Americans Views on the
Use and
Regulation of Supplements
Evaluation of national surveys reveals information on the way Americans view supplement use and regulation in the U.S.
Since 1994, supplement use has grown nearly 80% to an incredible $15.7 billion industry in 2000. This steep increase in the use of nutrient and herbal supplements prompted researchers to evaluate Americans’ views about supplement use and regulation in the U.S.
Supplements are hotly debated and controversial, still in their infancy in scientific research, and subject to less stringent government regulation than over-the-counter medications. But how do Americans feel about this?
Researchers analyzed information from 6 national surveys of supplement users and non-users. Here’s what they found:
· Nearly half (48%) of all American adults surveyed reported regular vitamin, mineral or dietary supplement use.
· Greater use was reported among individuals with more education, white (non-Hispanic), and over 45 years-of-age.
· One-in-six (18%) parents reported giving supplements to their children.
Over half of all Americans surveyed (and 85% of regular users) held positive views of supplements, believing they are good for health and well-being. Regular users differed significantly from nonusers on the health conditions they felt supplements helped (including flu, colds, cancer, arthritis, AIDS, and depression), but 82% of everyone surveyed said they would seriously consider alternative therapies, like supplements, if terminally ill.
Opinions differed about the level of regulation they believed supplements are subject to, however most respondents thought access to them was important. Most favored stronger regulation of supplements by the FDA for safety, and to ensure doses are standardized, products are pure, and advertising claims are true.
Dietary supplements will certainly continue to spark interest in Americans.
References:
Blendon, RJ, DesRoches, CM, Benson, JM, Brodie, M, Altman, DE. (2001). “Americans’ Views on the Use and Regulations of Dietary Supplements,” Archives of Internal Medicine, 161: 805-810.
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