Who Uses Supplements?

It comes as no surprise that a substantial proportion of Australians take supplements, but who exactly is taking the most care when it comes to their health and wellbeing?

The answer to this question is based on data from the 2011 to 2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n=4895)¹ and 2014 to 2015 National Health Survey (n=19,257):²

• Older adults are more likely to take supplements.
• Women are generally more inclined to use supplements compared to men.
• Individuals with higher education levels and from areas with the least socioeconomic disadvantage tend to take supplements more frequently.
• Those already engaging in health-conscious behaviours, such as regular exercise, not smoking and having healthy eating habits, are also more likely to use supplements.
• Multivitamins and/or multiminerals and fish oil preparations were the most commonly used supplements.

Who Needs Multivitamin and Mineral Supplements?

Most Australians could benefit from a multivitamin. This is based on the findings of one study, which found that intake of 22 nutrients (out of 31 nutrients assessed) was inadequate across Australian and New Zealand populations. Vitamin D, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, folate, and dietary fibre were the six nutrients that emerged as the highest priority within the total population. These nutrients represent those with the highest levels of inadequacy and increased needs, and have an association with health priorities across the total population.³

Nutritional inadequacies are a risk factor for chronic diseases.⁴ Based on Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data in 2024, diseases constituting the greatest burden are cancer, mental health conditions and substance use disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological conditions.⁵

Additionally, the five risk factors identified as leading contributors to total disease burden were overweightness/obesity, tobacco use, diet, high blood pressure, and high blood plasma glucose.⁵ All of these risk factors are modifiable.

What Does This Tell Us?

More needs to be done because most of us aren’t getting basic nutrition right. Sadly, it is likely that those who need to improve their health the most lack the education, awareness and/or means to adopt healthier diet and lifestyle practices or supplement.

The Western diet is widespread and inadequate, characterised by a high intake of processed foods, refined grains, unhealthy fats, and added sugars, often at the expense of nutrient-rich foods that supply essential vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants. It seems that many people are already looking to supplements to help fill the nutritional gaps created by this dietary pattern.

Supplements have the potential to help alleviate the double burden of malnutrition and diet-related disease, but supplements alone cannot be the answer. Australians should be encouraged to increase their fruit and vegetable intake, and reduce their intake of processed and fast food – cornerstones of a healthy and balanced diet. Participating in regular physical activity, limiting sedentary behaviour, eating mindfully, and prioritising getting enough good quality sleep all promote better health outcomes and reduce the risk of chronic disease.^3,6

References

1. Burnett AJ, Livingstone KM, Woods JL, McNaughton SA. Dietary supplement use among Australian adults: findings from the 2011-2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Nutrients. 2017 Nov;9(11):1248. DOI: 10.3390/nu9111248

2. O'Brien SK, Malacova E, Sherriff JL, Black LJ. The prevalence and predictors of dietary supplement use in the Australian population. Nutrients. 2017 Oct;9(10):1154. DOI: 10.3390/nu9101154

3. Starck CS, Cassettari T, Beckett E, Marshall S, Fayet-Moore F. Priority nutrients to address malnutrition and diet-related diseases in Australia and New Zealand. Front Nutr. 2024;11:1370550. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1370550

4. Espinosa-Salas S, Gonzalez-Arias M. Nutrition: micronutrient intake, imbalances, and interventions [Internet]. Treasure Island: StatPearls; 2023 [cited 2025 Feb 28]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK597352/

5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 [Internet]. Canberra: Australian Government; 2024 [cited 2025 Feb 11]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/burden-of-disease/australian-burden-of-disease-study-2024/contents/key-findings

6. Clemente-Suárez VJ, Beltrán-Velasco AI, Redondo-Flórez L, Martín-Rodríguez A, Tornero-Aguilera JF. Global impacts of Western diet and its effects on metabolism and health: a narrative review. Nutrients. 2023 Jun;15(12):2749. DOI: 10.3390/nu15122749