In 2002, sample adults were asked about their use of several vitamins and minerals in high dose. See VITYCOEN for the full list of vitamins/minerals recognized by the 2002 NHIS.

Respondents who indicated taking high doses of one or more vitamins or minerals, such as those listed in VITYCOEN, were asked the question for VITPRAC. Those respondents with a "Yes" response to VITPRAC were asked if they had seen a practitioner for high dose or megavitamin therapy in the past 12 months (VITPRACYR).

In general, however, the use of vitamins does not require seeing a practitioner. Many other forms of complementary and alternative medicine inquired about in the NHIS do require a practitioner (e.g., acupuncture, hypnosis, massage). Variables similar to VITPRAC that indicate whether the respondent had ever seen a practitioner for a modality of alternative medicine (even though a practitioner is not essential for using that modality) include:

• Special diets (DITPRAC)

• Homeopathic treatment (HOMPRAC)

• Relaxation techniques (RELPRAC)

• Herbal supplements (HERPRAC)

For more information on the full range of variables related to vitamins, including a definition of "high dose or megavitamin therapy," see VITYR.