According to a new survey of 2,474 Americans conducted by YouGov and oral health product company TheraBreath, 43% of Americans have added vitamins and immunity-supporting supplements to their routine, in addition to using hand sanitizer and/or hand washing (74%), wearing masks (82%), and socially distancing (77%).
 
Supplementation will become increasingly important to consumers as several states across the country have reopened or are preparing to reopen schools, where children may be much more susceptible to illness and ineligible to be vaccinated, the company said.
 
Looking at children specifically, the researchers found that parents are providing their children with vitamins or immunity-supporting supplements (43%), requiring their children to sanitize or wash their hands more frequently (73%), wear masks (72%), and socially distance (69%).
 
A 75% majority of parents agreed that giving their children an immunity-supporting flavored spray would be easier or about the same as giving their children a pill version to swallow – specifically, 25% said a spray would be much easier than a pill, and 21% said it would be somewhat easier.
 
Of the popular natural ingredients included in many immunity supporting supplements, the majority of Americans (65%) believed vitamin C has immunity supporting benefits/abilities. Other popular ingredients believed to have immunity supporting benefits or abilities included zinc (41%, elderberry (26%), and copper (11%).
 
“With spring upon us and restrictions loosening, the world is beginning to reopen. This research indicates many Americans are beginning to take a 360 degree approach to supporting their immunity during this critical time,” TheraBreath founder and chief researcher Dr. Harold Katz said. “While they have been educated on the importance of social distancing, wearing masks, and using hand sanitizer, they are now beginning to understand the significant impact vitamins and immunity-supporting supplements can have on their family’s overall wellness.”
 
The survey, which took place between March 12 and 16, included 544 parents of children under the age of 18, with the figures weighted to represent all U.S. adults.