| 摘要: | 本文依據台灣地區所進行1993-1996年「4歲以上國民營養健康狀況調查」、1999-2000年「老人營養健康狀況調查」與2001-2002年「國小學童營養健康狀況調查」及其它相關補充品調查的研究文獻，回顧國人之膳食補充品的使用狀況與消費行為。結果顯示女性、老人、都市化程度高的地區、高教育程度與高收入者一般而言有較高的使用比例。此外，注意自己的健康狀態、重視營養知識或身心狀態不佳的受訪者也有較高的比率服用補充品。男、女性皆有五成以上的人只選擇一種補充品，並且隨著選擇補充品的商品數增加而人數遞減。各年齡層受訪者多以綜合維他命與礦物質、維生素C、鈣質或維生素E為主要的選擇；其他常見的選擇項目為四物、卵磷脂、當歸、枸杞、人蔘、康貝特、魚油、靈芝、蜂膠及大蒜精等。選擇這些補充品的目的與年齡、性別與不同生命期所面臨的營養與健康議題有顯著相關。正確的使用補充品有助健康，反之不正確的使用可能會傷害身體；因此，如何教育民眾瞭解補充品的特性，使能有效利用、改善健康，是未來膳食補充品研究的一個重要議題。
This study reviews the status of dietary supplement consumption practices and patterns of supplement usage among the Taiwanese population, using information derived from the Nutrition and Health Survey (NAHSIT) 1993-1996, Elderly NAHSIT 1998-1999, NAHSIT Children 2001-2002, and other related research literature on supplement use. The results showed that the prevalence of supplement usage was generally higher for females and the elderly, in well-urbanized areas, and for people with a higher education level and higher incomes. In addition, subjects with a good understanding of their own health status, an awareness of nutritional knowledge, or with a defective physiopsychological status had a higher rate of taking supplements. More than 50% of male and female supplement takers took only one type of supplement. The numbers of people taking supplements decreased as the total number of supplement types chosen increased. The major choices of supplements among subjects were multivitamins/minerals, vitamin C, calcium, and vitamin E. Other commonly used supplements were Four-Herbs, lecithin, Chinese angelica root, Lycium chinensis, ginseng, Come BEST, fish oil, Ganoderma lucidum, propolis, and garlic oil. Deciding whether or not to use supplements was obviously affected by age, gender, and the nutrition and health issues an individual faces in his or her corresponding age period. Since correct supplement usage is beneficial but incorrect usage is harmful to health, it is important to finds ways of educating people about the characteristics of supplements so that they can use them effectively. |
