Top supplements Americans use are shifting from multivitamins to targeted health fixes
Key Points:
- Supplement use among U.S. adults increased from 51% in 1999 to 60% in 2023, with a notable rise in people taking four or more supplements, doubling from 9% to 15%.
- There has been a shift from general multivitamin use to more personalized, targeted supplements, with significant growth in vitamin D (from 5% to 29%) and omega-3 supplements (from 2% to 14%) over 25 years.
- The largest increase in supplement consumption occurred among adults aged 65 and older, with nearly 78% reporting supplement use by 2023.
- The dietary supplement market, valued at nearly $200 billion in 2024, is projected to double by 2033, raising concerns about safety and efficacy since supplements are not subject to FDA premarket approval like pharmaceuticals.
- Researchers highlight the importance of monitoring supplement usage trends and conducting further studies on their safety, effectiveness, and varying impacts on different populations to inform public health guidance.