Today's Article

"I think people are using more supplements nowadays."

3Integrative medicine specialist Dr. Yufang Lin with the Cleveland Clinic says people use supplements for a variety of reasons, including vitamin C when they're sick, omega-3 and ginger for 4inflammation, magnesium for sleep, collagen for anti aging and protein powder for fitness goals.

"With the rise of social media and influencers pushing or advertising supplements, there's also increasing use because of those."

Lin says a vitamin supplement may be okay for some, including those who have diet 5deficiencies, anyone with trouble 6absorbing or 7digesting food, those with a history of 8intestinal or stomach surgery, or if a person is low in vitamin D, especially in winter months.

"However, 9excess supplements can be toxic to the body as well and can be approved."

Supplements aren't 10regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Lin says taking too many can 11take a toll on the body, especially the 12kidney and liver.

Some can also 13interfere with medications.

So before using a supplement, she says to consider whether it's safe and necessary.

If you do take them, she says, to monitor whether you're seeing benefits.

"They need to be taken with the same consideration you would have when you're taking the medication."