How Much Does the Average American Spend on Supplements? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

How Much Does the Average American Spend on Supplements?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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  • Dietary supplements are a huge industry in the United States, but most Americans still aren’t getting enough vitamins and minerals each day.
  • One multivitamin taken daily would help most average Americans to live a more healthy lifestyle.
  • Other specialty dietary supplements can be helpful for a range of needs, but you should always research both cost and effectiveness first.
Each year, US citizens spend $1.5 billion on dietary supplements and vitamins. On average, each individual spends around $5 per year on health supplements.

Because every person living in the United States does not take health supplements, those that do likely spend a lot more. However, much more money is spent annually on prescription drugs than on supplements. There are currently 300 million people living in the United States. The average person purchases only one bottle of vitamins a year.

Considering that one bottle of vitamins only contains a 30 to 60 day supply, most people aren’t getting the nutrients they need. Most people also don’t take their supplements before the expiration date.

To get the most out of your supplements, you need to take them regularly and engage in a regular fitness routine. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.

Are Multivitamins Really Needed?

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent by supplement manufacturers on advertising each year. Because the average person over the age of 18 does not eat enough fruits and vegetables, supplements should be taken to aid digestion and improve overall health.

Many people have been misled into believing they need to take multiple supplements, but this is not the case. Most multivitamins contain all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients necessary to lead a healthy life.

Multivitamins should be taken if you have a diet that is heavy in processed and fast foods.

Multivitamins are also useful when you are not able to eat three balanced meals a day. However, multivitamins are only beneficial when you are not getting your essential nutrients from live food sources.

Which Supplements Should You Take?

There are probably 50 or more supplements you can take at any given time for a number of reasons.

  • Older people might need to take supplements that contain increased amounts of calcium so they can guard against osteoporosis.
  • Some users take weight loss supplements because they are not able to shed pounds with diet and exercise alone.
  • Children that are outside the healthy weight range for their ages might drink supplement shakes in order to grow properly.

When your body is healthy, it is easy for you to fall asleep. You’ll find participating in physically demanding activities not particularly tiresome. But meals must be eaten regularly.

Supplements can be used to help regulate the body.

To find out which supplements may be needed, you will have to assess your physical fitness.

If your libido has suddenly decreased, you may need an herbal supplement that can help to balance your body.

Supplements are also taken by healthy people who want to accomplish certain goals, such as to reduce their body fat percentage or increase muscle mass.

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How Much Money Does the Average Nutritional Supplement Cost?

While supplements that contain essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D only cost a few dollars a bottle, some can cost much more. Generally, the more rare or exclusive the ingredients, the more money the supplements will cost.

Some specialty supplements that boost the metabolism and aid in weight loss can be very expensive, but not because they contain rare ingredients.

This is why it is imperative that you research both the ingredients and the medical claims made in order to determine if the supplement is worth the investment. 

These supplements are not regulated by the FDA.

Supplements that include ingredients that are difficult to find or in short supply can cost over $100 per bottle.

The National Institute of Health regularly conducts clinical trials on medications and health supplements in order to see if they live up to their claims. The reports are posted on the official website.

What Are the Best Supplements?

Because many manufacturers produce supplements that have the same ingredients, you should purchase health supplements based on your particular needs.

Buying an expensive supplement does not guarantee that you will get the desired results.

Instead, check to see which supplements deliver the highest concentration of essential nutrients. You may want to try out several different brands before determining the type of supplements that you prefer.

Supplements, like medications, can cause complications if more than the recommended dosage is taken. In addition, health supplements can cause medical issues if they are taken with the wrong drugs.

You should only buy supplements that are unopened so that you are certain of what you are taking. Supplements that are heavily tested are best. Not only can you be sure they are fit for human consumption, but you will also be aware of all possible side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I have to take supplements?

Unless your doctor has instructed you to take certain supplements, you do not have to take them.

Are supplements safe?

Whether or not dietary supplements are safe to take depends on a number of factors. Learn more about the safety of supplements here.

What supplements do I need to take?

No one can answer that aside from your doctor. To learn more about the various supplements that doctors commonly recommend, check out this article.

Coupled with a good exercise routine, finding the right dietary supplements might help take your total body health and fitness to the next level. Consider signing up for our PRO Plan to track your daily victories with our advanced stats to keep you motivated and focused.

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