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Over half of Americans take at least one supplement, according to the CDC. But Michael Pollan<\/a>, who has taught a MasterClass on intentional eating<\/a>, written multiple food-related books, and released a food system documentary, Food, Inc. 2, out today, says we should instead be receiving our vitamins from our diet.<\/p>\n \u201cOur bodies evolved to get nutrients from food, not from pills. So it\u2019s no wonder that supplements<\/a> generally don\u2019t work, unless you have a very specific deficiency,\u201d Pollan told Business Insider<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n Pollan says if you\u2019re considering taking a supplement, to eat more vegetables instead.. Specifically, Pollan suggests eating plants from a family of cruciferous vegetables called brassicas, or cole crops, because of their plant compounds that can help lower risk of cancer, heart disease<\/a>, and other age-related diseases<\/a>. These vitamin- and mineral-rich plants include broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, collared greens, and Brussels sprouts.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a group of chemicals inside these vegetables called glucosinolates<\/a> that can be thanked for their bitter flavor. It\u2019s also likely to be the reason why people who eat these veggies have lower rates of certain forms of cancers<\/a>. But putting the compound that forms when these chemicals break down into a pill isn\u2019t the same as consuming the food directly, says Pollan.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are things we don\u2019t understand about the structure of food and the relationship of the chemicals within the food that is very important,\u201d he says. Supplements also aren\u2019t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness.<\/p>\n However, there is one supplement Pollan says he takes daily: a multivitamin<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBut that\u2019s it,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n The appeal to multivitamins is that it\u2019s a one-size-fits-most pill.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile individual nutritional needs vary from person to person depending on age, sex, health status, and lifestyle, many multivitamin supplements provide nutrients that play crucial roles in various physiological processes to prevent deficiencies that would otherwise cause health problems,\u201d Jamie Lee McIntyre, RD<\/a> previously told Fortune.<\/em><\/p>\n Most multivitamins contain vitamins A, D<\/a>, E, K<\/a>, C, B, calcium, magnesium<\/a>, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese, and chromium, says McIntyre.<\/p>\n Multivitamins can help supplement those with dietary restrictions, like vegetarians, with vitamins and minerals they might be missing from just their diet. They aren\u2019t a cure-all, though. Combining a balanced diet with exercise is the best way to fight against harmful diseases and manage weight, but adding a daily multivitamin into the mix is not a bad idea\u2014just do your research and consult a doctor first.<\/p>\n \u201cOverall, while multivitamins can be a convenient way to support overall health, they should be used judiciously and in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle and dietary habits,\u201d says McIntyre.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nWhy take a multivitamin?<\/strong><\/h2>\n