After being diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, I started to take an Iron + Vitamin C supplement every day. I also started to eat foods with a higher iron content more often. So, this makes me wonder: how much do people spend on supplements compared to their grocery bill? According to the National Institutes of Health, $33.9 billion was spent on alternative medicine in the year 2008. That is more than what the National Football League (NFL) is worth! Also, more than half of Americans are popping multivitamin pills daily and about one-third are using some sort of alternative medicine (vitamins or herbs in a pill form).
Whether you choose to take dietary supplements or not, it is vital to eat foods packed with various vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables, every day. Even though it may be possible to save money when buying a supplement to take place of food, this is not always the case. Plus with food you get more than just the particular nutrient listed on the label.
So how much does the cost of a dietary supplement compare to a similar food? Check out this table. Prices are from central Iowa in June 2012.
| Supplement | Price perserving | Nutritional value per serving | Food item with comparable nutrients | Price perserving | Nutritional value per serving |
| Muscle Milk, Ready to Drink Chocolate Flavor | $3.99 | 20g protein | 3oz chicken breast | $.60 | 25g protein |
| Nature Made Fish Oil 1000mg | $.29 | 900mg Omega 3 | ¼ cup of walnuts | $.87 | 2,500mg of Omega 3 |
| Benefiber Powder, Sugar Free, Orange Flavor + Calcium | $.48 | 3g fiber | 1 medium apple | $.40 | 4.4g of fiber |
| Viactiv Milk Chocolate Soft Chews + Vitamin D | $.20 | 1000mg calcium | 8oz skim milk | $.17 | 300mg of calcium |
If you decide to buy a dietary supplement, you should do your research on the supplement first. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does NOT regulate dietary supplements. Visit the manufacturer’s website for product information or the FDA’s website for more information on dietary supplements: http://www.fda.gov/food/dietarysupplements/default.htm
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