Over the timeframe analyzed, the general use of any dietary complement elevated from 51.8% in 2011-2012 to 61.4% in 2021-2023. As well as, 16.2% of respondents had been taking 4 or extra complement merchandise concurrently, in comparison with 10% in 2011-2012.
Additional evaluation confirmed that multivitamin or multimineral (MVMM) use stayed constant throughout the research durations, remaining simply above the 30% determine, whereas any vitamin use or any mineral each elevated considerably, by 7.6% and 9.7%, respectively.
The most well-liked nutritional vitamins and minerals, together with by way of the usage of MVMM, had been vitamin D (48.2%), calcium (44.3%) and vitamin C (41.2%).
When MVMM use was taken out of the equation, the largest enhance in use of particular dietary supplements had been vitamin D (10.9%), zinc (8.4%) and vitamin C (5.1%). The authors additionally famous that biotin (3.4%), probiotics (3.1%) and fiber (2.9%) had been among the many merchandise that additionally confirmed progress throughout the time interval.
The analysis used information from the Nationwide Well being and Diet Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2023 to grasp how complement use had modified during the last decade.
“Our research indicated the prevalence of any complement use was growing over the past decade,” the researchers wrote within the European Journal of Diet. “Within the 2021–2023 cycle after the pandemic, the prevalence of dietary complement use is considerably elevated with 61.4% of U.S. adults reporting use of any dietary supplements.”
Complement use climbs throughout all demographics
The analysis discovered that the pattern in the direction of growing use of dietary supplements was constant throughout totally different teams of age, intercourse, race and ethnicity, schooling, physique mass index and self-reported well being standing.
When analyzing use by specific teams, it was discovered that older adults, ladies, non-Hispanic Whites, these with better ranges of schooling and higher self-reported well being confirmed greater prevalence, with this being constant throughout the timeframe.
One other issue that appeared to affect complement use was weight, with these at regular weight or chubby discovered to have greater use. This was additionally discovered to be true for individuals who reported good or glorious well being standing.
The report additionally particularly famous that the info protecting the interval across the pandemic allowed researchers to establish a major enhance in complement use within the post-pandemic atmosphere.
Progress from all angles
The analysis discovering {that a} better majority of people in america are taking dietary supplements corroborates industry findings. A shopper survey performed by Ipsos and sponsored by the Council for Accountable Diet (CRN) additionally famous broad use however at greater ranges than the NHANES information.
CRN analysis confirmed that 75% of people report use of dietary supplements and, just like the NHANES information, the survey discovered excessive ranges of vitamin D use and a rising curiosity in probiotic merchandise.
Jeff Ventura, senior vice chairman of communications at CRN, additionally confirmed the findings from the NHANES information in relation to schooling.
“CRN’s survey does have a look at schooling degree and finds that amongst common [supplement] customers 77% have faculty levels versus 71% with no faculty levels,” he mentioned.
In contrast to the NHANES research, the CRN survey appeared into why individuals use dietary supplements. Ventura confirmed that total well being and wellness is the primary influencing issue (42%), carefully adopted by immune help (30%) and elevated vitality (27%).
Supply: European Journal of Diet, 2025, 64, 304. doi: 10.1007/s00394-025-03825-4. “Tendencies in dietary complement use amongst U.S. adults between 2011 and 2023”. Authors: L. Zhao, et al.
