attaining high prices in the international markets. Therefore, botanical adulteration for profit increase can occur along the whole PFS industry chain, from raw botanicals to plant extracts, until final PFS. Besides the substitution of high-value species, unintentional mislabeling can happen in morphologically similar species. Both cases represent a health risk for consumers, prompting the development of numerous works to access botanical adulterations in PFS. Among different approaches proposed for this purpose, mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques have often been reported as the most promising, particularly when hyphenated with chromatographic techniques. Thus, this review aims at describing an overview of the developments in this field, focusing on the applications of MS-based techniques to targeted and untargeted analysis to detect botanical adulterations in plant materials, extracts, and PFS.

Prevalence of dietary supplement use and associated factors among fitness center users in Madrid, Spain

Consumption of supplements is common among fitness center users worldwide, including in Spain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between dietary supplement use and associated factors (demographic and sports practice) among fitness center users from Madrid, Spain. A cross-sectional study was carried out with users of fitness centers in Madrid, Spain. An online questionnaire was used, containing questions about demographic data, physical exercise, and consumption of dietary supplements. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact or χ-square test for categorical variables. The significance level used was p&lt;0.05. Of the 179 individuals evaluated, 39.7% consumed supplements, which was more reported by younger individuals (p=0.024), by men (p&lt;0.001), and by self-prescribed (45.1%). The consumption of supplements was associated with longer weekly training time (382.39± 203.0; p&lt;0.001), higher weekly frequency (&gt;5 times; p=0.038), and the practice of combined exercise (51.4%; p&lt;0.001). Most men used more than 3 supplements (p&lt;0.001) for more than one year (52.1%; p&lt;0.001). Both genders also reported gaining muscle mass (24.6%) as the main motivation for using supplements. In conclusion, supplement consumption was higher among men, younger individuals, and self-prescribed. Consumption was also related to the reason for gaining muscle mass, the practice of anaerobic+aerobic exercises, and greater weekly training time and frequency.

Exploring the perception of dietary supplement intake amongst gym users in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Background: Gym users are one of the populations who frequently consume dietary supplements. Nevertheless, data investigating the perspective of gym users regarding dietary supplement intake are still lacking. Our qualitative study aims to acquire insights into the perceptions of gym users regarding dietary supplement consumption. Methods: A total of 10 gym users who have a membership and are actively training at the gymnasium were recruited from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In-depth interview was conducted, and all responses were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using the NVivo version 12 software. Results: All participants consume dietary supplements almost every day, with most of them taking at least three supplements a day. Five themes emerged from these interviews: (1) gym and the use of dietary supplements, (2) reasons for supplement intake, (3) source of information, (4) supplement perceptions and beliefs and (5) health screening experience. Half of the participants did not consult with any nutritionist or dietitian before taking dietary supplements. The reasons for consuming supplements are to improve muscle mass, enhance performance, maintain overall health, fasten recovery time and prepare for competition. Our findings suggest that participants perceived supplements to be beneficial and exceeded the potential adverse effects. Conclusions: Lack of awareness amongst the recruited gym users in Klang Valley, Malaysia, regarding the potential risk of side effects suggests that there is a need to provide correct information about the benefits and risks of using dietary supplements.

Dietary Supplement Consumption and Mental Health in Indonesian Adults During Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed to measure supplement consumption behavior and mental health status among Indonesian adults during the second year of COVID-19. Online questionnaire regarding supplement consumption, and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) was distributed from March to June 2021 and obtained 1006 valid and completed questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to determine the frequency and predictor factors of the respondents' supplement consumption behavior and mental health status. Respondents were divided into two groups, vulnerable and non-vulnerable individuals. The finding showed that 34.5% respondents were vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and those with comorbid disease(s). The vulnerable and non-vulnerable groups exhibited a high prevalence of supplement consumption, with the vulnerable group demonstrating a greater tendency for regular use. The incidence of mental health problems in both groups did not significantly differ (23-38%), where anxiety was higher than depression and stress. Supplement consumption was associated with mental health status. Several positive predicting factors for supplement consumption behavior included older age, higher economic status, and higher education. While the younger age and unmarried respondents were more likely to develop mental health problems. Taken together, given dietary supplement consumption increased during the pandemic and the potential associations between supplement consumption and mental health, controlling the correct information and regulation regarding supplements, especially their risks and benefits, was important. Additionally, support for mental health issues was necessary, since it might affect self-medication behavior.

Homocysteine, Vitamin B12 and Folate Level: Possible Risk Factors in the Progression of Chronic Heart and Kidney Disorders.

Cobalamin is an essential molecule for humans; it is exceptionally important for various body functions, including deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and cellular energy production. Vegans are more vulnerable to vitamin B12 deficiency than natives with moderate consumption of animal dietary supplements or people with inadequate nutritional patterns. However, the long-term effects of sub-medical deficiency have not been thoroughly studied, but they may have a negative impact on the cardiovascular system, pregnancy outcomes, and vascular, renal, cognitive, bone, and eye health. Alongside the statin remedy, that is a powerful approach for CVD prevention. Another approach is related to the B nutrition substitution remedy with folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12 are extensively practised nowadays. There is a tremendous interest in plasma homocysteine (tHcy) as a cardiovascular hazard factor. However, current research in the field of its prevention is more inclined toward confirming the benefit of tHcy-reducing remedy with vitamin B12. Thus, while folic acid fortification is primarily aimed at reducing neural-tube defects, it may also play a significant role in the primary prevention of CVD by lowering tHcy. Folate and B-vitamins play important roles in CVD prevention and nutrition policy implementation. Patients affected with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or end-stage Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) experience a tremendous cardiovascular threat that may also further lead to death. As a result, routine monitoring of vitamin B12 levels is likely to be beneficial for the early detection and treatment of metabolic vitamin B12 deficiency, as well as the prevention of heart-related diseases.

Assessment of Nutrient Intake and Diet Quality in Adolescent Dietary Supplement Users vs. Non-Users: The CRO-PALS Longitudinal Study.

Dietary supplement users tend to have a better diet quality and overall prudent lifestyle. The main goals of this research were to report the prevalence and type of dietary supplements among Croatian adolescents and to examine the differences in the diet quality among dietary supplement users vs. non-users at the beginning (15/16 y) and at the end of high school education (18/19 y). This research is based on results of the longitudinal CRO-PALS study in which 607 adolescents participated, who had complete dietary, anthropometric, and physical activity data at the beginning (15/16 y) and at the end of their high school education (18/19 y). The dietary assessment method used was a single multi-pass 24 h recall. Dietary supplement users were divided into two groups for the purposes of statistical analysis-users of vitamin and multivitamin preparations (VMV) and users of mineral and multivitamin preparations (MMV). As they aged, there was an increase in the consumption of dietary supplements, and the most frequently used preparation in both age groups was vitamin C (23.7% of users). Dietary supplement users had a higher intake of non-carbonated sweetened drinks and a lower intake of fruits and vegetables in both genders and both age groups. Fast food intake was higher among dietary supplement girl users and boys who were not dietary supplements users in both age groups. Dietary supplement users had a higher achieved average intake of most micronutrients (values obtained only from food) in both genders and both age groups (with exceptions for certain vitamins and minerals). By observing other parameters for assessing the diet quality in this research, we can conclude that girls who do not use dietary supplements have a better diet quality in both age groups.

H2 generated by fermentation in the human gut microbiome influences metabolism and competitive fitness of gut butyrate producers

BackgroundHydrogen gas (H2) is a common product of carbohydrate fermentation in the human gut microbiome and its accumulation can modulate fermentation. Concentrations of colonic H2 vary between individuals, raising the possibility that H2 concentration may be an important factor differentiating individual microbiomes and their metabolites. Butyrate-producing bacteria (butyrogens) in the human gut usually produce some combination of butyrate, lactate, formate, acetate, and H2 in branched fermentation pathways to manage reducing power generated during the oxidation of glucose to acetate and carbon dioxide. We predicted that a high concentration of intestinal H2 would favor the production of butyrate, lactate, and formate by the butyrogens at the expense of acetate, H2, and CO2. Regulation of butyrate production in the human gut is of particular interest due to its role as a mediator of colonic health through anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties.ResultsFor butyrogens that contained a hydrogenase, growth under a high H2 atmosphere or in the presence of the hydrogenase inhibitor CO stimulated production of organic fermentation products that accommodate reducing power generated during glycolysis, specifically butyrate, lactate, and formate. Also as expected, production of fermentation products in cultures of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii strain A2-165, which does not contain a hydrogenase, was unaffected by H2 or CO. In a synthetic gut microbial community, addition of the H2-consuming human gut methanogen Methanobrevibacter smithii decreased butyrate production alongside H2 concentration. Consistent with this observation, M. smithii metabolic activity in a large human cohort was associated with decreased fecal butyrate, but only during consumption of a resistant starch dietary supplement, suggesting the effect may be most prominent when H2 production in the gut is especially high. Addition of M. smithii to the synthetic communities also facilitated the growth of E. rectale, resulting in decreased relative competitive fitness of F. prausnitzii.ConclusionsH2 is a regulator of fermentation in the human gut microbiome. In particular, high H2 concentration stimulates production of the anti-inflammatory metabolite butyrate. By consuming H2, gut methanogenesis can decrease butyrate production. These shifts in butyrate production may also impact the competitive fitness of butyrate producers in the gut microbiome.3hTM6nso89x7h1g_xY7TKkVideo

Screening of multi-class cyanotoxins in algal dietary supplements marketed in North America

Algal dietary supplements are marketed for their health benefits and nutritional value. However, these types of products can be contaminated by toxins produced by co-occurring toxigenic cyanobacteria. In order to evaluate the contamination of different supplements available on the North American market, we purchased 37 samples of spirulina, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Chlorella and kelp, and analysed them for 27 cyanotoxins using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry methods (HPLC-MS/MS and HPLC-HRMS). We found microcystins (MC) in the 8 Aphanizomenon samples with levels up to 1000 ng g−1 dw and 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB) in all samples with values ranging from 3 to 1600 ng g−1. Anatoxin-a (ANA) and β-amino-N-methylalanine (BAMA) were not detected, while other toxins were detected with no clear link to the nature of the alga. Considering these results, Aphanizomenon products may require stricter monitoring to prevent further contamination. The findings are also of interest to consumers so that they can properly assess the risks that may be involved in the regular consumption of certain algal dietary supplements.

Supplement Consumption and Periodontal Health: An Exploratory Survey Using the BigMouth Repository.

Dietary supplements have been investigated for their impact on the periodontal apparatus (alveolar bone, mucosa, periodontal ligament, and cementum) and their hypothetical protective role against periodontitis. There remains a gap in the field in this area. Thus, the present study aims to examine the correlation between populations who report taking different dietary supplements and their relative periodontal health. The BigMouth dental data repository derived from the dental Electronic Health Records (EHRs) of the University of Michigan school of dentistry was used to extract data relating to all patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The prevalence of periodontitis compared to periodontal health as related to supplement consumption was assessed. A total of 118,426 individuals (55,459 males and 62,967 females) with self-reported consumption of the dietary supplements of interest were identified in the University of Michigan database via the BigMouth repository. Associations with the following vitamins were investigated, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Multivitamins, Fish oil, Calcium, Omega 3, Saw palmetto, Zinc, Sildenafil, Flax seed, Folic acid, Garlic pills, Ginger pills, Ginko, Ginseng, Glucosamine, Iron, and Magnesium. Out of these supplements, only multivitamins and iron were found to significantly favor periodontal health, while folic acid and vitamin E significantly favored periodontitis. This study found a minimal association between the consumption of dietary supplements with periodontal health.

Practice and knowledge of dietary supplement consumption among Indonesian adults post-delta wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Increasing dietary supplement (DS) consumption was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, including during the post-Delta wave period. This study aimed to measure the practice of DS consumption and respondents' knowledge of DS. Methods: An internet-based survey was distributed from October-December 2021 and obtained 541 valid and completed responses. Descriptive analysis was performed to present the practice of DS consumption, including frequency, duration, aim, preferable dosage form etc. Level of knowledge on DS principles, side effects and regulation were also measured. Inferential analyses were conducted to determine the predictors of the respondents' DS practice and level of knowledge. Results: Data from 541 valid responses showed that 77.63% of respondents consumed DS in the last 3 months, with only 59.52% reporting also consuming DS before the COVID-19 pandemic. One half of the respondents had good knowledge about DS; however, some knowledge regarding side effects and possible drug-supplement interaction needed improvement. Their DS consumption practice was affected by their economic status and history of contracting COVID-19. Nevertheless, the level of knowledge was not affected by the sociodemographic factors and DS supplement experience. Conclusions: Taken together, the practice of self-consumption of DS in Indonesia is increasing; hence, knowledge of DS is necessary to avoid detrimental effects that might occur in the future. Increasing access to information on better labelling and educating consumers about DS are important actions to consider.

Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Food Consumption Habits of Consumers (Example of the central district of Tokat province)

Taking long-term threats on food supply and safety, effects of Covid-19 pandemic on nutritional habits of consumers were investigated in this study. Consumers living in Yeşilyurt district of Tokat province in 2021 constituted the primary material of the present study. Simple random sampling method was used in selection of the sample size and 162 people participated into face-to-face interviews. Changes in food consumption habits of consumers before and after the pandemic were investigated. Present findings revealed an increase in monthly food expenditures of consumers during the pandemic period. About 45% of the participating consumers stated that their nutrition levels were affected during the pandemic period. The variables that had the highest positive correlation with the nutritional effects after Covid-19 pandemic were identified as consumption of dietary supplements (vitamins, etc.) and medicinal-aromatic plants after the pandemic. Path analysis was applied to survey findings and the variables with the greatest direct effects on nutritional level of the consumers after Covid-19 pandemic were identified as change in winter preparations (88.88%), monthly fruit consumption (84.59%) and monthly meat consumption (83.44%).

Nutritional status of children affected by X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare X-linked metabolic disorder that causes the accumulation of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) (C26:0) and the subsequent variety of clinical and neurological symptoms. Little is known about nutritional status and dietary habits of children affected by ALD, and so the present study aimed to assess nutritional status and food intake in children with ALD, also exploring the relationship between food intake and the consumption of disease-specific dietary supplements to reduce blood C26:0 concentrations and increase monounsaturated fatty acids (C26:1). All patients underwent a clinical and neurological evaluation and a comprehensive nutritional assessment. The association of VLCFA concentrations with dietary lipids was assessed. Nine boys (11.49 ± 3.61 years) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. All patients were normal weight, with normal resting energy expenditure. Only six of nine patients followed the low-fat diet and dietary supplements. An inverse association was found between the food intake of polyunsaturated lipids and C26:0; conversely, the C26:0 was positively associated with the dietary saturated lipids. When consumed, dietary supplement consumption correlated positively with C26:1 (ρ = 0.917, p = 0.029) and no correlation was found with C26:0 (ρ = 0.410, p = 0,493). No children were found to be malnourished or overweight or obese; however, half of the children reported excessive body fat, probably as a result of the pharmacotherapies. A low-fat diet could be adjuvant in the management of the accumulation of VLCFAs, but poor dietary compliance to disease-specific nutritional guidelines appears to be a major problem of this condition and underlines the need for a structured and personalised nutritional management in ALD disease.

Pattern of Consumption of Dietary and Herbal Supplements by Individuals with Non-Communicable Diseases During Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

Cognizance of the implication of Covid-19 pandemic on health and well-being resulted in an upsurge in use of several dietary and herbal supplements (DHS) for the prevention and/or prophylaxis against the new disease. Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of DHS consumption among Nigerians with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Setting: Adolescents, and adults residing in Nigeria. Participants: Participants with NCD (n = 165) from a larger study (n=645) were recruited from different geo-political zones and various ethnic groups. Primary and Secondary Outcomes: Prevalence and determinants of the use of different DHS for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in Nigeria, and sources of information for DHS use. Results: Hypertension was the most prevalent NCD (63.6%) in the study and both breast cancer and anxiety disorder were the least (0.6%). Overall, 75.2% of the respondents had less than 8 hours of sleep daily and almost all did not smoke cigarette at all. The proportion of male and female hypertensives who believed that dietary supplements are necessary during infectious disease outbreak such as Covid-19 was moderately high (55.2%), higher among asthmatics (65.0%), diabetes (68.4%), those with kidney disease (100.0%) and ulcer (83.3%). All or almost all the respondents with hypertension (96.2%), asthma (95.0%), diabetes (100.0%) and kidney disease (100.0%), consumed supplements more during Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The proportion of those who consumed supplements more during the pandemic in Nigeria was higher among male (56.4%) than among the female (43.6%) hypertensives, though the difference was not statistically significant (χ²=2.93, P-value=0.09). Vitamin C was the commonest vitamin taken by respondents with ulcer (83.3%), kidney disease (83.3%), diabetes (57.9%), asthma (50.0%), hypertension (48.6%) and the two respondents with breast cancer (1, 100.0%) and anxiety disorder (1, 100.0%) respectively. Calcium and zinc were the commonest minerals taken by respondents with ulcer (50.0%, 16.7%), diabetes (10.5%, 5.3%), asthma (30.0%, 10.0%) and hypertension (13.3%, 11.4%) respectively. High proportions (83.3%, 80.0%) of those with kidney disease and with asthma consumed DHS to maintain good health. Health workers were the dominant source of information for most on the use of supplements during Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Conclusions: The findings showed widespread use of DHS for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 among persons with NCD. The use of DHS in this study was mainly guided by health workers with a marginal role of social media and Mass media. These findings call for a more robust consolidative tactic towards DHS to ensure its proper and safe use.

Injury Occurrence in Amateur Rugby: Prospective Analysis of Specific Predictors over One Half-Season.

Background and objectives: The incidence of injuries in rugby is extremely high, but studies have rarely examined the predictors of injury in amateur players. This study aimed to systematically analyse sports and injury factors as potential predictors of musculoskeletal injuries in senior-level amateur rugby players. Methods: The participants in this study were 101 senior-level rugby players from Croatia (average of 24.64 years old). At baseline, all participants were tested on sociodemographic and anthropometric parameters (age, body height and mass), consumption of dietary supplements, preseason injury status and training volume, and sport factors (position in game). Data on injury occurrence (dependent variable), prevalence of pain, training status, and characteristics of the played match were surveyed prospectively once a week during the three-month period (one half-season). Results: The logistic regression revealed a higher injury occurrence in forward players of the 1st row, 2nd row (OR = 5.07; 95% CI: 1.64-15.69), and center (OR = 4.72; 95% CI: 1.28-14.31), with reference to outside back players. When observed univariately, higher body mass, higher level of competition, more weekly training sessions, self-perceived pain, and playing with pain were significant injury risk factors. The multivariate logistic regression identified pre-season injury (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.09-1.52), higher level of the game/match (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.13-1.76), higher body mass (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), and pain prevalence (OR = 5.71, 95% CI: 3.22-7.70) as multivariate predictors of injury occurrence over the season. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that among sport factors, the playing position, level of competition, and training exposure represent major injury risk factors. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of injuries, special emphasis should be placed on the specific tackling technique of forward players, which could both increase their situational efficiency and protect them from injuries. Additionally, perceived pain, injury history, and playing with injury were noted among injury factors as the ones that can be predictors of future injuries. In that manner, it is important that coaching and medical staff monitor players with previous injuries and with pain symptoms in order to act preventively against injury occurrence.

Antioxidant Capacity, Nitrite and Nitrate Content in Beetroot-Based Dietary Supplements.

Due to the high content of bioactive substances, beetroot and its preserves might be a valuable constituent of a diet. Research into the antioxidant capacity and content of nitrate (III) and (V) in beetroot-based dietary supplements (DSs) worldwide is limited. The Folin-Ciocalteu method, CUPRAC, DPPH, and Griess methods were used to determine total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, nitrites, and nitrates content in fifty DSs and twenty beetroot samples. Moreover, the safety of products was evaluated because of the concentration of nitrites, nitrates, and the correctness of labelling. The research showed that a serving of fresh beetroot provides significantly more antioxidants, nitrites, and nitrates than most daily portions of DSs. Product P9 provided the highest dose of nitrates (169 mg/daily dose). However, in most cases, the consumption of DSs would be associated with a low health value. The acceptable daily intake was not exceeded in the cases of nitrites (0.0015-0.55%) and nitrates (0.056-48%), assuming that the supplementation followed the manufacturer's recommendation. According to European and Polish regulations, 64% of the products tested did not meet all the requirements for labelling food packaging. The findings point to the need for tighter regulation of DSs, as their consumption might be dangerous.

Prevalence of dietary supplement consumption among CrossFit practitioners.

We aimed to verify the prevalence of dietary supplements among CrossFit practitioners (CFPs), considering gender and training status. Still, we aimed to determine the type, reasons, and associated factors of dietary supplement utilization among CFPs. This is a cross-sectional, exploratory, and descriptive study with the snowball sampling method. Data were collected through online questionnaires using the Google Forms® tool. We included CFPs aged 18-64years, from Aug 1, 2020, to Sept 31, 2020. The questionnaire contained questions to assess the prevalence, type, and reasons for supplement use; also, we assessed information about sociodemographic variables and the prevalence of the main chronic morbidities. To analyze aspects of eating behavior and sleep-related parameters, we applied the three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ)-R21 and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI), respectively. We assessed one hundred twelve (n = 112; 57 men; 55 women) CFPs (28.9 ± 7.64years old; body mass index (BMI), 25.5 ± 4.83kg/m2). Eighty-seven (50 men; 37 women; 28.2 ± 6.66years old; BMI, 25.4 ± 4.55kg/m2) reported using dietary supplements. Whey protein was the most used supplement (n = 70), followed by creatine (n = 54). Cognitive restraint (a dimension of eating behavior)score was higher in supplement users than in non-users (51.7 ± 18.6 vs. 42.6 ± 20.5; p = 0.040). Sleep-related parameters did not differ between supplement users and non-users. The most associated factors to supplement use were sex (being man; OR, 7.99; p = 0.007), sleep quality (poor; OR, 5.27; p = 0.045), CrossFit level (as prescribed (RX); OR, 4.51; p = 0.031), and cognitive restraint (OR, 1.03; p = 0.029). The CFPs, especially RX and Elite ones, showed a higher prevalence of supplement utilization. Anabolic-related supplements (i.e., whey protein and creatine) were the most used; moreover, several CFPs used supplements not supported by scientific evidence. Cognitive restraint scorewas higher in supplement users than in non-users. RX level, beingmen, and poor sleep quality were associated with supplement utilization. These data draw attention to the necessity of nutritional education for CrossFit coaches and athletes. Broader studies are necessary to confirm our findings.