That is such a great question. Do you really NEED Supplements?

If you say no, you're probably thinking you can get everything from food alone. You eat all the daily requirements of vegetables, fruits, etc. and have convinced yourself you are doing just fine. Maybe you are. However, there are a few factors you maybe hadn't thought of.

Prescription Medication

If you've taken or have taken prescription medication for ANYTHING, then of course your system and how it reacts to this is going to need some additional nutrients. A pharmacist was quoted saying "I don't know of a single drug that does not affect the absorption, utilization or loss of some nutrient." Makes sense, right? A lot of times we don't even think about it. Supplements help to fill these deficiencies that we don't even know might be happening to our body.

The Soil

If you don't grow and eat everything out of your own soil and garden, then of course you're going to need supplements. The soil has changed so much throughout the years (especially mass produced) and this doesn't guarantee the quality of the nutrients in the food that there used to be. Of course we would love to be able to have everything ready and available at our fingertips, but unfortunately we need to outsource things including fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. This is true of where your meat and eggs are coming from if you consume those as well.

Toxins

Other things that are out of our control are Toxins. Toxins are found in the air, water, food, and anything we can come in contact with. Don't get all paranoid because obviously not all of it can be helped, but supplements CAN help to get rid of these excess toxins. Even antibiotics we consume through our meat (that are fed to animals) can kill the good bacteria in our gut and produce deficiencies. A lot of these toxins the body doesn't know how to process so it sticks in our fat cells. How exciting is that? Not very, so supplements can help rid the bad and keep the good!

Alcohol

What? My favorite thing to do on the weekends? Maybe when I was in college. Yes, having alcohol even a few drinks a week greatly increases your need for supplementation. Why? Because it is a gastric irritant and the acid can damage the lining of our intestinal track, can induce bleeding, and affects the absorption of nutrients. Yikes! Think twice about your next beverage choices.

Smoking and chewing tobacco are just as bad for the intestinal track and create free radicals that damage throughout the body. Not worth it in the long run, but if you are going to have either then there are certain supplements to look into especially probiotics, Vitamins C, B6, B12 and magnesium.

Weight Loss

Are you looking to lose weight? If so, you are probably cutting calories. Unfortunately that also means nutrients as well. So why not fuel yourself with all the proper nutrition including supplements to keep your body safe and energy up as well. Also, a lot of supplements can help with weight loss as well. Most people use protein shakes as well as meal/protein bars and you want to make sure you're getting the best quality out there.

So the answer is Yes, you DO need supplements!

Who else can benefit from supplements?

Pregnant women, teenagers (growth spurts), athletes, elderly, someone who has had an accident, persons with illness, persons with food allergies, and the list goes on.

If I've convinced you to use supplements then good!! If you haven't started, now is the time. However, don't rush out to buy the cheapest bottle of Vitamin D or Magnesium you can find. Remember it's quality, not quantity when it comes to supplements and vitamins. Just because one is cheaper doesn't guarantee it's even what it says on the bottle. Most supplements found in stores are not tested or regulated. You could be buying complete garbage and not even know it. Do your research. Look into a company that has had medical publications of their testing, types or products, results etc. Look for a company that has been around for years with quality ingredients.

Some companies like Shaklee (been around for 60 years) even offer complete vitamin strips for a full day with an all in one package. The RAIN company makes supplements in an easy squeeze packet for easy digestion for those who don't like pills as well.

There are many options. Find what is right for you and what your body needs. You can even have blood work done by your doctor to detect deficiencies and then go from there too.

Happy shopping!

Need help figuring out what supplements you should take? Suffering from certain conditions and would like some help?

Contact me today for your FREE Personal Consultation!

or call me at (206) 498-9802

--Riannan

Certified Health Coach and Holistic Nutrition Consultant