PORTLAND: A survey shows that natural product use for the over 50s has shifted since 2007, with some products becoming more popular and some falling out of favour. Overall, natural products (dietary supplements other than vitamins and minerals) remain the most common complementary health approach.
The complementary health questionnaire is administered every 5 years.
Survey highlights include:
- Fish oil was the top natural product among adults.
- Adults’ use of fish oil, probiotics or prebiotics, and melatonin increased between 2007 and 2012.
- Adults’ use of glucosamine/chondroitin, echinacea, and garlic decreased between 2007 and 2012.
- Fish oil was the top natural product among children. This is a change from 2007, when echinacea was first.
- Melatonin was the second most used natural product by children in 2012. Its use increased substantially from 2007 to 2012.