Dietary supplements vs. food: Which is better?

My husband and I take various dietary supplements, including calcium, vitamin C, garlic and fish oil. My brother-in-law says we're wasting our money. Can you really get all the vitamins and minerals you need from food alone?

- Lisa / Minnesota

Mayo Clinic dietitian Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

A balanced diet can provide all the vitamins and minerals you need. If you're generally healthy and eat a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean meats and fish, you don't likely need dietary supplements. If you want assurance that you're getting all the vitamins and minerals you need, stick with dietary supplements that contain no more than 100 percent of the Daily Value (DV) for any given nutrient. Although there's little conclusive evidence that dietary supplements in general help prevent disease, fish oils or other specific supplements may be beneficial for some people. Talk to your doctor about which supplements and which doses might be appropriate for you. Be sure to ask about possible side effects and interactions with other medications.