Probiotic Supplementation and Food Intake and Knowledge Among Patients and Consumers
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Probiotic Supplementation and Food Intake and Knowledge Among Patients and Consumers M. Nguyen 1
&
K. K. Ferge 2 & A. R. Vaughn 1 & W. Burney 1 & L. H. Teng 3 & A. Pan 4 & V. Nguyen 3 & Raja K. Sivamani 1,2,4,5,6
# Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2019
Abstract The consumption of probiotics has gained popularity, highlighting the importance for consumers and clinicians to be aware of their compositions and health effects. The primary objective was to determine incentives for taking probiotics and knowledge about probiotic composition among consumers of various education levels, ethnicities, and locations. A secondary objective was to determine brands, dosages, prices, advertised benefits, and refrigeration status of commercially available probiotics in the Sacramento region. This was a voluntary anonymous online survey conducted from May to August 2017. Surveys were administered at the University of California Davis (UCD) Dermatology Clinic, as well as at approved locations within a 100mi. radius. Data analysis was performed at the UCD Dermatology clinic. Eligible participants age 18 years and older were asked to complete a voluntary anonymous online survey. A random sample of participants were recruited from the UCD Dermatology clinic, local schools, and health food stores within the designated parameters. We collected 396 surveys, 97% of which were completed. Of those surveyed, 39.4% have previously taken probiotics, 44.6% could identify at least one species present in their supplement, 42.5% could identify the number of strains, and 33.0% could identify the dosage. Gut health was the most common reason for taking probiotics (58.1%). Most rated price as important when purchasing probiotics (70.3%). Although probiotic use is prevalent in Sacramento, most people are unfamiliar with the composition of their supplement. More evidence is needed to guide consumers in making more educated decisions. Keywords Probiotic . Supplements . Health . Survey
Introduction The term probiotics, as defined by the World Health Organization, has become widely accepted to mean “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”[1, 2] As evidence continues to establish the importance of the gut microbiome in health and disease states, many people seek to improve gut
* Raja K. Sivamani [email protected] 1
Department of Dermatology, University of California – Davis, 3301 C Street, Suite 1400, Sacramento, CA 95816, USA
2
Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA, USA
3
University of California – Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
4
College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA, USA
5
Pacific Skin Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
6
Zen Dermatology, Sacramento, CA, USA
health through the consumption of probiotic foods and supplements.[3] Several studies have been conducted assessing the clinical uses of Lactobacillus acidophilis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium
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