New Survey Shows Most Americans Take Supplements

PITTSBURGH--According to preliminary results from a new study, the majority of Americans are taking supplements. According to a survey co-sponsored by the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) and General Nutrition Centers (GNC), 85 percent of the general population has used some type of nutrition supplement in 2003, with more than 59 percent reporting using them on a daily basis.

Other findings from the 2003 Health & Wellness Trends Database study indicated that, in a poll of more than 2,000 consumer households, 57 percent of respondents agree taking vitamins and minerals is "extremely" or "very" important in maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle. In terms of better understanding the supplements they take, only 18 percent of respondents reported being "overwhelmed" by the supplements they use compared to 26 percent reporting the same in 2002.

According to NMI (www.nmisolutions.com), these positive numbers reflect educational initiatives to educate consumers about the benefits of supplements. The full report will be published in January 2004.