Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the use of dietary supplements and herbal products in the coronavirus disease2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has affected the whole world and has not had a fully effective treatment method yet. Material and Methods: The study was conducted with 395 adults aged between 19-65 years. The general characteristics of the individuals, nutritional habits, use of dietary supplements, and herbal products before and during the pandemic period were questioned via a web-based questionnaire. Results: During the pandemic, 46.1% of the participants used dietary supplements and 57.0% the participants used herbal products. It was determined that vitamin C, multivitamins, and vitamin D were the most preferred dietary supplement. It was seen that individuals consumed garlic, ginger, and turmeric as fresh herbs, and green tea and other herbal teas (linden, chamomile, sage) during the pandemic period, although they did not use them before. The majority of individuals who used dietary supplements (75.8%) and herbal products (86.2%) during the pandemic stated that they used these products to avoid COVID-19 and strengthen the immune system Conclusion: To support the immune function, individuals should be encouraged to maintain a healthy&balanced diet that will meet their daily energy and nutrients needs. Micronutrient supplements should be used under the control of a doctor and dietician by determining deficiencies in individuals who do not have adequate and balanced nutrition, are vegan, or have chronic diseases.
Keywords: COVID-19; dietary supplements; herbal products
Amaç: Araştırmanın amacı, tüm dünyayı etkileyen ve henüz tam etkili bir tedavi yöntemi olmayan koronavirüs hastalığı-2019 [coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)] pandemisinde besin takviyeleri ve bitkisel ürünlerin kullanımının belirlenmesidir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışma 19-65 yaş arası 395 erişkinle yürütülmüştür. Bireylerin genel özellikleri, beslenme alışkanlıkları, pandemi dönemi öncesinde ve sırasında besin takviyesi ve bitkisel ürün kullanımları web tabanlı bir anket aracılığıyla sorgulanmıştır. Bulgular: Pandemi sırasında bireylerin %46,1'i besin desteği ve %57,0'ı ise bitkisel destek kullanmıştır. C vitamini, multivitaminler, D vitamini ve çinkonun en fazla tercih edilen besin destekleri olduğu belirlenmiştir. Salgın döneminde bireylerin daha önce kullanmadıkları hâlde taze bitki olarak sarımsak, zencefil ve zerdeçal, yeşil çay ve diğer bitki çaylarını (ıhlamur, papatya, adaçayı) tükettikleri görülmüştür. Pandemi sırasında besin takviyeleri (%75,8) ve bitkisel ürünleri (%86,2) kullananların çoğunluğu, bu ürünleri COVID-19'dan korunmak ve bağışıklık sistemini güçlendirmek için kullandıklarını belirtmişlerdir. Sonuç: Bağışıklık fonksiyonunu desteklemek için bireyler, günlük enerji ve besin ihtiyaçlarını karşılayacak sağlıklı ve dengeli bir diyet sürdürmeye teşvik edilmelidir. Besin takviyeleri yeterli ve dengeli beslenemeyen, vegan veya kronik hastalığı olan bireylerde eksiklikler tespit edilerek, doktor ve diyetisyen kontrolünde kullanılmalıdır.
Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19; besin takviyeleri; bitkisel ürünler
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