Multivitamins/multiminerals in Switzerland: not as good as it seems

Nutrition Journal

Pedro Marques-Vidal¹  Nadège Droz¹ 

[1] CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland and Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), Lausanne University Hospital, Biopole 2, Route de la Corniche 10, Lausanne CH-1010, Switzerland

关键词: Vitamin supplements;    Switzerland;    Vitamins;    Trace elements;   

Others  :  801665
DOI  :  10.1186/1475-2891-13-24

 received in 2014-01-03, accepted in 2014-03-20,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Multivitamin/multimineral (MVM) supplements are commonly consumed by the general population, but little is known regarding their composition and compliance with local regulations. We assessed the composition and compliance with regulations [no indication in the label of vitamin/minerals amounting <15% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI)] of MVM available in Switzerland.

Methods

The composition of vitamin/minerals supplements was obtained from the Swiss drug compendium, the Internet, pharmacies, parapharmacies and supermarkets. MVM was defined as the presence of at least 5 vitamins and/or minerals.

Results

Of the 254 vitamin/mineral supplements collected, 95 (37%) were considered as MVM. The most frequent vitamins were B₆ (73.7%), C (71.6%), B₂ (69.5%) and B₁ (67.4%); the least frequent were K (17.9%), biotin (51.6%), pantothene (55.8%) and E (56.8%). Approximately half of MVMs provided >150% of the ADI for vitamins. The most frequent minerals were zinc (66.3%), calcium (55.8%), magnesium (54.7%) and copper (48.4%), and the least frequent were fluoride (3.2%), phosphorous (17.9%), chrome (22.1%) and iodine (25%). More than two thirds of MVMs provided between 50 and 150% of the ADI for minerals, and few MVMs provided >150% of the ADI. While few MVMs provided <15% of the ADI for vitamins, a considerable fraction did so for minerals (32.7% for magnesium, 26.1% for copper and 22.6% for calcium).

Conclusion

There is a great variability regarding the composition of MVMs available in Switzerland. Several MVM do not comply with Swiss regulations, which calls for monitoring and corrective measures.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Droz and Marques-Vidal; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 参考文献 】

• [1]Marques-Vidal P, Pecoud A, Hayoz D, Paccaud F, Mooser V, Waeber G, Vollenweider P: Prevalence and characteristics of vitamin or dietary supplement users in Lausanne, Switzerland: the CoLaus study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2009, 63:273-281.
• [2]Bailey RL, Dodd KW, Goldman JA, Gahche JJ, Dwyer JT, Moshfegh AJ, Sempos CT, Picciano MF: Estimation of total usual calcium and vitamin D intakes in the United States. J Nutr 2010, 140:817-822.
• [3]Commission of the European Communities: Characteristics and Perspectives of the Market for Food Supplements containing Substances other than Vitamins and Minerals. 5th edition. Brussels, Belgium; 2008:16.
• [4]Eye on the EU supplements market: Italy shines brightest http://www.nutraingredients.com/Consumer-Trends/Eye-on-the-EU-supplements-market-Italy-shines-brightest webcite. Assessed February 12, 2014.
• [5]Département Fédéral de l’Intérieur: Ordonnance du DFI Sur Les Aliments Spéciaux. Bern, Switzerland: Département Fédéral de l’Intérieur; 2005. vol. 817.022.104
• [6]Coppens P, da Silva MF, Pettman S: European regulations on nutraceuticals, dietary supplements and functional foods: a framework based on safety. Toxicology 2006, 221:59-74.
• [7]Yetley EA: Multivitamin and multimineral dietary supplements: definitions, characterization, bioavailability, and drug interactions. Am J Clin Nutr 2007, 85:269S-276S.
• [8]Hemilä H, Kaprio J: Modification of the effect of vitamin E supplementation on the mortality of male smokers by age and dietary vitamin C. Am J Epidemiol 2009, 169:946-953.
• [9]Hemilä H, Kaprio J: Vitamin E may affect the life expectancy of men, depending on dietary vitamin C intake and smoking. Age and Ageing 2011, 40:215-220.
• [10]Macpherson H, Pipingas A, Pase MP: Multivitamin-multimineral supplementation and mortality: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2013, 97:437-444.
• [11]Thomas LD, Elinder CG, Tiselius HG, Wolk A, Akesson A: Ascorbic acid supplements and kidney stone incidence among men: a prospective study. JAMA Internal Med 2013, 173:386-388.
• [12]Yaich S, Chaabouni Y, Charfeddine K, Zaghdane S, Kharrat M, Kammoun K, Makni S, Boudawara T, Hachicha J: Secondary oxalosis due to excess vitamin C intake: a cause of graft loss in a renal transplant recipient. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transplant 2014, 25:113-116.
• [13]Burgi H, Supersaxo Z, Selz B: Iodine deficiency diseases in Switzerland one hundred years after Theodor Kocher’s survey: a historical review with some new goitre prevalence data. Acta Endocrinologica 1990, 123:577-590.
• [14]Zimmermann MB, Aeberli I, Torresani T, Burgi H: Increasing the iodine concentration in the Swiss iodized salt program markedly improved iodine status in pregnant women and children: a 5-y prospective national study. Am J Clin Nutr 2005, 82:388-392.
• [15]Bochud M, Marques-Vidal P, Burnier M, Paccaud F: Population reduction of salt consumption: opportunities, impact and strategies. Revue Médicale Suisse 2012, 8:1443-1447.
• [16]Als C, Luscher D, Gerber H, Brander L, Lauber K, Rosler H: Why is iodine deficiency once again present in the Berne region? Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 1997, 127:18-22.
• [17]Miesner AR, Sullivan TS: Elevated international normalized ratio from vitamin K supplement discontinuation. Ann Pharmacother 2011, 45:e2.
• [18]Ismail AI, Hasson H: Fluoride supplements, dental caries and fluorosis: a systematic review. J Am Dent Assoc 2008, 139:1457-1468.
• [19]Lakhan SE, Vieira KF: Nutritional and herbal supplements for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders: systematic review. Nutr J 2010, 9:42. BioMed Central Full Text