Living in the United States can be exciting and full of opportunity—but it also brings a specific lifestyle: long workdays, a lot of time indoors, processed food, stress, and not always enough sleep or sun. All of these factors can quietly affect your vitamin and mineral levels.
Many people who live (or have lived) in the USA wonder:
“Do I need vitamin supplements? Which ones are really useful—and which are just marketing?”
This article gives a clear, balanced overview based on current scientific guidance. It is general information only, not personal medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before starting any supplement.
1. Why Living in the USA Can Lead to Vitamin Gaps
Even though the USA is a high-income country, some nutrient gaps are surprisingly common.
1.1 Typical U.S. diet and lifestyle
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 note that many people do not meet recommendations for vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and often consume too much sodium, added sugar and saturated fat.Directives alimentaires+1
Because of this pattern, certain vitamins and minerals can be low in the diet, especially:
-
Vitamin D
-
Vitamin C
-
Vitamin A
-
Vitamin E
-
Some B vitamins
-
Iron and zinc in specific groupsCDC+2CDC+2
