01.06.10
Acknowledging that supplements may be needed to fill dietary gaps for some consumers, the American Dietetic Association (ADA)—in an updated position paper titled “Nutrient Supplementation”—said that people should obtain nutrients through a variety of nutrient-rich foods in order to be healthy and reduce risk of chronic disease. This paper is an update of ADA’s “Fortification and Nutritional Supplements” position paper from 2005. Published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, the update represents the association’s official stance on nutrient supplementation. The paper states: “Although many Americans use dietary supplements, a 2009 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office stated that ‘according to experts, consumers are not well-informed about the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements and have difficulty interpreting labels on these products.’ The Government Accountability Office expressed concern that the uninformed use of dietary supplements may expose consumers to health risks. The expertise of dietetic practitioners is needed to help educate consumers on safe and appropriate selection and use of dietary supplements, including nutrient supplements.”