Natural Nutrition: Do Supplements Help You Live a Better Life?

Bottom Line:
Supplements are everywhere. Vitamins, minerals, bone broths, and protein powders are no
longer only available at the health food store, you can find them nearly everywhere you shop.
For those of us with diet’s that aren’t exactly pitch-perfect, dietary supplements can provide an
additional way to gain the essential daily nutrients. Not only are supplements a way to get what
you’re missing from your regular diet, but they may also have the ability to help improve your
overall health.

Why it Matters:
Researchers have been hard at work examining the potential health benefits of various
supplements. For instance, a fascinating new study suggested multivitamins may be able to
reduce overall cancer rates in men. Even with this exciting development, and a low risk of side
effects, we recommend you consult with a qualified healthcare professional before beginning to
take a new supplement.
 Supplements are often used to help maintain the daily recommended levels of many
vitamins and minerals.
 Malnutrition from an insufficient diet is found in approximately 40% of people with
chronic diseases.
 Researchers have found a statistically significant reduction in total cancer for men taking
a daily multi-vitamin compared to those who did not.

Next Steps:
The best way to get your daily intake of nutrients is directly from the foods you eat. But, for
many of us, it may feel impossible to reach the recommended daily levels. Dietary supplements
can be a fantastic way to bridge the gap and meet your minimum daily requirements. As
research continues to evolve, we may also discover additional health and performance-boosting
benefits of dietary supplements.

Science Source:
Multivitamins in the Prevention of Cancer in Men: The Physicians’ Health Study II Randomized
Controlled Trial. JAMA 2013