Are supplements worth taking?

There’s a reason supplements are so popular: sometimes, they work. “In addition to a healthy diet, there is evidence that some supplements can benefit your overall well-being with little to no risk,” says Dr. Millstein.

Common supplements that may benefit your health include: Vitamin B12, which can help keep nerve and blood cells healthy, make DNA and prevent anemia Folic acid, which can reduce birth defects when taken by pregnant women Vitamin D, which can strengthen bones Calcium, which can promote bone health Vitamins C and E, which can prevent cell damage Fish oil, which can support heart health

Vitamin A, which can slow down vision loss from age-related macular degeneration Zinc, which can promote skin health and slow down vision loss from age-related macular degeneration Melatonin, which can help counteract jet lag However, despite the amount of research that’s been done on supplements (since 1999, the National Institutes of Health has spent more than $2.4 billion studying vitamins and minerals), scientific evidence isn’t completely clear.

Keep in mind: Most studies suggest that multivitamins won’t make you live longer, slow cognitive decline or lower your chances of disease, such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes. “In fact, it’s illegal for companies to make claims that supplements will treat, diagnose, prevent or cure diseases,” says Dr. Millstein. Also, the products you buy in stores or online may be different from those used in studies, so studies may be misleading.