Supplements
Do dietitians recommend supplements?
Sometimes, but food comes first. A dietitian may suggest a supplement when your labs, diet or health history point to a gap that food alone is not filling. Any supplement should be reviewed with your doctor and pharmacist for interactions with your medicines.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ambily Kushal, RD, MS, PhD · Published · Last reviewed
Why does food come first?
Foods give you fiber, protein and many nutrients together, and your dietitian sees a supplement as an addition to your diet, not a replacement for it. A dietitian starts with what you eat and what your labs show.
Many gaps can be addressed by changing meals. Low iron, for example, may call for a look at what you eat, how you absorb it and why a level is low before anything else is added.
When a dietitian does bring up a supplement, the reason should be specific to you, written down, and open to question.
When might my dietitian suggest a supplement?
When a lab result, a restricted diet or a health condition suggests a need that food is unlikely to meet. Your dietitian explains the reason and checks it with your doctor.
- A low lab result that your doctor has confirmed and wants addressed.
- A diet that leaves out whole food groups, such as a vegan diet.
- A condition or medicine that affects how you absorb nutrients.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding, where your doctor guides the choices.
How do I check a supplement with my doctor?
Share the full list with your doctor and pharmacist before you start anything. Supplements can interact with medicines, which your pharmacist can check, and the FDA does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before they are sold.
Tell every member of your care team what you take, including vitamins, herbs and powders. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements advises people to tell their health care providers, including doctors, pharmacists and dietitians, about any supplements they use.
Be careful with products that promise to treat a health condition. Ask your doctor before using a supplement in place of, or together with, a prescribed medicine.
Why does my dietitian start one supplement at a time?
Starting one at a time lets you and your care team see what helps and what causes trouble. If you start several at once, you cannot tell which one is responsible for a change.
An iterative approach means one change, a set time to watch for effects, then a recheck of labs or symptoms with your doctor before the next step.
Stop and call your doctor or pharmacist if you notice rash, stomach upset that does not settle, palpitations or any change that worries you. Bring the product label to the call. For trouble breathing, facial swelling or chest pain, call 911.
What patients say about this kind of care
One patient valued a dietitian's step-by-step approach to supplements instead of being bombarded with them.
“She did not bombard me with supplements … but rather followed an iterative approach.”
One patient described a dietitian helping them set a diet as well as supplements.
“Very knowledgeable and helped me set a diet as well as supplements that will help me.”
One patient valued clear advice and resources based on science.
“Dr. Ambily provides clear advice and resources based on science. She tailored her guidance based on my needs and progress.”
Excerpts from patient reviews of Dr. Ambily Kushal, quoted word for word. Each describes one person’s care; individual experiences vary and are not a promise of results.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dietitian sell me supplements?
Some practices sell supplements, so ask any dietitian. Whatever your dietitian suggests, you can review it with your doctor and pharmacist and buy it wherever you choose.
Do I need a supplement if I eat well, or should I ask my doctor?
Many people do not. Your labs, diet and health history show whether a gap exists, and your doctor can confirm.
Are natural supplements always safe, even if my dietitian suggests them?
No. Natural products can interact with medicines and cause side effects. Ask your pharmacist to check every product against your medicines.
What should I bring to my dietitian about supplements?
Bring the bottles or photos of the labels, a list of your medicines, and your recent labs. Your dietitian can then review them with your care team.
Can a dietitian tell me to stop a medicine?
No. Medicine decisions belong to your prescriber. Never stop or swap a prescribed medicine for a supplement without your prescriber.
Sources
- Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements)
- Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
- Vitamin D: Fact Sheet for Consumers (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements)
Related reading
Our condition guides are general education, not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own diagnosis, tests and medicines.