Most experts will advise you to attempt to meet your nutritional needs with food, rather than vitamin and mineral supplements. This is important because there isn't yet enough known about some essential nutrients to enable nutritionists to make firm recommendations. Your health can be improved at any age by a varied diet with special attention to lower fat and calorie intake. Because your recommended calorie intake changes with age, it's a good idea to have a dietary evaluation conducted about every 10 years. However, as a general rule, you should attempt to eat meals that are low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pasta. Eat fish and poultry with no skin instead of eggs and fatty meats, use no-fat or low-fat dairy products, substitute olive oil for other oils, and use salt sparingly. You should also take special care to get plenty of fiber, protein, and calcium in your diet. Unfortunately, many well-meaning people spend a considerable amount of money every year on dietary supplements that do them little or no good. So, although certain medications, conditions, or diseases may necessitate vitamin and mineral supplements, you should never take them without first consulting your physician.
