Supplement Use on the Rise

Sixty-nine percent of U.S. adults take dietary supplements, according to a survey commissioned by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C. Conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, the survey indicates an upward trend in dietary supplement consumption, as consumer usage is up from 66% in 2010, 65% in 2009 and 64% in 2008. Further, consumer confidence in dietary supplements remains steady, as the survey also finds that 84% of adults are confident in the safety, quality and effectiveness of supplements, with 82% in 2010 and 84% in 2009 indicating as such.

While most supplement users take “vitamin/mineral supplements” (67%), sizeable percentages also report taking “specialty supplements” (35%), “herbals/botanicals” (23%) and “sports nutrition supplements” (17%).

Among “specialty supplements,” fish is first. The use of omega 3/fish oil supplements increased by 2%, from 21% in 2010 to 23% in 2011. The next two most popular in the category were glucosamine and/or chondroitin (8%) and fiber (8%).

The survey noted that women are more likely to be supplement users than men (74% vs. 64%, respectively). Supplement use also grows with age. Generationally, while 60% of adults aged 18-34 take supplements, the percentage increases to 69% among those aged 35-54, and to 78% among those 55 and over.