In addition, gender, region, level of education and triglyceride levels could influence their consumption.

The cross-sectional study was titled “Analysis of the use of dietary supplements and influencing factors in the Mongolian population”​ and published in the journal BioMed Research International.

“This study will allow us to fill some gaps regarding the use of food supplements among ethnic minorities in China and provide the targeted scientific basis for formulating guidelines and policies on food supplements for Mongolian minority areas,” the researchers said.

The team conducted an observational, cross-sectional study using multistage stratified cluster sampling in the cities of Hohhot and Xilinhot in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (north China).

A total of 1,434 Mongolian adults (537 males and 897 females) aged 18 and over from five communities in the two cities volunteered to participate in the survey from July 2019 to August 2020.

Results​

The study found that 18.83% of Mongolians use dietary supplements in Inner Mongolia. In decreasing order of prevalence, the types used were calcium, vitamin C, multivitamin, vitamin B, multivitamin/mineral, protein, vitamin E, and vitamin D.

The most popular supplement among the subjects was calcium. The study showed that the highest rate of calcium supplementation among Mongolians who consumed dietary supplements was 58.15%. The second most popular supplement was vitamin C.

In this study, utilization rates of vitamin B, vitamin D, vitamin E, protein, and multivitamin/mineral were also recorded to be less than 5%. Therefore, more attention should be given to micronutrient deficiencies among the Mongolian population in China. People who cannot get enough nutrients from food could use dietary supplements, which have been proven and trusted to ensure adequate nutritional intake for health.

In terms of demographic characteristics, the study included data on gender, age, region, education level, employment status, smoking, alcohol consumption, biochemical indicators and other indicators Mongolian participants. These characteristics were analyzed with the subjects’ consumption of food supplements.

The main factor in supplement consumption was the education level of the subjects. Those with a lower secondary education and urban residents were more likely to use dietary supplements, possibly due to greater health awareness, higher incomes, and better power. ‘purchase.

“Clinicians should strengthen health education for Mongolians with little education and those living in rural and pastoral areas to raise their awareness of health care and rational use of dietary supplements,”says the team.

Supplement use was also linked to triglyceride levels and gender. People with abnormal triglyceride levels can use dietary supplements instead of prescription drugs to lower blood lipid levels. When discussing gender, women were more likely to use dietary supplements than men.

“Health professionals should combine existing data to develop relevant manuals; in addition, health education for the Mongolian people should be improved to establish an accurate understanding of dietary supplements. ​

“When it is not possible to obtain sufficient nutrients from the diet, effective counseling should be provided on the appropriate use of dietary supplements to promote health. Future research should encourage more regions and ethnic groups to explore the complexity of using dietary supplements, determining the appropriate way to use them, and preventing abuse,”concluded the researchers.

Source:​ BioMed Research International

DO I:​ 10.1155/2022/4064588

“Analysis of the use of dietary supplements and influencing factors in the Mongolian population”​

Authors:Wang Zhidi et al​.