The sad fact is that most people do not eat the right foods for a healthy diet, even in the so-called civilized world. Over 85 million Americans choose to take diet supplements on a daily basis to fill out the edges of their daily vitamin and mineral intake. Although it is much better to eat whole fruits and vegetables, vitamins have become a part of our daily lifestyle.
Many doctors and nutritionists advise taking diet supplements with a meal instead of just water. The fat found in most foods can facilitate absorption, making the pills even more effective in the short term. However, water-soluble vitamins (like vitamins B and C) will pass through the body quickly and need to be replenished on a daily basis, no matter what time of the day it is.
Before starting any diet supplementation program, write down a list of everything you eat during a weeks period and take it to a doctor or professional nutritionist. He or she should be able to tell you which vitamins and minerals are lacking in your diet, and how to increase them from then on. You can then perform your own research on where and how to purchase the diet supplements you need.
Diet Supplements for Toddlers and Children
Thanks to the fact that certain vitamins (like iron) can actually become fatal to a young child if taken in large quantities, children should only be given supplements meant for young bodies. Most generic and brand name multivitamins will work well. If the child has a particular deficiency in his diet (for example, if he refuses to drink milk or other dairy products) you may wish to find a childrens diet supplement that contains a large amount of that vitamin or mineral.
