01.06.10
Eight in 10 registered dietitians view dietary supplements as important for maintaining health, according to the “Life...supplemented” 2009 Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study. The study shows 81% of registered dietitians agree most people have gaps in their diets that can be filled with vitamins and other dietary supplements. Many include themselves in this group, with 76% agreeing that supplement use can address their own diet gaps. Registered dietitians’ actions follow suit, with nine in 10 (96%) taking supplements and recommending them to their clients (97%). Multivitamins are the most common supplement that registered dietitians are taking (84%). RDs also take specialty supplements (64% take at least one), such as omega 3 fish oils (47%), herbal or botanical supplements (46%) or fiber (22%). More than half of registered dietitians take supplements for improved bone health (58%) and overall health and wellness (53%). Seven in 10 registered dietitians who recommend supplements to their clients report doing so for bone health (72%) and to fill nutrition gaps (69%).