What the science says about multivitamins, magnesium and 7 other supplements

I get why supplements are popular: taking a pill feels easier than addressing lifestyle factors, such as poor diet or sleep. But in many cases, the claims behind supplements aren’t backed by strong data. And you can’t redeem an unbalanced diet by popping a pill to fill in the nutrient gaps.

As a doctor, I tend to be wary of most supplements without a medical reason. Supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration the way medications are, and putting anything into our bodies involves a risk-benefit calculation. While the risks of taking certain supplements are not absurdly high, don’t mistake them for zero.



Run any new supplements by your physician to ensure you’re not at a higher risk of a bad outcome. So what should you know about specific supplements? Here are nine popular ones I’ve discussed in previous columns, and what the science says about them. 1.

Multivitamins.