Have you ever walked down the vitamin aisle and felt overwhelmed? The shelves are lined with bottles of vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies promising to enhance energy, boost immunity, fix your gut, and on and on. With so many options, how do you determine what your body truly needs—or if you even need supplements at all?
Modern Nutrient Quality Isn’t What is Used to Be!
Ideally, our diets would provide all the nutrients we need for optimal health! But modern realities have complicated this. For one, our food sources aren’t what they used to be. Soil depletion due to industrial farming practices has reduced the nutrient content in fruits and vegetables over time. A carrot today doesn’t have the same vitamin profile as a carrot from decades ago. Choosing Organic produce and grass fed meats and dairy when you’re able definitely helps!
Then, there’s the impact of our environment. Oxidative stress from pollution, toxins, and lifestyle factors like smoking or stress can increase our body’s need for antioxidants and other nutrients. Gut health also plays a crucial role in nutrient absorption. Even if you’re eating a balanced diet, issues like inflammation, imbalances in gut bacteria, or chronic conditions (like stress, for example!) could mean your body isn’t absorbing nutrients effectively.
Supplementation Isn’t One Size Fits All
Not everyone has the same nutritional needs! Just because your bestie is taking XX supplement, doesn’t mean that’s what is best for YOU! Age, gender, activity level, genetics, health conditions plus more all play into your body’s needs. This is why a one-size-fits-all approach to supplementation often falls short.
The best way to determine what you need? “Test, don’t guess.” My functional doctor told me this, and it has really stuck. Otherwise, we are just shooting in the dark, hoping the supplements we choose are optimal for our unique selves… and that doesn’t bring me a lot of comfort!
Instead of relying on generalized recommendations or the latest trends, I suggest working with a trusted healthcare provider to understand your unique needs. Comprehensive blood work and diagnostic tests can reveal deficiencies or imbalances that supplements might help address to help you feel your best, prevent disease and optimize your health and longevity.
Personal disclosure: My husband I have been working with a functional practitioner the last few months as we are both approaching 40 (yikes!). Even though we live on the Gulf Coast, boat, surf, fish, etc. and spend way more time than most Americans in the sunshine, our vitamin D was in the tank! (we are both taking 10,000 IU’s a day right now to get our levels up). I will tell you, it feels good and empowering to know that this is what our bodies need right now, and we are taking actionable steps to improve our health and listen to our bodies. By taking actionable steps such as annual bloodwork and physicals, we are also being preventative! I can’t stress enough the importance of getting ahead of the curve with your health.
A dear friend of mine always says, “let’s do what we can to best take care of this one vessel God gave us, so that we die of old age, not disease.” Of course, there will always be variables outside of our control but there are so many lifestyle changes that we can adapt to truly optimize longevity and health!
Choosing Quality Over Quantity
Once you’ve identified your specific needs, focus on quality. Not all supplements are created equal, unfortunately. Some products contain fillers, artificial ingredients, or forms of vitamins that your body struggles to absorb. Look for brands that prioritize purity, bioavailability, and third-party testing. Some of my personal favorites are Thorne, Cymbiotika, Core Formulas, Smidge, Organic Olivia and Designs for Health.
An Integrative Perspective on Health
While supplements can play a role in your wellness journey, they should never fully replace a healthy lifestyle. Think of them as an adjunct to, not a substitute for, whole nutritious food, regular movement, stress management and your emotional well-being. Even the best multivitamin won’t undo the effects of a diet high in processed foods or a sedentary lifestyle.
Takeaway: Personalized Wellness
Navigating the world of supplements doesn’t have to be daunting. By focusing on your individual needs, seeking professional guidance from someone you trust, and prioritizing quality, you can make informed decisions that truly support your health! Start by listening to your body, asking questions, and taking steps toward a healthier you—from the inside out.
I’m happy to answer any questions or share more resources, if this is a journey that you are on!
In Love & Health,
Lauren
