Watch any channel on Cable TV and you will soon see an ad for powdery supplements, designed to provide all the nutrients needed to stay healthy. Some are dehydrated fruits and vegetables, some are sources of fiber and others offer vital protein.
While I am not as disturbed by these products (most of which offer some nutritional benefit) as I am by agents purported to improve memory, mental alertness and male "vitality," they are just another unnecessary expense for most individuals. A reasonable, well-balanced diet, perhaps supplemented by a multivitamin tablet, is generally adequate.
Dietary deficiency most often affects the poor; forced to eat inexpensive, unhealthy foods, they are not in the market for expensive supplements. Good nutrition results from education and, if necessary, social support, not from a counter full of canisters. Besides, eating is a pleasant and creative experience.
