Market scope note: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
You've probably seen it — a drawer at your parents' home stuffed with packets of supplements. 🇰🇷 Korea According to the 2025 Health Functional Food Trend Report by Opensurvey, more than 7 out of 10 Korean adults are taking health functional foods, with women in their 50s and 60s identified as the primary consumer group. 🇰🇷 Korea A survey by the Korea Health Functional Food Association confirms that the domestic market reached 6 trillion 440 billion won in 2024, with a purchase experience rate of 82%. 🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States as well, research has reported that approximately 74% of adults aged 65 and older take at least one supplement (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2023), 🇺🇸 U.S. and the AAA LongROAD longitudinal study found that 84% of adults aged 65–79 took at least one dietary supplement during the 2-year study period, accounting for approximately 30% of all pills they consumed. The numbers speak for themselves: supplements have already become a deeply embedded part of daily life for older adults.
So what actually has solid evidence behind it? The ingredients with the most consistent clinical support to date are vitamin D and calcium. 🇺🇸 U.S. According to a study published in the journal Nutrients in 2024, older adults with insufficient calcium and vitamin D intake face a higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures, and there is evidence that supplementation with both nutrients reduces the risk of hip fractures in vulnerable older adults living in long-term care facilities. 🇰🇷 Korea Domestic medical information sources report that vitamin D helps the bones absorb calcium to maintain bone density, and also promotes muscle protein synthesis, contributing to the prevention of sarcopenia and falls. However, as for whether vitamin D also protects against cardiovascular disease, 🇺🇸 U.S. a synthesis of multiple randomized controlled trials — including the VITAL study (25,871 participants) — has not yet confirmed a meaningful cardiovascular protective effect. The key point is that supplementation helps those who are deficient, but does not provide additional benefit to those who already have sufficient levels.
Omega-3 (EPA and DHA) is another ingredient families often ask about. 🇰🇷 Korea The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (식품의약품안전처) states that consuming 500–2,000 mg of EPA+DHA combined may help maintain blood triglyceride levels and improve blood circulation. 🇺🇸 U.S. According to a 2025 medical information analysis by GlobalRPH, high-dose (4 g per day) prescription omega-3 formulations have limited evidence for lowering triglycerides by 20–30% in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. On the other hand, for those taking low-dose omega-3 with the expectation of general cardiovascular prevention, the VITAL study also produced results showing no significant reduction in major cardiovascular events. For older adults taking antihypertensives or anticoagulants, 🇰🇷 Korea the antiplatelet action of omega-3 may increase the risk of bleeding, so it is recommended to discontinue use 2 weeks before surgery (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety health functional food safety information, 2024).
There are also ingredients for which the evidence is limited or that actually require caution. 🇺🇸 U.S. According to a 2025 analysis of nutrition research, vitamin E supplements produced results in some clinical trials that actually increased the risk of prostate cancer, and the evidence supporting the assumption that antioxidant supplements prevent cancer is lacking. 🇰🇷 Korea A study on health functional food consumption conducted with 1,500 Korean adults (Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association, 2025) found that more than 51% of participants were taking two or more products simultaneously, and reported that the rate of side effects when taking multiple products at once was higher than when taking a single product.
The area that demands the most caution is interactions with prescription medications. 🇰🇷 Korea According to domestic medical information, taking omega-3 together with anticoagulants increases the risk of bleeding, and taking calcium and iron supplements at the same time interferes with iron absorption. 🇰🇷 Korea Older adults often have multiple conditions simultaneously, making it common to take five or more medications — so-called polypharmacy — and as people age, their sensitivity to medications increases, meaning the risk of side effects from the same drug becomes greater. This is also why it is easy to miss drug-drug interactions when receiving prescriptions from multiple hospitals and clinics. 🇰🇷 Korea The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (식품의약품안전처) defines health functional foods as 'foods manufactured and processed using raw materials or ingredients with useful functional properties for the human body,' and they are distinct from pharmaceutical drugs that treat or prevent disease. Caregivers and older adults alike should keep this in mind: supplements are not medicine.
The most realistic step you can take as a caregiver is this: make a complete list of every supplement your parent is currently taking, then have it reviewed all at once by their pharmacist or primary care physician. 🇺🇸 U.S. The AAA LongROAD study showed that the 'brown bag review' method — placing all pills being taken into a bag and bringing them to a healthcare provider for a check — is effective for managing supplements in older adults. 🇰🇷 Korea In Korea as well, AI-powered integrated medication management systems are being introduced in pharmacy settings, creating an environment where complex drug combinations and high-risk medications can be identified at a glance. Focus on the ingredients for which an actual deficiency has been confirmed through your parent's blood test results and those recommended by their primary physician — and have the courage to set the rest aside.
Sources: Opensurvey Health Functional Food Trend Report 2025, Korea Health Functional Food Association Market Survey 2024, Journal of Nutrition and Health health functional food consumption research 2025, Fravel et al., Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2023, AAA LongROAD Study (BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 2024), Dominguez et al., Nutrients 2024, VITAL (Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial) related analysis (Circulation Research), GlobalRPH dietary supplement research analysis 2025, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety health functional food functional ingredients and safety information 2024, Hidoc older adult medication management article 2025.
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.