Writing in the journal Nutrients, the research team analyzed 2011 to 2018 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to investigate the quantity, duration, adherence and reasons for supplement use among U.S. adults. It also explored the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics associated with the top 10 reasons for dietary supplement intake.
“Our findings indicate that most participants proactively used multiple dietary supplements focused on self-managed health and prevention, with substantial dedication to long-term use and high adherence,” they wrote in the journal Nutrients. “Healthcare professionals should play a more active role in guiding such behaviors to optimize the health outcomes of dietary supplement users across the United States.”
What the dataset says
The analysis included a total of 12,529 participants. Over 70% reported taking more than one dietary supplement a day. Most were female (56.1%), middle-aged (43.8%), white (42.7%), held a college degree or higher (61.9%) and earned an income above 130% of the poverty level (73%).
The primary reasons for dietary supplement intake during the 2011 to 2018 period included improving overall health (37.2%), maintaining health (34.7%), bone health (21.4%) and diet supplementation (20.3%). Energy enhancement, disease prevention, immune support, heart health, joint health and healthy skin, hair and nails rounded out the top 10 reasons.
The study also briefly related observations about the variation in motivations for supplement use across sex, race/ethnicity, age and income level. It highlighted that the use of multiple dietary supplements increases as people age and trends away from categories like energy, relaxation, sleep, stress, weight loss and healthy skin, hair and nails towards bone, joint, heart, bowel, kidney, bladder and eye health.
“In a previous study, 76% of participants expressed the belief that supplements held important equivalence to prescriptions,” the researchers wrote. “In our study, we observed that approximately 20% of participants consumed more than five units of supplements daily. We also discovered that approximately two-thirds of the participants took at least one supplement for 24 days during a 30-day period, indicating high adherence to dietary supplements.”
These findings align with 2023 top-line data from the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s annual Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, which reported that for the 74% of U.S. adults who reported taking supplements, health and wellness remains the top reason for use at 45%.
This survey, conducted by polling company Ipsos in a weighted sample of 3,192 adults, also showed that while immune health supplement use has declined since pandemic highs, sports nutrition, weight management, sleep, mental health and beauty-from-within are gaining traction. In addition, it registered a shift in users beyond the traditional female, older adult, educated, high-income user towards growth in categories that appeal primarily to men, younger people and parents.
Informing practitioners, patients and policy
Based on the data gathered on widespread and long-term use of supplements and their potential for improving health when taken appropriately, the researchers from The Ohio State University underscored that a relatively small percentage of participants took supplements following a physician’s guidance.
“Notably, approximately 40% had been taking supplements for more than five years and about 67% were highly adherent to at least one supplement,” they wrote. “However, only 26.9% of these supplements were taken following a doctor’s recommendation.”
Common reasons cited for doctor recommendations included health improvement and maintenance, bone health, diet supplementation, heart health, disease prevention, bone and joint health, and skin, hair and nail benefits.
According to the more recent CRN survey, healthcare professionals remain the most trusted source for information about supplements among all Americans, with "62% of supplement users who say they trust healthcare professionals for reliable info about supplements say they have consulted a [primary care provider] about it."
The Ohio State University researchers noted that increasing education around patterns of supplement use will not only help healthcare practitioners provide tailored and evidence-based advice but aid public health officials and policy makers better monitor and regulate the supplement industry, ensuring that the marketed benefits are scientifically supported.
“Healthcare providers should proactively discuss dietary supplement use with patients to ensure safe and effective use,” they concluded. “By understanding the findings of this study, public health officials can develop targeted educational campaigns promoting informed choices regarding the safe and effective use of supplements.”
Source: Nutrients
doi: 10.3390/nu16121830
“Quantity, Duration, Adherence, and Reasons for Dietary Supplement Use among Adults: Results from NHANES 2011–2018”
Authors: Ligang Liu et al.
