According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), about one-third of Americans currently take some kind of dietary supplements, especially nutrient supplements, such as vitamins and minerals. Because this appears to be a growing trend, the ADA recently released a position paper on nutrient supplements to inform consumers about the safety and efficacy of these unrestricted products.

According to the ADA’s new Nutrient Supplementation position paper, “the best nutrition-based strategy for promoting optimal health and reducing the risk of chronic disease is to wisely choose a variety of nutrient-rich foods.”

While allowing that some people may need to take supplements for medical reasons, the position paper espouses a diet rich in micro- and macronutrients over one that relies on nutrient supplements.

For an audiocast or PDF version of the ADA’s new position paper, go to www.eatright.org/About/Content.aspx?id=8409.