SAN DIEGO -- A report in the New York Times states a growing number of medical experts are concerned that Americans are overdoing vitamins.

Vitamin manufacturers and distributors say too many doctors do not know enough about nutrition.

In Henry's Market, the largest single section of the store is devoted to vitamins and supplements.

"It's a billion dollar industry today," John Staley, a salesman for Henry's brand vitamins said. "The truth is they are good for you."

However, Dr. Bill Norcross of UCSD Medical Center said the truth is some may not be so good for you.

"I think it's been known for a long time that Americans take more supplements than they need to," Norcross said.

He also said there are studies showing too much vitamin A can lead to bone loss and that Beta Carotene can accelerate the rate of lung cancer in smokers. Plus, he said there is no truth to the claim that vitamin C and echinatia don't will kill a cold.

Patti Milligan is a nutritionist for Henry's Market.

She said, "There are some nutrients that we do need to supplement."

And she is right, according to Norcross.

Norcross said he recommends vitamin B and folic acid for many of his patients.

How do you separate the coconut oil and flax oil from the just plain snake oil?

Eighty-year-old Esther Butler has a suggestion. She said to think of health care as self care.

"You need to read you need to study or you don't use it," Butler said.

For more information on the New York Times vitamin study, visit www.nytimes.com.