Repository logo
 

The balance between food and dietary supplements in the general population

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Lentjes, MAH 

Abstract

Abstract: In the past, vitamins and minerals were used to cure deficiency diseases. Supplements nowadays are used with the aim of reducing the risk of chronic diseases of which the origins are complex. Dietary supplement use has increased in the UK over recent decades, contributing to the nutrient intake in the population, but not necessarily the proportion of the population that is sub optimally nourished; therefore, not reducing the proportion below the estimated average requirement and potentially increasing the number at risk of an intake above the safety limits. The supplement nutrient intake may be objectively monitored using circulation biomarkers. The influence of the researcher in how the supplements are grouped and how the nutrient intakes are quantified may however result in different conclusions regarding their nutrient contribution, the associations with biomarkers in general, and dose-response associations specifically. The diet might be sufficient in micronutrients, but lacking in a balanced food intake. Since public health nutrition guidelines are expressed in terms of foods, there is potentially a discrepancy between the nutrient-orientated supplement and the quality of the dietary pattern. To promote health, current public health messages only advocate supplements in specific circumstances, but not in optimally nourished populations.

Description

Keywords

DRV dietary reference values, EAR estimated average requirement, EPIC European Prospective Investigation into Cancer, MVMM multivitamin/multimineral, NDNS National Diet and Nutrition Surveys, NSU non-supplement users, RNI reference nutrient intake, SU supplement users, SUL safe upper level, TNI total nutrient intake, Biomarkers, Dietary reference values, Dietary supplement assessment, Observational research, Total nutrient intake, Diet, Dietary Supplements, Eating, Humans, Nutrition Surveys, Nutritional Requirements, United Kingdom

Journal Title

Proceedings of the Nutrition Society

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1475-2719
1475-2719

Volume Title

Publisher

Cambridge University Press
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (G1000143)
Cancer Research Uk (None)
Medical Research Council (MR/N003284/1)
Medical Research Council (G0401527)
The author reports programme grants from Cancer Research UK (G0401527, G1000143) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) (C864/A8257, C864/A14136).