Vitamin and mineral supplement use in the United States - Results from thethird national health and nutrition examination survey

Context: The use of supplements remains a widespread behavior among people motivated by general health concerns. We analyzed data from the third Natio nal Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) to provide new and current information on supplement use in the United States. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of vitamin and mineral supplement u se in the US population, to quantify the use of folic acid, and to examine the relationship between supplement intake and demographic factors. Design: National, population-based, cross-sectional survey of monthly use o f vitamin and mineral supplements by NHANES III participants (n = 33 905). Results: More than 11 000 respondents reported taking at least 1 vitamin or mineral supplement at any time in the past month. The highest use of vitam in and mineral supplements was among non-Hispanic whites (42.6%), with a me an age of 37 years. Approximately 29.2% of people in the United States, and 33.2% of women of reproductive age, reported taking at least I product tha t contained folic acid any time in the past month. The use of products cont aining folic acid was highest among non-Hispanic whites (32.1%), and 62.1% of all those taking folic acid (71.5% among females of reproductive age) to ok at least 12 000 mu g/mo (equivalent to the recommended daily dose of 400 mu g/d). Participants reported using more than 300 nonvitamin and nonminer al products, some of which are documented as having serious adverse health effects. Conclusions: Consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements is a common beh avior in the United States. We recommend that physicians and health profess ionals include questions about the use of dietary supplements when obtainin g a medical history from their patients, that all dietary supplements clear ly list ingredients and known contraindications to use, and that all those planning to use supplements first have their dietary practices and lifestyl e evaluated by a health professional.