ISSAQUAH, W.A.—A new survey shows healthcare practitioners are increasingly open to using omega-3s and other dietary supplements in their clinical practice.
The 14-question survey “How do Dietary Supplements Fit into Your Clinical Practice?" was designed to gauge practitioner knowledge about clinical use of dietary supplements, particularly omega-3s. It was sent to physicians, nurses and ancillary healthcare professionals across the country.
This survey was fielded by Holistic Primary Care-News for Health & Healing and commissioned by krill oil company Aker BioMarine.
Of the 362 respondents, 35 percent were trained primary care doctors. Half of the respondents said their practices were “mixed/integrative," suggesting that while they may still use conventional drug therapies, they are open to alternatives. The survey found:
· Ninety-five percent of practitioners are recommending some supplements as a part of their routine practices;
· Willingness to recommend omega-3s is high (88 percent), with 35 percent reporting they always recommend them, and 53 frequently recommend them. Only 2 percent never recommend them;
· Heart health is the top reason the respondents recommended omega-3s (82 percent). Other reasons are inflammation reduction (81 percent), cognitive/mood effects (80 percent) and joint health (65 percent);
· “Fatty acid composition" is the most important selection of criterion for omega-3s (74 percent). Other important criterion are organic (56 percent), non-GMO, (55 percent) and sustainable (46 percent);
· Practitioners do not reactive negatively to studies as much as consumers; 68 percent said their omega-3 recommendations have not changed in the past year when several negative omega-3 studies werereleased. Twenty-nine percent said they recommend omega-3s more and only 3 percent are recommending them less.
Another study published in May found Aker BioMarine’s krill oil was more effective than fish oil.