Many Report Taking Supplements to Prevent Cold, Flu but 39% of Those Still Avoid Flu Shot

OCEANSIDE, N.Y. - Feb. 12, 2018 - PRLog -- Almost half of metro area New Yorkers surveyed in a new poll report taking unregulated dietary supplements such as vitamins, essential oils and probiotics- some in attempt to ward off colds and the flu - but 39 percent of those who take supplements for that purpose have not had a flu shot, according to South Nassau's latest Truth in Medicine Poll.

The flu shot is considered the single best preventive method against the flu, a sometimes-deadly disease. "Benefit from cold supplements have never been truly proven to help boost your immunity against colds, whereas flu vaccine is proven to prevent the flu," said Dr. Aaron E. Glatt, South Nassau's Department of Medicine Chair and Hospital Epidemiologist, who also is a spokesman for the Infectious Disease Society of America.

Other key findings from the poll include:

·       Some 44 percent of respondents who take supplements reported spending more than $25 per month on these supplements

·       More than 70 percent of those who take supplements to fight cold and flu act on their own – often on the recommendation from a friend or family member, rather than a doctor.

·       Nearly a third do not inform their doctors about their supplement use.

·       Some 15 percent said that advertising prompted them to take a supplement to ward off colds and flu.

The South Nassau Truth in Medicine Poll, sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, is a quarterly survey of 600 Long Island and New York City residents that aims to gather data about public attitudes on key public health topics and help spur public education to improve public health.

A majority (54 percent) of those who take an anti-cold or flu supplement do so daily, while 25 percent take it only when needed. Those who take something to prevent colds and flu are fairly confident that it works, with 39 percent saying the supplements are very effective and 53 percent saying they are somewhat effective.

Vitamin C is overwhelmingly the most popular supplement choice, with 85 percent of respondents who take supplements to defend against cold and flu saying they take it. Vitamin C includes popular drugstore brands like Emergen-C® and Airborne®. Zinc, including the popular Zicam®, follows Vitamin C at 26 percent as the second most popular supplement.

"While a supplement like Vitamin C is safe to take if you are traveling or are in close contact with friends or family who have colds or flu, other supplements, especially herbal supplements, should always be cleared by your primary care doctor or other physician," said Dr. Adhi Sharma, South Nassau's chief medical officer.

The poll also showed that more than one-third (36 percent) of parents currently give their children supplements, and 39 percent of that group is doing so without a doctor's recommendation. Parents in Long Island are more likely to give their children supplements than parents in New York City. While those who take supplements themselves are more likely to give their children supplements, 18 percent of parents who do not take supplements still choose to give them to their children

The poll also showed that 62 percent of supplement takers are aware that the products are not regulated by the FDA, but remain unconcerned.Only 29 percent of all respondents say they are concerned a lot (8 percent) or some (21 percent) about the lack of FDA regulation. Supplement-takers are even less concerned, with only 4 percent saying it concerns them a lot.

Advertising also plays a meaningful role in supplement choice, with 15 percent indicating that an ad prompted them to take a supplement to ward off colds and flu. The US supplement industry contributes billions to our economy, yet surprisingly receives little regulation or oversight. Supplements include not just vitamins, but herbal supplements like weight-loss pills. Unlike prescription drugs, which have to be prescribed by a clinician and go through rigorous rounds of clinical trials, supplements go through no such review and do not receive FDA approval. The FDA does have oversight over labeling.

The South Nassau Truth in Medicine Poll, sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, was conducted via both landlines and cell phones from January 2-5 with 600 adults in New York City and on Long Island. The poll was conducted as part of the hospital's mission of improving education around critical public health issues. The poll was conducted by a nationally recognized, independent polling firm, LJR Custom Strategies, which has offices in Washington, DC and New Orleans, LA. LJR has conducted more than 2,000 studies for a broad spectrum of health care, business, education, cultural, and political clients in almost every state in the country and around the world.

The South Nassau poll found a slight variation of attitudes about supplements that at times broke down along gender, age and racial lines. The poll found that:

·       White adults are far more likely to take a supplement than people of color

·       Two-thirds of men age 50 and over take supplements, compared to 53 percent of women age 50+. Men also spend more money than women.

·       Only 41 percent of women under 50 and 37 percent of men under 50 take supplements

Even if you have gotten the flu vaccination, you may still come into contact with someone who has the flu. So what can you do to prevent yourself from getting the flu? Flu can be spread very easily from person to person. Regularly wash your hands. Protect your environment.  For more information, visit http://www.southnassau.org.