Experts say moderation is key
MARQUETTE -- Health supplements are big business today. The industry brings in more than $60 billion every year, however, they aren't regulated by the FDA, so you can't always be sure what you will get out of the bottle.
"There is no regulation with it; with an industry of this size, there's no federal regulations," said Motions Fitness Nutritional Specialist Mike Koskiniemi. "A lot of supplements come on the market, they're just meant to make money."
Health professionals say before you look to vitamins, the best route is a healthy diet, as it can't be replicated by a pill.
"Whole foods are going to be more in the natural form. Whenever you get something more from your food, your body is going to absorb it better to utilize it much better," said RD Dietitian Sherri Rule.
They recommend a diet with whole grains, fresh vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat dairy and healthy fats. But there are some supplements they say can be beneficial.
Facebook fan Elaine Austin writes: "I heard that most people who live in the U.P. need extra vitamin D."
Our experts agree that's true and add supplements of omega 3s and calcium also can't hurt.
Facebook fan Sanddune Landmass wrote: "You should ask your doctor before taking any vitamins...too much of some things can kill you."
Professionals say taking over 100 percent of your daily percentage of anything, unless advised otherwise by a physician, does more harm then good.
What about multivitamins? Experts say they can help, if taken in moderation.
"We live in a more is better society, more in terms of supplements is not better. You really got to look at the dosage on the container, and you've got to start gradual," said Koskiniemi.
Some of our Facebook viewers mentioned they are unable to consume some of the foods in a healthy diet. In those cases, experts say vitamins can help, and it may be best to look for a USP label on the package as that means a scientific non-profit organization has researched and studied the ingredients in those supplements to what appears on the label.
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