More often than not, nurses and doctors who take a vitamin or any other supplement recommend their patients take them too, according to a survey of 900 physicians and 277 nurses commissioned by the Council for Responsible Nutrition.

The numbers bear this out: Seventy-two percent of physicians and 89 percent of nurses who were surveyed used a supplement while 79 percent of doctors and 82 percent of nurses recommended them to their patients.

A multivitamin, with or without minerals, topped the list of dietary supplements used most often by both sets of health professionals, followed by vitamin C, vitamin B complex, vitamin D, vitamin E and calcium. Among the more popular supplements used by nurses and doctors: Green tea, fish oil, glucosamine and flax seed.

Why do nurses and doctors recommend supplements?

* Overall health and wellness

* Bone health

* Colds or the flu.

* Heart health

* Immune health

* Improved energy

Nutrition Journal July 1, 2009 Free Full Text PDF

Council For Responsible Nutrition July 14, 2009

NutraIngredients-USA.com July 16, 2009

Reuters July 16, 2009