Americans need supplement advice - updates - Brief Article

(a)

Most physicians are not doing a good job informing Americans 50 years or older how to use dietary supplements, particularly men who generally receive less medical advice than women about taking supplements, a nationwide survey reported in October, 2001. Although about 70 percent of fifty-something-plus Americans use vitamins, minerals or herbs, only 40 percent have ever received advice on supplements from their doctors.

In addition, the survey, conducted for the National Nutritional Foods Association, found that women (53 percent) were more likely to receive advice from their physicians about taking dietary supplements than were men (32 percent). David Seckman, executive director of the National Nutritional Foods Association, called the report a "wake-up call for both the medical community, particularly American males.

"Physicians," Seckman said, "should inquire about what supplements older Americans take in order to prevent drug interactions and ensure they're meeting nutritional needs."

key

(a) health/fitness (b) male (c) female (d) aging

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