About 8 in 10 Americans Take Supplements

Despite frequent media reports questioning whether people need dietary supplements, a new survey shows that their use has become firmly established in American life. Conducted by the Pew Research Center among 3,554 U.S. adults, the survey found that 78 percent currently take at least one type of supplement for their health. Vitamins and minerals were by far the most popular, with 67 percent of Americans taking them.

Supplement use was especially widespread among older people. Eighty-five percent of Americans aged 65 and over reported taking supplements, including 81 percent who use vitamins or minerals. Significantly, most supplement users clearly believe they benefit from doing so. Among people taking vitamins or minerals, almost two-thirds described them as extremely or very important to their health.

Popularity alone, of course, does not prove that every supplement is science-based or effective, or that every person needs the same nutrients in the same amounts. Nevertheless, these figures demonstrate a striking disconnect between continuing skepticism towards supplements in some sections of conventional medicine and the choices people are making for themselves. Far from being a fringe activity, supplement use is now a mainstream health practice in the United States. With scientific evidence continuing to demonstrate the essential roles of micronutrients in maintaining health and preventing disease, Americans clearly recognize that nutrition deserves serious attention.

To learn why it is important to only use supplements that have been developed and tested on the basis of proper scientific research, see the ‘Vitamins: Harm or Benefit?’ feature on our website.

To read about Dr. Rath’s scientific recommendations for daily micronutrient intake, see this special feature page on our website.