Summary of the essential facts about dietary supplements

• Most people can obtain the recommended dietary intakes of the vitamins
and minerals needed for good health by eating a variety of foods.
• Vitamin deficiency may occur in the elderly; when nutrients are limited in
one’s diet, for example, B12 deficiency among vegetarians; as a result of a
health problem; or caused by tobacco or alcohol use.
• Dietary supplements, including multivitamins, multiminerals, herbs, and
sports drinks, usually do not preserve or enhance health, boost athletic
performance, or protect against disease.
• Large doses of either single nutrient supplements or high potency vitamin and
mineral combinations may be harmful.
• Be especially wary of the risk of supplements other than vitamins, especially
herbal and botanical supplements—most are unproven to be beneficial, and
many are harmful.
• Do not self-prescribe, consult a medical professional before taking any type of
supplement other than a standard low-dose multivitamin/multimineral.

This blog presents opinions and ideas and is intended to provide helpful general information. I am not engaged in rendering advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures and suggestions in that are presented are not in any way a substitute for the advice and care of the reader’s own physician or other medical professional based on the reader’s own individual conditions, symptoms or concerns. If the reader needs personal medical, health, dietary, exercise or other assistance or advice the reader should consult a physician and/or other qualified health professionals. The author specifically disclaims all responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that the reader may incur as a direct or indirect consequence of following any directions or suggestions given in this blog or participating in any programs described in this blog or in the book, The Building Blocks of Health––How to Optimize Your Health with a Lifestyle Checklist (available in print or downloaded at Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble and elsewhere). Copyright 2021 by J. Joseph Speidel