Benefits From Taking Vitamin or Mineral Supplements

The use of vitamin or mineral supplementation, also called dietary supplements, can be useful for those who have an inadequate diet or special nutritional needs. In some cases, it may also be beneficial to prevent future disease occurrence.

Background

• According to the Mayo Clinic, your body cannot make most vitamins or minerals on its own and must receive them in the form of food or dietary supplements.

Misconceptions

• Vitamin or mineral supplementation is not meant to be a substitute for food. Whole foods contain nutrients and benefits that cannot be supplied by supplements.

Benefits

• According to the American Dietetic Association, the elderly population may benefit from supplementation because vital nutrients to long-term health may be missing from an inadequate diet. Women of child bearing age, who do not get enough folate from their diet, will benefit as folate is crucial to the gestation process. In addition, strict vegetarians may be missing certain nutrients from their diet. Supplements may be enlisted to fill that void.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

• If you have been told by your doctor that you have a specific condition that causes vitamin or mineral deficiency, taking dietary supplements consistently over time can help you restore your levels to within normal limits.

Warning

• The dietary supplement industry is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you are considering taking vitamin or mineral supplementation as a complement to your healthy diet, please consult your doctor or a registered dietitian (RD) for specific recommendations.