Eight in 10 registered dietitians view dietary supplements as important for maintaining health, according to the “Life…supplemented” 2009 Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study.

The study shows 81% of registered dietitians agree most people have gaps in their diets that can be filled with vitamins and other dietary supplements. Many include themselves in this group, with 76% agreeing that supplement use can address their own diet gaps. Registered dietitians’ actions follow suit, with nine in 10 (96%) taking supplements and recommending them to their clients (97%).

Multivitamins are the most common supplement that registered dietitians are taking (84%). RDs also take specialty supplements (64% take at least one specialty supplement), such as omega 3 fish oils (47%), herbal or botanical supplements (46%) or fiber (22%). More than half of registered dietitians take supplements for improved bone health (58%) and overall health and wellness (53%).

“Registered dietitians know people’s eating habits, and we know that people don’t always eat correctly,” said Leslie Bonci, RD, director of sports medicine nutrition for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and the Center for Sports Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and advisor to the “Life…supplemented” campaign. “A healthy diet works in concert with exercise and responsible use of supplements for a wellness lifestyle. We’re seeing RDs champion these three components to overall wellness.”

Seven in 10 registered dietitians who recommend supplements to their clients report doing so for bone health (72%) and to fill nutrition gaps (69%).

According to Ms. Bonci the opportunity for registered dietitians to introduce the three pillars of health (healthy diet + dietary supplements + exercise) continues to grow as more consumers focus on wellness. Research shows the need for education about supplement use is significant. Less than one-quarter (23%) of RDs agree that their clients have a good understanding of the recommended daily intake of dietary supplements. “Registered dietitians can help fill the education gap for their clients,” she said.

Results from the 2009 “Life…supplemented” HCP Impact Study went public in December 2009 and comprise three separate surveys: (300) nurse practitioners, (300) pharmacists and (300) registered dietitians. Seventy-four percent of RDs taking the study identified themselves as members of the American Dietetic Association, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.