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Staying Healthy
Don’t waste time (or money) on dietary supplements
- By Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
Americans spend billions per year on these products, even though most people don’t need them.
In 2022, Americans are projected to spend $35.6 billion on dietary supplements. That’s a lot of money for products that show little, if any, evidence of benefits.
"The thinking is that taking these pills can somehow improve your health or protect you from disease," says Dr. Pieter Cohen, associate professor at Harvard Medical School and general internist at Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Health Alliance. "While some people may need specific vitamins or supplements to help with deficiencies, for the average healthy person, following a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables provides all the essential vitamins and minerals."
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Making Sense of Vitamins and Minerals
About half of all Americans routinely take dietary supplements. The most common ones are multivitamin and multimineral supplements. Making Sense of Vitamins and Minerals: Choosing the foods and nutrients you need to stay healthy explains the evidence behind the benefits and safety profiles of various vitamins and minerals. It also includes the recommended minimum and maximum amounts you should consume, as well as good food sources of each.
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