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Myth: Supplements don’t “work.”

True, supplements generally don’t offer dramatic or immediate effects, like a drug. But by helping ensure key nutrients are in optimal range, they’re an important part of a preventative health care strategy, says Dr. Marita. Many vitamin and mineral deficiencies can lead to more serious health conditions, she warns.

For example, magnesium deficiency can lead to blood sugar imbalances, nervous system diseases (anxiety, fatigue, depression), insomnia, muscle cramps, headaches, high blood pressure and more, she says. Studies show that about half of Americans don’t meet the RDA for magnesium through diet, making supplementation even more important.

A growing number of conventional physicians recognize the importance of nutritional supplementation, partly because of a growing body of research that backs positive effects, says Mark Blumenthal, founder of the American Botanical Council (ABC). To reasonably expect results comparable to those seen in clinical studies, look for brands and products that use “therapeutic” doses in the ranges tested in those studies.