In recent years, various health foods and supplements have flooded the market, with consumption increasing annually. Many supplement users take multiple products, and when combined with food intake, this can lead to potential overconsumption of micronutrients that would not require concern when obtained solely from food. However, academic papers on usage patterns are scarce, and most published studies have surveyed specific groups such as university students, pharmacists, or registered dietitians. It is necessary to understand health food usage patterns among the general public across a wide age range. Therefore, this study conducted a web survey targeting a broad age range. The results showed that the proportion of current users was higher among women, and by age group, it was highest among men in their 40 s and women in their 40 s to 60 s. The proportions of those taking “multiple supplements,” “daily,” and “continuously for over 3 years” were higher among middle-aged and older adults, and among those who responded that they “think they pay attention to their diet.” By type, vitamins were the most common, followed by minerals, and then plant-, animal-, and seafood-derived supplements. These results suggest the potential for excessive intake of micronutrients when combined with food.
