INFLUENCE OF LIFE-STYLE FACTORS ON THE US E OF SUPPLEMENTS IN THE EPIC-POTSDAM STUDY

Differences in dietary habits and lifestyle factors associated with a high dietary intake of fruit and vegetables are discussed and used to explain the disparity between results of observational epidemiologic s tudies consistently showing antioxidative vitamins to exert a protecti ve effect on chronic diseases, and intervention studies so far not con firming this association. Within the scope of the ''Brandenburger Erna hrungs- und Krebsstudie'', the East German contribution to the Europea n Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), we exami ned whether study participants using supplements on a regular basis - minerals, vitamins, protein formulation, bran/linseed, fiber, yeast or garlic pills - differed from those who did not report use of suppleme nts according to selected lifestyle factors and dietary intake of vita mins, minerals, fiber, cholesterol, and fat from food. The study sampl e consisted of 10 522 participants (4 500 men and 6 022 women) aged 35 -65 years enrolled in the cohort from January 1995 to July 1996. Regul ar intake of one or more supplements during the past year was reported by 32.6 % of women and 25.5 % of men. Vitamin supplements were used b y 18.8 % of the women and 15.8 % of the men. Figures for minerals were 14.2 % for women and 8.6 % for men, respectively. Garlic pills were t aken regularly by 9.7 % of men and 9.3 % of women. Prevalence of suppl ement use was generally higher in women and was more pronounced in eld erly participants. The most frequently used combinations were vitamin and mineral supplements, followed by a combination of garlic and eithe r vitamin or mineral supplements. Increased use of supplements was sig nificantly associated with higher level of education attained, regular engagement in sporting activities, health complaints, and dietary cha nge during the previous year. No association between use of supplement s and smoking status nor elevated alcohol consumption was observed. Bo dy mass index above 30 was significantly related to increased intake o f garlic pills, and in women to significantly increased use of vitamin and mineral supplements. For both men and women, age-adjusted consump tion of fruit and vegetables and intake of vitamins, minerals, and fib er from food was higher for participants using mineral but also vitami n supplements compared to those who did not use these supplements. For the cohort of the ''Brandenburger Ernahrungs- und Krebsstudie'' we ob served on the one hand that age, gender, and health-conscious lifestyl e factors were related to supplement use. On the other hand presence o f subjective health complaints was related to supplement use, especial ly for use of vitamins and minerals. Participants, who regularly consu med minerals and vitamins were also shown to have a higher intake of f oods and nutrients considered to exert an antioxidative effect.