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Table 3 Comparison of supplement use and adverse events before and during deployment

From: Self-reported dietary supplement use in deployed United States service members pre-deployment vs. during deployment, Afghanistan, 2013–2014

Supplement characteristics

Before deployment

During deployment

P

Supplement use frequency

 Few times a month

97 (9%)

65 (6%)

0.0015

 2-3 times a week

195 (18%)

132 (12%)

<0.0001

 4-6 times a week

198 (18%)

258 (24%)

<0.0001

 Daily

324 (30%)

435 (40%)

<0.0001

 More than once a day

58 (5%)

99 (9%)

<0.0001

 Any use (any of the above)

895 (82%)

1004 (92%)

<0.0001

 No use

201 (18%)

88 (8%)

<0.0001

 No answer

17 (2%)

13 (1%)

–

Supplement type

 Vitamins/minerals

628 (58%)

641 (59%)

0.3840

 Herbal/homeopathic

243 (22%)

243 (22%)

0.9999

 Protein/amino acids

560 (51%)

711 (65%)

<0.0001

 Energy drinks

264 (24%)

273 (25%)

0.3608

 Weight loss

169 (16%)

184 (17%)

0.1394

 Performance enhancers

331 (30%)

416 (38%)

<0.0001

 Other

14 (1%)

19 (2%)

0.1317

Use multiple supplements

599 (55%)

684 (63%)

<0.0001

Always followed label instructions

447 (41%)

515 (47%)

<0.0001

Requested educationa

770 (71%)

277 (25%)

0.0027

Received educationa

585 (54%)

460 (42%)

<0.0001

Reasons for using supplements

 Boost energy

383 (35%)

460 (42%)

<0.0001

 Enhance performance

346 (32%)

427 (39%)

<0.0001

 Improve health

493 (45%)

519 (48%)

0.0474

 Improve mental health

110 (10%)

123 (11%)

0.0526

 Decrease fat

179 (16%)

227 (21%)

<0.0001

 Lose weight

174 (16%)

227 (21%)

<0.0001

 Gain muscle strength

444 (41%)

588 (54%)

<0.0001

 Gain muscle mass

310 (28%)

452 (41%)

<0.0001

 Meal replacement

101 (9%)

140 (13%)

<0.0001

 Other

20 (2%)

21 (2%)

0.7630

Adverse events

 Headache

33 (3%)

39 (4%)

0.2888

 Dizziness, light-headedness

31 (3%)

38 (3%)

0.2230

 Tachycardia

92 (8%)

94 (9%)

0.8137

 Nervousness

21 (2%)

22 (2%)

0.8185

 General weakness

5 (<1%)

6 (<1%)

0.7389

 Abdominal pain

10 (1%)

11 (1%)

0.7815

 Nausea or vomiting

12 (1%)

19 (2%)

0.1083

 Chest pain

5 (<1%)

7 (<1%)

0.7055

 Confusion

3 (<1%)

4 (<1%)

0.3173

 Problems falling or staying asleep

61 (6%)

79 (7%)

0.0181

 Skin changes

8 (<1%)

10 (1%)

0.4142

 Other

12 (1%)

17 (2%)

0.1655

  1. Participants who reported no supplement use before AND during deployment (n = 595, 35% of total sample) are excluded from the above analyses. Percentages given are out of n = 1090. Participants may report more than one supplement type, reason for use, and adverse event. All p-values are for McNemar’s chi-square test for paired proportions
  2. aEducation or information on supplement use was in the form of the Internet, health care providers, magazines and peers
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Military Medical Research

ISSN: 2054-9369