Over 30 per cent of American children on dietary supplements

One third of US children aged 18 or under are on some kind of dietary supplement . Most of these supplements are multiminerals and multivitamins . The findings were reported in an article in the Archives of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine .
Dietary supplements are huge in America, where 57 per cent of women and 47 per cent of men take them. Many doctors recommend specific supplements to children, but most professionals make it clear that the best nutrients possible for children come from a good diet .
The findings were reported by a study of over 10,000 children, all of whom had medical examinations and interviews. The authors reportedly commented: “In conclusion, dietary supplements provide a consistent daily source of nutrients for nearly one-third of U.S. children, yet individual and national-level estimates of nutrient intake rarely account for them. Dietary Reference Intakes and Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide recommended nutrient intakes and advice on food choices that promote health and reduce the risk of disease. To truly assess the nutrient status and estimate the potential health risks of U.S. children, we must include nutrient intakes from dietary supplements as well as from food .”

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