It wouldn’t be surprising to find that registered dietitians (RDs) are among the healthiest eaters in the United States, but their healthy habits extend beyond diet. Registered dietitians demonstrate a commitment to the three pillars of health: a healthy diet, supplements and regular exercise. According to new research from the “Life…supplemented” 2009 Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study, eight in 10 registered dietitians view dietary supplements as important for maintaining health.
The study shows 81 percent of registered dietitians agree most people have gaps in their diets that can be filled with vitamins and other dietary supplements. Many include themselves in this group, with 76 percent agreeing that supplement use can address their own diet gaps. Registered dietitians’ actions follow suit, with nine in 10 (96 percent) taking supplements and recommending them to their clients (97 percent).
Which supplements are registered dietitians taking? Most commonly, they are taking a multivitamin (84 percent). RDs also take specialty supplements (64 percent take at least one specialty supplement), such as Omega-3 fish oils (47 percent), herbal or botanical supplements (46 percent) or fiber (22 percent). Over half of registered dietitians take supplements for improved bone health (58 percent) and overall health and wellness (53 percent).
“Registered dietitians know people’s eating habits, and we know that people don’t always eat correctly,” says Leslie Bonci, RD, director of sports medicine nutrition for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and the Center for Sports Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and advisor to the “Life…supplemented” campaign. “A healthy diet works in concert with exercise and responsible use of supplements for a wellness lifestyle. We’re seeing RDs champion these three components to overall wellness.”
Seven in 10 registered dietitians who recommend supplements to their clients report doing so for bone health (72 percent) and to fill nutrition gaps (69 percent). Read more…
