Supplement Use on the Rise in the US

02 Nov 2016 --- Seventy-one percent of US adults now take dietary supplements, according to the most recent annual survey conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). 

The 2016 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements found that the five most popular supplements are the multivitamin, vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium and vitamin B/B complex.

Researchers say that general population growth has contributed to the boost in overall usage is, as well as the increase in usage among adults between the ages 18–34.

Supplements remain most popular with the oldest population surveyed, adults aged 55+, with a percentage of supplement use at 74 percent.

However, the consumption patterns of the older age group are now closely followed by younger and middle-aged adult populations, with the 2016 survey showing that 70 percent of adults aged 18–34 and 70 percent of those aged 35–54 report dietary supplement use.

This is a big increase from the year before, with only 65 percent of adults aged 18–34 reporting the use of dietary supplements in 2015, while 68 percent of adults aged 35–54 said the same.

“It is exciting to see the growth in supplement usage among younger adults especially after our 2015 survey indicated that increased usage should be anticipated among those aged 18 to 34 over the next five years,” said Judy Blatman, senior vice president, communications, CRN.

“Every industry is talking about the millennials and the impact this generation will have. Our data shows the impact is already being made on the dietary supplement industry as young adults are increasingly incorporating dietary supplements into their health regimens.”

Researchers suggest that this increase in supplement usage among younger adults can also potentially be correlated with the shift seen in the most common reasons users take dietary supplements. Historically, the top two reasons for taking supplements among supplement users were for “overall health/wellness benefits” and “to fill nutrient gaps in my diet.”

This year, however, energy has risen to become the number two reason for taking supplements among supplement users at 30%, behind only “for overall health and wellness benefits” (42 percent), which remains top of the reasons.

“To fill nutrient gaps in my diet” now ranks third when it comes to reasons why supplement users take supplements, at 28 percent.

The survey also revealed that 85 percent of US adults have overall confidence in the safety, quality and effectiveness of dietary supplements. Among supplement users it’s even higher, with 96 percent indicating confidence. This was identified after a new question aimed at measuring consumer trust in the dietary supplement industry was added to the survey this year.

“We’re always pleased to see data showing Americans are confident in our industry’s products,” said Ms. Blatman.

“We were all the more satisfied to see that not only do a majority of Americans have confidence in dietary supplements, but also that a majority of Americans have trust in our industry.”