I know this is a supplement forum but supplements are not a must unless you have a specific deficiency. It's a myth that you can't get your nutrition from non organic sources. A large part of the draw is convenience. Most don't have the time or inclination to source and put together nutritional meals. Heck, the clue is in the name: supplements, not essentials!
I think what he meant in context is that being that this is a supplement forum, and the person asked what supplements are a must - that they were asking what supplements people that take and like supplements consider a must.
I understand your point that people don't have to take supplements to live, therefore they aren't a must. But along those lines, working out isn't a must to begin with - there are many people that don't. But just as working out can improve health and quality of life, supplements can improve health, quality of life, and results from working out.
Plus, from a supplement perspective - yes, people could in theory, although would be almost impossible in reality, eat well enough to offset nutritional deficiencies in terms of vitamins and minerals, and maybe even get a few herbs in, but it would be impossible to eat in such a way to get in many things that are useful for both health and performance results.
Take me for example - workout supplements aside, some things for general health and condition specific purposes that have made a huge difference in my life and that I use regularly:
- Blood Pressure Support XT - has helped my blood pressure tremendously, to the point where I was able to come off of a prescription medication for blood pressure. Literally every male in my family has been in prescription medicine for BP and no matter how good my diet is and has been, I've always had blood pressure issues - even when I was younger, more active, and ate super clean. It would be impossible for me to consume AmealPeptide, MegaNatural BP, and several of the other ingredients in Blood Pressure Support XT through food.
- Algal Oil for my EPA/DHA - I don't eat fish and fish upsets my stomach. Fish oil capsules make me nauseous; therefore I get my EPA/DHA through Algal oil - there is no way I could do that through diet.
I could keep on going, but those are just two great off the top of my head examples.
I understand what you're saying, but I understand what he is saying too - I'm just trying to add perspective here and to try to avoid any conflict in this thread.
(Not sure if you know, but in the last 2 weeks, there's been quite a bit of conflict here on AM and things that seemed they should have been basic conversations getting out of control and escalating bigtime).