Dietary supplement use increases significantly with age among Japanese women, rising from 5.7% in young women to 27.7% in older women, according to a 2026 cross-sectional study of nearly 10,000 participants. Gram Research analysis shows that supplement users tend to have better overall nutrient intake from food and different lifestyle characteristics depending on their age group, suggesting they may be more health-conscious overall.
Researchers studied over 9,900 Japanese women of different ages to understand who takes dietary supplements and why. They found that supplement use increased with age—from about 6% of young women to nearly 28% of older women. The study also revealed that supplement users had different lifestyles, education levels, and eating habits compared to non-users. Interestingly, people who took supplements were less likely to have nutrient deficiencies in their regular diet, suggesting they may be more health-conscious overall. According to Gram Research analysis, this research shows that supplement use patterns vary significantly depending on age and life circumstances.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 9,924 Japanese women found that dietary supplement use increased from 5.7% in younger women to 27.7% in older women, more than a fourfold increase across age groups.
Among younger women in the study, supplement users were less likely to have inadequate intake of 10 out of 15 nutrients examined, compared to only 4 nutrients in older women.
In middle-aged women, those who used dietary supplements were significantly more likely to have completed education beyond high school compared to non-users.
The 2026 study of three generations of Japanese women found that supplement users in younger and older age groups were more likely to live in cities with populations of 1 million or more.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Who takes dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, and other health products) and how supplement users differ from people who don’t take them
- Who participated: Nearly 10,000 Japanese women divided into three age groups: young women (average age 18), middle-aged women (ages 34-60), and older women (ages 61-94). All participants answered questions about their supplement use and eating habits
- Key finding: Supplement use more than quadrupled from young women (5.7%) to older women (27.7%). Supplement users tended to have better nutrient intake from food and different lifestyle characteristics depending on their age group
- What it means for you: If you’re considering taking supplements, know that many people who use them also eat well-balanced diets. The decision to take supplements may depend on your age, education level, and where you live. Talk to a doctor before starting any supplement routine
The Research Details
This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of a large group of people at one point in time (2011-2012) and asked them questions about their habits. The researchers recruited women from three different age groups: young dietetic students, their mothers (middle-aged), and their grandmothers (older). All participants filled out detailed questionnaires about whether they used dietary supplements in the past month and what they ate. The researchers then compared the characteristics of supplement users to non-users within each age group. This approach allowed them to see patterns without following people over time.
Cross-sectional studies are useful for identifying who uses supplements and what characteristics they share, which can help public health officials and doctors understand supplement use patterns. By studying three generations of women, the researchers could see how supplement use changes with age and life stage. This type of research is important because it helps us understand real-world supplement use without the expense and time required for longer studies.
This study included a large number of participants (nearly 10,000), which makes the findings more reliable. The researchers used validated questionnaires, meaning the tools they used to measure diet and supplement use have been tested and proven accurate. However, because people self-reported their supplement use and diet, there’s a possibility of memory errors or inaccurate reporting. The study was conducted in Japan, so results may not apply equally to other countries with different healthcare systems and supplement availability
What the Results Show
The most striking finding was that supplement use increased dramatically with age. Only 5.7% of young women took supplements, compared to 24.3% of middle-aged women and 27.7% of older women. This suggests that as women get older, they become more likely to use supplements, possibly because they become more concerned about health or experience age-related changes. In younger and older women, those who lived in large cities (with populations of 1 million or more) were more likely to use supplements, possibly because supplements are more available and advertised in urban areas. Middle-aged women who used supplements were more likely to have completed education beyond high school and were more likely to be former smokers. Older women who used supplements tended to sleep less than non-users, which might indicate they were more active or health-conscious.
When researchers looked at nutrient intake from food alone, they found that supplement users had fewer nutrient deficiencies. In younger women, supplement users were less likely to have inadequate intake of 10 out of 15 nutrients studied. In middle-aged women, this was true for 9 nutrients, and in older women, it was true for 4 nutrients. This suggests that supplement users may already be eating better diets than non-users, or that they’re trying to fill specific nutritional gaps they’ve identified. The pattern was strongest in younger women and weakest in older women, suggesting that age affects how much supplements help fill nutritional gaps.
Previous research has shown that supplement use tends to increase with age and education level in many countries, which aligns with these findings. However, this study provides new information about Japanese women specifically and shows that the relationship between supplement use and diet quality varies by age group. The finding that supplement users have better overall nutrient intake from food is consistent with other research suggesting that supplement users tend to be more health-conscious overall.
The study relied on people’s memories and honesty when reporting what they ate and what supplements they took, which can introduce errors. The study was conducted in 2011-2012, so supplement use patterns may have changed since then. Because this was a snapshot study rather than following people over time, we can’t determine whether supplements caused better nutrition or whether health-conscious people simply choose to take supplements. The study focused on Japanese women, so results may not apply to men or people from other countries with different food supplies and supplement markets
The Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about taking supplements, first focus on eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. If you have specific nutritional concerns or dietary restrictions, talk to a doctor or registered dietitian before starting supplements. This research shows that many supplement users also eat well, suggesting that good nutrition from food should be the foundation. Confidence level: Strong evidence supports focusing on diet first; moderate evidence supports consulting healthcare providers before supplementing
This research is most relevant to older adults and middle-aged people considering supplements, as supplement use is much more common in these age groups. Healthcare providers, public health officials, and people interested in understanding supplement use patterns should pay attention to these findings. Young people may find this less immediately relevant unless they have specific nutritional concerns. People in other countries should note that these findings are specific to Japan and may not apply to their situation
If you start taking supplements, don’t expect immediate results. Nutritional changes typically take weeks to months to show measurable effects on blood tests or how you feel. The best approach is to establish good eating habits first and give any dietary changes at least 2-3 months before evaluating whether they’re working
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of women take dietary supplements?
Supplement use varies dramatically by age. A 2026 study of Japanese women found that 5.7% of young women, 24.3% of middle-aged women, and 27.7% of older women used supplements, showing supplement use increases significantly with age.
Do people who take supplements have better nutrition?
Research shows supplement users tend to have fewer nutrient deficiencies from food alone. In younger women, supplement users had inadequate intake of fewer nutrients compared to non-users, though this pattern was weaker in older women.
Who is most likely to take dietary supplements?
Supplement use increases with age and education level. The 2026 study found that middle-aged supplement users were more likely to have education beyond high school, and both younger and older supplement users were more likely to live in large cities.
Should I take supplements if I eat a healthy diet?
This research suggests focusing on eating a balanced diet first. Many supplement users also eat well, indicating good nutrition from food should be the foundation. Consult a healthcare provider about whether supplements would benefit your specific situation.
Does supplement use change as you get older?
Yes, significantly. The study found supplement use more than quadrupled from young women (5.7%) to older women (27.7%), suggesting older adults are much more likely to use supplements, possibly due to increased health concerns or age-related nutritional needs.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your daily supplement intake and food consumption together. Log which supplements you take each day and rate your energy levels, sleep quality, and overall wellness on a 1-10 scale. After 4-6 weeks, review whether you notice patterns between supplement use and how you feel
- Start by using the app to track your current diet for one week without making changes. Identify which nutrients you’re getting enough of and which ones fall short. Then decide whether to improve your diet first or add supplements, and use the app to monitor progress toward your goal
- Set weekly reminders to log your supplements and note any changes in energy, digestion, sleep, or other health markers. Every month, review your logs to see if patterns emerge. Share this data with your doctor at annual checkups to discuss whether your supplement routine is working for you
This research describes patterns of supplement use among Japanese women and is not a recommendation for or against taking supplements. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, health status, medications, and diet. Before starting any dietary supplement, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to determine whether supplementation is appropriate for your specific situation. This study was observational and cannot prove that supplements caused better health outcomes. Always inform your doctor about any supplements you take, as they can interact with medications or medical conditions.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.