Prevention Care

Many people who take dietary supplements are in good health. Sometimes characterized as the worried well, this population tends to consume healthful diets and dietary supplements and to lead healthy, active lives. While there is no evidence that people in this group rely on dietary supplements as a substitute for good dietary habits, they do believe dietary supplements provide something that may be missing from their diets or that could help them to lead longer, healthier lives. Among people who use dietary supplements for prevention, some have a more specific agenda. Some take dietary supplements to prevent a specific disease or condition, such as a disease that runs in the family or any disease or condition that has caused the individual concern. If a woman’s mother and father died of heart disease, for example, she may use dietary supplements touted to prevent heart disease. However, many health conditions have gained popular attention through the media, and American consumers have responded with heightened awareness.