[The role of vitamins and minerals supplementation in nutrition of urban and rural population--Pol-MONICA Project].

The assessment of nutritional supplement usage was studied in randomly selected population samples-1329 men and women from Warsaw and 1398 from former Tarnobrzeg voivodeship respectively. The use of vitamins/minerals supplement was reported by 20% men and 28% women from Warsaw and 8% and 17% from former Tarnobrzeg voivodeship respectively. Use of supplements was more frequent among persons with university education, full-time employment and people taking other medicines. The role of supplement usage was different in cases of minerals and vitamins. Calcium and magnesium were used in the doses not sufficient (5-15% total intake) to eliminate the risk of deficiency. Vitamins were taken in amounts much higher (40-80% total intake) than Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). Among 6-19% people, doses of vitamins A and E 10-times exceeded the RDAs.