Usage of dietary supplements among diabetic patients in Vadodara, India: A cross-sectional study.

This article focuses on the prevalence and utilization of dietary supplements as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) among diabetic patients in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. A cross-sectional study of 400 adult diabetics found that 62% had used dietary supplements since diagnosis, with fenugreek seeds being the most commonly consumed supplement alongside allopathic medicines. Usage was significantly associated with factors such as age, duration of diabetes, and family history of diabetes or chronic diseases, yet nearly two-thirds of users did not disclose supplement use to their doctors. The study highlights the need for improved patient-provider communication and further scientific research to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements in diabetes management, as well as the development of policies to regulate their use in chronic disease care.