Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic

Merita Rumano; Elvisa Rumano; Jotilda Jotı; Brunilda Hasanbellı

doi:10.55549/zbs.1246754

EN

Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Millions of people worldwide use food supplements to maintain their body wellbeing and for immune boosting mainly against flu or other seasonal infections. Taking into consideration the great importance given to the use of supplements during COVID-19 pandemic, the aim of this study is to evaluate the importance and precaution of supplements and herbal products usage for immunity boosting during COVID-19 pandemic in Tirana region, Albania. According to the pharmacists, there is a wide range of supplements used during COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most used supplements in Albania during COVID-19 pandemic, was the combination of Vitamin C, Vitamin D3 direct and Zinc, a product from FORTEX nutraceuticals in the form of dispersible sachets for oral intake without water. Combinations of Vitamin D and Vitamin K are used also. Based on these facts, vitamin D level was measured in a group of 2295 randomly chosen individuals, presented in the laboratory for routine analysis. Compared to the data from previous studies during the period from 2009-2010, where a mean value of 21.49 (± 7.6) ng/ml for vitamin D was observed, there is a slight increase in vitamin D concentration from 2019-2022, with a mean value of 24.14 (± 9.07) ng/ml. Regardless the extra care and supplements intake, the range varies from 8-67 ng/ml and the level of vitamin D insufficiency is still high in the population. More than 87% of the individuals were taking supplements regularly, during COVID-19 pandemic. 57% of them were aware that interactions between supplements and medications could occur. The persons who were informed that interactions could occur were part of age group from 18-45 years old. About 21% of them approved that the pharmacist has always asked them about other medications or supplements they were administering in addition to those they buy to the pharmacy. Pharmacists recommend also taking medications and supplements at least an hour apart and to keep a diary about any side effects that come on along with supplements use. It is important to avoid using supplements that contain large amounts of ingredients too.

Keywords

COVID-19, food supplements, consumer awareness, vitamin D, herbal products

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Structural Biology

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Merita Rumano ^*
Albania

Elvisa Rumano This is me
Albania

Jotilda Jotı This is me
Albania

Brunilda Hasanbellı This is me
Albania

Publication Date

January 31, 2023

Submission Date

January 29, 2023

Acceptance Date

-

Published in Issue

Year 2023 Volume: 4 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.55549/zbs.1246754

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA48NW94SZ

APA

Rumano, M., Rumano, E., Jotı, J., & Hasanbellı, B. (2023). Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic. Zeugma Biological Science, 4(1), 6-17. https://doi.org/10.55549/zbs.1246754

AMA

1.Rumano M, Rumano E, Jotı J, Hasanbellı B. Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic. zbs. 2023;4(1):6-17. doi:10.55549/zbs.1246754

Chicago

Rumano, Merita, Elvisa Rumano, Jotilda Jotı, and Brunilda Hasanbellı. 2023. “Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic”. Zeugma Biological Science 4 (1): 6-17. https://doi.org/10.55549/zbs.1246754.

EndNote

Rumano M, Rumano E, Jotı J, Hasanbellı B (January 1, 2023) Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic. Zeugma Biological Science 4 1 6–17.

IEEE

[1]M. Rumano, E. Rumano, J. Jotı, and B. Hasanbellı, “Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic”, zbs, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 6–17, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.55549/zbs.1246754.

ISNAD

Rumano, Merita - Rumano, Elvisa - Jotı, Jotilda - Hasanbellı, Brunilda. “Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic”. Zeugma Biological Science 4/1 (January 1, 2023): 6-17. https://doi.org/10.55549/zbs.1246754.

JAMA

1.Rumano M, Rumano E, Jotı J, Hasanbellı B. Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic. zbs. 2023;4:6–17.

MLA

Rumano, Merita, et al. “Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic”. Zeugma Biological Science, vol. 4, no. 1, Jan. 2023, pp. 6-17, doi:10.55549/zbs.1246754.

Vancouver

1.Merita Rumano, Elvisa Rumano, Jotilda Jotı, Brunilda Hasanbellı. Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic. zbs. 2023 Jan. 1;4(1):6-17. doi:10.55549/zbs.1246754

Abstract

Keywords

Food Supplements Usage During Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Keywords

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

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