Do we really need supplemental vitamins?
Sep 1, 2024, 7:00 AM
Are supplemental vitamins actually worth taking? (Canva)
(Canva)
SALT LAKE CITY — Are supplemental vitamins actually worth taking? Is it a necessity for everyone? Maybe not.
In the latest Let’s Get Moving with Maria podcast episode, Maria Shilaos spoke with Jenna Dyckman, Utah State University extension assistant professor in the Home and Community Department, to learn why we can benefit more from eating healthy rather than relying on vitamin supplements.
Every grocery store has a vitamin section. When we stop by that aisle, we go in looking for specific vitamins that our body might need.
But the question is, are supplements really what our body needs? Dyckman doesn’t think so.
She says most people don’t need to take supplemental vitamins as long as they eat a variety of food throughout the day and week.
“As a dietitian, I really like to emphasize food first. That just means trying to have a healthy and balanced diet because we get a lot of the vitamins and minerals from the food that we’re eating,” she said.
However, there are some populations that do benefit from taking a supplement. They include pregnant women, individuals with a digestive issue, and sometimes older adults.
If you fit into one of these categories, Dyckman recommends talking to a registered dietitian or your healthcare provider to make sure that it’s actually something you need.
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