Beauty in a Tablet: Public Knowledge About Nutraceuticals
July 2020
in “
Farmacja Polska
”
TLDR People need more education on the safe and proper use of dietary supplements.
The study surveyed 170 individuals, mainly women aged 18-30, to assess public knowledge about nutraceuticals, particularly supplements for skin, hair, and nails. While 95% understood the definition of dietary supplements, only 47% knew they were for healthy individuals, and 40% were unaware of registration differences between supplements and medicines. Despite 70% purchasing supplements from pharmacies, only 25% sought professional advice, and 40% used multiple supplements without recognizing overdose risks. Satisfaction with supplement effects was reported by only half of the users. The study concluded that although basic knowledge existed, there was a need for ongoing public education on the quality, proper use, and safety of dietary supplements, as many products lacked data on safety and efficacy.