Usage of dietary supplements among diabetic patients in Vadodara, India: A cross-sectional study

Background: Traditional practices like herbal medicine and Ayurveda are still employed as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for disease prevention and treatment. Aim: The study aims to assess the prevalence and utilization of dietary supplements among diabetic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, from January to August 2022, enrolling 400 adult diabetics using consecutive sampling from a university health center and two private diabetic/endocrine clinics. Dietary supplement usage was assessed via face-to-face interviews. Results: The overall prevalence of dietary supplements ever consumed (at least once) as CAM since the diagnosis of diabetes was 62%, from which 40.72% had discontinued the consumption due to varied reasons. Age, duration of diabetes, family history of diabetes, and other chronic diseases emerged as the factors significantly associated with the usage of dietary supplements among the respondents. Fenugreek seeds were the most prevalent supplement used by the subjects for managing diabetes mellitus, along with their allopathic medicines. 43.95% were using dietary supplements, influenced by individuals such as family, friends, family doctor, pharmacist, well-known Ayurvedic luminary, amongst others. It was found that approximately two-thirds of the participants did not disclose their dietary supplement usage to their attending doctors. Conclusion: A high prevalence of dietary supplement use was found among individuals with diabetes mellitus. The findings of this study contribute to existing knowledge and lay the foundation for nationwide research to refine policies and promoting the safe use of dietary supplements in diabetes care.