Probiotic Supplementation and Food Intake and Knowledge Among Patients and Consumers - PubMed (original) (raw)

Probiotic Supplementation and Food Intake and Knowledge Among Patients and Consumers

M Nguyen et al. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

The consumption of probiotics has gained popularity, highlighting the importance for consumers and clinicians to be aware of their compositions and health effects. The primary objective was to determine incentives for taking probiotics and knowledge about probiotic composition among consumers of various education levels, ethnicities, and locations. A secondary objective was to determine brands, dosages, prices, advertised benefits, and refrigeration status of commercially available probiotics in the Sacramento region. This was a voluntary anonymous online survey conducted from May to August 2017. Surveys were administered at the University of California Davis (UCD) Dermatology Clinic, as well as at approved locations within a 100-mi. radius. Data analysis was performed at the UCD Dermatology clinic. Eligible participants age 18 years and older were asked to complete a voluntary anonymous online survey. A random sample of participants were recruited from the UCD Dermatology clinic, local schools, and health food stores within the designated parameters. We collected 396 surveys, 97% of which were completed. Of those surveyed, 39.4% have previously taken probiotics, 44.6% could identify at least one species present in their supplement, 42.5% could identify the number of strains, and 33.0% could identify the dosage. Gut health was the most common reason for taking probiotics (58.1%). Most rated price as important when purchasing probiotics (70.3%). Although probiotic use is prevalent in Sacramento, most people are unfamiliar with the composition of their supplement. More evidence is needed to guide consumers in making more educated decisions.

Keywords: Health; Probiotic; Supplements; Survey.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Conly JM, Johnston LB (2004) Coming full circle: from antibiotics to probiotics and prebiotics. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 15(3):161–163. https://doi.org/10.1155/2004/354909 -DOI -PubMed -PMC
    1. Hill C, Guarner F, Reid G, Gibson GR, Merenstein DJ, Pot B, Morelli L, Canani RB, Flint HJ, Salminen S, Calder PC, Sanders ME (2014) The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 11:506–514. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2014.66 -DOI
    1. Champagne CP, Gomes da Cruz A, Daga M (2018) Strategies to improve the functionality of probiotics in supplements and foods. Curr Opin Food Sci 22:160–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2018.04.008 -DOI
    1. Islam SU (2016) Clinical uses of probiotics. Medicine (Baltimore) 95(5):e2658. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000002658 -DOI
    1. van der Aa LB, Heymans HS, van Aalderen WM, Sprikkelman AB (2010) Probiotics and prebiotics in atopic dermatitis: review of the theoretical background and clinical evidence. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 21(2 Pt 2):e355–e367. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3038.2009.00915.x -DOI -PubMed

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources