take a vitamin or supplement according to a 2019 poll done by the American Osteopathic Association, but that doesn't mean they're healthier for it.

The same poll states that only 24 percent of "those taking vitamins or supplements received test results indicating they have a nutritional deficiency." With thousands of products on the market it's challenging to know which supplements are right for you and which ones to avoid, so Eat This, Not That!

Health talked with specialists who shared their expertise on 7 supplements that are a waste of money.

Michael Hirt, a Board Certified Nutrition from Harvard University and Board Certified in Internal Medicine and is with The Center for Integrative Medicine in Tarzana California, breaks down the supplements to avoid and reveals why they don't have the health benefits you think.

"Everyone knows that zinc is important for immune health, and sales of this mineral have soared during the pandemic as the World tries to defend itself against the viral predator," says Dr.

"Consumers can find zinc in many forms, but not all zinc supplements provide this important mineral in a form that can be easily absorbed.

Zinc oxide is an inexpensive form of zinc, and so lower quality supplements will often use it in their vitamin formulas.

When you take a supplement of just vitamin E (without any of the other tocopherols), the vitamin E molecules will fill all of the receptors and block the naturally occurring food-based tocopherols from also being absorbed.

Researchers have shown that these inadvertently blocked tocopherols are even more important to your good health than just vitamin E.

Many people add a multivitamin to their daily routine, but Megan Mescher-Cox, DO, Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine and Obesity Medicine explains why you should rethink that and why other popular supplements aren't beneficial healthwise.

Of course this can be due to many factors and it is hypothesized that individuals with less-healthy lifestyles or that have medical conditions end up supplementing more often, accounting for the findings but overall, spending your money on real, whole foods that are rich in vitamins have more health benefits than a multivitamin.".

Taking a fiber supplement may help with constipation but the additional health benefits are only found in the real deal.".

"Collagen has become quite popular as a supplement recently, although it has been around for decades," says Mescher-Cox.

But we are not a country that suffers from protein deficiency," says Mescher-Cox.

"B-complex vitamins have grown in popularity partly due to the energy boost they provide when ingested," says Mescher-Cox.

It is extremely rare to have high levels of vitamin B6 unless an individual is getting it from supplements and it is important to watch for other vitamin B6 intake as it is added to energy drinks or other supplements.

There are many B vitamins with health benefits and a well-rounded nutrient-dense diet will provide these B vitamins.

It is also important to note vitamin B12 supplementation can be critically important to individuals who are on a fully plant-based diet or who are identified to be low in vitamin B12.".

It contains Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids," says Mescher-Cox.

"Omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and provide health benefits but the omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory and it is recommended to limit consumption so best to avoid this supplement that can increase inflammation.

"Another popular item in the last many years, bone broth comes from soaking bones and connective tissue from animals in water to extract the collagen," says Mescher-Cox

Please keep in mind that vitamins or supplements can be life saving if the individual is in need of that specific vitamin or supplement but it is dose and patient specific

"Calcium supplements used to be widely taken – and recommended by the medical community – for bone health but later research proved that calcium supplementation to more cardiovascular events," says Mescher-Cox

"Overall, I recommend to my patients that they focus on getting their nutrients from whole foods," says Mescher-Cox

Cabrera says, "The most important aspect of proper child development and brain development is to ensure that the child is receiving proper nutrition

Along with macronutrients key nutrients that support neurodevelopment include zinc, folate, iron, choline, iodine; vitamins A, B6, B12, D and long-chain unsaturated fatty acids." And to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID