The Use of Food Supplements in the Post-Covid Stress Alleviation

Cristina Ciobanu, Artiom Jucov

Keywords: food supplements, stress, magnesium, group B vitamins

Background:

During the pandemic, society was subjected to a global emotional stress. Consequently, a high consumption of food supplements (FS) with calming effect was observed.

Research questions:

The objective of the study was to evaluate patients following the use of food supplements containing group B vitamins and magnesium.

Method:

To carry out the research, an observational, descriptive and selective study was applied, using a sample of 147 patients. Observations were made between February 2023 and March 2024. Patients were interviewed based on a complex survey, which included anamnestic, clinical and paraclinical data. The examined patients were divided into 3 age groups: 25-45 (21%), 46-65 (49%) and 66-85 years (30%).

Results:

The evaluation showed that: 45.2% of patients used FS, containing group B vitamins and Mg on their own initiative, documenting themselves online; 30.1% following the pharmacist's consultation, 14.7% at the doctor's indication, 10% at the suggestion of relatives, friends. 64% of patients used Mg+B6 complex; 28% used group B vitamins (B1, B6 and B12); 8% used Mg+B6 complex accompanied by extracts from hops, valerian, passionflower, ginseng; folic acid and tryptophan. Only 43% of the patients mentioned the establishment of mental peace and stress reduction, 73,1% of which were the patients who used the group B vitamins complex only. In 31% of the patients, the normalization of the blood pressure and the reduction of the cholesterol level, was recorded. These results may be related to the fact that many FS contain Mg oxide and sulfate that have a low rate of absorption and low bioavailability, compared to Mg aspartate, citrate, lactate and chloride forms.

Conclusions:

FS are beneficial in treating the stress but must be used after consulting the specialists in the field, who have knowledge about the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic aspects of their components, and can appreciate the possible long-term complications and risks.

Points for discussion:

The importance of nutrition in stress suppressing.

Rational, evidence-based use of food supplements in maintaining mental health.

Practical recommendations for doctors regarding food supplements.

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