Supplements: Who Needs Them?

Who Needs Supplements?

Supplements aren’t for everyone, but older adults and others may need them to get the nutrients they might otherwise lack.

You likely don’t need supplements if you’re a healthy adult who eats a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, low-fat dairy products, lean meat, and fish.

But supplements — or fortified foods — may be appropriate if you:

• Are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant
• Are age 50 or older
• Have a poor appetite or have trouble getting nutritious foods
• Follow a diet that excludes entire food groups
• Have a medical condition that affects how your body digests nutrients, such as chronic diarrhea, food allergies, food intolerance, or a disease of the liver, gallbladder, intestines, or pancreas
• Have had surgery on your digestive tract that affects how your body digests nutrients

Choosing and using supplements If you decide to take a supplement, it’s important to:

• Check the label
• Avoid megadoses
• Watch what you eat
• Tell your doctor
• Watch for alerts and recalls
• Report problems

Products to Shop for: