Objective: To understand the intake status of nutrient supplements in 10 provinces(autonomous regions), so as to provide scientific evidence for guiding the rational use of nutrient supplements.
Methods: In this study, nutrient supplement is defined as raw materials including the categories in the "Health Food Raw Materials Catalog, Nutrient Supplements(2023 Edition)", and the product forms include health foods, OTC micronutrient supplements, and others. The scope of nutrient supplements in this study was defined. The intake of nutrient supplements in 10 provinces(autonomous regions) was investigated to understand the rate of nutrient supplement intake among adults. Through the intake types, brands and quantities of nutrient supplements, to understand the cognition and supplement behavior of adult residents on nutrient supplements, and further analyze the concept, function, main intake types and current risks of adult residents on nutrient supplements.
Results: In 2023, the intake rate of nutrient supplements in 10 provinces(autonomous regions) was 3.3% in the past year. Among them, 30.0% of the respondents had misunderstandings about nutrient supplements, and 18.7% of the respondents took more than two kinds of nutrient supplements. The main types of nutrient supplements taken by the respondents were multivitamin and multimineral supplements, and the intake of single nutrient supplements was mainly calcium and vitamin C.
Conclusion: The use rate of nutrient supplements in 10 provinces(autonomous regions) is low, and there is a risk of mixed use of multiple nutrients.
Keywords: mineral; nutrient supplement; vitamin.