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Vitamin Supplements

If eating a healthy diet is the best way to get vitamins, then why should anyone take supplements? The simple reason is that while the National Cancer Institute recommends eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, most Americans only eat two to three. So, most of us are not eating all the foods needed to meet our daily vitamin requirements.

Although vitamin supplements can help bridge nutrition gaps, they should not replace foods that naturally contain vitamins. And taking mega-doses of vitamins can be dangerous. If you take vitamin supplements, take only the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) unless your doctor tells you otherwise. (You can find the RDA information on the bottle's label.) And before taking a supplement, always check with your doctor, especially if you are taking medication or are being treated for a medical condition.