The objective of the study was to investigate the contribution of nutritional supplements to micronutrient intake in Irish adults. Analysis was based on the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS), which was carried out between 2008 and 2010 to establish a database of habitual food and drink consumption. A 4-d semi-weighed food record was used to collect food intake data. Analysis of dietary intake data was carried out using WISP© (Tinuviel Software, Anglesey, UK), which is based on McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, Sixth edition(1). The database was updated to include all nutritional supplements recorded by participants in the food diary. Over one-quarter (men 22%, women 33%) of those surveyed reported use of a nutritional supplement at least once during the recording period. Of the 188 nutritional supplements consumed, multivitamin/mineral combinations were the most popular supplement. Among nutritional supplement users, the mean daily intake (MDI) of micronutrients from all sources (including food) and the percentage contribution from nutritional supplements to the daily intakes are reported.
Nutritional supplements also contributed between 3 and 20% to intakes of vitamin B12, Mg, P, Zn and Cu in supplement users. Among adult supplement users, nutritional supplements make a significant contribution to the intake of a range of micronutrients.
The project was funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Food for Health Research Initiative 2007–2012.
