Washington, D.C.—“Many of the supplements people take are unnecessary…and can even be risky,” according to experts quoted in a New York Times (NYT) article, who say supplements can contain contaminants or excessive levels of nutrients, or interact with certain over-the-counter or prescription medications.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) issued a response to the article, setting the record straight on key points.
CRN said the NYT article, titled Do You Need These Popular Supplements? presents “a familiar and increasingly common—although grossly inaccurate—narrative: that most dietary supplements are unnecessary for the general population and that consumers would be better served by relying almost exclusively on whole foods.”
There are key points in the article that CRN agrees with, including the acknowledgement that dietary supplements can be useful in certain circumstances (such as pregnancy or diagnosed nutrient deficiencies) and that supplements are not intended to replace a healthy diet.
The concern, though is that the overall framing of the article understates both the scale of nutrient inadequacy in the U.S. and the legitimate, evidence-based role supplements play in supporting public health. The article also portrays supplements primarily as redundant, risky, or driven only by social media influences, CRN said, which is an oversimplification.
Supplements Address Nutrient Shortfalls
Millions of Americans fail to meet recommended intakes for key nutrients through food alone. CRN points to federal nutrition surveillance data, including the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), as well as policy documents such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, to make the point of how widespread shortfalls are, especially with vitamin D, magnesium•, calcium, fiber, potassium, and vitamin B12 (particularly among older adults).
“Notably, the article itself cites that approximately half of U.S. adults do not consume adequate magnesium, yet still emphasizes food-first strategies without fully acknowledging that persistent gaps remain despite longstanding dietary guidance,” CRN said. “In these cases, supplements are not merely optional ‘insurance,’ but a practical, science-backed means of helping individuals meet established nutritional recommendations.
While a food-first approach to nutrition is the ideal and whole foods provide important benefits beyond isolated nutrients, CRN said, decades of public health messaging that has encouraged Americans to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish have not eliminated nutrient inadequacies. “In fact, intake data show that the vast majority of Americans still fall short on one or more essential nutrients,” CRN reported. “Getting these essential nutrients through supplements and fortification are better than not getting them at all.”
Supplements Are Regulated
In another key (and common) fact-check, CRN once again set the record straight on supplement regulation. “The article raises concerns about contamination, excess intake, and interactions, but does not reflect the existing regulatory framework governing dietary supplements in the U.S.,” the trade group explained. “All supplement manufacturers are required to operate under FDA-enforced current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), which necessitate identity testing, purity standards, and quality controls. Moreover, the vast majority of Americans who use supplements do so safely and responsibly, often following label directions or healthcare provider advice. Risk, where it exists, is best addressed through education and transparency, not broad dismissal of an entire category.”
CRN stressed that consumers deserve nuanced, evidence-based information that reflects real-world nutritional challenges. “Positioning supplements as largely unnecessary risks discouraging appropriate use among the majority of Americans who do not meet adequate intake for one or more essential nutrients. This is particularly concerning for older adults, women of childbearing age, and adolescents, populations the Dietary Guidelines for Americans specifically identify as vulnerable to nutrient shortfalls. The question is not whether Americans should choose food or supplements, but how both can responsibly work together to support health.“
