Vitamins are 'gateway' to other healthy habits, survey finds

A large number of consumers say beginning a vitamin regimen corresponds with improved diet, increased exercise, smoking cessation or other lifestyle changes.

Nearly two-thirds of the 1,011 consumers responding to the new survey by Vitacost.com, an online retailer of health and wellness products, said they made other healthy lifestyle choices when they began taking vitamins and supplements, including eating more fruits, vegetables and whole foods and exercising more frequently.

• Most of us are not getting enough vitamins

Respondents also reported adopting other healthy habits, such as smoking cessation, weight loss efforts, and eating out less often.

73% of respondents reported taking vitamins daily. Also, consumers reported they were twice as likely to receive their information about vitamins from the media as from doctors.

• Upper intake levels reviewed for vitamin D and calcium

For 67% of consumers, the cost of vitamins or supplements puts a strain on their expenses and must be included in their household budget.

Source: Vitacost.com

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