Dangerous trends: Dietary supplement abuse as Kenyans search for wellness

A 2021 study on the use of dietary supplements among adults in Westlands Constituency in Nairobi revealed that 14.4 per cent of participants reported taking supplements, with 70 per cent opting for multivitamins. Most women said they took supplements to address anaemia or osteomalacia (softening of bones). Men primarily used creatine and whey protein supplements to increase muscle mass, enhance strength, and improve exercise performance. “Dietary supplements are additions to the diet to complete, augment, boost, or amplify the diet. They come in either natural or synthetic form. Correct supplement use begins with two key things: first, proper prescription or guidance from a person trained in health supplements and nutrition, who can give the full dosage and dosage instructions. Second, reading and understanding the product label, which should list active ingredients, additions like binders and whatever is contained in the supplement,” explains Dr Ashford Mutwiri, the chief pharmacist at the Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu.