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

• Published in: Saudi pharmaceutical journal 2023-10, Vol.31 (10), p.101779, Article 101779
• Main Authors: Azhar, Wedad, Al-Otaibi, Kholod, Abusudah, Wafaa F., Azzeh, Firas, Qhadi, Alaa, Alhassani, Walaa E., Almohmadi, Najlaa H., Bushnaq, Taqwa, Tashkandi, Bayan, Alharbi, Nouf Abdullah, Babteen, Abrar, Ghabashi, Mai, Kamfar, Yara, Ghafouri, Khloud
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; Home confinement; Immunity; Minerals; Original; Quarantine; Saudi Arabi; Supplements
• ISSN: 1319-0164; 2213-7475
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101779

People 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. A 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. Around 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