Home / Health / Americans Swapping Multivitamins for Targeted Supplements
Americans Swapping Multivitamins for Targeted Supplements
30 Jun
Summary
- Overall supplement use rose to 60% from 51% in 25 years.
- Multivitamin use declined, while specific vitamins and minerals increased.
- Supplement use is higher among women, higher income, and insured individuals.
Overall supplement consumption among U.S. adults has seen a notable increase, rising from 51% to 60% over a 25-year period spanning from 1999 to 2023. This extensive analysis, involving over 63,000 adults, also indicated a concurrent decrease in the use of multivitamins, which dropped from 35% to 31%.
Instead of multivitamins, adults are increasingly opting for individual vitamins and minerals. Significant growth was observed in the intake of specific nutrients such as magnesium, zinc, vitamin B12, and turmeric. Emerging supplements like ashwagandha, probiotics, and collagen are also gaining popularity, particularly post-pandemic, with a focus on immune support and general well-being.
Factors such as gender, income, education level, and insurance status appear to influence supplement usage. While the trend reflects a growing interest in personalized health solutions, researchers caution that the study demonstrates increased consumption, not proven effectiveness. Health professionals emphasize the importance of consulting doctors and dietitians due to the unregulated nature of the supplement market and the potential decline in foundational multivitamin use.
