Should You Take Supplements for Your Health?

Popping vitamins doesn't always translate to better health, and sometimes, it can be a health risk. Here's what to take and what to skip.

We know the vital role vitamins and minerals play in our health, but does that mean we should take supplements? More and more Americans seem to think so. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 people used dietary supplements between 1988 and 1994. Ten years later, that number had climbed to more than 50 percent.

But as supplement use skyrockets, many experts remain divided on what we really need to add to our diet, and how we should get it. Some research has linked excessive supplement use to an increased risk of cancer, while other research has found that because people who take vitamins are more likely to be healthier overall, most vitamin users really don’t need them.

From a traditional multivitamin to supposed super-supplements such as ginseng, green tea, and vitamin D, here’s what the latest research says about vitamins, supplements, and women’s health.

A Woman's Guide to Vitamins and Supplements

Vitamin A for Skin Health
B Vitamins for Energy
Vitamin C for Immunity
Calcium for Bone and Heart Health
Multivitamins for Overall Nutrition
Vitamin D for Bone Health
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Heart and Metabolic Health
Green Tea Supplements for Cancer Prevention
Fiber Supplements for Digestive Health
Ginseng for Stress Relief