Use Of Dietary Supplements Research Articles

Association between dietary supplement use and mortality in cancer survivors with different body mass index and frailty status: a cohort study.

The association between Body Mass Index (BMI), frailty index (FI), and dietary supplement in cancer survivors has been a subject of growing interest. This study investigates the relationship of BMI and FI with mortality in American cancer survivors and explores the impact of dietary supplement usage on different BMI and FI groups. Three thousand nine hundred and thirty-two cancer patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database were included in the analyses. BMI, FI, and supplement usage were obtained through the NHANES structured survey and the 49-item FI tool. Weighted logistic and Cox proportional hazards models, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to elucidate the relationships between BMI, FI, dietary supplement, and mortality outcomes. The study found significant associations between higher BMI and increased frailty (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.02-1.06). BMI < 25 kg/m2 and FI > 0.2 are associated with an increased mortality rate. Dietary supplement use can reduce all-cause and cancer mortality in cancer patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2 (Hazard ratio [HR] = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.47-0.84; HR = 0.48, 95% CI, 0.29-0.80) or FI ≤ 0.2 (HR = 0.77, 95% CI, 0.60-0.99; HR = 0.59, 95% CI, 0.39-0.89). In cancer patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2 and FI ≤ 0.2, dietary supplement users had lower all-cause and cancer mortality (HR = 0.49, 95% CI, 0.30-0.79; HR = 0.25, 95% CI, 0.10-0.60). The study revealed a negative correlation between BMI and the FI among the cancer patient cohort as well as their complex impact on mortality and highlighted the role of dietary supplement in cancer prognosis, indicating benefits for non-frail patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2.

Post-diagnosis dietary factors, supplement use and colorectal cancer prognosis: A Global Cancer Update Programme (CUP Global) systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

The role of diet in colorectal cancer prognosis is not well understood and specific lifestyle recommendations are lacking. We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and longitudinal observational studies on post-diagnosis dietary factors, supplement use and colorectal cancer survival outcomes in PubMed and Embase from inception until 28th February 2022. Random-effects dose-response meta-analyses were conducted when at least three studies had sufficient information. The evidence was interpreted and graded by the CUP Global independent Expert Committee on Cancer Survivorship and Expert Panel. Five RCTs and 35 observational studies were included (30,242 cases, over 8700 all-cause and 2100 colorectal cancer deaths, 3700 progression, recurrence, or disease-free events). Meta-analyses, including 3-10 observational studies each, were conducted for: whole grains, nuts/peanuts, red and processed meat, dairy products, sugary drinks, artificially sweetened beverages, coffee, alcohol, dietary glycaemic load/index, insulin load/index, marine omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, supplemental calcium, circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and all-cause mortality; for alcohol, supplemental calcium, circulating 25(OH)D and colorectal cancer-specific mortality; and for circulating 25(OH)D and recurrence/disease-free survival. The overall evidence was graded as 'limited'. The inverse associations between healthy dietary and/or lifestyle patterns (including diets that comprised plant-based foods), whole grains, total, caffeinated, or decaffeinated coffee and all-cause mortality and the positive associations between unhealthy dietary patterns, sugary drinks and all-cause mortality provided 'limited-suggestive' evidence. All other exposure-outcome associations provided 'limited-no conclusion' evidence. Additional, well-conducted cohort studies and carefully designed RCTs are needed to develop specific lifestyle recommendations for colorectal cancer survivors.

Exploring dietary changes and supplement use among cancer patients in Norway: prevalence, motivations, disclosure, information, and perceived risks and benefits: a cross sectional study

BackgroundCancer is the leading cause of death in Norway, with prostate, breast, lung, and colon cancers being the most prevalent types. Adopting a healthy and varied diet can help reduce cancer risk and recurrence. However, access to dietary counselling remains limited for cancer patients in Norway. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dietary supplement use and dietary changes made by cancer patients and survivors. Additionally, it sought to explore the reason(s) for such practices, communication with healthcare providers, sources of information, and reported benefits and potential harms resulting from these changes and supplement use.MethodsConducted in collaboration with the Norwegian Cancer Society (NCS), this online cross-sectional study targeted members of their user panel who had either current or previous cancer (n = 706). The study took place in September/October 2021, utilizing a modified cancer-specific version of the International Questionnaire to Measure Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q). Out of 468 participants (315 women and 153 men), 67.2% consented to participate. Between-group analyses were conducted using Pearson chi-square tests and Fisher exact tests for categorical variables, while independent sample t-tests were applied for continuous variables.ResultsThe majority of the participants (97%) reported making changes to their diet (78%) and/or incorporating dietary supplements (73%) in response to their cancer diagnosis. The primary goal of these changes was to strengthen their body and immune system. Almost half of the participants (49%) reported that they found these changes beneficial and discussed them openly with their healthcare providers, with family physicians being the most common point of discussion (25%). Adverse effects were reported by only a few participants, mostly mild. Information about dietary changes and supplements was primarily sourced from the internet or healthcare providers.ConclusionsThis study highlights that most individuals affected by cancer attribute to dietary adjustment. It also emphasizes the importance of addressing adherence to dietary recommendations and using reliable sources of information. Additionally, the study highlights the potential, yet currently underutilized, role of healthcare professionals in initiating dialogues about dietary interventions to address any unmet needs of patients. Such proactive engagement may contribute to the promotion of reliable sources of information and the prevention of non-evidence-based and potentially harmful diets or supplement adoption.

Echinacea purpurea Polysaccharide Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Restoring the Intestinal Microbiota and Inhibiting the TLR4-NF-κB Axis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic intestinal ailment which cannot be completely cured. The occurrence of UC has been on the rise in recent years, which is highly detrimental to patients. The effectiveness of conventional drug treatment is limited. The long-term usage of these agents can lead to substantial adverse effects. Therefore, the development of a safe and efficient dietary supplement is important for the prevention of UC. Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide (EPP) is one of the main bioactive substances in Echinacea purpurea. EPP has many favorable effects, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. However, whether EPP can prevent or alleviate UC is still unclear. This study aims to analyze the effect and mechanism of EPP on UC in mice using a 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC model. The results showed that dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg EPP significantly alleviated the shortening of colon length, weight loss, and histopathological damage in DSS-induced colitis mice. Mechanistically, EPP significantly inhibits the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and preserves the intestinal mechanical barrier integrity by enhancing the expression of claudin-1, ZO-1, and occludin and reducing the loss of goblet cells. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that EPP intervention reduced the abundance of Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, and Klebsiella; the abundance of Lactobacillus increased. The results of nontargeted metabonomics showed that EPP reshaped metabolism. In this study, we clarified the effect of EPP on UC, revealed the potential function of EPP, and supported the use of polysaccharide dietary supplements for UC prevention.

Efficacy of dietary supplements on mortality and clinical outcomes in adults with sepsis and septic shock: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to investigate the effects of different dietary supplements on the mortality and clinical status of adults with sepsis. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials until February 2023. The inclusion criteria were: 1) randomized controlled trials (RCT)s; 2) adults suffering sepsis or septic shock; 3) evaluation of short- or long-mortality; and 4) publications between 1994 and 2023. The general information of studies and details of interventions were extracted. The primary outcome was short-term mortality (<90 days), and the secondary outcomes were long-term mortality (≥90 days), length of ICU and hospital stays, and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV). The risk of bias of RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool 2 (ROB2). A random effect NMA was performed to rank the effect of each intervention using a frequentist approach. Finally, 56 RCTs with 5957 participants met the criteria. Approximately, one-third of RCTs were low risk of bias. NMA analysis revealed that there was no treatment more effective in short- or long-term mortality than control or other interventions, except for magnesium (RR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.79; GRADE=low) and vitamin C (RR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.99; low certainty evidence), which had beneficial effects on short-term mortality. Moreover, eicosapentaenoic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, and antioxidants (EPA+GLA+AOs) combination was the most effective, and magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin C were the other effective approaches in terms of duration of MV, and ICU length of stay. There was no beneficial dietary supplement for hospital stay in these patients. In septic patients, none of the dietary supplements had a substantial effect on mortality except for magnesium and vitamin C, which were linked to lower short-term mortality with low certainty of evidence. Further investigation into high-quality studies with the use of dietary supplements for sepsis should be highly discouraged.

Prevalence of malnutrition, dietary trends, and oral nutritional supplements use among Algerian cancer outpatients undergoing chemotherapy

ObjectiveIt is widely acknowledged that patients with cancer commonly experience malnutrition, and some individuals may adopt specific dietary trends. This study investigated the prevalence of malnutrition and dietary trends among Algerian cancer outpatients undergoing chemotherapy. Material and methodsThis cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from January to October 2023 with 71 cancer outpatients undergoing chemotherapy. Malnutrition risk was evaluated using the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST). The questionnaire also collected the occurrence of nutrition impact symptoms, the avoidance of specific food groups, and the use of oral nutritional supplements and dietary supplements. ResultsMalnutrition risk was identified in 57.7% (41 cases) of participants. Nutrition impact symptoms were reported by 59.2% (42 cases) of patients. A total of 36 of the patients (50.7%) altered their eating habits by avoiding at least one food group. Among malnourished cancer outpatients, only five used oral nutritional supplements. Dietary supplements were used by 23.9% (27/71) of the patients after cancer diagnosis. ConclusionOur findings underscore the necessity for a systematic malnutrition assessment in cancer patients. Qualified clinicians should provide nutritional awareness to enhance the quality of life for these patients.

Approaching the gateway to doping hypothesis through personality analysis

The relation between dark personality traits and fraudulent behaviour like doping in sports is empirically well established. However, the factors that lead athletes to start using illegal substances are less known. The gateway to doping hypothesis posits that widespread dietary supplement usage among athletes could potentially desensitise them, increasing the inclination towards doping use. To examine this hypothesis, the personality structure of athletes using dietary supplements for diverse motives is examined, aiming to identify patterns indicative of doping propensity, including dark traits, perfectionism, ego and task orientation and attitude towards doping. The final sample comprises 687 athletes (479 women; mean age = 26.06 ± 9.21 years). The findings suggest that the overall use and frequency of dietary supplement intake are not significantly predicted by personality traits indicative of a predisposition towards doping. While athletes that use supplements to enhance performance, regeneration, and body shape display a slightly more favourable attitude towards doping, dark traits exhibit an inverse link across all motives (except body shape enhancement) with substantial effect sizes. Although doping usage is not assessed in this study, the outcomes indicate that personality structures associated with doping do not predict dietary supplement use, thus challenging the gateway to doping hypothesis.

Longitudinal changes in adverse effects reporting in multiple dietary supplement classifications: The US military dietary supplement use study

Over 70% of United States military service members (SMs) regularly use dietary supplements (DSs) and about 18% have reported adverse effects (AEs) associated with use. This investigation examined longitudinal changes in AEs reporting among DS users. On two separate occasions 1.3 ± 0.2 years apart (mean ± standard deviation), 5778 SMs completed identical questionnaires on DS use and associated AEs. Among SMs reporting DS use ≥1 time/week, ≥1 AE was reported by 19% and 15% in the baseline and follow-up phases, respectively. The risk of reporting DS use at follow-up was similar among those reporting and not reporting AEs at baseline for most DS categories including prohormones, proteins/amino acids, individual vitamins and minerals, multivitamin/multiminerals, herbals, fish oils, joint health products, and other DSs. An exception was combination products where those reporting AEs at baseline had an increased risk of use at follow-up (risk ratio = 1.13, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–1.09). Those reporting AEs at baseline and continuing DS use in the follow-up were more likely to report AEs at follow-up compared to those not reporting baseline AEs. In conclusion, AEs reported at baseline did not deter many participants from using DSs in the follow-up period, and many SMs reporting AEs at baseline continued reporting them at follow-up.

Features of pharmaceutical consulting by specialists of pharmacy institutions for the problem of hair loss in pharmacy visitors

Introduction. The problem of hair loss affects different segments of the population, regardless of gender or age, and may be a consequence of diseases of various etiologies. Most patients with hair loss problems go directly to pharmacies, bypassing the doc­tor's office. A pharmaceutical worker becomes a key figure in the process of advising and informing patients on the appropriate choice and use of medicines, dietary supplements and cosmetic products in case of a problem. The aim of the work was to study the information and educational needs of specialists of pharmacy institutions of the Republic of Crimea, as well as their awareness of pharmaceutical counseling for pharmacy visitors suffering from hair loss (alopecia). Materials and methods. The assessment of the competence of pharmacy employees in dealing with hair loss problems through compe­tent pharmaceutical counseling and providing information to patients was carried out using a questionnaire. The frequency of the re­spondents' choices of the response options was reflected through the compilation of distribution series for each question. Results. According to pharmaceutical workers, people aged 31 to 45 years old (45%) most often resort to help in a pharmacy. The most in demand are cosmetic products for topical use (47%), as well as dietary supplements and drugs for systemic use (38%). The analysis of the assortment of pharmacies revealed the predominance in the pharmaceutical market of cosmetics for scalp care and hair restoration (39.8%), dietary supplements (31.5%), as well as over-the-counter medicines (25.9%). The main causes of hair loss were stress conditions (18.1%), diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (14.6%), hormonal imbalance (17.7%), insufficient blood supply to hair follicles (15.4%). The majority of respondents answered in the affirmative to the question about their desire to improve their knowledge on the problem of al­opecia, as they came to the conclusion that there was a lack of knowledge to fully advise pharmacy visitors in order to solve the problem of hair loss. Conclusion. The results of the analysis indicate the need for educational courses aimed at improving the skills of specialists of pharmacy institutions in competent pharmaceutical counseling of visitors with the problem of hair loss.

Determinants and Prevalence of Depression Among Dietary Supplement Users in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Dietary supplements (DSs) are used by a large number of people globally. It is widely believed that DSs can improve health, prevent diseases, and replenish vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies. We aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with DS use among the Saudi population and the association between DS consumption and depressive symptoms. Research methodology: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022. The questionnaire was distributed through an online mode among adult Saudis (18 years or older) living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.The survey included four parts: socio-demographic characteristics, participants' health, lifestyle, and activity, vitamin and mineral supplement use, and a patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) as a valid and reliable diagnostic tool for depression. Result: Of the 1309 respondents, 1173 were enrolled. The mean age of the participants was 26.3 ± 8.8 (range, 18-24) years, and approximately 14.7% exhibited psychological anxiety while 8.4% experienced psychological depression. The prevalence of DS use among Saudis was found to be relatively high (52.2%). The most commonly used DS was vitamin D (43%). DSs improved depressive symptoms in 49.4% of the participants. Conclusion: The prevalence of DS use is high among the Saudi population, and vitamin D is the most common DS. The use of multivitamins and minerals, especially iron, is associated with improved depressive symptoms; however, further studies are needed to understand the relationship between DS use and depressive symptoms.

Dietary supplement use is related to doping intention via doping attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control

The use of dietary supplements (e.g., caffeine, creatine, dietary nitrate) has shown to be related to the intention to dope (e.g., amphetamines, anabolic steroids, erythropoietin). In this study, we integrated elements of the theory of planned behaviour to better understand the relationship between dietary supplement use and doping intention. Specifically, we tested whether dietary supplement use is indirectly related to doping via doping attitudes, doping subjective norms, and doping perceived behavioural control. Competitive athletes (N = 443; 46 % female, age = 27.0 ± 8.6 years old, years competing = 8.3 ± 3.5) completed measures of dietary supplement use, doping attitudes, doping subjective norms, doping perceived behavioural control, and doping intention. Parallel mediation analysis indicated that dietary supplement use was not directly related to doping intention, but instead was indirectly related via doping attitudes (effect size = 0.15), doping subjective norms (effect size = 0.17), and doping perceived behavioural control (effect size = 0.15). Contrast analyses reported no differences between each indirect effect. Our results suggest that athletes who use dietary supplements report stronger intentions to dope, which is related to more favourable doping attitudes, a greater social pressure to dope, and a perceived ease in which to dope.

Acute toxic hepatitis caused by ashwagandha consumption

Drug-induced liver damage is becoming one of the important liver diseases and a diagnostic problem for general practitioners and gastroenterologists. A case report of suspected liver damage caused by ashwagandha is described. The disease appeared 2 months after starting to take ashwagandha 1 g per day and occurred with cholestatic and cytolytic forms of liver damage, jaundice and skin itching. The therapy led to an improvement in the patient's general condition, but the jaundice tended to be protracted. It is recommended to avoid repeated use of dietary supplement (Ashwagandha).

Trends and types of dietary supplement usage amongst people visiting fitness centers in the Northern Border Region of Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To determine the trends in dietary supplement (DS) usage and its socio-demographic determinants amongst fitness centre users in Arar, Saudi Arabia. &#x0D; Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among people visiting different fitness centers in Arar, Saudi Arabia, between December 2022 and March 2023. The sample comprised 150 people (male and female) aged ≥ 18 years, who completed a self-administered questionnaire. &#x0D; Results: More than half (63.3 %) of the gym users regularly used DS, while the rest used DS occasionally. Young age (p &lt; 0.001), female gender (p = 0.04), higher educational level (p = 0.006), single status (p = 0.001) and schooling (p &lt; 0.001) had significant positive correlations with regular DS use, relative to occasional use. The most important reason for using DS was recommendation by physician (30.7 %), while the most common supplements used were multivitamins (alone or in combination with other drugs; 39.3 %). The participants were well-versed in the supportive role of DS, as well as the risks and adverse effects related to DS overuse. &#x0D; Conclusion: The prevalence of DS usage is high among Saudi fitness center attendees, and it was significantly associated with socio-demographic and lifestyle variables. Furthermore, there are high levels of awareness among participants regarding the benefits and negative effects of DS.

A mechanistic review of the pharmacological potential of narirutin: a dietary flavonoid.

Flavanones, a type of polyphenol, are found in substantial amounts in citrus fruits. When high- or moderate-dose orange juice consumption occurs, flavanones make up a significant portion of the total polyphenols in plasma. Disaccharide derivative narirutin, mainly dihydroxy flavanone, is found in citrus fruits. The substantial chemotherapeutic potential of narirutin has been amply demonstrated by numerous experimental studies. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to compile the research that has already been done showing narirutin to be a promising anticancer drug, with its mechanism of action being documented in treatment plans for various cancer forms. Narirutin functions in a variety of cancer cells by regulating several pathways that include cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, and DNA repair. Narirutin has been shown to modify many molecular targets linked to the development of cancer, including drug transporters, cell cycle mediators, transcription factors, reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, these reviews offer important new information about narirutin's potential as a potent and promising drug candidate for use in medicines, functional foods, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and other products targeted at improving the treatment of cancer.

Impact of prenatal maternal dietary exclusion on childhood obesity and overweight risk.

Child birthweight is a measure of fetal nutrition that is primarily determined by prenatal maternal (PM) diet. Child birthweight and child obesity/overweight risk are well established to be linked. Nevertheless, no studies have investigated the impact of PM dietary exclusion on child obesity/overweight risk or body mass index z-score (BMIz). The study aimed to determine whether PM dietary exclusion affected the child's BMIz, obesity/overweight risk, whether child birthweight serves as a mediator of this, and whether PM use of dietary supplements can protect against this. Waves within the years 2004-2019 from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, a population-based cohort study, were analyzed. The participants were aged 0 to 15 years during these waves of the study. Analysis was conducted using logistic and linear models. A total of 5,107 participants were involved in the first wave of the study. The PM exclusion of fish was associated with a higher risk of being underweight at age 14 or 15 years and mild-to-moderate obesity at age 6 or 7 years. The PM exclusion of egg was associated with a higher risk of being overweight at age 14 or 15 years. The exclusion of dairy was associated with more mixed effects. Mediation effects did not reach statistical significance. Moderation effects involving PM dietary supplement use, when they did occur, were associated with higher child BMIz and usually a higher risk of obesity/overweight. Fish and eggs are likely important parts of PM diets for preventing childhood obesity and overweight. Further studies will be needed to determine reasons for this and the apparent adverse effects of dietary supplements on overweight/obesity risk.

Trends in Calcium Intake among the US Population: Results from the NHANES (1999-2018).

Inadequate calcium intake is common in the US. Trends in calcium intake among the US population have been less studied, especially in more recent years. We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000 to 2017-2018 to study trends in calcium derived from diet and dietary supplements among the US population aged 2 years, stratified by sex, age group, race, and ethnicity. Among the 80,880 participants included in our study, a substantial portion consistently lacked sufficient calcium intake, even when considering calcium from supplements. Concerning trends were observed over the more recent ten years (2009-2018), with decreased dietary calcium intake and no significant improvement in the prevalence of dietary calcium intake < Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) or the prevalence of taking calcium-containing dietary supplements among them. Decreasing trends in dietary calcium intake were more concerning among men, children, and non-Hispanic Whites. Attention should be given to subgroups with higher calcium intake requirements (e.g., 9-18 years and 60+ years), and subgroups with low levels of dietary calcium and a low prevalence of obtaining calcium from dietary supplements (e.g., the non-Hispanic Black subgroup). Concerning trends of calcium intake were observed among the US population from 2009 to 2018. Tailored guidance on dietary choices and dietary supplement use is required to change consumers' behaviors.

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS REGARDING DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS AMONG MEDICAL AND PHARMACY STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY Authors

Introduction: According to the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), dietary supplements (DS) are products taken by mouth that contain a “dietary ingredient.” Such dietary ingredients include minerals, vitamins, herbs or botanicals, amino acids as well as other substances used to supplement the diet. This study aims to determine the prevalence of usage and Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of dietary supplements among medical and pharmacy students at the University of Cyberjaya, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study is done among 332 undergraduate medical and pharmacy students studying at the University of Cyberjaya, regardless of age and gender. Results: It was found that 39.4% of medical students and 28.7% of pharmacy students consume dietary supplements. Among the dietary supplement users, 44.3% consume dietary supplements to improve health meanwhile 34.6% to avoid dietary deficiency. 46.3% of medical students and 52.5% of pharmacy students who consume dietary supplements think the use of dietary supplements is not always safe (p&lt;0.001) meanwhile 71.4% of medical students and 73.3% of pharmacy students think that taking a drug, food or drinks with the dietary supplements might interact with each other. It was found that 44.2% of medical students always look for professional medical help when taking dietary supplements meanwhile 57.4% of pharmacy students do not. Conclusion: This study only shows the prevalence of dietary supplement consumption among medical and pharmacy students

Individual Beliefs and Experiences With Brain Health Dietary Supplements in the United States

BackgroundAlthough the use of brain health dietary supplements (brain DS) has increased, there is limited research on safety and risk of these products. Brain DS may be beneficial for improving memory, concentration, and focus but may also carry risks. ObjectivesTo assess brain DS users’ utilization experiences and identify factors associated with likelihood of brain DS use among nonusers. DesignAn internet-based cross-sectional survey study was conducted using a sample of middle-aged US adults. Respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics and health beliefs regarding brain DS were collected. Brain DS users’ utilization experiences such as negative side effects and spending were also collected. Participants and settingPurposive sampling was utilized for users and nonusers sample recruitment. Main outcome measuresBrain DS users’ utilization experience and future likelihood of brain DS use among nonusers. Statistical analyses performedDescriptive statistics on brain DS users’ utilization experiences were reported. Ordinal logistic regression with sociodemographic and belief characteristics as predictors was employed to identify factors associated with the likelihood of brain DS among nonusers. ResultsFive hundred twenty-five respondents (mean age = 43.8 ± 9.2 years) completed the survey. Among 260 users, primary reasons for use were enhancing memory (n = 136) and helping concentration and focus (n = 108). During the past year, 40% spent $50 to $200 (range = $0 to >$1,000) and 37% reported experiencing negative side effects. Among 265 nonusers, being female (odds ratio 2.04, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.45), perceived susceptibility to brain problems (odds ratio 1.90, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.83), recommendation from others (odds ratio 1.55, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.35) and perceived benefits of brain DS (odds ratio 2.82, 95% CI 1.60 to 4.96) were significantly associated with increased likelihood of future brain DS use. ConclusionsIndividual spending on brain DS varies and about 40% of users reported experiencing negative side effects. As individuals primarily rely on healthcare providers for recommendations, health care providers should be prepared to engage in discussions about brain DS with patients.

Implementation of REDCap mobile app in an oral HIV clinical study

BackgroundIn Peru, HIV cases are highly concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM). Despite the availability of anti-retroviral therapy, people living with HIV (PWH) have higher levels of oral diseases. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is significantly present among PWH. Our overarching goal was to generate foundational evidence on the association of AUD and oral health in MSM with HIV and enhance research capacity for future intersectional research on AUD, oral health and HIV. Our specific aim was to implement an on-site electronic data collection system through the use of a REDCap Mobile App in a low-middle income country (LMIC) setting.MethodsFive validated surveys were utilized to gather data on demographics, medical history, HIV status, alcohol use, HIV stigma, perceived oral health status, and dietary supplement use. These surveys were developed in REDCap and deployed with the REDCap Mobile App, which was installed on ten iPads across two medical HIV clinics in Lima, Peru. REDCap app as well as the protocol for data collection were calibrated with feedback from trial participants and clinical research staff to improve clinical efficiency and participant experience.ResultsThe mean age of participants (n = 398) was 35.94 ± 9.13y, of which 98.5% identified as male, and 85.7% identified as homosexual. 78.1% of participants binge drank, and 12.3% reported being heavy drinkers. After pilot testing, significant modifications to the structure and layout of the surveys were performed to improve efficiency and flow. The app was successfully deployed to replace cumbersome paper records and collected data was directly stored in a REDCap database.ConclusionsThe REDCap Mobile App was successfully used due to its ability to: (a) capture and store data offline, (b) timely translate between multiple languages on the mobile app interface, and (c) provide user-friendly interface with low associated costs and ample support.Trial registration1R56DE029639-01.

Supplement Use and Increased Risks of Cancer: Unveiling the Other Side of the Coin.

There is a rising trend in the consumption of dietary supplements, especially among adults, with the purpose of improving health. While marketing campaigns tout the potential health benefits of using dietary supplements, it is critical to evaluate the potential harmful effects associated with these supplements as well. The majority of the scarce research on the potential harmful effects of vitamins focuses on the acute or chronic toxicities associated with the use of dietary supplements. Quality research is still required to further investigate the risks of long-term use of dietary supplements, especially the risk of developing cancers. The present review concentrates on studies that have investigated the association between the risk of developing cancers and associated mortality with the risk of dietary supplements. Such an association has been reported for several vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements. Even though several of these studies come with their own shortcomings and critics, they must draw attention to further investigate long-term adverse effects of dietary supplements and advise consumers and healthcare providers to ponder the extensive use of dietary supplements.