In Defense of Supplements
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I often get the question: “Do I really need a supplement or multivitamin? Isn’t this a way to get me to spend more money and all I get is expensive pee?” Often we use medications to support patients so they are able to focus on friends, family and vegetables.
No! Likely you do need a supplement, and here’s why: You are likely not getting all of the nutrients you need to run your body optimally from your food. If you want optimal function from your body, you need to give it all the nutrients it needs to run.
So, that means you need optimal levels of magnesium, zinc, calcium, vitamins, a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats, adequate water, fiber, and phytonutrients, to name just a few. To get the nutrients your body needs to function optimally from food alone, you need to eat a diverse whole foods diet, have strong stomach acid, have reliable digestive enzyme secretion, and have the correct balance of gut bacteria.
My Favorite Supplement for Migraine Relief
I struggle with migraines, and my magnesium is low. I work hard to eat a whole foods diet, but it can be difficult to maintain all the time, and my digestion is a work in progress! So to help with migraines, I take supplemental magnesium. My body needs more than I can consume, digest, and absorb through food sources alone.
Many of us are not consistently eating a whole foods diet. Or our digestion needs help. Or perhaps we have an imbalance in our gut microbiome. Or, maybe we have a life situation that requires extra nutrients daily that we cannot consume and absorb through food alone.
But even if we have perfect digestion and we eat just the right foods, unfortunately our food is less nutrient dense than it was just 50 years ago. Which means you need to eat more of it to get the nutrients you need. (For more information on this topic, see How modern food can regain its nutrients.)
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Quality Matters
But before you run out to the nearest big box store to pick up a multivitamin, know this: Quality matters. Many of the big box brands or generic supplements are manufactured with fillers and less bioavailable ingredients. This means that you will not necessarily see benefits from taking these supplements because your body cannot absorb the vitamins or nutrients.
Another concern with lower quality supplements is that they may not undergo third party testing to ensure quality and purity. For example, if you need to be gluten free, there is a possibility that a lower quality supplement has a wheat bran filler that is not listed on the label. Or a lower quality herbal product may have pesticide contamination. Lower quality products also may have food dyes, wax coatings, or other additives that improve the visual appearance. As a rule, we do not have deficiencies in FD&C Red #40 or titanium dioxide, common ingredients in red or white tablets.
Professional Grade Supplements
With a high-quality supplement, you are assured that the nutrients are more bioavailable, there are minimal fillers or additives, and the company has submitted their products for third party analysis for purity and safety. Generally, high-quality supplements are also listed as “professional” supplements. Professional grade supplements are high quality, have more research done on the formulations, and are sold through health care professionals. The intent is that you consult with a healthcare professional when deciding on such a supplement to ensure that it is appropriate for your complaint, will have no harmful interactions with other medications you may be on, and you know how long to take it.
I have curated my NutriDyn store for the high-quality supplements that I think are most beneficial for most people. Supplement sales from my NutriDyn store are part of the network of support I receive to continue my work. If you are looking for something specific, let me know! I can work with you to find a supplement that meets your wellness – and financial – goals and doesn’t just result in expensive pee.