Only about one-quarter of Americans eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, the minimum recommended by public health authorities. Vitamin critics don't adequately recognize the deficiencies of the average American diet, or the benefits of some supplements. Recent research shows vitamin B6 relieves morning sickness caused by pregnancy. Vitamin C may help prevent cataracts. Vitamin D may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Supplements improve immune function in the elderly, bolstering their defenses against disease.
Supplements are no substitute for a nutritious diet, but many people take supplements instead of eating well. That doesn't work. Consider vitamin A. Supplements usually contain beta-carotene, the most abundant of the vitamin A family of nutrients, the carotenoids. But beta-carotene is only one of an estimated 600 carotenoids. You can pop vitamins all day and not get a microgram of most of the other carotenoids, all of which contribute to health.