A Clinician's Perspective on Nutritional Supplements

While healthy nutrition is one of the pillars of good health, it is clear that many Americans and Canadians are falling far short when it comes to nutritional recommendations. While frank nutrient deficiency states are well-known (e.g., rickets, scurvy, pellagra), there is a growing body of evidence showing that less than optimal biochemical levels are associated with impaired cognitive function, cardiovascular disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes, poor bone health, eye disease, depression, and other conditions. Biochemical evaluation and dietary surveys show that many American/Canadians have marginal or deficient levels of key micronutrients and fatty acids. Vulnerable groups include older adults, pregnant women, strict vegetarians and vegans, those eliminating one or more food groups from their diet, those who are food insecure, those consuming a diet low in nutrient-rich foods despite adequate/excessive calorie intake, and those who have increased needs due to a health condition or chronic use of a nutrient depleting medication. Most health professionals are inadequately trained to identify those who might be at risk for deficiency, use appropriate testing to assess micronutrient levels, and make recommendations for vitamins/minerals/fatty acids to correct the deficiency. This presentation will examine the prevalence, impact and risk factors for several key micronutrient deficiencies in the American/Canadian populations from a clinician's perspective.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).