Questionable advisability of vitamin and mineral dietary supplement use in adolescents.

Our assessment

This study looked at whether vitamin and mineral supplements are a good idea for teenagers. Researchers analyzed data from 342 Slovenian adolescents with an average age of 15.4 years. This was a cross-sectional study from 2014, meaning it took a snapshot of their health at one point in time. The team measured supplement use, what the teens ate (using a 24-hour recall), their eating habits, and their body height and weight. It is important to note this is a small study NIH ODS ↗.

How it works

The main finding was that many adolescents had poor diets, but the study did not provide specific data on whether supplements helped or harmed them. The goal was to assess potential health risks from inadequate diet and supplement use. What this means for you is that relying on supplements to fix a poor diet may not be a safe or effective strategy for teenagers. A healthy diet should always be the first priority NIH ODS ↗.

Safety profile

Specific side effects from supplements in this study were not reported in the provided data. The study's abstract focused on assessing health risk from inadequate diet and supplement use, but did not list adverse events. Data on supplement side effects from FDA reports is not available for this specific study FDA FAERS ↗.

Our recommendation

For most adolescents, the best approach is to focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Supplements may be necessary in specific cases, such as a diagnosed deficiency, but should not be used as a substitute for healthy eating. Always talk to a doctor or a registered dietitian before starting any supplement routine for a teenager NIH ODS ↗ NIH DSLD ↗.