The benefits of taking supplements If you ever take your daily supplements and wonder what the specific benefits might be, a new study from the University of California offers a clue. UC researchers conducted physical exams and interviewed more than 275 multiple vitamin supplement users, about 175 single supplement users, and more than 602 subjects who used no supplements at all. Analysis of the data produced these results, which appeared in a recent issue of Nutrition Journal: "Greater degree of supplement use was associated with more favorable concentrations of serum homocysteine, C-reactive protein, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as lower risk of prevalent elevated blood pressure and diabetes." The California team also notes that blood level concentrations of nutrients generally increased with higher supplement use, putting to rest the claims of naysayers who would have us believe that vitamin supplements don't actually boost vitamin levels in the body. In addition to basic multivitamins (delivering such staples as vitamins C and E, the B- complex, and various minerals), researchers found that men who took supplements also tended to take extra zinc, garlic, and saw palmetto, while women tended to take extra gamma linolenic acid and probiotic supplements. Source:
"Usage Patterns, Health, and Nutritional Status of Long-Term Multiple Dietary Supplement Users: A Cross-Sectional Study" Nutrition Journal, Vol. 6, No. 30, 10/24/07, nutritionj.com | 
