[ggchappell]

I think I understand where you're coming from, and I mostly agree. However, I think it is a mistake to generalize from the idea that most supplementation is misguided, to the idea that all of it is.

For example, consider vitamin D. Humans make this in their skin, using sunlight. Now, what about those of us who live far from the equator and work indoors? For some time, the standard answer to this has been fortified milk. Okay, but most people in the world lack the mutation that lets most northern Europeans, and some Africans, digest milk sugar as adults. With the limited options available, vitamin D supplements start looking like a worthwhile option.

And then there are the non-nutrient supplements. A healthy diet should get you most of your vitamins, etc., but it won't get you the antidepressant found in St. John's wort. And it might not get you the probiotics that can combat H. Pylori infections, or the stuff in cinammon that seems to be effective against some kinds of diabetes.