WHY MIGHT PEOPLE NEED SUPPLEMENTS?

1. Nutrient gaps in diet
   Even with a balanced diet, it’s easy to fall short on certain vitamins or minerals. For example, many people are low in vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, or iron.
2. Modern lifestyle and food production
   Processed foods, depleted soil, and long food storage times can reduce the nutrient quality of what we eat. Supplements can help fill in those gaps.
3. Restricted diets
   Vegetarians, vegans, or people with food allergies/intolerances may not get enough of key nutrients like B12, iron, or calcium without supplementation.
4. Aging
   As we age, our bodies absorb nutrients less efficiently. Older adults often need more vitamin D, B12, and calcium, for instance.
5. Health conditions or medications
   Some medical conditions (like Crohn’s, celiac disease, or anemia) and medications (like PPIs or diuretics) can cause deficiencies.
6. Athletes or people under high physical stress
   Higher physical demands can increase the body’s need for certain nutrients, like protein, electrolytes, or antioxidants.

When you probably don’t need supplements:

• You eat a varied, whole-food-based diet consistently.
• You’re not in a high-risk group (e.g., pregnant, elderly, on medications, etc.).
• You don’t have any underlying deficiencies or health conditions.

Key takeaway:

Supplements are like insurance — not a replacement for a good diet, but they can support your health when your lifestyle, diet, or body’s needs require more than what food alone can provide.