Dietary supplements are wildly popular. About 114 million Americans
(roughly half the adult population) take at least one supplement. Here are some seriously important ones to know about!
Multi-Vitamin
Taking a daily multivitamin with minerals has long been considered nutritional "insurance" to cover dietary shortfalls.
There is no harm in taking a once-daily multivitamin, as long as you select one based on your age andsex. Take one daily or just on days when your diet is inadequate.
Fish oil
A major European randomized clinical trial showed that fish oil also works. As a result, the American Heart Association now recommends 1,000 mg a day of the marine fatty acids DHA and EPA for people with coronary artery disease. It's also reasonable advice for people with major cardiac risk factors such as high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and diabetes. In high doses, fish oil can reduce triglyceride levels; a prescription formulation is now available.
Vitamin C
Vitamin Cis often taken in an effort to ward offcolds, though there's little proof this works.
Your health-care provider may tell you to take vitamin C if you have a wound that's healing. But wound otherwise, go for food sources. Rich sources include oranges, peppers, grapefruits, peaches, papayas, pineapples, broccoli, strawberries, tomatoes, and melons.
Fiber
A high intake of fiber has many potential benefits for several health conditions, ranging from heart disease and obesity to hernias, varicose veins, and diverticulitis. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are the best sources of fiber, but many people need supplements to meet these goals. If you need supplementary fiber, consider psyllium, which has the added benefit of lowering cholesterol levels.
Calcium
All the vitamin D in the world won't protect your bones unless you get enough calcium. In theory, diet can fill the bill, but many of us don't consume enough dairy products and other calcium-rich foods. Although many doctors routinely recommend calcium supplements for women, who have a high risk of osteoporosis, men should limit themselves to the RDA since some evidence suggests very high levels may increase the risk of prostate cancer.