For decades, many adults took a daily multivitamin hoping to stay healthy. Today, people are choosing a much wider variety of dietary supplements based on their personal health goals.
Some want stronger bones, others hope to improve digestion, support immunity, protect their heart, or maintain healthy skin. A large new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals just how much supplement use has changed across the United States during the past quarter century.
Scientists examined data collected from more than 63,000 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 through 2023. This nationally representative survey allowed researchers to compare supplement habits over many years.
Overall, the percentage of adults taking at least one dietary supplement rose by about nine percentage points during the study period. More people also began combining several supplements instead of taking only one product. The number of adults taking four or more supplements nearly doubled.
Some products experienced especially large increases. Vitamin D became one of the fastest-growing supplements, reflecting increased awareness of bone health and possible links with immune function. Fish oil and other omega-3 supplements also became much more common.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, products marketed for immune support, including zinc and elderberry, became increasingly popular. Use of probiotics, collagen, and hyaluronic acid also expanded as consumers looked for products targeting gut health, skin, and joints.
Older adults showed the highest rates of supplement use. Nearly eight out of ten adults aged 65 years or older reported taking at least one supplement by 2023. This may reflect greater attention to chronic disease prevention, healthy aging, and recommendations from healthcare providers.
The findings also raise important public health questions. The dietary supplement market is now worth hundreds of billions of dollars worldwide, yet many products have limited scientific evidence supporting their claimed benefits.
Unlike prescription drugs, supplements are generally not required to prove effectiveness before reaching store shelves. Many people also choose supplements without discussing them with a doctor, increasing the possibility of unwanted side effects or interactions with medications.
The researchers emphasize that supplements can play an important role for people with specific nutritional deficiencies, pregnancy, certain medical conditions, or other special needs. However, they are not a substitute for eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.
This study provides valuable information about how consumer behavior has changed, but it does not determine whether taking more supplements leads to better health. Future research will need to evaluate which products truly work, who benefits the most, and which supplements may carry unnecessary risks.
Until stronger evidence becomes available, experts recommend making supplement decisions based on medical advice rather than advertising or social media trends.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the harm of vitamin D deficiency you need to know, and does eating potatoes increase your blood pressure?
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Source: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study.
