Do I really need supplements is probably the number one thing I hear from prospective clients. And I get it, I understand why people have this question and it’s a legitimate one. Not all supplements are created equal and the unfortunate part is that only the bad press gets promoted all over the internet. It’s similar to how you always hear about bad customer service, but only occasionally hear about good customer service. And so the supplement industry is the same. So let’s get that drama out of the way first.

People are reluctant to take supplements because they worry about what is actually in their supplements.

We are constantly told that supplements on the internet are nothing more than baking soda in a capsule. And while there is some of that in the world, just like other good things, there will always be people who take advantage and do the wrong thing. They will put new labels on expired products, they will sell supplements at a dose less than what has actually been proven to be effective, and they will even put baking soda in capsules selling you something that they know has zero efficacy. Yes, all those things are true which is why I encourage and personally recommend and take supplements that only come directly from the manufacturer, not via Amazon, not via the store that buys from third-party vendors, only from the manufacturer.

Now that’s out the way, let’s talk about why you need supplements…

So to answer the question, yes, you do really need supplements, not a laundry list of them, but a core select few, that quite honestly shouldn’t cost you more than $5 a day. I mean, let’s be honest, supplements can get expensive, but high-quality supplements are generally no more than $5 a day. And personally, I think my health is worth $5 a day.

So let’s get into it…

In general, high quality supplements are harvested from reliable sources that your body actually needs to heal, balance, and be in good health. Supplements, therefore, are an appropriate addition to a healthy lifestyle.

Can’t I just eat a healthy diet, you ask?

While I appreciate this question, I think we have to really be honest with ourselves. It is almost nearly impossible to get every nutrient that your body needs even on an organic, whole foods, plant-based diet. And I’m guessing that you aren’t always able to eat an organic, whole foods, plant-based diet anyway, so instead of allowing your body to be depleted of nutrients, supplement with what your body needs to heal, be balanced, and be in good health. A good example of this is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is where your body can rob your bones of calcium and other minerals which then cause the deterioration of bones in the body. Supplementation is helpful so that your body doesn’t start to pull what nutrients it is lacking from places like your bone or your muscle.

We neglect to realize though the impact of our external environment on our body’s ability to get adequate nutrition. For example, nutrient deficiencies in the soil are associated with polluted oceans, polluted air, pesticides, and cheap fertilizers that negatively affect our produce, overfished seas, diseased, antibiotic-overloaded animals that we ultimately consume, hormone-loaded dairy products, to name a few…

So while I would love to support the idea that we can get everything we need from food, it’s just not true and not supported by data. One of the most well-known studies on this topic is from researchers Donald Davis and team at the University of Texas Austin where they published in 2004 their review of the US Department of Agriculture nutritional data from both 1950 and 1999 for 43 different fruits and vegetables. The study identified “reliable declines” in protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, B vitamins, and vitamin C. Important to note, however, that there are many more nutrients with potential for decline that weren’t captured in 1950, such as magnesium and vitamin E.

Another long-term study conducted by Harvard University physicians determined that men who took a multivitamin decreased their chance of developing cancer by 8%.

So if supplements are so good for you, why has no one shared this information before?

I mean let’s be honest here again… The likelihood of you getting a recommendation from your doctor for a supplement is not high. Because of the pharmaceutical industry, more often than not, the focus will be on prescription medication and that is quite frankly what healthcare providers are taught in school. There is little to no education on nutritional supplements and as a result, they are not widely accepted in conventional medicine.

So maybe I’ve convinced you that you need supplements. Which ones do you take?

Here’s where I would love to help you. Message me here and we can discuss the best regimen to meet your health goals.

Talk soon,