Food supplements and vitamin supply in children and adolescents of the DONALD study

In Germany consumption of foods supplements is increasing. Results of the DONALD study have shown that about 10% of the children and adolescents consume vitamin supplements. To estimate the benefits of supplement intake, vitamins and minerals contained in conventional and fortified food are to be taken into account. Detailed recording of food intake in 3-day weighting protocols provides the necessary data. Comparable to nutrient- enriched food, supplements usually contain those vitamins, the supply of which is sufficient anyway. In 10 of 13 vitamins evaluated, no benefit of supplementation has been found. Supplemented folic acid and pantothenic acid, however, have been found beneficial especially for girls, while vitamin D supply, despite supplementation, remained below the reference values. However, intakes exceeding the tolerable upper intake levels have also been found e. g. for vitamin A and folic acids. The commercial supply of food supplements in Germany could prompt parents and adolescents to uncritically consume such products.