What’s in Your Pillbox? Appropriate Supplements for Healthy Adults Across the Life Cycle

In the USA, marketing and sales of vitamin and mineral supplements are at an all-time high. It is estimated that approximately half of Americans use at least one supplement each day; often these are taken several times daily. Many suggest claims of chronic disease prevention without merit or scientific evidence. Wide availability and perceived safety of these agents have led to consumers regularly using these products without the supervision or knowledge of a physician. Certain supplements do have benefit when taken at appropriate doses and in the appropriate patient population at risk for development or progression of chronic disease. However, supporting evidence is lacking overall to provide strong recommendations for the use of vitamin and mineral supplementation in addition to a well-balanced diet in the healthy adult.