Although Mark Twain didn’t comment on nutrition, he should have. His words “In religion and politics people’s beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination,” could have referenced nutrition.
 
Nutritional recommendations are often dominated by deep-rooted convictions. Some beliefs are learned as a child: clean your plate and no dessert until you eat your vegetables. Other tenets are acquired as we form opinions on types of food (quick-serve vs. home-cooked), source of food (locally grown vs. global), agricultural practices (organic vs. conventional farming) or simplicity (the number of ingredients listed on the nutrition facts panel).
 
As a nutritionist, I was trained that the five food groups are the building blocks for a healthy diet. I believe in MyPlate with its emphasis on balance and moderation. The 3Ps: Plan, Purchase and Prepare Food on a Budget are sensible. They are achievable. But what if I am unsuccessful in my food choices? Then what happens? It is not rocket science. My nutrition suffers.
 
Because of this fear, many people choose to use a supplement. According to the 2012 CRN (Council for Responsible Nutrition) Survey on Dietary Supplements, the most common choice is a multivitamin supplement. And it appears to be a wise choice.
 
The NutriNet-Sante cohort study used 24h dietary records to assess the nutrition and dietary supplement habits of almost 80,000 men and women (18+ years) in France. The main reasons for dietary supplement use were to “overcome tiredness” and to “stay healthy.” Like previous studies have reported in American, Danish and German populations, the prevalence of dietary nutrient inadequacy was lower among supplement than non-users in France. Supplement users were more likely to be women, older, more educated, better employed, non-smokers, have a lower BMI and be more physically active.
 
They noted differences in reasons for dietary supplement use between smokers and non-smokers. Current smokers were more likely to agree with statements such as “to counter stress,” “to lose weight,” “to improve intellectual performance” and “to compensate for an inadequate diet.” Nevertheless, taking supplements was an indication that people were trying to eat a balanced diet and expressing their intent to see a doctor routinely, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
 
In other words, supplement users aren’t just popping pills, they are conscientiously combining supplements with a healthy lifestyle to promote good health. They are adhering to the three pillars of wellness identified by Life…supplemented: a healthy diet, supplements and exercise.
 
Accept my word. I am a firm believer in the importance of choosing a healthy diet. However, as a nutritionist, I am also reminded of the words of Ann Landers, “Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.” For those situations when your diet may be lacking or the choice of nutrient-rich foods is limited (e.g., vitamin D or the omega 3s DHA and EPA), then it seems prudent to supplement. Keeping in mind that more is not better, here is a link to the Institute of Medicine recommended nutrient intakes (DRIs) by age and gender.