Supplementation patterns of Washington State dietitians.

More than 900 dietitians in the state of Washington were surveyed to determine their personal patterns of dietary supplementation. Seventy-five percent of the population responded; of the respondents, nearly 60% reported the use of some nutritional supplement. The most commonly used supplements were multivitamins plus minerals and vitamin C only, with 21% and 19% of the population choosing these supplementation patterns, respectively. Multivitamins (no minerals) and iron only or with vitamin C were each chosen by 6.9% of the population. Other supplement categories were used less often: calcium with or without vitamin D (2.7%), protein only (3%), and extra calories (0%). The most commonly used "miscellaneous" supplement was potassium. Among subgroups of the population, supplement use was most common among pregnant and lactating women and underweight individuals. The few individuals using iron supplements were women, and most of them were under 30 years of age. The majority of users of calcium supplements were women over 50. Although the bases for the observed supplementation patterns were not determined in the present study, speculations can be put forth. In the meantime, it is clear that many dietitians have chosen to utilize some nutritional supplement for personal health.