By now, most people have heard the word: No matter how
good your diet is, it's unlikely you're getting all the nutrients
you need from food alone. Hence, the currently expanding
American interest in vitamin and mineral supplementation.
Although there is still some conflicting opinion among
physicians, more and more health practitioners endorse
supplementation. Still, determining your vitamin and mineral
requirements is a very individual thing. Experts recommend that
consumers who want to maximize the efficacy of their vitamin/mineral
intake should become educated about how vitamins and minerals
work, and then learn to identify signs in their own health and
diet that may signal a nutrient deficiency. For example, you
may need to supplement if you suffer from chronic colds and
flu; eat a diet that is low in fruits, vegetables and whole
grains; are frequently tired or stressed; are pregnant; or if
you use medication. Beyond that, consumers should also be aware
of their family disease histories and research those nutrients
that may help protect them from genetic predisposition to disease.
