Dietary supplement use among cancer survivors and the general population: a nation-wide cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundUse of dietary supplements among cancer survivors is common and controversial, but information on the amount of nutrients from supplements among cancer survivors is limited. We examined the amount of nutrients and their contribution to total nutrient intake from supplements and compared these data between cancer survivors and cancer-free individuals. We also identified factors associated with supplement use among cancer survivors.MethodsWe identified 400 cancer survivors and 10,387 cancer-free individuals, aged ≥ 19 years, from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) V-1, 2 (2010, 2011). We calculated the amount of nutrients consumed from foods and supplements, the percent contributions of supplement nutrients to total nutrient intakes and cancer survivors’ nutrient intakes relative to the Estimated Average Requirements (EARs) and the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs). We examined factors associated with supplement use among cancer survivors.ResultsWe found that 33.3% of cancer survivors and 22.1% of cancer-free individuals reported the use of dietary supplements. Compared to cancer-free individuals, cancer survivors had higher intakes of riboflavin, folate, and iron from foods (p < 0.05 for each), and higher intakes of calcium (p = 0.05) and vitamin C (p = 0.01) from foods and supplements. The similar pattern was observed for the percent contributions to total nutrient intake. Cancer survivors had higher proportion of participants below EARs than cancer-free individuals for thiamin and niacin (p < 0.05 for each). The proportions of cancer survivors below the EARs were 61.2% for calcium, 49.1% for riboflavin, and 43.5% for folate and the proportions of cancer survivors above the ULs were 3.3% for iron, and 2.3% for vitamin A. For female cancer survivors, education above an elementary school level, moderate physical activity, low vegetable intake, and high circulating vitamin D levels were associated with supplement use. For male cancer survivors, living in an urban area, no consumption of alcohol, and lower energy intake, were associated with supplement use.ConclusionsKorean cancer survivors have higher rate of dietary supplement use and higher contribution from supplements to total nutrient intake than cancer-free individuals. Demographic and lifestyle factors were associated with supplement use among cancer survivors.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-017-3885-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Association between the Use of Dietary Supplement and Psychological Status of Cancer Survivors in Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…A nation-wide crosssectional Korean study also found that Korean cancer survivors use DS (33.3%) more frequently than cancer-free individuals (22.1%). 9) In previous study on general population, factors associated with more frequent use of DS were female gender (P=0.041), Caucasian (P<0.001), and older age (mean age, 56.98 years versus 53.34 years; P<0.001), and higher number of chronic conditions (P=0.004). 10) In a study of American cancer survivors, female gender (odds ratio [OR], 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-2.36) and higher education levels (OR, 5.44; 95% CI, 2.98-9.93) were associated with DS use.…”

The Flavonoid Apigenin Is a Progesterone Receptor Modulator with In Vivo Activity in the Uterus

“…Apigenin is present in many fruits, vegetables, teas, and herbal supplements [1]. Use of herbal supplements is increasing in the general population [2], and is even higher among cancer patients [3, 4]. Therefore, interest in the role of apigenin (4′,5,7,-trihydroxyflavone) in cancer prevention and treatment has been increasing [5, 6].…”

Use of Dietary Supplements in Cancer: A Single-Institution Study

“…It was revealed that cancer survivors used more riboflavin, folate, and iron from foods (P < 0.05 for each), and also had higher intakes of calcium (P = 0.05) and vitamin C (P = 0.01) from foods and supplements than cancer-free individuals. In female cancer survivors, those with higher education level, moderate physical activity, low vegetable intake, and high circulating vitamin D levels had higher supplement intake (13). This study shows that there is a trend to higher level of supplements intake in cancer cases.…”