#1

Abstract

Centenarians represent a population achieving extreme longevity. Despite growing interest in the role of dietary supplements in aging, there is limited research examining their use among centenarians. This study assessed the prevalence, duration, and frequency of dietary supplement use among centenarians in China. Data on self-reported supplement usage were sourced from the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The analysis included 2,169 female and 708 male centenarians. Descriptive statistics were used to report prevalence, duration, and frequency of use, stratified by sex. Overall, 10.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.4%, 12.0%) of females and 12.3% (95% CI = 9.9%, 14.7%) of males reported using dietary supplements. The prevalence of calcium, protein, multivitamin, vitamin A/D, iron, zinc, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) use was between 6.5–7.3%, 3.7–5.8%, 2.8–3.0%, 1.9–2.1%, 1.2–1.4%, 1.2–1.3%, 0.4–0.7%, respectively. The frequency of use was typically reported as “often”. The median duration of supplement use was from 2 to 10 years. Most supplement users (7.3–8.8%) consumed a single supplement. Approximately one in ten centenarians in China reported using dietary supplements. The most commonly consumed supplements were calcium, protein, and multivitamins, while DHA was the least commonly used. Participants who reported using supplements generally indicated regular consumption. The overall pattern of dietary supplement use was similar between females and males. Given the low overall prevalence of supplement use, this lifestyle practice appears to play a relatively minor role in the lives of centenarians in China.

3 Likes
#2

This is a fascinating paper – thanks for sharing it. I’m glad the authors pursued researching and writing it. I find it interesting that 10.7% of female and 12.3% of male Centenarians in China reported using dietary supplements. I suspect that this is significantly lower than almost all younger age brackets regarding supplement use. It stands out that most users “consumed only a single supplement.” I would be curious to read the full article, though I’m not sure it will provide much insight given there is such a low supplementation rate.

#3

Chinese centenarians know the truth!

3 Likes