Highlights:
-Fifty-two percent of American adults reported using nutritional supplements in 2012, a statistic that has remained stable since 1999. Americans spent $21 billion on nutritional supplements in 2015
-While the use of multivitamins has decreased somewhat, use of vitamin D and omega-3 supplements have dramatically increased between 1999 and 2012
-While dietary supplements are generally safe, when and how you take them — such as with or without food, or before or after exercise — can make a difference both in terms of safety and effectiveness
-Since multivitamins contain an array of both water- and fat-soluble vitamins, it’s generally recommended you take half of your daily dose in the morning, with breakfast, and the other half with your main meal
-Studies have shown that taking antioxidant supplements immediately prior to exercise has the curious effect of decreasing insulin sensitivity. It also hampers your body’s ability to defend itself against oxidative damage