Korean Journal of Family Medicine

"Dietary Supplements"

Original Articles

Relationship between use of multivitamins and mineral supplements and frailty in older Korean population: a cross-sectional study using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2018–2019: Hyoeun Kim, Seung Guk Park; Korean J Fam Med 2025;46(2):107-114. Published online February 20, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.24.0308

Abstract
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Background
Interest in healthy aging has grown with the increase in the older population. Nutritional intake is crucial in frailty. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between frailty and multivitamin and mineral supplements (MVMS), which can easily provide micronutrients.
Methods
The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted from 2018 to 2019 included 3,395 adults aged ≥65 years. Of these, 1,511 who did not consume dietary supplements (DS, non-DS group) and 415 who took MVMS (MVMS group) were included in the study. We modified Fried’s definition of frailty to fit the KNHANES data. Using multivariate logistic regression, we examined the association between MVMS use and frailty, which varied with satisfaction with total energy intake. Additional subgroup analyses were performed based on age, sex, and income.
Results
MVMS reduced most micronutrient deficiencies compared to obtaining nutrients solely through food. The overall analysis revealed no association between MVMS use and frailty (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52–1.09). However, a subanalysis revealed that participants with a low income (≤25%) who took MVMS had decreased odds for frailty (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35–0.88) compared with the non-DS group. Furthermore, a significant association between using MVMS and frailty was confirmed in the group with low income and energy intake below the recommended daily allowance, with a low OR of 0.52 (95% CI, 0.30–0.90).
Conclusion
MVMS use was significantly associated with frailty among the low-income and low-daily energy intake groups.

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Barriers, Facilitators of Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation, and Deworming Program among School-Going Adolescents of Deoghar, Jharkhand, India: A Mixed-Methods Study: Bijit Biswas, Anuradha Gautam, G. Jahnavi, Richa, Pratima Gupta, Saurabh Varshney; Korean J Fam Med 2024;45(5):274-282. Published online February 28, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.23.0100

Abstract
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Background
This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators of iron and folic acid supplementation and deworming programs among school-going adolescents.
Methods
A mixed-method observational study was conducted among adolescents in the 8th to 10th standards and their teachers across four schools in Deoghar, Jharkhand, India, using simple random sampling. The study included a questionnaire on socio-demographics, knowledge (34 items) (α=0.894), attitudes (2 items) (α=0.711) toward iron deficiency anemia, awareness of the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program and deworming (20 items) (α=0.783), and practices related to iron folic acid supplementation (IFS) and deworming, along with qualitative components. Data were analyzed using jamovi.
Results
Compliance rates for IFS and deworming were 27.5% and 67.9%, respectively. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that sex, religion, caste, father’s educational status, per capita monthly family income (PCMI), diet type, adequate knowledge, and positive attitude toward anemia influenced IFS compliance. Religion, PCMI, and prior information on the importance of deworming facilitate compliance. Implementation barriers included irregular medication supply and a lack of student awareness.
Conclusion
Periodic evaluation, regular sensitization, and a consistent drug supply are necessary to effectively implement WIFS and deworming programs in the study area.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Reflecting on progress and challenges: the Korean Journal of Family Medicine in 2024
Seung-Won Oh
Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2025; 46(2): 55. CrossRef
Health Education and Promotion Interventions to Mitigate Geophagic Practise: A Scoping Review
Mohora Feida Malebatja, Moreoagae Bertha Randa, Mathildah Mpata Mokgatle, Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju
Public Health Reviews.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

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The Association between the Use of Dietary Supplement and Psychological Status of Cancer Survivors in Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study: Han Rim Lee, Yun-Mi Song, Keun Hye Jeon, In Young Cho; Korean J Fam Med 2021;42(4):317-326. Published online July 20, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.20.0184

Abstract
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Background
Dietary supplements (DS) use is known to be common among cancer survivors. However, detailed information on the factors influencing DS use seems insufficient, including cancer-related and psychological factors.
Methods
Study subjects were 1,852 Korean adult cancer survivors recruited from cancer survivor clinic of two university-affiliated hospitals. Data were collected retrospectively through review of medical records and self-administered questionnaires. Psychological factors were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form. Factors associated the DS use were evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for covariates.
Results
The prevalence of long-term DS use was 15.7% in overall (17.5% in female and 11.6% in male). Female survivors were 3.14 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89–5.22) more likely to use DS than male. In male cancer survivors, ever-smoking and previous radiotherapy were positively associated with DS use. In females, breast cancer survivors were 0.32 times less likely to use DS compared with stomach cancer survivors, and survivors with family history of cancer were 1.39 times more likely to use DS than those without. After adjusting for sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors, survivors with anxiety (HADS ≥8) used DS 1.38 times (95% CI, 1.01–1.91) more frequently, compared with those without anxiety.
Conclusion
Diverse factors such as female sex, cancer treatment modality, smoking history, family history and anxiety status were associated with DS use in Korean cancer survivors. Targeted strategies with consideration of these factors are needed for counseling DS use for cancer survivors.

Citations

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Exploring men’s cancer journeys in Norway: a comprehensive survey on diet, supplements, and use of complementary and alternative therapies
Agnete E. Kristoffersen, Kiwumulo Nakandi, Arne Johan Norheim, Mona Bjelland, Jorunn V. Nilsen, Eran Ben-Arye
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Supplement use and its impact on daily life of cancer patients: a cross-sectional study
Youssef El Toum, Tarek Costa, Elissa El Toum, Tina Haddad, Pascale Salameh, Fady El karak, Marwan Ghosn, Fady Nasr, Georges Chahine, Joseph Kattan, Hampig Raphael Kourie
Supportive Care in Cancer.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Factors Associated with Long-Term Dietary Supplement Use among Korean Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study
Seonghye Kim, Yohwan Yeo, Jinyoung Shin, Dong Wook Shin, Belong Cho, Yun-Mi Song
Nutrients.2023; 15(18): 4087. CrossRef
Addressing Patient Requests to Add Dietary Supplements to Their Cancer Care—A Suggested Approach
Moshe Frenkel, Meroe B. Morse, Santhosshi Narayanan
Nutrients.2023; 15(24): 5029. CrossRef
Differences in the Perception of Dietary Supplements between Dietary Supplement/Medicine Users and Non-Users
Tsuyoshi Chiba, Nanae Tanemura
Nutrients.2022; 14(19): 4114. CrossRef
The Self-Administered Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Supplements and Antioxidants in Cancer Therapy and the Critical Role of Nrf-2—A Systematic Review
Paula Krejbich, Marc Birringer
Antioxidants.2022; 11(11): 2149. CrossRef

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The Association between Taking Dietary Supplements and Healthy Habits among Korean Adults: Results from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2010–2012): Jin-Wook Kim, So-Hye Lee, Jung-Eun Kim, Kyung-Do Han, Tae-Eung Kwack, Bo-Seon Kim, Jeong-Eun Kim, Eun-Bae Jo, Young-Kyu Park, Kyung-Shik Lee; Korean J Fam Med 2016;37(3):182-187. Published online May 26, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2016.37.3.182

Abstract
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Background

Recently, the number of people interested in health in South Korea has increased, and the rate of dietary supplement use is rising. Researchers have hypothesized that the rate of practicing healthy habits is higher among those who use dietary supplements than those who do not. Therefore, this study aimed to discover the association between taking dietary supplements and practicing various healthy habits in the Korean, adult population.

Methods

The sample included 15,789 adults over 19 years old who participated in the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The user group was defined as those taking dietary supplements for more than 2 weeks during the previous year or once during the past month. Measures for the seven healthy habits were based on those included in the Alameda study and were analyzed accounting for the complex sampling design.

Results

The rate of taking dietary supplements was significantly higher in women, middle aged participants, urban residents, those with a higher income, those with a higher education level, and nonsmokers as well as among women with a moderate subjective health status, women who limited their alcohol content, and women with dyslipidemia. In the adjusted analysis, the rate of performing three of the 'Alameda 7' habits—eating breakfast regularly, restricting snacking, and limiting drinking—was higher in the female dietary supplement user group than in the other groups. Women practiced more healthy habits and had a higher dietary supplement intake rate than men.

Conclusion

We found that taking dietary supplements in Korean adults is highly associated with demographic and social factors. Taking dietary supplements had a relationship with dietary habits, and there was no significant association between dietary supplement and other healthy habits. Thus in the health clinic, we suggest that taking dietary supplements complements a patient's healthy habits, with the exception of dietary habits, for health promotion.

Citations

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Eun Kyeung Song, Jia-Rong Wu, Debra K Moser, Seok-Min Kang, Terry A Lennie
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Effects of Multivitamin, Multimineral and Phytonutrient Supplementation on Nutrient Status and Biomarkers of Heart Health Risk in a Russian Population: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Study
Vasily Isakov, Alexandra Bogdanova, Vladimir Bessonov, Tatiana Sentsova, Victor Tutelyan, Yumei Lin, Valentina Kazlova, Jina Hong, Rodney Velliquette
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Brief Communication

Top 10 Dietary Supplements of Korean Adults from the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: Hyun Ah Park; Korean J Fam Med 2011;32(4):263-266. Published online May 31, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2011.32.4.263

Abstract
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The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence, types, and trends of dietary supplement (DS) use. We analyzed the Dietary Supplement Questionnaire data of Korean aged 19 years old or older from the Nutrition Survey of the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey. Each reported DS was coded based on ingredients according to the 2010 Korean Food and Drug Administration Notification. The prevalence (standard error) of current DS use was 20.6% (0.7) for men, 32.2% (0.7) for women. Those with DS use for longer than two weeks during previous one year were 27.2% (0.7), and 40.2% (0.8), for men and women respectively. Vitamin mineral supplement (221.6/10³ persons) was the most frequently consumed DS in Korean adults. The trend for DS use in Korean adults is changing as well as increasing.

Citations

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Effect of Dietary Supplements on Vitamin and Mineral Intake Among Koreans: Data From the 2018-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
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Which Types of Dietary Supplements Are Used in Korea? Data from the 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
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Vitamin-Mineral Supplement Use Patterns in Elderly Koreans: Data from the 2007–2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
So Young Park, Yun Jin Kim, Sang Yeoup Lee, Jeong Gyu Lee, Hye Rim Hwang, Dong Wook Jeong, Young Hye Cho, Eun Jung Choi, Yu Hyeon Yi, Young Jin Tak, A Ra Jo, Seung Hoon Lee, Jeong Suk Jeon, Bo Wha Lee
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Original Articles

What Types of Dietary Supplements Are Used in Korea? Data from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2005.: Hoon Ho Yi, Hyun Ah Park, Jae Heon Kang, Joo Ho Kang, Kyung Woo Kim, Young Gyu Cho, Hye Ryoung Song, Jung Sun Lee; Korean J Fam Med 2009;30(12):934-943. Published online December 20, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2009.30.12.934

Abstract
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Background
Dietary supplements affect the health and disease status of Koreans. We assessed the patterns of dietary supplements use and the related factors in Korean adults from the 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES). Methods: Among the subjects, 2,024 men and 2,811 women underwent all the three parts of 2005 KNHANES, which consisted the health survey, the health examination, and the nutritional survey. Reported supplements were classifi ed according to the 2008 Korea Food and Drug Administration Notification. We assessed the relationship between supplements use and socioeconomic state, health behaviors, and chronic diseases. Results: Twenty-nine percent of Korean adults was taking dietary supplements. Vitamin/mineral supplements were the most commonly taken one. Glucosamine/mucopolysaccharide, ginseng, spirulina/chlorella, omega-3, and aloe followed in listing. Supplement users were likely to be woman and middle-aged. Supplement use was associated with older, high income, with spouse, higher education, urban-living, regular exercise, non-smoker, and lower BMI. Musculoskeletal diseases were associated with supplement use. Conclusion: Dietary supplement use is prevalent in Korean adults. The supplement use was associated with some demographics characteristics, health behavior, and chronic diseases. These factors should be considered when evaluating the effi cacy of dietary supplements.

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Which Types of Dietary Supplements Are Used in Korea? Data from the 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
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Use of Dietary Supplements in Cancer Patients.: Bong Cheol Kim, Yun Mi Song, Seung Jin Park, Sun Young Kim, Jung Im Gwak; Korean J Fam Med 2009;30(8):632-640. Published online August 20, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2009.30.8.632

Abstract
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Background
Dietary supplements (DS) have been increasingly utilized as a way of the promoting health and com-plementary therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of dietary supplement use in Korean cancer patients and to examine the related factors. Methods: Between April and May of 2008, 366 patients who were hospitalized for diagnosis and treatment of cancer in a university affiliated tertiary hospital were surveyed using a self-administered structured questionnaire after receiving written informed consent. Among them, 322 patients with adequate answers were fi nally included. Results: Two hundred forty patients (72.3%) reported to have ever taken DS with the mean number of 3.6 ± 2.98. Vitamins were the most frequently used, followed by ginseng steamed red, ginseng, and glucosamine. The most infl uential factor regarding DS use was the recommendation by family members or relatives. The main reason for DS use was for resolution of fatigue, followed by supplementation of therapy, and immune enhancement. Information concerning DS most eager to know about was the effect of DS (44.6%), followed by interaction of DS with therapeutics (33.2%). Doctor (74.4%) was the most preferred health care provider to be consulted concerning DS, but only 34% of DS users have actually consulted with a doctor. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that increasing age, Catholicism, and higher educational level were associated with higher use of DS. Conclusion: DS use was very prevalent in cancer patients. In spite of the great need, only small proportion of cancer patients using DS has consulted with a doctor.

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