Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know

You get your 5 fruits and veggies in each day, and more often than not, you remember to take a multivitamin every morning. Could you benefit from taking additional vitamins or herbs, as well?

If you're eating a balanced diet, you probably don't need to take a supplement. However, certain people might benefit from specific supplements. For example, people with certain medical conditions or those who can't or don't eat dairy might need to take vitamin D supplements to be sure they get enough.

But keep in mind dietary supplements have risks and side effects. Some substances can be harmful, especially when taken in large doses. For example, too much vitamin C can interfere with the body's ability to absorb copper, a metal essential to our body chemistry. Also, certain botanicals can block or speed up the body's absorption of some prescription drugs.

Further, not every supplement is created equal. Few government standards are in place to ensure the quality and safety of dietary supplements.

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