skin supplement use, the majority had health insurance and had some college education or above. Many respondents were 19 or younger and some were pregnant. This is concerning, as many supplements lack research on efficacy and safety, including information on teratogenicity and effects in children.2 There is evidence to suggest individuals between 13 and 18 years utilize social media to search for health related information, including material on dietary supplements.5 Further research on whether such information plays a role in supplement use in children is needed.
Physicians or other health care providers should routinely ask patients which supplements they take or are considering taking, in order to provide education as well as to prevent drugsupplement and lab test-supplement interactions. Supplement ingredients such as calcium and magnesium interact with antibiotics, corticosteroids, and levothyroxine, impairing drug efficacy.6 Supplemental biotin ingestion may also interfere with lab diagnostic tests, resulting in potentially inaccurate clinical interpretations.7 Hence, it is crucial for providers to monitor patient dietary supplement use to thwart potential interactions.
Study limitations include self-reported data, cross-sectional survey limitations, and that only supplement use in the past 30 days was examined. Results highlight that physicians should inquire about patient supplement use.8 Doing so may allow more communication about supplement risks, benefits, and unknowns.
DISCLOSURES
Dr Katta serves on the Advisory Board for Vichy Laboratories and is the author of a book for the general public on dermatology. Dina Zamil, Anjana Mohan, and Dr Perez-Sanchez do not declare any conflicts of interest.
Disclaimers: The views expressed in the submitted article are the views of the authors and not an official position of their respective institutions.
Disclaimers: The views expressed in the submitted article are the views of the authors and not an official position of their respective institutions.
REFERENCES
1. Chen F, Du M, Blumberg JB, et al. association between dietary supplement use, nutrient intake, and mortality among US adults: A cohort study. Ann Intern Med. 2019;170(9):604-613. doi:10.7326/M18-2478
2. Katta R, Huang S. Skin, Hair and Nail Supplements: An evidence-based approach. Skin Therapy Lett. 2019;24(5):7-13.
3. Bailey RL, Gahche JJ, Miller PE, Thomas PR, Dwyer JT. Why US adults use dietary supplements. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(5):355. doi:10.1001/ jamainternmed.2013.2299
4. Blendon RJ, DesRoches CM, Benson JM, Brodie M, Altman DE. Americans’ views on the use and regulation of dietary supplements. Arch Intern Med. 2001;161(6):805. doi:10.1001/archinte.161.6.805
5. Goodyear VA, Armour KM, Wood H. Young people and their engagement with health-related social media: new perspectives. Sport Educ Soc. 2018;24(7):673-688. doi:10.1080/13573322.2017.1423464
6. Marzella Sulli M, Ezzo D. Drug interactions with vitamins and minerals. Accessed October 3, 2020. https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/druginteractions- with-vitamins-and-minerals.
7. Li D, Radulescu A, Shrestha RT, et al. Association of biotin ingestion with performance of hormone and nonhormone assays in healthy adults. JAMA. 2017;318(12):1150-1160. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.13705
8. Hensrud DD, Engle DD, Scheitel SM. Underreporting the use of dietary supplements and nonprescription medications among patients undergoing a periodic health examination. Mayo Clin Proc. 1999;74(5):443-447. doi:10.4065/74.5.443
2. Katta R, Huang S. Skin, Hair and Nail Supplements: An evidence-based approach. Skin Therapy Lett. 2019;24(5):7-13.
3. Bailey RL, Gahche JJ, Miller PE, Thomas PR, Dwyer JT. Why US adults use dietary supplements. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(5):355. doi:10.1001/ jamainternmed.2013.2299
4. Blendon RJ, DesRoches CM, Benson JM, Brodie M, Altman DE. Americans’ views on the use and regulation of dietary supplements. Arch Intern Med. 2001;161(6):805. doi:10.1001/archinte.161.6.805
5. Goodyear VA, Armour KM, Wood H. Young people and their engagement with health-related social media: new perspectives. Sport Educ Soc. 2018;24(7):673-688. doi:10.1080/13573322.2017.1423464
6. Marzella Sulli M, Ezzo D. Drug interactions with vitamins and minerals. Accessed October 3, 2020. https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/druginteractions- with-vitamins-and-minerals.
7. Li D, Radulescu A, Shrestha RT, et al. Association of biotin ingestion with performance of hormone and nonhormone assays in healthy adults. JAMA. 2017;318(12):1150-1160. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.13705
8. Hensrud DD, Engle DD, Scheitel SM. Underreporting the use of dietary supplements and nonprescription medications among patients undergoing a periodic health examination. Mayo Clin Proc. 1999;74(5):443-447. doi:10.4065/74.5.443
AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE
Rajani Katta MD info@kattamd.com
