Do the Amish take vitamins? Exploring supplement use in Plain communities

November 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to several studies, a significant majority of Amish adults report taking dietary supplements, with some research finding that 77% or more use them regularly. This fact challenges common assumptions and begs the question, "Do the Amish take vitamins?" The answer is yes, though their approach is informed by a unique cultural context.

Quick Summary

Many Amish adults frequently use vitamins and other dietary supplements, often at higher rates than the non-Amish population. This practice is influenced by cultural factors, diet, and a preference for natural remedies over conventional medicine, especially among women.

Key Points

Prevalent Supplement Use: Many Amish adults, especially women, regularly take dietary supplements, including vitamins and minerals.
Natural Remedies: Amish communities often prefer alternative and natural remedies, such as herbal supplements and homeopathic treatments, over conventional pharmaceuticals.
Cultural Context: Health decisions are influenced by cultural norms, communal trust, and a pragmatic assessment of costs versus benefits.
Evolving Diet: Increased consumption of packaged foods has potentially driven a higher need or perception of need for supplements to offset nutritional gaps.
Specific Deficiencies: Some subgroups, particularly children consuming unfortified farm milk, may be at a higher risk for specific nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin D.
Modern Medicine Access: The Amish are not forbidden from using modern medicine or hospitals, and they do so when they deem it necessary or beneficial.

A Surprising Reality: Amish and Supplements

Contrary to popular belief, the use of vitamins and other dietary supplements is common within many Amish communities. Research published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that 77% of adult Old Order Amish in Lancaster County reported current supplement use. Studies in other settlements, such as Holmes County, Ohio, have found similar or even higher rates, indicating this is not an isolated phenomenon but a prevalent health practice. While Amish communities are known for their traditional, simple lifestyle and limited use of modern technology, their approach to health often incorporates a mix of traditional folk remedies, natural health practices, and commercially available vitamins and minerals. This acceptance stems from their preference for remedies they perceive as "natural" or less invasive than modern pharmaceuticals.

Factors Influencing Supplement Use

Several factors contribute to the high rates of vitamin and supplement use among the Amish. Their lifestyle, while rooted in tradition, is not entirely static. Changes in diet, increased access to health food stores, and cultural norms all play a role.

Changing Dietary Habits: While many Amish families still grow and preserve their own food, there is an increasing reliance on store-bought, packaged foods, which may be less nutrient-dense than traditional fare. This shift can create a perceived need for supplementation to fill potential nutritional gaps.
Gender Differences: Studies consistently show that Amish women are more likely to use supplements, and use a wider variety of them, than Amish men. This pattern is also seen in the general population but is particularly pronounced among the Amish. Reasons are likely related to women's primary role in managing family health and nutrition.
Preference for Alternative Medicine: Many Amish seek out alternatives to conventional medicine, including vitamins, homeopathic remedies, and herbal therapies. This preference aligns with a holistic approach to health and a deep-seated trust in natural healing.
Community Influence: Recommendations and personal experiences within the close-knit Amish community can be a powerful driver of health decisions. A positive word-of-mouth experience with a supplement or remedy can quickly spread and gain traction.

Potential Nutritional Concerns and Vitamin D

Despite their often nutrient-rich, home-grown diets, some nutritional concerns exist within the Amish community. For example, a study noted that Amish children who are breastfed for extended periods or consume unfortified farm milk may be at a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency. This highlights a specific area where targeted supplementation, such as vitamin D, may be necessary to ensure adequate nutrition and prevent health issues like rickets. While their agrarian lifestyle provides abundant physical activity and fresh produce, certain modern factors and traditional practices can introduce nutritional challenges that supplements are used to address.

Amish vs. Non-Amish Supplement Use and Health Practices

To better understand the Amish approach, a comparison with the general non-Amish population is illuminating. The data shows significant differences in both supplement intake and overall health strategies.


Aspect	Amish Health Practices	Non-Amish Health Practices
Dietary Supplement Use	High prevalence, often higher rates than national average. Strong preference for natural and herbal supplements.	Varies widely, influenced by medical advice, marketing, and personal choice.
Medical Care	Willing to seek modern medical care and visit hospitals when necessary, but may be more reluctant due to costs and cultural separation.	Standard practice, with frequent use of preventative medicine, screenings, and pharmaceuticals.
Alternative Medicine	Widespread use of folk remedies, herbal therapies, and chiropractic care alongside modern vitamins.	Varies, with many individuals opting for alternative therapies in addition to or instead of conventional care.
Health Information Source	Rely heavily on trusted community members, nurses, or long-standing family doctors. Less influenced by general media.	Rely on a variety of sources, including doctors, the internet, and media.
Preventative Measures	Often less emphasis on formal preventative screenings and immunizations due to cultural barriers and perceived risks.	Strong emphasis on preventative care, including vaccinations, regular check-ups, and screenings.

A Concluding Perspective

The notion that the Amish live completely separate from modern health influences is inaccurate. The question "Do the Amish take vitamins?" reveals a more complex reality: they are selective consumers of health products, choosing to integrate supplements into their existing health practices, which often favor natural and less invasive approaches. This includes vitamins and minerals, which are widely accepted and used, particularly by women. Their decisions are shaped by a combination of evolving dietary habits, cultural values, and a practical, word-of-mouth approach to wellness. Understanding these nuances is key to appreciating the unique health landscape of Plain communities. For more detail on specific studies, refer to the research published by the National Institutes of Health.(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3650902/)

Factors Shaping Amish Health Decisions

Cost-Benefit Analysis: Amish individuals weigh the quality of life benefits of a medical procedure against the costs, influencing their healthcare choices.
Trust in Community: Advice from respected community members, including midwives and trusted doctors, holds significant weight.
Founder Effect Genetics: Due to their small founding population, the Amish are prone to certain rare genetic disorders, which may require specific medical interventions and dietary considerations.
Less Processed Foods, But Not Without Fault: While they consume more home-grown foods, modern Amish diets still contain significant amounts of fat and salt and may include packaged treats, impacting overall health outcomes.

Conclusion

In summary, the use of vitamins and other supplements is a widespread and accepted practice among the Amish. Their decisions regarding health are not a wholesale rejection of modern innovations but a pragmatic and culturally-filtered approach. They actively use supplements, particularly vitamins, minerals, and herbals, to support their health, often at higher rates than their non-Amish counterparts. This choice is rooted in their preference for natural remedies, influenced by changing diets, and driven by a strong community-based trust system. This reveals a nuanced and complex picture of Amish health practices that integrates tradition with selective modern applications, all while prioritizing well-being within their cultural framework.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, vitamins and supplements are not considered the same as high-tech medical treatments or conventional pharmaceuticals. The Amish often view them as a natural or alternative form of healthcare, fitting within their preference for less invasive remedies.

Studies show that Amish women use a greater number of supplements than men, a trend also observed in the general population. This is likely related to women's traditional role in managing family health and nutrition, as well as a higher interest in natural health practices.

The traditional Amish diet, rich in home-grown foods, is often nutrient-dense. However, some studies note that an increasing trend toward packaged and processed foods could lead to nutritional gaps, potentially prompting more supplement use.

The Amish are not prohibited from seeking modern medical care, including visiting doctors and hospitals. They tend to be prudent healthcare consumers and often put more trust in trusted local practitioners rather than distant researchers.

Vaccination rates vary within the Amish community and are often lower than the general population. Some parents cite concerns about side effects. However, vaccination is not forbidden on religious grounds, and attitudes can change based on community health information.

Research suggests that Amish communities, particularly women, show a significantly higher rate of herbal supplement use, often even more so than vitamin/mineral use. Herbal supplements are a popular form of complementary and alternative medicine among the Amish.

Health information often spreads through word-of-mouth within the community. They are more likely to heed advice from respected community members or long-term local practitioners than outside authorities or mass media campaigns.