The world of nutritional supplementation can be overwhelming. We live in a fast-paced world, surrounded by the “quick-fix” mindset. Whatever health issues you have, there seems to be a remedy in a bottle for it at your fingertips. But will it work? Is it worth the money? And with all the supplements out there, how can you know which one is best for you?
This post presents seven key strategies to help streamline your supplements. I highly recommend working with a seasoned nutritional professional such as myself to help determine what is best for your health concerns and goals. It may seem surprising, but most of my clients find that targeted nutritional therapy pays for itself due to savings on supplements and out-of-pocket health care expenses.
Streamline: Less is More!
Some clients come into their first appointment with a shopping bag full of supplements they’ve bought somewhere along the way in their quest to heal. In fact, sometimes, the sheer number of supplements is overwhelming. Even more overwhelming is the online literature recommending certain supplements for particular conditions. Additionally, there are long rows of supplements on store shelves, all claiming to be the miracle cure for whatever it is we are suffering from. This can be a very fast way of accumulating a large supplement kit.
More is not always better. A lot of my clients are consuming supplements that aren’t well-matched to their needs and which may actually worsen some of their health issues.
Begin with Nutrition
What does the word “supplement” actually mean? It is something that we take in addition to – over and above – what we eat. It’s not a replacement! Nutrition is always the place to start. In fact, my clients find that they save a lot of money on supplements once they adjust their nutrition according to my recommendations.
Understand the Purpose of Supplements
The reality is that most people with health issues do need some supplements some of the time. But understand that we take supplements to rebalance the body, and this, over time, does reduce our need for supplements.
Ideally, our diets would supply all the nutrients we need. However, nutrient-depleted soil, stress, illness, digestive dysfunction that lowers the absorption of nutrients and exposure to toxins that deplete specific nutrients can cause a need for certain nutrients at levels not supplied by a healthy diet alone. For example, people with a condition called pyroluria have extra requirements for zinc and vitamin B6 at levels that most people’s diets cannot supply on a daily basis. Likewise, mercury in the body’s tissues depletes a staggering number of vitamins and minerals. If this is your case, you may need a number of nutritional supplements in order to function. In fact, if you have any disease or dysfunction, you are likely lacking one or more nutrients. In other words, nutritional deficiencies cause illness, and illness causes nutritional deficiencies.
However, if you feel vibrantly healthy and are eating a nutrient-dense diet, then you may not need any supplements.
Adopt a Bio-Individual Approach
“What supplements do I need, and at what dose?”
The answer to this question is highly individual. There really aren’t any one-size-fits-all supplements. If someone tells you otherwise, they may be trying to sell you something you don’t need.
When my clients have symptoms of multiple nutritional deficiencies, I start by looking at diet, lifestyle and digestion rather than supplementing with all the nutrients that are lacking. By adjusting diet, we may be able to avoid supplementing. Furthermore, supporting digestion may help absorb more nutrients from the diet.
Get Professional Guidance
Here’s a common scenario. I meet with the family of a child with ongoing constipation, sometimes accompanied by insomnia, skin problems or ADHD. The child exhibits signs of multiple mineral deficiencies and poor protein digestion. I could put this child on a heavy dose of minerals and, say, a protein powder. However, I’d rather look at the underlying causes and the lowest common denominator in these symptoms.
Because sufficient levels of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid, or HCl) help break down proteins and absorb minerals, I often start with digestive support. In most cases, this involves a combination of foods, herbs and spices. If the client has a poor appetite (especially in the morning), an aversion to meat, or white spots on the fingernails, I may recommend a liquid zinc supplement which is absorbed through the blood vessels of the mouth rather than in the digestive tract. Because zinc helps catalyze over 300 enzyme processes in the body and helps the body make hydrochloric acid and hydrochloric acid helps the body absorb zinc, iron, magnesium, calcium and other minerals (as well as break down proteins into amino acids that the body can use to make neurotransmitters and hormones), the combination of HCl-supporting foods and easily-absorbed zinc can turn around a complex cascade of dysfunction. Did you notice that I didn’t mention directly supplementing with HCl itself?
Leverage Appropriate Testing
In my practice, I use several tools to help determine what nutrients a person needs and which forms are most compatible with the person’s body.
The first is a nutritional assessment questionnaire which allows me to identify the nutrients the person is most likely lacking, either due to diet or poor absorption. The client’s history, food journal and additional clarifying questions help refine my understanding.
I also use functional interpretation of lab tests to determine specific supplement needs. Looking at your regular lab work from a functional perspective helps me identify some deficiencies. These may be nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B-1 or functional deficiencies such as poor protein digestion. When lab tests indicate hormonal imbalances, for example, between estrogen and progesterone, I fine-tune a nutrition and supplement plan to restore balance.
Additionally, I use hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) when applicable to customize the client’s nutrition and supplements. HTMA involves taking a small sample of the client’s hair and sending it to the lab. The lab then analyzes the essential minerals and toxic metals that are present in the sample. Once I receive the report, I interpret the results, identifying patterns and nutritional needs. This allows me to make very precise nutritional and supplement changes. It’s even hard for me to get used to the amazing results of targeted mineral balancing!
Clients with digestive and autoimmune disorders often benefit from a GI panel or stool test that analyzes digestive markers as well as bacteria, yeasts and parasites. On this basis, I can recommend a probiotic that matches the client’s situation. Additionally, we can address specific digestive imbalances, such as poor fat digestion and increased inflammatory markers, with nutritional and supplement changes.
Stop at the Proper time
Taking the right supplements is important. It’s also important to take them just as long as you need them and not forever. Some nutrients can cause imbalances if taken at therapeutic doses for too long. I recommend re-assessment of supplements at least once every three months.
For example, a client came to me last year with her lab results. The vitamin D test that her doctor ran showed that she was deficient in vitamin D, in spite of the fact that she was taking a daily supplement. She was not absorbing the supplement. So I switched her to an emulsified vitamin D product, keeping the same dose her doctor had recommended. I recommended that she get her levels re-tested 3 months later. I’m glad that she followed my advice because her levels were in the upper range of normal! Had she not been re-tested, she may have reached undesirably high levels of vitamin D.
Source High-Quality Supplements
It is a very good idea to purchase professional-quality supplements directly from a reputable source. While it may cost a bit more than buying the cheapest supplements through third-party online sellers, taking a few well-chosen supplements that your body needs and can absorb and that truly contain the ingredients listed on the label provides good value. Most of my clients save a considerable amount of money on supplements by switching to a professional-quality dispensary.
Let’s work together!
I’m here for you when you’re ready to schedule a session or if you’d like to learn more about how I assess your individualized nutritional and supplement needs.
And if you’re a holistic healthcare practitioner wanting to support your clients from an individualized perspective, check out my case study group, where you can learn from me.