Gram Research analysis shows that millions of American adults are using heart health supplements instead of getting proven cholesterol medication or eating well. A 2026 study of 147 million U.S. adults found that 12.8% of people who should be on cholesterol medication were using supplements instead, and supplement use had no connection to diet quality. Medical guidelines recommend against supplements for heart health, and doctors should encourage patients to focus on proven treatments and healthy eating rather than relying on pills
A new study of nearly 150 million American adults found that millions of people are taking heart health supplements instead of getting proven medical treatment or eating better. Researchers discovered that about 1 in 5 people already taking cholesterol medication also use supplements, while people who need treatment but aren’t getting it are more likely to rely on supplements instead. The study shows that supplements don’t make up for poor eating habits, and doctors should focus on encouraging patients to follow proven heart-healthy guidelines rather than relying on pills.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional analysis of 3,743 U.S. adults representing 147.3 million people found that 19.5% of those already taking cholesterol medication also used heart health supplements, compared to only 3.6% of those who didn’t need treatment according to guidelines.
According to research reviewed by Gram, 4.2 million untreated American adults who should have been on cholesterol medication were using heart health supplements instead, representing 12.8% of that population.
A 2026 national health study found that supplement use did not differ significantly across dietary quality categories, meaning people with poor diets were no more likely to use supplements than those eating well.
The 2026 research showed that the typical American adult was missing about 7 out of 9 heart-healthy eating targets, with widespread inadequacies in fruit, vegetable, whole grain, and fish consumption across all groups.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether Americans taking heart health supplements are also eating well and getting proper medical treatment for high cholesterol
- Who participated: 3,743 American adults aged 30 to 75 years from a national health survey conducted between 2015 and 2020, representing about 147 million U.S. adults overall. About half were women, and one quarter were already taking cholesterol medication
- Key finding: Overall, 11.3% of adults reported using heart or cholesterol supplements. Among people already on cholesterol medication, 19.5% also used supplements. Among people who needed treatment but weren’t getting it, only 4.2 million (12.8%) used supplements. Importantly, supplement use had no connection to how well people were eating
- What it means for you: If you’re considering heart health supplements, talk to your doctor first. Supplements are not a substitute for proven medications or healthy eating. The study suggests doctors should have conversations with patients about why they’re using supplements and redirect them toward evidence-based treatment and diet changes
The Research Details
Researchers looked at information collected from a large national health survey between 2015 and 2020. They grouped adults into categories based on whether they were taking cholesterol medication and whether medical guidelines recommended they should be. They asked people about supplement use and looked at what they ate on a single day, checking how well their diet matched current heart-healthy eating recommendations. The study used statistical methods to account for the survey’s design and create estimates that represent the entire U.S. adult population. This type of study takes a snapshot in time rather than following people over months or years, so it shows what’s happening now but can’t prove that supplements cause or prevent health problems.
This research approach is important because it shows real-world patterns in how Americans are trying to protect their hearts. By comparing supplement use across different groups of people, researchers could see whether supplements are being used by people who need medical treatment or by people with poor diets. Understanding these patterns helps doctors know what conversations they need to have with patients about prevention
This study has several strengths: it used a large, nationally representative sample that reflects the diversity of American adults, and it was based on actual survey data rather than assumptions. However, the study only captured what people reported about supplement use and diet on a single day, so it doesn’t show long-term patterns. The study also couldn’t prove cause and effect, only show associations. Additionally, people may not accurately remember or report what they eat or what supplements they take
What the Results Show
The research found that 11.3% of American adults reported using heart health or cholesterol supplements. This rate was much higher among people already taking cholesterol medication (19.5%) compared to people who didn’t need treatment according to guidelines (3.6%). Among the 4.2 million untreated adults who should have been on cholesterol medication according to guidelines, 12.8% were using supplements instead. This suggests that some people are trying to manage their heart health with supplements when they actually need proven medical treatment. The study also found that most Americans weren’t eating as well as recommended, with the typical person missing about 7 out of 9 healthy eating targets. Surprisingly, supplement use didn’t vary based on how well or poorly people were eating, meaning people with poor diets weren’t more likely to use supplements than people eating better
The research revealed that dietary problems were widespread across all groups, regardless of whether people were on cholesterol medication or needed treatment. People were falling short on multiple eating goals, including not eating enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, while eating too much salt and sugar. The fact that supplement use didn’t connect to diet quality suggests that people may be using supplements for reasons other than trying to fix their eating habits, such as believing supplements are a quick fix or not understanding that diet matters more
This study aligns with current medical guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, which specifically advise against using supplements for lowering cholesterol. The findings support what doctors have been saying: supplements haven’t been proven to prevent heart disease the way medication and diet changes have. The research adds new information by showing that millions of people are using supplements while either not getting needed treatment or not eating well, suggesting a gap between what people are doing and what medical evidence recommends
The study only looked at one day of eating for each person, so it doesn’t show their typical diet. People may have forgotten what supplements they take or what they ate, leading to inaccurate reporting. The study shows associations but can’t prove that supplements cause poor health choices or that better diets would reduce supplement use. The research also couldn’t explain why people choose supplements, whether due to cost, lack of access to medication, distrust of doctors, or other reasons. Finally, the data is from 2015 to 2020, so current patterns may have changed
The Bottom Line
If you have high cholesterol or risk factors for heart disease, work with your doctor to determine if you need cholesterol medication. Don’t rely on supplements as a substitute for proven treatment. Focus on eating a heart-healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and limited salt and sugar. If you’re already taking supplements, tell your doctor so they can discuss whether they’re helpful and whether you need medication instead. These recommendations are based on strong evidence from many studies showing that medication and diet changes reduce heart disease risk
This research matters for anyone concerned about heart health, especially people with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease. It’s particularly important for people considering supplements as an alternative to medication or diet changes. Doctors and healthcare providers should pay attention to help patients make evidence-based choices. People who are already taking cholesterol medication should know that adding supplements doesn’t replace the need for continued medication and healthy eating
If you start taking cholesterol medication as recommended, you may see improvements in blood cholesterol levels within 2 to 4 weeks, though full benefits take longer. Diet changes can improve cholesterol within 2 to 3 weeks, but the biggest heart health benefits from diet and medication take months to years to develop. Heart disease prevention is a long-term commitment, not a quick fix
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take heart health supplements instead of cholesterol medication?
No. A 2026 study of 147 million Americans found that supplements don’t replace proven medication. The American Heart Association advises against supplements for lowering cholesterol. Talk to your doctor about whether you need medication based on your individual risk factors
Do heart health supplements help if I’m not eating well?
Research shows supplements don’t make up for poor diet quality. A recent study found no connection between supplement use and how well people ate. Focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish while limiting salt and sugar
What percentage of Americans take heart health supplements?
About 11.3% of U.S. adults report using heart or cholesterol supplements. The rate is higher among people already on cholesterol medication (19.5%) and lower among those who don’t need treatment (3.6%)
Can supplements replace a heart-healthy diet?
No. Supplements cannot replace the benefits of eating well. A 2026 study found that most Americans fall short on nine key eating goals, and supplements don’t improve diet quality. Medication and diet changes are proven to reduce heart disease risk
What should I do if I’m taking heart health supplements?
Tell your doctor about any supplements you’re using. Ask whether you need cholesterol medication based on your health. Focus on eating a heart-healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish while limiting salt and sugar
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily supplement use and cholesterol medication doses side by side. Log what you eat each day against the nine heart-healthy eating targets: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, legumes, sodium intake, added sugars, and saturated fat. Compare your supplement use to your diet quality over 30 days to see if supplements correlate with better eating habits
- If you’re using heart health supplements, set a reminder to discuss them with your doctor at your next appointment. Use the app to track one specific diet change per week, such as adding one extra serving of vegetables daily or reducing salt. Replace the mental habit of taking a supplement with the action of making one concrete diet improvement
- Create a monthly report showing supplement use, medication adherence, and diet quality scores. Set goals for meeting at least 7 of the 9 heart-healthy eating targets. Track whether your supplement use changes as your diet improves, and use this data to discuss with your doctor whether supplements remain necessary
This article summarizes research findings and should not be considered medical advice. Decisions about supplements, cholesterol medication, and diet should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider based on your individual health status, risk factors, and medical history. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology advise against using supplements as a substitute for proven medical treatment. If you have concerns about your heart health or cholesterol levels, speak with your doctor before starting or stopping any medications or supplements
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.