Most dietitians take dietary supplements

Like many other US healthcare professionals, registered dietitians report using dietary supplements as part of their health regimen, researchers said. A study published in the Nutrition Journal found 74 percent of dietitians said they use supplements regularly, while 22 percent reported using them occasionally or seasonally. The study also found 97 percent of the dietitians recommended supplements to their clients. Annette Dickinson, past president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition; Leslie Bonci, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; and colleagues found 84 percent of the dietitians took a multivitamin within the past year. The study also found 47 percent took omega-3 or fish oil supplements, 24 percent took probiotics and 18 percent took green tea supplements. Sixty-three percent reported taking calcium, 43 percent took vitamins D, 29 percent took vitamin C and 23 percent took vitamin B. When asked why they choose to use dietary supplements, 58 percent of the dietitians said they took them for bone health, 53 percent for overall health and wellness benefits, and 42 percent to fill nutrient gaps in the diet. Seventy-two percent of the dietitians said they recommend supplements to promote bone health, 69 percent said to fill nutrient gaps, and 50 percent for overall health and wellness. Previous studies showed physicians, nurses, dermatologists, cardiologists and orthopedists also took dietary supplements.