The supplement cabinet has a way of growing. One product is added for sleep. Another is purchased for energy. A third promises immune support. Someone recommends magnesium, vitamin D, probiotics, fish oil, collagen, or an herbal blend. Before long, there may be a shelf full of bottles—and no clear memory of why each one was started. Dietary supplements can be valuable. They may help address a documented deficiency, meet increased nutritional needs, support a particular stage of life, or form part of a carefully considered treatment plan.

But “natural” does not automatically mean necessary, harmless, or appropriate in every quantity and combination. Sometimes the healthiest question is not, “What else should I take?” but rather, “Do I still need everything I am already taking?”

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