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Do vitamin and mineral supplements improve the dietary intake of elderly Canadians?

The prevalence of nutritional supplementation and the relationship of the adequacy of the diet to the use of nutritional supplements was investigated in a group of 82 healthy, free-living elderly Canadians. Dietary data included a seven-day food record and the reported daily intake of vitamin or mineral supplements. 43% of the men and 62% of the women reported using vitamin and/or mineral supplements during the preceding year. Current use (at the time of interview) was reported in 35% of the study subjects. Supplement users did not differ from non-users in terms of dietary intake from diet alone for any of the nutrients compared. Few subjects corrected inadequate intakes by the use of nutrient supplements; in fact, most supplements were consumed by those not at risk of deficiency for the particular vitamin or mineral. Reliance upon vitamin and/or mineral supplementation for adequate nutrient intake without a dietary evaluation is not recommended.