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Table 1 Characteristics of the participants (n = 18)

From: “I need personal experiences or some sort of documentation”: a qualitative study on where people with multiple sclerosis seek information on dietary and herbal supplements

Participant*

Age

Sex

YSMDa

Type of MSb

Symptomsc

Level of educationd

MS clinice

Dietary and herbal supplementsf

Charles

60–69

M

26

RRMS

8

3

1–2

Cranberry and Psyllium fiber

Sophie

30–39

F

3

RRMS

12

2

3–6

Vitamin D, Vitamin B12

Charlotte

50–59

F

16

SPMS

6

2

< 1

Magnesium, Unknown supplement

Emily

30–39

F

37

PPMS

7

1

1–2

Vitamin D, Multivitamins, Fish oil, Iron

Margaret

50–59

F

10

RRMS

9

3

1–2

Multivitamins, Vitamin B, Calcium with Vitamin D, Fish oil, Alpha-lipoic acid, Evening primrose oil

Elizabeth

50–59

F

16

RRMS

10

3

1–2

Cranberry, Vitamin D, Probiotics, Fish oil, Calcium

Sarah

40–49

F

13

PPMS

10

3

< 1

Vitamin D, Vitamin B, Multivitamins, Omega-3 (EPA and DHA), Magnesium

James

60–69

M

19

PPMS

2

2

1–2

Multivitamins, Calcium with Vitamin D, one supplements containing fennel seeds, chamomile flower and peppermint leaves

George

40–49

M

23

Don’t know

3

2

> 6

Vitamin C, non-prescription cannabis

Emma

30–39

F

1

RRMS

10

2

1–2

Multivitamins, Fish oil, Magnesium, Psyllium fiber, lactase enzymes

Victoria

40–49

F

10

RRMS

7

3

1–2

Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B3, Multivitamins, Omega-supplement, Coenzyme Q10, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Turmeric

Oscar

20–29

M

1

RRMS

0

3

3–6

Vitamin D, Fish oil

Harry

70–79

M

1

SPMS

8

3

< 1

Calcium, Magnesium with Vitamin D, Fish oil

Lauren

40–49

F

8

RRMS

6

1

1–2

Vitamin D

William

40–49

M

3

RRMS

10

2

3–6

Multivitamins, Calcium, Fish oil, Unknow supplement, two types of non-prescription cannabis

Joe

50–59

M

15

PPMS

10

1

No

Calcium, non-proscription cannabis oil

Thomas

50–59

M

33

SPMS

7

2

3–6

Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Multivitamins, Fish oil, Zinc, Boron, Turmeric, non-proskription cannabis oil

Michael

40–49

M

6

RRMS

6

3

> 6

Vitamin D, Calcium

  1. * Pseudonyms are used for all the participants in this paper
  2. a YSMD Years since MS diagnosis
  3. b Type of MS: RRMS (relapse-remitting MS), SPMS (secondary progressive MS) and PPMS (primary progressive MS)
  4. c Self-reported number of MS-related symptoms – Including: pain, muscle spasm, fatigue, walking impairment, sexual dysfunction, abnormal sensation, muscle weakness in arms and legs, vision problems, bladder and bowel problems, cognitive challenges, emotional dysfunction, depression and anxiety, sleep problems, dizziness
  5. d 1) Below high school, 2) High school or vocational education, 3) Bachelor’s degree or more
  6. e Number of yearly appointments at a MS clinic with a neurologist or an MS nurse
  7. f Dietary and herbal supplements used within the past 12 months