What supplements does a nutritionist recommend?
Some dietary supplements can help you get adequate amounts of essential nutrients if you don’t eat a nutritious variety of foods. However, supplements can’t take the place of the variety of foods that are important to a healthy diet. To learn more about what makes a healthy diet, the Dietary Guidelines for are good sources of information. Some dietary supplements can improve overall health and help manage some health conditions.
For example:
Calcium and vitamin D help keep bones strong and reduce bone loss.
Folic acid decreases the risk of certain birth defects.
Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils might help some people with heart disease.
A combination of vitamins C and E, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin (known as AREDS) may slow down further vision loss in people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Many other supplements need more study to determine if they have value. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not determine whether dietary supplements are effective before they are marketed. Generally speaking, a lot of people who eat a balanced, healthy, well planned diet do not need supplements. That being said, a certain percentage of people do need certain supplements, such as iron or vitamin D. This is why working with a professional is important, so they can determine your exact needs!