Your Risk of Nutrient Deficiency

• If you're not sure whether vitamin supplements are right for you, consider whether you're at risk for nutrient deficiency. For example, if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, you may not consume enough iron or B-vitamins. If you're pregnant or may become pregnant, it's important to get enough folic acid. If you're over 50, you may not get enough B-12.
  
  

Eating a Healthy Diet

• If you eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, you probably get enough vitamins and minerals. If you rarely eat fruits or veggies, vitamin supplements may improve your health, but they aren't as effective as whole fruits and vegetables, which reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke and improve your digestive health. Improving your diet isn't as easy as swallowing a pill, but it makes a much bigger difference.
  
  

Getting Your Doctor's Advice

• Talk to your doctor about taking vitamin supplements. She will know whether you have any nutrient deficiencies, and can also discuss the possible side effects and risks of vitamin supplements with you. Vitamins and other dietary supplements can cause side effects, especially if you take prescription drugs or choose mega-dose vitamins. It's also essential to tell your doctor about all supplements you take before having surgery.
  
  

Choosing the Right Vitamins

• Not all vitamin supplements are created equal. If you're going to take a vitamin supplement, a multivitamin is probably your best choice, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Don't take mega-dose vitamins or eat mega-dose foods. Avoid supplements that make extreme health claims, and products sold on the internet and on TV.