Dietary supplements in women: responsible strategies for use

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 defined dietary supplements and helped to fuel the use of these products in the United States. Supplement users tend to be older, white, and female, and believe that diet affects health. Dietary supplements cannot replace a healthy diet, although they can be a valuable adjunct. Some supplements, notably iron and vitamin A, can cause toxicity in excess doses. Nutrient supplements that are particularly important for women include folic acid (during the childbearing years), calcium, and vitamin B12 (after age 50 years).