American Dietetic Association position on supplements

"It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that the best nutrition-based strategy for promoting optimal health and reducing the risk of chronic disease is to wisely choose a wide variety of foods. Additional nutrients from supplements can help some people meet their nutrition needs as specified by science-based nutrition standards such as the Dietary Reference Intakes."

Bonnie - first of all, this is a major step for the ADA to admit that dietary supplements may be necessary. However, they are taking the most conservative position possible.

In a "perfect world," with no degeneration or immune-system deficiency disease, the ADA's position would be ideal. Unfortunately, this is not the world we live in and a healthy diet cannot be one-size-fits-all. It must be based upon individual needs.

A recent survey of dietitians support my comments and shows just how out-of-touch the ADA has been with its members:

Eight in 10 registered dietitians said they view dietary supplements as important for maintaining health, according to new research from the “Life…supplemented” 2009 Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study. The study shows 81 percent of registered dietitians agree most people have gaps in their diets that can be filled with vitamins and other dietary supplements. Many include themselves in this group, with 76 percent agreeing that supplement use can address their own diet gaps.

Nine in 10 (96 percent) report taking supplements and recommending them to their clients (97 percent).

Seventy-four percent of registered dietitians taking the study identified themselves as members of the American Dietetic Association, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.